Roots of Arran Community Woodland has installed signposts directing visitors to the community woodland at Lag a Bheith - thanks to a financial boost from Arran Trust.
The charity, which maintains, manages and develops a 30 hectare community woodland in the area known as Fairy Glen just outside Brodick, erected the markers at its volunteer day on Sunday.
Trustees Keith Robertson, Juliette Walsh and Russell Adam joined helpers to place an eye-catching sign made by local sculptor and environmental artist Zabdi Keen at the viewpoint parking place between Brodick and Lamlash.
The hand-carved work features an owl and squirrel and directs people to the path leading to the woodland. New signs, supplied by Keith Robertson, were also placed on the routes leading to the pond and the orchard, along with one showing the way to Brodick and Lamlash.
Roots of Arran Community Woodland was formed in 2002 and since then volunteers have replanted the large clear-fell site with young trees including birch, rowan, beech, hazel, willow, oak, alder, blackthorn and Scots pine.
A small orchard containing apple trees has also been established, alongside a pond which was added in 2012.
Retired art teacher Mike Bailey created a silver birch spiral maze in the forest, which includes a bench where people can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
The community woodland and its attractions are in a scenic area which is on ‘loan’ to Roots of Arran through a ‘concordat’ agreement with Forestry and Land Scotland.
Roots of Arran volunteers meet on the second Sunday of the month at 10.30am at the viewpoint car park between Brodick and Lamlash to carry out conservation work. Tasks include footpath creation and maintenance, tree-planting and management, as well as rhododendron removal.
The woodland can also be accessed from the Mayish path in Brodick and is roughly a 1.5km walk from either access route. Visitors are encouraged to go and visit the woodland to relax, make environmental art or to practise woodcraft skills, however, visitors are asked to “leave no trace” and to treat the area respectfully.
Further information about the community woodland and how you can help by volunteering can be found on the website at www.rootsofarrancommunitywoodland.org.uk/
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