Blackwood of Rannoch

The Blackwood of Rannoch is a remnant of the old Caledonian pine forest that once covered most of the Highlands. It came close to being felled in the 1800 hundreds when canals were dug to allow the logs to be moved down to Loch Rannoch. Fortunately this did not prove economically viable. In the second world war Canadian lumberjacks did some more felling, but again fortunately, most of the wood survived.

The old Scots pines which are several hundred years in age are called 'Granny Pines' and are used as a seed source for planting new areas with native Scots pine.

The gnarled bark of the Scots pine almost looks reptilian.

In winter the Blackwood becomes a winter wonderland when there is a heavy snowfall.

The Blackwood of Rannoch contains many wood ants nests. This particular species is Formica aquilonia. It is a predator but also 'tends' aphids on the native trees, This is a symbiotic relationship in which the aphid provides the ant with much needed carbohydrate in the form of honeydew and in return the ants protect the aphids from other predators and parasites.

Juniper is common in the Blackwood. It is one of the three native conifers in Scotland. The others are Yew and Scots pine. Juniper berries are used to flavour gin.