| Highland
Renewal is a Scottish Charity which is currently managing an estate on
Mull to encourage the regeneration of its natural habitat.
www.highlandrenewal.org
The
Highland Renewal Web Site is intended as a resource and information point
for anyone to visit and enjoy.
To
find Tireragan take the A849 from Craignure through Bunessan on the Ross
of Mull to Fionnphort. Then take the single road south from Fionnphort
to Knockvologan and after 3 miles, you reach a gate across the road - the
Highland Renewal house and entrance to Tireragan is immediately on your
left.
The
aim of the Tireragan project is to encourage the regeneration of its unique
woodlands and other habitats as an integral part of Scotland’s nationwide
Millennium Forest, for the benefit of local and national communities.
The
land at Tireragan is dominated by its wild and rocky coast. Rounded granite
outcrops bear the brunt of south westerly gales, providing protection for
a number of beautiful sandy beaches.
In
gullies and valleys, away from the worst of the weather, deciduous woodlands
can thrive. This habitat, only remnants of which remain, is one of those
which Highland Renewal are encouraging to regenerate.
The
more recent history of Tireragan is a microcosm of most of the Highland
and Islands of Scotland. After many years encouraging the locals to farm
the meagre resources of the land, the landlords decided that sheep were
a far better investment than people. Within a very short time the population
of Tireragan was reduced from as many as one hundred to none. Some moved
to other parts of Mull but most were shipped across the world to North
America and Australia.
Dr.Paul
Howarth
Tirerigan is now managed by a group
of enthusiasts who regularly plant native trees, clear,drain and mark pathways.
They also monitor wildlife and make sure that browsing animals like sheep
and deer are kept out. I personally, was a little sceptical of the
aims of the project in its earlier days and doubted what real benefits
would come from all this effort. However, a walk through the primroses
in spring and the many other species of plants and fauna that have regenerated
have radically changed my mind.
Many species of birds can now be
found here and Golden Eagles often over-fly the area. If you enjoy
a good long walk in regenerating, rugged landscapes, then this area is
well worth a visit.
The walking is marked and fairly
easy going, however, the distances must not be underestimated and after
rain the terrain can be very boggy. The beeches and ruins at Tireragan
are well woth the walk, but allow plenty of time. Also parking is
a sensitive issue at the entrance and care must be taken not to cause an
obstruction or problem to the adjacent working farms.
Anyway, if you are interested in
far more detail then visit the very comprehensive website. www.highlandrenewal.org
The navigation bar at the beginning of the site takes a little
time to load, but read the text whilst you are waiting. It is well
worth the wait.
A. Parker |
