Dark Hedges in Nothern Ireland: Update

This post provides an important development as reported today.

For ease of reference my original post of May 17th 2020 is repeated below.

The situation regarding the avenue of trees is as follows:

  • The avenue originally comprised 150 beech trees which were planted in 1775.
  • Prior to today's announcement 86 trees remained.
  • A safety check determined that 11 of the remaining trees were in poor condition of which 6 had to be felled.Of the remainder 4 required remedial work with assessment of 1 pending.
  • The remaining trees have an age of about 250 years whereas the typical life span for the species is 150-200 years.

Clearly, today's news is detrimental for tourists, especially Outlander fans.

Dark Hedges, an incredible and eery site in Northern Ireland


Dark Hedges

This evening, I am posting information on the unusual natural feature known as the ‘Dark Hedges’, near Stranocum in Northern Ireland.

The feature comprises an avenue of very mature beech trees planted in the 18th century by the local Stuart family in order to impress visitors approaching their property, Gracehill House.

Clearly, the site is a magnet for photographers throughout all seasons and light conditions.The Dark Hedges were used as a filming location for the "King's Road" in the television series Game of Thrones. The trees have also been used in the 2017 Transformers film The Last Knight.

Dark Hedges is located near Gracehill Golf Club off the B147, about 2.5 miles from the village of Stranocum. Post code is BT53 8TP.

A site not to be missed when touring Northern Ireland!

Dark Hedges

Dark Hedges

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reconstructed Roman Villa

Image
This evening, I am reporting on my visit earlier today to a meticulously reconstructed Roman Villa in Somerset, England.   Funding for the project was provided by a South African billionaire. Specific features of the reconstruction project which is known as 'Villa Ventorum': Employed hundreds of architects, builders, archaelogists, mosaic makers, fresco painters and experts on ancient plumbing. The new build was built close to the remains of the original villa which dates from AD351. Incorporates the only working hypocaust system in Europe to create authentic Roman underfloor heating. Thne system also provides heating for the internal baths. Designed to appear to visitors as though still in use. Mosaics and frescoes have been made below the top standards of the time (e.g. Chedworth ) to reflect the social rank of the resident family. Incorporates a Roman 'fast food bar' allong the lines of that found in Pompeii . (Core of above information sourced from the Times newspap
Read more

Glen Quaich, one of Scotland's best backroads tour routes

Image
This afternoon, I am reporting the route of Glen Quaich in Central Scotland. This is a scenic, single track road which is usually closed to traffic in winter. The route covers about twelve miles and runs between the villages of Amulree and Kenmore on the northern tip of Loch Tay in Perthshire. Depending on time of year it is possible to encounter low lying snow, many sheep, grouse and other exceptional opportunities for photography. Incidentally, Quaich means a drinking cup. In a certain place the landscape is shaped like a bowl. Glen Quaich, Perthshire, Scotland Glen Quaich Black Grouse at Glen Quaich Here are a couple of video clips.
Read more

Fort Augustus, a popular visitor site on southern tip of Loch Ness

Image
Loch Ness from flight of locks at Fort Augustus, Scottish Highlands This evening, I am posting information on Fort Augustus, a busy tourist village on the southern tip of Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. Summary information on Fort Augustus as follows:- Population about 650 persons. Distance, about 160 miles from Edinburgh and 35 miles from Inverness entailing journey times of 3.5 hours and 1 hour respectively. Well endowed with hotels and other accommodation plus shops, restaurants and visitor attractions. From here visitors can avail of boat trips on Loch Ness. Home to an impressive flight of five locks on the Caledonian Canal. Latter dates from 1822 and is now primarily used by pleasure boats. Closely linked with the 18th century Jacobite uprising in that (a) the village was renamed Fort Augustus (after Prince William Augustus, third son of King George II) consequent upon construction of a British military (redcoat) fort in 1742 and (b) the same Prince
Read more