Culag Community Woodland Trust

Little Assynt

This group was formed in 1992 to manage Culag Woods under a 50 year lease from Assynt Estate and Highland Council. It is a limited company with charitable status and is run by twelve directors from the local community.

The aim of the Trust is to improve access into the wood; to manage the wood for sustainable timber; to protect the nature conservation value and to create job and training opportunities.

When the Little Assynt Estate, some 3000 acres of complex Assynt hinterland, at the head of Loch Assynt (NC 156251), came on the market in August 2000, a successful fund-raising effort allowed the Trust to buy the land.
Working in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, the Trust has begun a long term plan to improve access, to involve more people in the understanding and management of their land, and to create for future generations a healthier, more diverse and productive environment. Already some 2000 acres have been planted with native species under a Woodland Grant Scheme, and work is under way to increase "accessibility for all" to the area, with improved car parking, footpaths etc.
Fortunate visitors may see otters, badgers and golden eagles.

A circular walk now takes in the remains of the cleared township of Beannach.

The creation of allotments at Little Assynt Field, for individuals to use, is a new scheme.

Fishing from the bank is permitted on any of the lochs on Little Assynt, and permits for those lochs with boats (provided by the Assynt Angling Club) are available from the Tourist Information Centre in Lochinver (Tel: 01571 844330).

Way marked paths are being developed, the first being from the new Car Park at Little Assynt Field.

The Trust has opened an office in Lochinver to disseminate information and to run the necessary secretarial and financial management side of the Trust.

Contact:
Culag Community Woodland Trust,
1 Old Coach House,
Lochinver,
IV27 4LE.
Tel: 01571 844368
E-mail: info@culagwoods.org.uk

The Trust now has its own website at:
www.culagwoods.org.uk

Culag Community Woodland Trust - All Abilities Path at Leitir Easaidh, Little Assynt.

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