Crinan Wood A gentle stroll through the

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CRINAN Wood lies to the south of the Crinan Canal in Knapdale and is about 12km from Lochgilphead. The Crinan woods are one of the last remnants of an extensive forest that once covered much of Argyll. Like the nearby woods at Taynish, Crinan Wood is of international importance for its wide variety of flora and fauna.

This is an ancient woodland where you can see buzzards, redstarts, tree creepers and wood warblers. You might also catch a sight of roe deer, fox and red squirrel. The walk through the wood is not a long one but there are one or two very fine viewpoints that offer far-flung panoramas of the surrounding countryside, and seascapes.

This walk has been waymarked by the Woodland Trust. The

Trust bought Crinan Wood in 1988 and is actively managing the wood to ensure its future survival. The area to the north of the Crinan Canal is generally considered to be the cradle of Scotland – around 500AD the first Scots arrived here from Ireland and created their kingdom, known as Dalriada.

The nearby hill of Dunadd is thought to be the place where Scotland’s first kings were crowned.

The Crinan Canal was completed in 1809. It runs between Ardrishaig and Crinan and has 15 locks. A car park lies alongside the canal basin and this walk begins at Lock 14.

From the outset the path climbs fairly steeply to the top of the ridge, a great spot to stop, relax, and catch your breath. The views are good too, out over the Dorus Mor and the Isle of Jura. Beyond the Dorus Mor lie the equally dangerous waters of the Corryvreckan whirlpool between Jura and Scarba. It’s said that on a wild day you can hear the roar of the churning waters of the