The Jacobite 2020

Oh dear, is that a nerve?

 

I’m not so sure that’s the case here. Looks like a classic case of the stream becoming a torrent due to heavy rains, it’s overwhelmed the bridge under the railway so water has built up against the embankment and it’s caused a washout.

I’ve seen it pond there a few times over the years and this time it’s found the weak spot. Could be wrong though.

 

There is a lot of truth in this statement which has been seemingly quickly dismissed by a couple of forum members. It is surprisingly simple, if all the trees are removed and can not regrow due to deer eating saplings, water will reach watercourses far quicker than if the landscape was in a vegetated state. Trees also stabilise land. If anyone saw the demonstration on Springwatch of a beaver dam slowly releasing flood water, this was a perfect demonstration of the effect of vegetation dealing with rainfall events. Water flows far more quickly over hard, compacted surfaces, than through scrub or forest, which act like a sponge.

The UK is one of the least forested countries in the world and deer are at record densities across the UK - there is a link, as deer now have no natural predators.

Unfortunately, some of the deer estates are incentivised to keep numbers at higher levels because of profit. Those estates that have now reduced numbers significantly are seeing many trees return and also larger, healthier deer. This doesn't mean an end to deer stalking by the way (which is an important part of the economy), just a more sustainable way of managing land. Indeed deer stalking is an important part of management in the absence of large predators. British venison is probably one of the most sustainable products you can get.

For people who maybe more interested please take a look at the Cairngorm Connect, Scotland Big Picture, Trees for Life and Alladale projects.

Sorry for the digression, but I couldn't let W Williams comment be dismissed so easily. This is an important topic and will become more significant in the face of the higher, more intense rainfall we receive as a result of climate change. Civil engineers can only do so much and as ever, nature often has the best long term solutions.

Back on topic!

 

Thank you. Like I said it is far more complicated than the simplistic statement that @W.Williams posted up thread and implementing widespread solutions is more complicated still. There are all sorts of initatives that can make a localised difference but with land ownership of the Highlands as it is historically structured you are not going to get the necessary consensus across the board to make a significant difference. And that is unlikely to change anytime soon.

If this is seen as"quickly dismissing" the matter then so be it. Having just had a dispute on this thread about where Jacobite photographs should be posted, lets not start a far more contensious discussion here about Highland environmental issues, worthy though the subject is.

Peter

 

But as important a subject it is, in reference to yesterday’s washout it might not be relevant as I don’t think there’s ever been trees there unless of course the Old Caledonian Forest reached that location?
So you can’t blame trees being chopped down at a location where there haven’t been any trees? Happy to be proved wrong though.

 

A question for those who know Fort Bill well - what's likely to still be open for evening meals near the station after the return of the afternoon 'Jacobite' please? Looking for recommendations - and my party are REALLY looking forward to our trip in mid-August

Cheers
Mark

 

Well, I was trying to be slightly conscious of the risk of thread drift so kept it short. It’s not hugely complicated, deer are eating the saplings, land becomes unstable, rainfall rushes to ground with little impediment or vegetation to soak it up.

There are a number of places round here where fences have been put in place to keep the deer out and the saplings and tree growth have positively exploded back in to life. That’s with the current land ownership and in relatively short time frames. A few seasons has made a massive and frankly startling difference to the landscape. So, with respect, your statement isn’t fully on the money.

It’s probably worth pointing out that there are different types of deer. Red deer for sport aren’t really the problem. Roe deer are.

Fortunately tree planting and rebirth of forests are in fashion again with huge government targets on planting being largely met up here, so the future is bright.

 

Mid August? Take plenty of midge repellent!
I believe the Scottish government have played the lockdown a bit more sensibly than in England, only allowing tourism to return after they declare it safe to reopen all the amenities. You didn’t say how long your stay is for but here goes. If it’s open, try the Grog and Gruel on the High St, it’s a town centre boozer downstairs with the restaurant on the first floor, the Tavern next door is OK too. There’s the fish restaurant on the pier and what used to be the West End Hotel at the end of the town but I haven’t been in there since it was sold to the Chinese. For something completely different, take the train out to Corrour and eat in Britain’s most remote restaurant, Google it for details and booking. There’s also the the Nevis a couple of miles up the road to Glen Nevis near the Ben Nevis Visitors Centre.
Remember if you drive anywhere the drink drive alcohol limit is about half that of the rest of the UK.
Hope this helps.

 

The old Caledonian Forest once famously stretched from 'Coast to Coast', what remains is less than 5% of its original coverage, mainly centred around Strathspey and west of the Great Glen. Evidence it did once reach the area in question can be seen on the islands in Loch Eilt, where my old Jacobite guidebook says the last remaining Scots pines of the Caledonian Forest can be seen.

