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Wildlife at Kilmun Aboretum Argyll Forest Park
Argyll and Bute
Scotland
Dunoon is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: NS164823
 The Kilmun Forest research plots were established in the 1930's to monitor the success of a variety of exotic tree species in the humid west coast environment. Kilmun is laced with footpaths,(see forest walks) beautiful and unique in Scotland because you see here 162 tree species planted not just as individuals but as groups or mini forests. You are not looking at 'a' Monkey Puzzle , say, or 'a' Mountain Hemlock, but at groves of these remarkable trees drawn in from all the world.
Mammals: The forests of spruce, larch and the other conifers offer ideal conditions for red & roe deer;indeed, they are so numerous that the Forestry Commission has to cull them humanely to control their numbers. although we normally associate red deer with open ground, they thrive in the forests: woodland was their original home before they were driven out on to moorland & mountain by our human clearance of the native woods. Red squirrels are common, but shy and rarely seen; look out for the spruce cones from which they have picked out the seed scales - in places the remains of cones litter the forest floor. We have information about Red squirrel, Red deer and Roe deer
Birds: Golden eagle and peregrine rest on the crags. the eagle cruises in stately fashion, gliding majestically over vast distances using its 2 metre wingspan to catch updrafts, seeking out carrion , hare or grouse. By leaving the high ground unplanted, the Forestry Commission helps to conserve the great tracts of open country the eagles need for their hunting territory. This noble bird well merits its status as the emblem of the Argyll Forest Park. We have information about Golden eagle
Habitats: The mixed broadleaved woodlands - oak, ash, hazel & birch - that you can see on the valley floors and along the loch shores provide some of the richest habitats of the Forest Park.
How to get there:
There are two equally appealing approaches to the Forest Park from Glasgow. By car ferry from Gourock to Dunoon, or by the A82 along the western shore of Loch Lomond through Tarbet, entering the Park at Arrochar. You then follow the signs for Kilmun.
For public transport information follow the Traveline Scotland link under the Useful sites section opposite.
Local Weather Forecast (Multimap) Enter through:
KILMUN CARPARK
Facilities:
 Activities:
  
Other places to go in Argyll Forest Park
Ardentinny and Glenfinnart
Contact:
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What's of interest
The Forest Park offers tremendous wildlife interest, because in holds a wide range of habitats - sea & shore, freshwater lochs & rivers, farmland, mixed native and conifer woodland, open moorland and rugged mountain top.
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