Scotland’s National Nature Reserves
Contact information - For further information about Craigellachie National Nature Reserve please contact:
Scottish Natural Heritage, Achantoul, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH22 1QD.
Telephone: 01479 810477 Fax: 01479 811363 E-mail: [email protected]
The Story of
Craigellachie National
Nature Reserve
The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Foreword
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve (NNR) stands proud to the west of the A9 by
Aviemore, in Strathspey. The Reserve offers a tranquil respite, for local people and
visitors alike, from the hustle and bustle of the nearby village. It is one of a suite of
nine1 NNRs within the Cairngorms National Park.
Craigellachie is noted for one of the largest remaining birch woodlands in Strathspey,
but this is not its only strength. A network of trails meander gently amongst the birch
and around the lochs, which on summer days host scintillating dragonfly displays. In
marked contrast to the nearby pinewoods, the birch of Craigellachie mirrors the mood
of the season. At the first hint of spring warmth the birch tree, affectionately called ‘the
Lady of the Woods’, adorns her monochrome winter mantle with the verdant, vibrant
green of fresh new leaves, while at her feet spring clusters of wood anemone and
dog violet.
As the woodland path ascends toward the viewpoint, natural breaks in the birch
canopy offer tantalising glimpses of a panorama that gradually unfurls, to reveal a
magnificent overview of the Cairngorm plateau encompassing much of the western
part of the Cairngorms National Park and Strath Spey. The imposing crag, ‘Creag
Eileachaidh’ for which the Reserve is named, was once a traditional vantage point for
Clan Grant, and still provides security for the resident breeding peregrines. Visitors
may be rewarded with a spectacular aerial display if they are lucky enough to see the
falcons on the wing.
Craigellachie is one of more than 45 NNRs in Scotland. Scotland’s NNRs are
special places for nature, where some of the best examples of Scotland’s wildlife are
managed. Every Reserve is carefully managed both for nature and for people, giving
visitors the opportunity to experience our rich natural heritage.
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The nine Cairngorms NNRs include: Abernethy NNR, Corrie Fee NNR, Creag Meagaidh NNR
(just outwith the Park), Craigellachie NNR, Glen Tanar NNR, Glenmore NNR, Insh Marshes NNR,
Invereshie & Inshriach NNR and Muir of Dinnet NNR.
The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve contains background information
about the Reserve, describing the wildlife interest, its land use history and management
since it became a Reserve. How we intend to manage the Reserve in future years is
outlined in the Reserve Proposals. We invite your comments on these Proposals and
your feedback informs the production of the final Reserve Plan, which is the blueprint
for management of the Reserve for the next few years.
For further information about Craigellachie National Nature Reserve please contact:
Scottish Natural Heritage, Achantoul, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH22 1QD.
Telephone: 01479 810477 Fax: 01479 811363
E-mail: [email protected]
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Contents
Foreword
i
Contents
iii
Maps of Craigellachie NNR
iv
1
Introduction to Craigellachie NNR
1
2
The Natural Heritage of Craigellachie NNR
4
3
Management before the land became Craigellachie NNR
8
4
Management of Craigellachie NNR
9
5
Document properties
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iii
The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Maps of Craigellachie NNR
Location Map
Boundaries of Craigellachie NNR
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Map showing key locations at Craigellachie NNR
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
1
Introduction to Craigellachie NNR
Craigellachie NNR is on the western edge of the village of Aviemore in the Central
Highlands of Scotland, some 53 kilometres (km) south of Inverness. The Reserve
occupies the east facing, lower slopes of the Monadhliath Mountains overlooking the
River Spey. It stretches for 2km northwards on the western side of the A9 opposite
Aviemore and covers an area of 257 hectares (ha).
The Reserve rises from an altitude of 225 metres (m) just above the A9 to 535m at
Creag na h-Iolaire on the western boundary. To the north it is bounded by the
Caledonian pinewoods and grouse moors of the Reidhaven Estate which is part of the
Seafield Estate, and to the south by the grouse moors and deer forest of Kinrara
Estate.
Like much of the Cairngorms, the rock types on the Reserve are mainly
metamorphosed gneisses and schists with extensive granite intrusions. The rocks are
all acidic, resistant to weathering and erosion and the overlying soils being acidic are
poor in nutrients.
The Cairngorms are relatively shielded from the westerly maritime air flow by the
western mountain ranges, and experience a more continental climate. This is
characterised by more severe winters and relatively low rainfall. Average monthly
temperatures range from 5°C in December to 19°C in July, with a lower and upper
range of minus 25°C and plus 31°C. The east facing aspect of the Reserve means
that for most of the year the Reserve lies in deep shade.
