SARROCH WOOD

A fine young spruce woodland with a small block of natural regeneration, located above the Stinchar Valley in a secluded location in south-west Scotland.

Long Description:

Sarroch Wood sits high above the picturesque Sinchar valley in a secluded rural location. As might be expected the wood commands views down the valley and over the surrounding hills. A first impression may be a dense block of spruce but pressing through the trees reveals a surprising number of level clear areas dotted throughout the wood. The northern corner of the wood is a mix of young native self-seeded broadleafs transected by a small free-flowing burn that rises from high up on the fell.

A visit to the wood is recommended and well worth the trip to this secluded and little-visited corner of Scotland. Please allow yourself a good timeframe for your visit; it is a pleasure not to be conducted in haste.

Trees:

The wood is a historic woodland that is currently planted to Sitka spruce. This popular and useful timber tree is widespread throughout Scotland and thrives in upland locations. The northern reaches of the wood are more open and home to a stand of native birch trees with a scattering of willow along the burn.

The woodland floor is a verdant carpet of mosses and ferns with clumps of purple heather located in the open glades. Come late summer and autumn a large variety of fungal fruiting bodies burst through the rich leaf litter.

Wildlife:

Birdlife large and small are resident within the wood, with squawking jays, industrious woodpeckers and secretive woodcock occupying the lower levels whilst magnificent buzzard ride the thermals above.

The dense foliage provides a haven for several endangered species including the native red squirrel and the reclusive pine marten. The more common mammals, roe deer and badger are still a delight to behold and well worth setting a trail camera to capture their nocturnal habits.

Features:

A good stone hardstanding would be an excellent location for a timber stacking area and will in general facilitate the management of the wood.

The small burn in the top corner is a useful asset and provides additional habitat and diversity to the wood. A recent discovery was a Great Diving beetle, buried deep in debris in a rocky pool, presumably waiting for spring to arrive to emerge into the open waters.

A rustic bench has been placed to take advantage of the stunning views over the surrounding environs.

Access, tracks and footpaths:

Access to the wood is via a well-made historic track through the main body of the wood and up to the ride stop entrance for the wood. A full right of access over this track to the wood is in place.

Within the wood, access paths have been formed to enable penetration right to the heart of the plantation.

Rights and covenants:

The sporting rights are owned and included in the sale.

Activities:

The large amount of growing timber could be sustainably harvested as a domestic wood fuel source, the hard standing area would facilitate the stacking of timber prior to removal. The densely packed Sitka gives a promise of a realistic return on the sale of timber in the not-too-distant future.

For the conservation-minded; selective thinning and planting, especially of understory species would improve biodiversity and encourage an even greater variety of wildlife to flourish.

An overnight camping stay is an attractive proposition, facilitating wildlife watching at the prime times of dusk and dawn.

Local area and history:

Surrounding Area: The huge Galloway and Carrick Forests can be found further to the east in neighbouring Dumfries & Galloway. These feature with many recreational facilities with forest activities in place year by year. The coastal town of Girvan and shingle beaches at Woodland and Ballantrae Bay, are within 10 miles to the West. Nearby Pinwherry and Barrhill villages have local services whilst Colmonell and Dailly have forestry mills/suppliers. Ayr, Stranraer and Newton Stewart are within 30 miles.

The local hills were once the home of wild, free-roaming horses. A Sarroch was a local term for their foals.

A sharp-eyed observer will be able to spot local limekilns at High Aldons. The access track along the moor was originally built to bring coal in from the station at Pinmore with a return load of lime for export across the country.

Covenant: As is the case for all our woodlands, the purchaser will be asked to enter into a covenant which serves to protect the peace and quiet of the woodland.

Interested in this woodland? Get in touch with us:

Contact David & Sarah Alty on 07795 104 594 or email us at [email protected] with your details.