Breathing Deep: The Legacy of Beinn Eighe's Ancient Trees
Jenny our Wester Ross Ranger reflects on the beauty of this reserve
Within Wester Ross, my ranger area, I have some favourite places, one of which is most definitely the Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve. I usually have a guided walk here each year. On these, as with all our guided walks, I look at the ecology, but also with a focus on the human history associated with the reserve.
The whole reserve, managed by Nature.Scot, reaches to the tops of mountains and down to islands on Loch Maree but the main instigation for its designation as a Nature Reserve in 1951 was its fragments of ancient Caledonian Pine Forest. I feel thankful to the people who sought to protect this place back then. I remember well the first time I came here in my early twenties during my first job as a ranger. I was in awe then as I still am today.
As soon as I am standing within the ancient Caledonian pine forest at Beinn Eighe, I breathe a little differently, deeper.
Maybe I have some subconscious physical reaction to being around such old trees? Some are nearly 400 years old. Scot’s pine are the dominant trees but there are also oak and holly, rowan and birch and more. What have the oldest pines, known as the granny pines, lived through? The remnants of forest have held on through the clearances and collapse of the clan system, potato famines, through two world wars, industrialisation and all the other human trials and developments that could have seen them felled or burned.
The main fragments survived mainly due to their inaccessible location and for the last 75 years have been protected and further expanded. Even during the time that I have been visiting, I have seen this in action. Young trees, vibrant green and new habitats expanding for all manner of wildlife.
Beinn Eighe isn’t just about the trees, like all healthy ecosystems, it includes a fantastic array of flowering plants, invertebrates, mosses, liverworts, fungi, birds, mammals all sitting on some incredible geology. They are all allowed to flourish because of the protection of the reserve and decreased grazing pressure. For me though, the trees are the anchor points, the granny pines are the matriarchs, keeping everything together.
Most things come full circle and while I walk the route, reading as I go (to try and squeeze all the facts and figures into my head about this very special place in readiness for leading my next walk), I realise the most important thing I can do on the day is stop in the pine forest and let my walk participants breathe. Perhaps our ancestors did this too when hunting and gathering while travelling between places. The connection to the human past is within each step and breath and the reserve’s importance to our future and the future of the Caledonian pine forest and all it supports, is never more apparent.
Originally from Sutherland, Jenny Grant High Life Highland Countryside ranger for Wester Ross holds a deep passion for the nature and heritage of Scottish Highlands. Her lifelong pursuit involves learning and teaching Highland ecology, embracing both scientific study and local wisdom. Jenny's holistic approach extends beyond academia; she immerses herself in nature through hikes, wildlife encounters, and community engagement. Her enthusiasm is infectious, often sharing insights and leading conservation efforts. Jenny embodies a commitment to understanding and preserving the diverse ecosystem around her, proving that ecological knowledge is not just learned but lived and cherished.
If you’d like to journey further through the ancient past of our Highlands Forests - you can on Wedsnesday night and without having to leave your chair.
Our online talk on 6th March, “The Boreal Forest: Journey through the ancient past”, will take you deeper into the history of our woodlands
Saranne Bish – Countryside Ranger for Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey will be giving the enthralling talk on this subject online entitled “The Boreal Forest: Journey through the ancient past” This event was sold out - we have added some extra tickets - available now.
Wed 6 Mar 2024 at 19:00 GMT | Eventbrite.
We ask for donations for this event to help with our work, which goes towards education about and protection of the nature of the Highlands. Please give what you feel you can afford. We suggest a minimum donation of £5 per person to cover our costs or £10 per person to further support our work.
* Please be aware that there is a minimum donation of £1 required to book on via Eventbrite. This does not go to the Ranger Service but is to cover Eventbrite Fees.*
Saranne Bish is a consummate communicator and empathetic High Life Highland Ranger, with a life devoted to environmental stewardship. Her transition in 2002 from Ecological Surveying to Countryside Ranger for Nairn, Badenoch, and Strathspey marked a significant shift in her career. Saranne excels in educating and engaging with diverse audiences about the natural world, blending scientific knowledge with a warm, accessible approach. Her passion for conservation is matched by her skill in inspiring others, fostering a collective commitment to protecting our planet's fragile ecosystems. Her ability to connect with people and nature alike makes her a true advocate for the environment.