The climate, aspect and soil conditions all influence the habitats found on the Reserve
which are incredibly varied for such a small area. The Reserve is dominated by the
birch woodland which
extends up to 370m and
clings on to the south and
east facing crags and
slopes. On the higher
ground dry and wet
heaths and blanket bogs
have developed which
together with three
lochans add to the
diversity of the habitats
found on the Reserve.
The variety of habitats
provides a home for a
correspondingly diverse
View over Craigellachie NNR to Aviemore
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
range of species. Craigellachie supports a rich diversity of northern moths which
include the nationally scarce Kentish glory. Peregrine falcon breed on the crags and
the trees and rocks support a variety of lichens and mosses.
Craigellachie features prominently in local culture and the Clan Grant symbology.
The clan arms show an image of a burning hill which is ‘Craig Elachie’ - the rallying
point for the clan. The summit of the crags was the site of signal fires to bring clan
members together. The clan slogan is ‘Stand fast Caig Elachie!’
Craigellachie was first declared an NNR in 1961. The Reserve is owned by
Reidhaven Estate and managed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) through a lease.
Craigellachie has been designated for its wildlife interest at a UK level. It forms part
of the larger Craigellachie Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is nationally
important for the upland birch woodland and its moth assemblage. The Reserve is
one of a suite of NNRs that lie within the Cairngorms National Park and also falls
within the Cairngorms National Scenic Area (NSA). Further information on these
designations can be found via the links at the end of this document.
Table 1: Designated features & species of interest for Craigellachie NNR
Designation
Site name
Site of Special Species
Scientific
Interest
Craigellachie UK BAP
RDB
Habitat
9
Upland birch
woodland
Species
Moth
9
assemblage:
Kentish glory1
Rannoch
sprawler1
Angle striped
sallow1
Scarce
prominent1
Great brocade1
Cousin German1
Pearl-bordered
Fritillary
9
9
9
9
9
9
2
9
9
Special visitor
interest
The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Designation
Site name
Peregrine
Tree pipit
Lesser redpoll
Common cuckoo
Spotted
flycatcher
Wood warbler
Bullfinch
Song thrush
Ring ouzel
Scottish crossbill
Black grouse
Red grouse
Juniper
Site of Special Species
Scientific
Interest
Craigellachie UK BAP
RDB
Special visitor
interest
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
UK BAP – UK Biodiversity Action Plan; RDB – Red Data Book; 1 species identified as
part of the moth assemblage
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
2
The Natural Heritage of Craigellachie NNR
Geology
There are two main rock types present on the Reserve: gneisses and schists. These
were deposited as muds and sands in Precambrian times (600 million years ago or
more), and changed by heat and pressure to metamorphic rocks during the
Caledonian orogeny (435 – 500 million years ago). The highest ground on the
Reserve is granite which was intruded into the surrounding rock 425 – 395 million
years ago.
Habitats
Woodland
Craigellachie is one of
the largest semi-natural
upland birch woods in
Strathspey and is
important for the
diversity of its animals
and plants found in
north east Scotland.
Birch was one of the
first broad-leafed trees
to appear after the ice
Upland birch woodland
retreated, about
10,000 years ago.
Craigellachie’s woodland is typical of many Highland birchwoods, occupying a
steep valley side where brown earth soils have developed on shallow, rocky material
derived from glacial deposits and acid bedrock.
Craigellachie has a history of non-intervention and is an example of a long-established
woodland of semi-natural origin, having arisen before 1750. Many of the trees on the
Reserve are about 100 years old, exhibiting a uniform age structure with large stands
of mature, even-aged trees with an open canopy. The birch woods consist almost
entirely of silver birch which tends to be associated with the drier soils and some
downy birch, a tree of poorly drained and frequently peaty sites.
Other broadleaves also occur on the Reserve including aspen, rowan, hazel, bird
cherry, eared and grey willows. Scots pine and juniper are also scattered across the
Reserve.
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Open habitats
Throughout the woodland and out onto the hill top there is a good mix of small but
locally important open habitats. On the hill top these include areas of dry heath with
bearberry, wet heath and blanket bog. Within the woodland there are open glades,
wet flushes and running and standing freshwater habitats. There are three areas of
open water on the Reserve – Loch Puladdern, Lochan Dubh and the old reservoir.
Fauna and Flora
Invertebrates
The Reserve is a haven for
invertebrates and has a nationally
important assemblage of moths. This
includes 13 UK BAP species and the
nationally scarce Kentish glory moth.
