PHOTOGRAPH: JOHN CLEARE
Knoydart was traditionally referred to as the ‘rough
bounds’ because of its wild terrain and remoteness.
I N TR O DU C I N G L I AN D C OI R E DH OR R C AI L
A piece of beautiful, dramatic and wild land on the remote
Knoydart peninsula
The John Muir Trust looks after 3,101 acres of land on the north-eastern slopes of Ladhar
Bheinn on the Knoydart peninsula. Traditionally referred to as the ‘rough bounds’ because
of its wild terrain and remoteness, it forms part of the Knoydart National Scenic Area. It’s
one of the most isolated of the Trust’s properties, offering the feeling of a truly wild place.
In 1983, threats by the Ministry of Defence to buy Knoydart for use as a bombing range
prompted the founding of the Trust, which campaigned to save the area from military
use. In 1987, the Trust bought Li and Coire Dhorrcail (Torquill’s Corrie) with the aim of
conserving this special wild landscape.
PHOTOGRAPH: LESTER STANDEN
People have lived on the Knoydart peninsula for a long time although its earliest history
remains obscure. Its name originates from the Vikings who settled and ruled here. By the
mid-18th century, most people lived on the coastal fringe making a living from fishing,
rearing cattle, and farming potatoes, oats and barley.
The mid-19th century population clearances changed Knoydart. Between 1841 and 1851,
Muineil and Inbhir Dhorrcail were cleared to make way for sheep farming, which was well
established across Knoydart at the time of the infamous clearance in 1853. In 1795, the
population of the whole peninsula was estimated at 1,000. It fell steadily from then until
1990 and today stands at about 70.
A guide to
KNOYDART : A WILD PL ACE
Li and Coire Dhorrcail
Knoydart
(Lì agus Coire Dhorrcail)
A John Muir Trust property
www.johnmuirtrust.org
•
Knoydart is home to otters, golden eagle and ptarmigan, and
seabirds such as oystercatchers and ringed plover.
•
Ladhar Bheinn is the highest mountain on Knoydart and means
‘hoofed mountain’ in Gaelic.
•
The rich diversity of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) found here
represents nearly a third of the total species found in Britain.
•
The landcape here shows the effects of glaciation, which carved the
deep trenches of Lochs Hourn and Nevis. In the later Ice Age, smaller
glaciers scoured out corries such as the classic Coire Dhorrcail.
•
The Knoydart peninsula lies between the Moine thrust and the Sgurr
Beag slide and is composed almost entirely of metamorphic rocks,
predominantly psammitic (metamorphosed sandstone) and pelitic
(metamorphosed clay and mud).
Access to the Trust’s land at Knoydart is by
boat or a nine-mile walk along a footpath and
rough ground.
EXPLORING LI AND COIRE
DHORRC AIL
Access to Li and Coire Dhorrcail from the
east is along a well-constructed path that
runs from Kinlochhourn to Barrisdale.
From here you can follow the coast, or
alternatively a stalkers’ path that leads
into lower Coire Dhorrcail. It is 12km
(7.5 miles) from Kinlochhourn to the
east of the property.
Kyle of Lochalsh
In
7
A8
A887
A8
7
Shiel
Bridge
A8
Broadford
51
Skye
A87
Armadale
Alternatively, a boat can be taken from
Mallaig to Inverie. From here a 10km
(6 miles) walk over Mam Li leads onto
the property, with breathtaking views
of Beinn Sgritheall above Arnisdale.
There is no regular boat service on the
north of the peninsula.
A
Invergarry
A8
2
Mallaig
Loch Morar
A830
Fort
William Spean
Bridge
Glenfinnan
A86
A8
2
1
Kilchoan
ermory
A8
Lochaline
Corran
61
A8
A884
0
20 miles
10
Port Appin 0
10
Ballachulish
8
20
30 km
A82
Eigg
The map on this leaflet is for illustrative
purposes only and is not intended for
navigation.
G
MANAGING THE L AND
our properties:
We’re encouraging the regeneration of native woodland and
a return of wildlife
1
2
3
Knoydart is a beautiful and dramatic landscape in one of the most remote parts of
Scotland. However, much of the land has been devastated through centuries of overgrazing by sheep and deer. The John Muir Trust is working to improve natural habitats
and biodiversity on its land.
4
5
6
7
Native woodland covered less than three per cent of Li and Coire Dhorrcail when we
purchased it in 1987. Due to the lack of seed source, we originally had to plant native tree
species. Now we’re starting to see natural regeneration of birch, hazel and Scots pine,
among others, which is hugely rewarding. This is helped by controlling deer numbers.
Deer are an essential part of the ecosystem but high populations of deer have a negative
impact on habitats through overgrazing and trampling.
SANDWOOD
QUINAG
SCONSER, STRATHAIRD
AND TORRIN ON SKYE
LI AND COIRE DHORRCAIL,
KNOYDART
BEN NEVIS
EAST SCHIEHALLION
GLENLUDE
wild land
quality index
TOP 10%
WILDEST LAND
With the return of trees comes all life associated with woodland. We’re already seeing the
return of native insects, birds and mammals that have been missing for centuries. Outwith the
woodland, Knoydart is also notable for a wide range of species in its wet heaths, grasslands
and snow beds. The rich diversity of bryophytes (mosses and liverworts) found here
represents nearly a third of total species found in Britain.
HIGH
LOW
Nearly all the native tree planting and follow up work (weeding, fence maintenance, and
so on) has been carried out with the help of John Muir Trust volunteers. Volunteer work
parties also help to maintain the footpath into Li and Coire Dhorchaill from Barisdale.
Without volunteers the Trust couldn’t carry out its valuable work on the land.
all that the
sun shines on
is beautiful,
so long as
it is wild.
John Muir Trust volunteers help with maintaining
paths and fences, among other tasks.
john muir, 1869
J O HN MUI R TRU S T P R OP E RTI E S
Protecting and enhancing our wild land for generations to come
PHOTOGRAPH: CHRIS GOODMAN
The John Muir Trust is the leading wild land conservation charity in the UK. We love wild
places and are dedicated to protecting and improving them for people and wildlife. Over
10,000 members support us in our work.
If you care about the natural world,
please join us
www.johnmuirtrust.org
[email protected]
01796 470080
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MANAGEMENT STANDARD
The John Muir Trust is a Scottish
charitable company limited by guarantee
(Charity No SC002061 Company No SC81620).
Registered office: Tower House, Station Road,
Pitlochry, PH16 5AN
© John Muir Trust 2012