Nature – the Heart of Argyll – Scotland
If you love the natural world and want to experience rare habitats, and see how Scotland has been shaped across millennia, how remote rural communities have developed and adapted to our oceanic climate, then the Heart of Argyll is the destination for you.
- Knapdale: A National Scenic Area encompassing swathes of globally significant temperate rainforest, dripping with epiphytes. The Taynish National Nature Reserve is within this special area.
- Also within the NSA, the coast and heaths near Tayvallich form a Special Area of Conservation for Juniperus communis, the only example of this ancient habitat in Western Scotland.
- Ancient raised bogs, nature’s carbon sink including the National Nature Reserve, Moine Mhor.
- Extensive Salt Marsh and Alder Carr can be found in the Add Estuary just next to the extraordinary Crinan Canal.
- Our coastline is bound by the Argyll Hope Spot, 2nd only to St Kilda for biodiversity, this marine protected area includes deep water sounds just off shore where deep diving species can plummet to 200m below sea level and the intricate rocky coastline and islands with significant tide rises and flows make it perfect for feeding porpoises, dolphins, seals, otters and a whole host of sea birds.
- Visit the re-wilding projects on land and sea; successful beaver reintroduction at Barnluasgan and Knapdale, native oysters and plantations of seagrass in Loch Craignish.
Watch the Knapdale Beavers swimming in freshwater lochs, or even go on a guided Beaver walk to see their eco-engineering efforts first hand.
Explore the idyllic Faerie Isles on Loch Sween by kayak.
Uncover life in the temperate rainforest and coastal woods with local experts. Red squirrels in the canopy, a birders paradise and rare butterflies, dragonflies, lizards, slowworms and native snake species can also be spotted from our waymarked trails.
Learn about responsible, sustainable foraging and the wild and tasty foods of the area. See wild deer roam free and birds of prey soar in the sky.
Discover woodland art in Blarbuie woods or Taynish NNR or spot otters playing in the secluded bays.
Venture out to sea on a wildlife boat cruise on one of the many sea lochs and beyond to watch seals, dolphins, porpoises, basking sharks, minke whales, and sea eagles.
Take time to enjoy the amazing abundance of birds on the Moine Mhor (great moss) as it leads into the Add Estuary near Crinan. Short-eared owls, redshank, hen harriers and even an osprey, if you’re lucky.
Explore the natural world and its importance in the development of the local Gaelic language. Spot nature in our place names. These are just some of the extraordinary adventures awaiting you in the Heart of Argyll.