The Forests of Inverness - 11

Following in the footsteps of Her Royal Highness, we too now enter Culloden Forest.



This woodland consists mainly of conifer trees such as Scots Pine, Norway and Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir. There are several particularly large trees in Culloden Wood.

Broadleaved trees are retained throughout the forest during all operations, and Beech, Alder and Birch are planted to enhance the conservation and landscape value of the area.

Culloden Forest has been managed and worked by the Forestry Commission since 1926. It was previously owned by the Forbes family, from before the time of the Battle of Culloden.

The Forests of Inverness - 10

Here we see The Princess Royal - HRH Princes Anne - meeting workers in Culloden Forest.



Today we celebrate the 61st Anniversary of the Accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Great God,
whose Son Jesus looks after us,
we thank you for our wonderful Queen.
On this special day,
please give her love, joy and peace
as she does what you ask her to do
and looks after us her people;
through Jesus Christ who loves us all. Amen.

God save our gracious Queen,
long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us,
God save the Queen!

Thy choicest gifts in store
on her be pleased to pour,
long may she reign:
may she defend our laws,
and ever give us cause
to sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen!



Guns were fired from Edinburgh Castle earlier today to salute Her Majesty on this special day.



The Queen spent the day quietly at Sandringham - where her father died 61 years ago today.

The Forests of Inverness - 9

Craig Phadrig (Patrick's Rock) was an important hill fort in both Iron Age and Pictish times. Look out for the vitrified walls - the stones have been fused together by intense heat. We're not sure how or why this was done.



You are following in the footsteps of saints and kings when you walk in this woodland. We think St Columba came here to met the Pictish King Brude in 565.

I have been fortunate enough to obtain a video recording of St Columba meeting the Loch Ness Monster (Nessie) around this time.



Truly amazing!

The Forests of Inverness - 8

Today we are visiting Craig Phadrig Forest.



Craig Phadrig is a prominent hill overlooking Inverness, the Beauly Firth and the inner Moray Firth. There are the remains of an historical Pictish Fort on its summit.

The open nature of the woodland which contains a variety of trees, along with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside make Craig Phadrig the ideal place for an enjoyable woodland walk right on the doorstep of Inverness.

There is a regular bus service that runs from Church Street in the middle of Inverness to the Scorguie and Balnafettack areas - which are adjacent to Craig Phadrig Wood.

Candlemas

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord (transferred from yesterday). Please look closely at our image - it is full of hidden meaning!



Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o’er all the earth;
Ye who sang creation’s story
Now proclaim Messiah’s birth.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Shepherds, in the field abiding,
Watching o’er your flocks by night,
God with us is now residing;
Yonder shines the infant light:
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Sages, leave your contemplations,
Brighter visions beam afar;
Seek the great Desire of nations;
Ye have seen His natal star.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Saints, before the altar bending,
Watching long in hope and fear;
Suddenly the Lord, descending,
In His temple shall appear.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!

Though an Infant now we view Him,
He shall fill His Father’s throne,
Gather all the nations to Him;
Every knee shall then bow down:
Gloria in excelsis Deo!



Happy Sunday!

The Forests of Inverness - 7

Here we se Dughall Mor - currently 62 metres tall and still growing strong!



Forestry Commission Scotland ran a competition among local people to find a name for this champion of the tree world, and christened it Dughall Mor, which in Gaelic means ‘big dark stranger’.

Dughall Mor forms part of a grove of very tall Douglas firs that comprise the largest concentration of trees exceeding 55 metres (180 feet) anywhere in the British Isles. They are so straight and tall that one was felled to provide a replacement mast for the Discovery, the ship in which explorer Sir Robert Scott sailed to the Antarctic. (The ‘Discovery’ is now berthed at Dundee.)

This fir is obviously thriving in the fertile and sheltered environment of the glen, with a ready supply of moisture from the Moniack Burn. This deceptive champion has a relatively slender trunk and its great height is difficult to appreciate, surrounded as it is by other giants.

Tragic news - Up to 2009, Dughall Mor was the tallest tree ever recorded in the United Kingdom. It has since been superseded by the Stronardon Douglas Fir, near Dunans Castle in Argyll.

The Forests of Inverness - 6

The most impressive feature of the woodland in Reelig Glen is the stand of Douglas Fir trees, well over 100 years old with an average height of 160 - 170 feet, around 50 metres.



One specimum measured in 2000 was over 200 feet in height. When the tree was remeasured and confirmed at 62 metres, it was the tallest tree In Britain at the time. After a local competition, it was named Dughall Mor.