Exploring Alladale Wilderness Reserve

Introduction

To an extent this post is a continuum of that of yesterday. However, this records a trip deep into the 23,000 acre wilderness which is located in Scotland's N.W. Highlands.,

Information on the trip into Alladale Wilderness Reserve. 

The trip was undertaken in a private car along single-track, forestry type roads with surfaces having a fair share of potholes resulting in a slow and cautious speed. 

The particular route started in a SW direction before veering off to the NW. As will be evident from the images herein the trail followed the line of of a valley bounded by mountains. The landscape appears bland which is because it is predominantly covered by heather which will not flower until late August/early September. On flowering of the heather the landscape with burst into a riot of purple heather flowers.

The area is remote and very quiet with negligible traffic.Wildlife sightings were restricted to birds and insects. Readers should note the rounded and smooth features of the mountains which are due to movement of glaciers during the last ice age which ended as recently as 10,000 years ago. It seems this landscape has seen little change since the glaciers retreated.

Chance meeting with cyclist-and his dog. 

 Cyclist's hyper-active border collie. Vehicle in background is used for peatland restoration.

 

Landscape view of valley

 

Single-track road

Landscape view with river at foot of the valley

Bubbling river

 

Noisy bird-ID to be clarified.

 

 

More information

For more information on a wide range of aspects please refer to Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4. This book is also available via Kindle.