Western oakwood
Scotland’s rainforests are one of our best-kept secrets. Discover the tranquil, green and mossy ancient oakwoods of Argyll and Lochaber.
Our upland oakwoods have lush carpets of ferns and mosses, and a unique range of associated species thanks to the west’s mild, wet Atlantic climate.
Oak and birch are the main tree species, with varying amounts of holly, rowan and hazel. Oakwoods in the north-west and higher up the hill tend to have fewer oaks and more birch.
Upland oakwoods, one of our most uniquely Scottish habitats, are included on the Scottish Biodiversity List.
They’re also protected under the European Habitats Directive.
Other oakwood flora
The rich springtime ground flora in some oakwoods includes:
- bluebell
- primrose
- violet
- bugle
- wild garlic
- stitchwort
- many species of fern
In more acid soils, grasses and bracken become more common. On very acid soils, blaeberry and mosses dominate.
Several hundred species of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes) and lichens occur in our oakwoods. The west of Scotland’s climate is ideal for these species, which need a humid atmosphere. So they thrive in quantities found nowhere else in Europe – and in few other parts of the world.
Oakwood fauna
Our oakwoods support a distinctive range of breeding birds, including:
- redstart
- wood warbler
- pied flycatcher
In late spring and early summer, male redstarts can be heard defending their territories with song in the early morning. Look for them in the very tops of the oak trees.
Several rare butterfly species also make their homes in some of our oak woods. These species include:
- chequered skipper – very rare in Britain, found only in open woodland in the west of Scotland, where they lay their eggs on purple moor grass
- pearl-bordered fritillary – live in similar areas but choose violets to lay their eggs on.
Historical uses for people
In the past, oakwoods provided:
- wood for timber
- wood to make charcoal for iron smelting and gunpowder
- bark for tanning leather
These industries finally ceased in the mid 19th Century, finishing completely in 1876, since when the woods have grown up and developed into mature stands.
Explore Scotland’s oakwoods
Discover the magic for yourself – some of our best oakwoods are on National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
Find out about the ancient oakwoods on:
- Taynish NNR – one of Britain’s largest ancient oakwoods
- Loch Lomond NNR
- Glen Nant NNR
- Glasdrum Wood NNR
- Ariundle Oakwood NNR
- Loch a’ Mhuilinn NNR – Britain’s northernmost oakwood
- Glencripesdale Nature Reserve – a remote oakwood on the shores of wild Loch Sunart
Find out more
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