ARDURA COMMUNITY FOREST
Location:
Ardura, Craignure, Isle of Mull
Ardura, Craignure, Isle of Mull
Area Committed:
494 acres
494 acres
Ardura Community Forest lies to the north of the river Lussa, on the east side of Mull. Historically, holly and oak were the predominant species, but much of the woodlands were cleared in the 1960s to make way for non-native commercial plantations. The forest was acquired in 2019 by the Mull and Iona Community Trust on behalf of the local community, who are now focused on ecological restoration and increasing the amenity value of the site.
Key rewilding commitments:
- MORE NATIVE WOODLAND: Future plans are focused on extracting the non-native conifers and replacing them with holly, oak and other native species.
- CONNECT WITH COMMUNITIES: An old riparian path running through the forest has recently been cleared and a small parking area created, which has already increased community use of the forest for recreation. Children from the local school are each given a tree to plant in the forest, creating a life-long link with the site and engendering a sense of stewardship. There are plans in place to create a Forest School and to construct wildlife viewing hides in the woodlands, to further facilitate community access and generally increase ecological connectivity by linking the restored forest with other rewilding projects on Mull.
"We are looking forward to restoring the ancient woodland of Doir a Chuilinn (Grove of the Holly) to its former glory and extending this remnant of Scotland's rainforest. By rewilding Ardura we hope to contribute to an increase in biodiversity and to make Mull an even richer wildlife experience."
