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Scotland’s Very Own Rainforest
Jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean, Knapdale forms the beginnings of a peninsula in the west of Scotland that is greatly underrated as a wildlife destination. Bounded on both sides by the sea, this remote part of the country is sandwiched between Loch Fyne to the east and the Sound of Jura to the west. The rich, warm waters of the Gulf Stream combined with the area’s moist climate are perfect for plant life and Knapdale is home to lush regions of temperate rainforest. These forests are rare in the United Kingdom and the tall broadleaf trees enclose an understory of ferns, mosses and shrubs.
The rainforest can be reason enough to visit Knapdale, as a walk amongst the trees can be an enchanting experience. The area offers many more attractions, however, with Knapdale being designated as a National Scenic Area for its outstanding natural beauty. Sweeping moorland and idyllic sea views are there to greet visitors, along with Knapdale’s wildlife. Many of Scotland’s famous species can be found here, as well as some species that are difficult to see anywhere else in the country.
Ecosystem Engineers
One of Knapdale’s resident species has made a recent return to the area after disappearing for several centuries. The Eurasian Beaver, once common throughout Europe, was hunted to near extinction at the turn of the 20th century, with their fur being in high demand. Thankfully, the species has since been reintroduced to much of its former range, with Scotland included. Knapdale was the very first region in the British Isles to welcome beavers back into the landscape and the area is now one of the best places to see the animals in their natural habitat. The animals are most active at dawn and dusk, and prefer wooded areas with slow moving streams or lochs.
Beavers are well known for being the lumberjacks of the animal kingdom. Using their strong teeth, they cut down waterside trees and use the branches to construct dams across rivers and streams. The main purpose of these dams is to provide a home for the beaver, however they also bring a range of additional benefits to the surrounding ecosystem. Beaver dams have been shown to improve water quality and increase the number of habitats available for species of fish, otter and other freshwater animals. For wildlife watchers, they can be a real treat to watch and can often be seen swimming to and from their dams, carrying branches. Top tip for spotting beavers in Knapdale: keep your eyes peeled for tell tale signs such as teeth marks on tree trunks and large piles of branches across streams.
Wonderful Wildlife
As several animal species benefit from the beavers changing the forest environments in Knapdale, you may have a better chance of seeing them here than in other parts of Scotland. The pools and ponds created by the dams are great places to find amphibians and invertebrates such as dragonflies. Otters will also make use of these areas and can be mistaken for the beavers themselves. Otters are much smaller and sleeker, however, and can be distinguished by their thin tails. Beaver tails in comparison are much larger and fatter.
Other animals to watch out for in Knapdale’s forests are Roe Deer and Red Deer, as well as the incredibly rare Scottish Wildcat. Despite being endangered, this carnivore species can still be seen in remote regions of Scotland, so be sure to look out for fleeting glimpses of a cat with striped, bushy fur. As Knapdale is surrounded by the seas, marine life is ever-present and visitors are almost guaranteed sights of seals. Dolphins and porpoises are less common but sighted regularly, especially in the Sound of Jura, where they will often be travelling along the coast. It’s always a good idea not to forget the skies either, as Knapdale has a healthy population of Golden Eagles, as well as other birds of prey such as Ospreys and Sparrowhawks. For a remote getaway where it’s just you and the wildlife, Knapdale is close to perfect, and its temperate rainforest makes it a unique destination.