Size: 12,000 acres (4,863 ha)
Near: Brig o'Turk, Stirling
People have been coming to Glen Finglas in the Trossachs for centuries. Ruskin, Millais and Sir Walter Scott were all drawn to the legends of royal hunting forest, whisky-smuggling route and clan stronghold. The Woodland Trust Scotland has been working since 1996 to restore it to broadleaved forest, and recently added Milton Glen, Lendrick Plantation and Bochastle Field to the estate, making it the Trust’s largest property, at the heart of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
The Trust is planting new trees and restoring wood pasture grazed by wild deer and domestic livestock including blackface sheep and Luing cattle.
The best way to see Glen Finglas is via the 15 mile circular route around the hills, but even an easy 15 minute stroll along the River Turk will give you an idea of its spectacular scenery. There’s plenty of car parking space in Brig o’Turk village, the main car park half a mile east of the village, or in a second car park half a mile further on. A postbus runs twice a day during the week and once on Saturdays and the Trossachs Trundler runs during the summer months.
Fond memories of woodland led one kind supporter who had mainly lived in South Africa, to leave a gift in her will to support the Trust’s work in Scotland. Her executors agreed that Glen Finglas was just the sort of project she would have wished to support. Two further generous legacies have also benefited this magnificent site.
Visit 'Our Woods' to find out more on this wood.
