The Dunnottar Woodland Park is an attractive and accessible
area of mainly broadleaf trees immediately South of Stonehaven.
The only significant deciduous wood thereabouts, it is a unique
resource; one of the town's most enhancing features. Its 33
hectares embrace the tree-clad slopes of the Carron and Glasslaw
Burns. The undulating topography, variety of trees and water
features combine to give a pleasing effect, particularly in
those tranquil areas away from the sound of traffic. For the
most part the woods were created about the time Dunnottar
House was built in 1806. The House became dilapidated after
the Second World War, and many of the trees were felled in
1948/49 despite local efforts to save those closest to the
town. Some of the surviving trees were uprooted during the
Great Gale of January, 1953, about which time the Forestry
Commission acquired the land, and replanted it in the mid-fifties
with a view to scenic effect rather than profit.
Trees
Beech (23%) and mixed broadleaf's (27%) predominate, including
Ash (15%), Poplar (4 · 5%) and Sycamore (4·5%). Other varieties
are Birch. Oak, Wild Cherry, Hawthorn, Willow and Rowan. Larch
(7 ·5%) contribute to the varied woodland scene, both as stands
towards the South and scattered throughout the rest of the
woods. Conifers such as Spruce, Scots-Pine and various firs
help provide colour In the winter, as do a number of Yews,
Holly and overgrown Laurel which survive from Dunnottar House
Estate days. The Dunnottar Woodland Park Association and Forest
Enterprise aim to increase the diversity of the woodland by
creating stands of different ages. This, and selective thinning
and clearing, will produce. in time, a more balanced woodland
and habitat.
GROUND FLORA
Ground flora depends on such factors as the tree-canopy, open spaces.
slope, soil and drainage, and these vary. Down by the burn, Marsh Marigolds,
Meadowsweet and smaller plants of the aquatic margins make a pretty picture
in season: though the spread of some introduced species such as Giant Butterbur
can be a less welcome sight Wild Garlic is much in evidence between the
Carron Burn and the road to the Church; and between the Glasslaw Burn and
the Laurencekirk Road. Golden Saxifrage is fairly widespread in damper
areas, and ferns often predominate where the tree canopy inhibits other
plants. Speedwell, Forget-me-nets, Violets and Comfrey are quite common.
with occasional clumps of Red Campion and Vetch round the wood margins.
The main concentrations of Bluebells, Daffodils and ;wood Anemones are
in the hollow between Gallowhill and Periwinkle den Janet Jackson's Report
to the Dunnottar Woodland Association gives comprehensive list of plants
identified in the Woodland area.
ANIMALS
The Stonehaven guide of 1897 refers to hundreds of rabbits near Dunnottar
House. Today, the House has gone, but the rabbits remain, and damage the
bark of young Beech trees. Hoe deer are sometimes seen towards the south,
and Otters have beer? glimpsed along the burns. Squirrels abounded in the
woods 100 years ago. but today, they are a rarity. Foxes have been known
to excavate dens in the sandy soils of secluded parts of the wood and there
are claims of a badger! sighting. Bats are common, but like the Badger,
their hiding place Is a secret.
BIRDS
Most of the trees are about 50 years old (planetd in 1950's);
too sound to provide many nesting holes, yet large enough
to provide a canopy that Inhibits bird-friendly undergrowth.
It seems probable therefore that there are fewer song-birds
than one would get in older more open woods. To help matters
the Arduthie Primary School Young Ornithologists have erected
some bird-boxes. However, the fields and clearings do encourage
some wood-edge habitats for common woodland birds such as
Thrushes, Blackbirds. Robins, Wrens, Sparrows and Tits. Chaffinches
and Greenfinches are plentiful, but Yellowhammers less so
than formerly. Collared Doves and Pigeons roost in the conifers
and larch, and the Carron is home to Grey Heron, Dipper, Grey
Wagtail and Mallard. Summer visitors include Swallows, Warblers,
Chiffchaff and Black, Caps, whilst winter brings visiting
flocks of Fieldfares to neighbouring fields, where you can
also expect to see Oyster Catchers, Snipe. Curlew, Peewits.
Skylarks and Partridge from time to time.