Other local northern moth species
include the Rannoch sprawler,
angle-striped sallow and scarce
prominent. The larval stage of all
Kentish glory moth
these moths feed on birch with
Kentish glory and Rannoch sprawler being particularly partial to young birch saplings.
Bog myrtle and willow also provides a food source for great brocade and on the
open ground, netted mountain moth can be found on the bearberry heath.
Woodland butterflies include locally common species such as orange tip and scotch
argus while pearl bordered fritillary, a UK BAP butterfly is also in abundance on warm
summers days.
Dragonflies and damselflies can be seen hawking around the lochans and wet
woodland between May and September. The black darter is the most frequently
encountered along the trail paths but species like Highland darter and northern
emerald are also present along with the magnificent golden ringed dragonfly.
The wet flushes and old birch woodland with their associated fungi support a further
eight RDB species of flies and beetles which are vulnerable or rare. Three of these
species are indicators of ancient woodland.
Birds
Around 50 different species of birds are present on the Reserve and these include 11
UK BAP species; song thrush, bullfinch, spotted flycatcher, tree pipit, lesser redpoll,
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
cuckoo, wood warbler and occasionally crossbills in the woodland, and red grouse,
black grouse and ring ouzel on the open ground and woodland edge.
The Reserve is locally well known for the pair of peregrine falcons nesting on the
crags.
Mammals
Red deer are the largest of the mammals to be found on the Reserve with hinds and
calves occasionally seen on the high ground above the trees. Stags can also be
heard roaring in the autumn. Roe deer are glimpsed occasionally during the day
among the more open areas where they are attracted to shrubs and grassy lawns.
The enigmatic pine marten has been reported occasionally, and pipistrelle bats fly
amongst the birch during summer evenings in pursuit of moths and midges.
Reptiles, Amphibians and Fish
The common lizard and slow worm are the only reptiles found on the Reserve.
Amphibians include common frog, common toad and palmate newt.
Loch Puladdern and the old reservoir contain brown trout, the increasingly rare three
spined sticklebacks and minnows.
Flora
Flowering Plants
A range of habitats support distinctive plant communities associated with the
woodland floor, dry and wet heaths, blanket bogs, wet flushes, shaded areas, rocks
and boulders, freshwater streams and lochans. Over 385 types of flowering plants
have been recorded on the Reserve, including dwarf birch, least water lily, serrated
wintergreen, and bog hair-grass, all of which are nationally scarce.
Fungi and lower plants
The micro-landscapes of tree stumps,
rot holes, sunny glades, shaded
boulders and the woodland floor
provide perfect niches for a variety of
lichens, mosses, liverworts and fungi.
Some, lichens in particular, act as
good indicators of relatively
undisturbed woodland in north-east
Scotland. Over 22 different species
Lichens and mosses
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
of lichens occur on the Reserve. Fungi are also numerous with 71 species named; a
significant number of which are specifically associated with birch.
Summary
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve is one of the largest remaining upland birch
woods of semi-natural origin in Strathspey. Situated on the eastern side of the
Monadhliath Mountains the area experiences a continental type of climate with low
mean temperatures and moderate rainfall. These damp and sheltered conditions have
favoured the development of birch-dominated woodland with diverse animal and
plant communities. Many species of moth thrive on the Reserve.
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
3
Management before the land became Craigellachie NNR
History of Craigellachie
Date
Undated
Event
A line of 3 pits persist on the upper edge of the birchwood (found
by Ann Wakeling in 1995).
Neolithic
15 cairns averaging 4.5m in diameter and covering an area of
50m by 75m were erected (discovered by Ann Wakeling in
1995).
North Britons
It is likely that oak and pine were felled heavily in the 18th century
and Jacobites
to satisfy the ship building industry, pipe boring and charcoal
1714 - 1836
production. Oak bark was also harvested for tanning.
th
mid 19 century The reservoir was built to provide a water supply for the new
railway junction, hotel and houses in Aviemore.
1954
The rock and birchwoods of Craigellachie were first discussed as
being worthy of NNR designation.
There is very little documented history about Craigellachie before it became an NNR.
The first noted presence of ‘birks’ was in 1750 by General Roy, one of the first of the
map makers to have passed this way. Lady Elizabeth Grant also referred to
woodland here, in her ‘Memoirs of a Highland Lady’ in 1898.
So far, there have been no significant archaeological remains found, and no
dwellings or signs of cultivation. Craigellachie does have a long history of grazing
both by domestic and wild animals particularly cattle, sheep and deer.