Historically, the West Coast of Scotland also had a large amount of temperate oak forest, 'Scotland's Rainforest'. Some elements still remain, around Ardnamurchan and south of Oban but these are tiny fragments of what was once there. These forests (along with Welsh Oak woodlands) are unique globally and are some of the the rarest habitat in the world.

Scotland as we see it today is very much a man made landscape, largely created in the last 3-400 years, with significant changes in just the last 200 years. That is the blink of an eye as far as natural history is concerned. It is ignorant to think man can make such huge changes and not have an effect on the wider ecosystem. As beautiful as it is to us, this is a landscape in significant ecological trouble which has suffered massive biodiversity loss. The danger is that we only see a landscape through the last couple of generations eyes - what seems 'right' to us is vastly different to what is ecologically 'right'. Some ecologists term this 'shifting baseline syndrome'.

No, Scotland's land ownership does not mean changes can be easily made, however incentives and the correct guidelines can help to reverse such massive decline. The projects I listed above are already making a big difference and change does not need to mean conflict with local communities, businesses and landowners. The end result could be hugely beneficial for everyone and a far more sustainable Highland landscape that is better able to cope with our changing climate.

 

Spice Tandoori and Whetherspoons are safe bets for a later meal, but how it’s going to work this year I’ve no idea.

 

https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/west-highland-line-recovery-works-underway

 

You are right of course, but this is nothing special to Scotland. Indeed the Highlands are remarkable unchanged in comparison to most of the rest of the UK, especially in regard to forest cover. But I guess this is why people dream of recreating an idealised ecological past there.

What do you call ecologically "right"? Bringing back wild wolves and lynx? Ecology by its very nature is evolving and adapting and there are always species that do well in some situations and not others. I would suggest the Scotland's ecology has been climate driven and that will dictate the future as much as any local man made initiatives. But I do not think there is a "right " ecology. By all means preserve the few remaining natural forest areas but what purpose would widespread non sustainable re-foresting of the Highlands serve.? We are where we are and you do not manage the present by recreating an idealogical ecological past. Lets have a diversity of iniatives to make best use of what now exists. After all man has interfered enough with nature already without adding to it.

Peter

 

Crivvens! Your “ideology” is certainly shining through in that post.
Let’s not put back what was there because we already removed it and destroyed the habitat so deal with it and move on? Some thesis that like!
What purpose does re-foresting have? Is that a serious question?

I’m starting to feel a little guilty, I think this is the second thread I’ve either directly or indirectly dragged off topic in as many days. Apologies to the mods.

 

Thanks, John. We're coming up the day before our trip, and going home the following day, but stopping at places of interest each way too - I think we'll go up via Glasgow & return via Glen Ogle, Callander & Stirling.

Yes midge repellent is de rigeur, and thanks for the reminder about alcohol limits.

Mark

 

Cheers. Yes, it's all a bit of a mystery. We'll see how it goes.

Mark

 

Wetherspoons a safe bet? The latest announcement by the Scottish Government.
https://www.gov.scot/news/further-route-map-detail-announced/

 

If you've not been before, just a couple of tips. The A82 can be very busy in summer and from Tarbet to Inverarnan is a bit narrow and twisting so leave plenty of time. There is a good place to stop just past Crainlarich, look out for a sign to Wigwam accommodation on the right. They have a shop and cafe, a very pleasant place for an ice cream, a walk and admire the scenery. After you leave Oban Road at Tyndrum and pass the Horseshoe the road becomes dead straight all the way through Bridge of Orchy but stick to 60mph, Police Scotland have a habit of locating a speed camera van along this stretch. On the way back the unspoilt town of Callander is worth a look, the car park at the western end is on the old station site. The town was Tannoch Brae in the 1960s series of Dr Findlay's Casebook if you remember back that far.

 

So you say, but your interpretation of my "ideology" is way off beam. The nub of what I'm saying is that you cannot discuss complex issues with simplistic soundbites on social media. There has to be some degree of ecology management (ie human interference) but how and by whom and for what purpose is a discussion that needs to be had at a deeper level than here. I suspect that my "ideology" on this matter is far more open to persuasion that yours is.

Peter

 

I just meant in years gone by it’s always been handy as they don’t stop serving till late. Like we can dispose the afternoon loco and still get out for a spoons or a curry.
But then this year who knows!?

 

I've been up as far as Crainlarich before on a coach trip - we were staying at Arrochar, & one trip out took us to Callander via Glen Ogle. Thanks for the heads up though - and yes, speed cameras seem to be everywhere in Scotland... And yes, good old Tannochbrae - my parents loved Dr Findlay's Casebook


Mark