Glen Sherup and Glen Quay
The Ochil Hills, a range of hills from Perth to Stirling, where Albert Einstein is known to have walked, are undergoing a transformation as new native woodland is being developed. In 2000, the Woodland Trust Scotland acquired Glen Quey, its first site in the Ochils and in 2001, the neighbouring Glen Sherup. Together the two areas cover 1000 hectares. The Trust plans to change the area from a grassy hill, grazed by sheep, to a mosaic of habitats and an area where, in time, a variety of flora and fauna species will thrive.
The planting of Glen Quey was completed in the winter of 2001/2002, and in places the trees are already head-high, and within a few years will begin to look like woodland. At Glen Sherup, work is well underway with planting due to be completed in June 2004.
The vegetation and ecology at the two sites will change due to reduced grazing, leading to a more heather dominated ground cover with an increase in the variety of plants and animals. It is likely that locally uncommon species such as the pearl bordered fritillary butterfly, black grouse, spotted flycatcher, song thrush, redstart, woodwarbler and pied flycatcher will benefit from the creation of new woodland. The hill tops will remain unplanted providing suitable habitat for species of the open hill at the same time as allowing hill-walkers to continue to appreciate the distant views.
Glen Quey is shadowed by Innerdownie Hill and the walk to the summit offers panoramic views of the Forth Bridge to the south east, Tay Bridge and the Grampians to the northeast and the Cairngorms to the north. At the bottom of Glen Quey lies Castle Campbell, traditionally known as the Castle of Gloom.
Visitors are welcome to walk in Glen Quey and Glen Sherup. Future plans for footpath development will further enhance opportunities and link the two glens including a circular ridge walk with spectacular views, connecting the high tops in Glen Quey via Tarmangie Hill to Cairn Morris Hill and Ben Shee above Glen Sherup. Photographs by kind permission of the Woodland Trust.
Contact
Auchterarder Tourist Information Centre
Glen Sherup & Glen Quay
nr Auchterarder
Perthshire
PH3
Scotland
Tel: +44 (1764) 663450
Fax: +44 (1764) 664235
E-Mail: auchterardertic@perthshire.co.uk