Muirburn was also carried out on the open hill ground suggesting that this was used
as a grouse moor sometime prior to becoming a Reserve.
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
4
Management of Craigellachie NNR
Key events in the history of Craigellachie since it became a NNR are as follows:
Date
1960
1988
Event
Craigellachie is declared a National Nature Reserve on 25th
January.
Cattle are removed from Reserve.
Craigellachie is designated a SSSI.
The first management plan for the Reserve is completed.
The reservoir is replaced by an underground storage tank fed by
water from Loch Einich.
About 300 wintering sheep were removed from the Reserve and
domestic grazing ceases.
The nature reserve lease with the Estate is renewed for a further 21
years.
Craigellachie SSSI is re-notified under the 1981 Wildlife and
Countryside Act.
The Reserve is re-declared under 1982 Act.
1997
2004
Craigellachie NNR Education Pack is produced.
A new 25 year lease is agreed with Estate.
2007
A new 1,000m tree transect is established.
2007
2008
2009
Craigellachie becomes one of the first NNRs to pilot a Mobitour.
The viewpoint path is upgraded and re-surfaced.
Four footpath trails are established, including an all abilities path
with perches around Loch Pulladern.
New threshold signs and interpretive panels are installed at the
Reserve entrance.
The Mobitour is upgraded to include information points on all four
trails.
Geocache established.
1960
1961
1961
1962
1982
1983
1987
2010
2010
2010
Management of the Natural Heritage
The first management plan for the Reserve was completed in 1961 with three main
aims: conservation, research and estate management. Actions to retain and enhance
the semi-natural woodland were key to the conservation management with research
into geology, soils, plants and animals providing the backbone to understanding the
ways in which the Reserve ‘ticked’. A small team of wardens were responsible for
carrying out surveys and monitoring, environmental education as well as estate work
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
including path maintenance, implementation of fire risk management, risk assessments,
deer stalking and the control of pests in co-operation with the estate staff.
Subsequent management plans were written in 1991, 1995 and 1998, each building
on the original management aims but also, increasingly encouraging public access,
recreation and educational use.
Woodland regeneration
Our focus for enhancing the woodlands
has been through encouraging the
natural regeneration of a range of
native trees. When the Reserve was
established heavy grazing by wild and
domestic animals had suppressed much
of the natural regeneration and the
woodland was not expanding. We
removed cattle from the Reserve straight
away but sheep were not fully removed
from the Reserve until 1982.
In addition, deer were also grazing the
woodland and with concerns that they
would also prevent regeneration our
early management options considered
deer fencing the whole Reserve. We
realised however that with this
approach subsequent regeneration
Birch woodland
would adopt an artificial, geometric
result, reflecting the shape of the fenced
area. As well as this fundamental shortcoming, any regrowth outside the fence was, in
the absence of heavy deer control, susceptible to increased grazing whilst the area
within the exclosure often developed very dense thickets of birch regeneration. Further
difficulties with terrain, inclement weather, obstruction to the general public and mortal
injury to game birds as well as landscape intrusion, made fencing the whole boundary
something of a last resort at Craigellachie for conservation management.
By default though, much of the Reserve is fenced. The north east boundary with
Reidhaven Estate was fenced approximately 40 years ago when a Scots pine
plantation was established and the higher ground was entered into the Native
Pinewood Scheme. The boundary to the south and west remained porous to sheep
until 1999/2000 when Kinrara Estate entered into a Woodland Grant Scheme
erecting a fence around the scheme. A further sheep fence was erected in 2009 by
Kinrara which effectively has now stopped all sheep access to the Reserve.
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
The north west boundary of the Reserve however remains open and allows the
passage of deer seeking shelter in poor weather. Throughout the life time of the
Reserve, deer numbers have been controlled in co-operation with Reidhaven Estate.
In 1987, we set up transects through the woodland to measure regeneration success.
Ten years later (1997), our monitoring from the transects showed that the amount and
distribution of native tree regeneration was still being limited by deer grazing and, that
native trees other than birch were not readily regenerating outside the exclosure. The
birch regeneration was also patchy though formed dense thickets of growth on the
margins of the older growth woodlands.
In 2007, a new tree regeneration transect was established from the edge of the birch
woodland up onto the higher ground. We use this transect to monitor tree
regeneration in the presence of deer and to set cull targets.
Research
The Reserve has been well used by many enthusiasts and specialist entomologists.
Their work has done much to raise the awareness of the richness of the invertebrate
fauna on the Reserve.
Management for people
The number of visitors enjoying Craigellachie has fluctuated over the years. Right on
the fringes of Aviemore, the Reserve has always been popular with tourists and locals
alike. The construction of the A9 in the early 1980’s, bypassing Aviemore and cutting
off the Reserve caused a significant decrease in visitors for a while, as the only means
of access to the Reserve was by crossing a hazardous road. With the completion of
the underpass at the south end of the Reserve and the national raising of public
awareness on NNRs, visitor numbers have increased again to approximately 8500
per annum.
The underpass provides the only
safe access to the Reserve now
and can be reached from the
Aviemore Highland Resort car
park or via a way-marked path
from the Youth Hostel car park
near the Catholic church.
In 2007 an interpretive firm,
attending a conference in
Aviemore, asked if an interpretive
facility called a ‘Mobitour’ could
be trialled on the Reserve. This
New threshold signs & start of mobi-tour
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
facility involved the establishment of fixed points throughout the path network where
visitors could stop and phone to receive information pertinent to that location within the
Reserve. The system proved popular with visitors, so we subsequently adopted and
upgraded the tour with information points now on all four of the way-marked trails.
Over recent years, we have made significant improvements to the visitor facilities on
the Reserve. During 2008 - 2010, we installed new signage and orientation
promoting four named paths, the viewpoint trail was upgraded and re-surfaced and,
the lochans trail was upgraded to an all abilities path.
In 2010, we also established a geocache inviting visitors to use Geographical
Positioning System (GPS) information to locate the cache and retrieve information
about the Reserve.
The Reserve has been used in the past as a valuable wildlife resource for local
schools. In 1997 we distributed an environmental education resource pack for
teachers of primary school children to promote the use of Craigellachie NNR. The
lack of toilets, shelter and parking facilities however means that the Reserve is not
ideal for young school children, especially when there are other reserves within the
National Park that can fulfil the whole requirements.
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Map showing current visitor facilities at Craigellachie NNR
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
Property Management
Reidhaven Estate owns Craigellachie NNR. The Reserve is managed by SNH
through a 25 year lease which we re-negotiated in 2004. We are responsible for
deer control on the Reserve and set the cull levels each year in consultation with the
Estate. The Estate retains the right to undertake ‘sport shooting’ in addition to
controlling pest species, provided such action doesn't prejudice the nature
conservation objectives for the Reserve.
The reservoir is the responsibility of Scottish Water who have a right of access to carry
out any necessary maintenance to the underground reservoir and associated
infrastructure. SNH shares responsibility for the maintenance of the three boundary
fences with the two neighbouring Estates.
There is no built property
on the Reserve apart from
the water tank which is the
responsibility of Scottish
Water.
Site inspections of the
Reserve’s infrastructure
(paths and signage) are
carried out at quarterly
intervals.
The staffing for this
Reserve has varied over
Upland path stone pitching
the years. There are no
dedicated staff on the
Reserve and currently, the Reserve Manager is also responsible for another 6 NNRs
in the National Park and beyond. Reserve staff from Creag Meagaidh NNR carry
out essential estate work and deer management on the Reserve.
As a responsible land manager, SNH achieves a number of routine projects such as
updating the Fire Plan, Health and Safety audits, all abilities access audits and
carrying out risk assessments for all activities on the NNR.
Summary
Craigellachie National Nature Reserve is a tremendous asset to the village of
Aviemore providing accessible woodland trails within a ten minutes walk of the village
centre. Craigellachie rock is part of the identity of the village of Aviemore and does
much to define its place within Strathspey and its long history.
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The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve
5
Document properties
Acknowledgements
The Story of Craigellachie National Nature Reserve has been written by Dave
Carstairs, edited by Emma Philip (Designated Sites Officer – NNR team) and
approved by George Hogg (Area Manager – South Highland).
We would like to thank the following SNH staff for their contribution and comments on
earlier drafts: Peter Duncan (SNH Reserves Manager – South Highland), Chris
Donald (Operations Manager – South Highland), Anne Elliott and Sue Scoggins
(Operations Officers – South Highland), Jeanette Hall (Woodlands Policy & Advise
Officer) and Susi Hodgson (Corporate Services Officer).
Photographs
Photography by Lorne Gill/SNH, David Gowans/SNH and Peter Duncan
Links
Scottish Natural Heritage
SNH Sitelink
Joint Nature Conservation Committee
Cairngorms National Park
Scotland’s National Nature Reserves
www.snh.gov.uk
www.snh.org.uk/snhi/
www.jncc.gov.uk
www.cairngorms.co.uk
www.nnr-scotland.org.uk
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