Black Wood

Wood, Forest in Stirlingshire

Scotland

Black Wood

Aucheneck trig pillar Credit: John Ferguson

Black Wood, located in Stirlingshire, Scotland, is a mesmerizing forest that offers a unique and enchanting experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Covering an area of approximately 840 hectares, this ancient woodland is a significant part of the larger Trossachs National Park.

Black Wood is predominantly composed of native Scottish trees, including oak, birch, rowan, and Scots pine. These towering trees create a dense canopy, allowing only fragments of sunlight to penetrate the forest floor. The resulting environment is rich in biodiversity, supporting a wide range of flora and fauna.

The woodland is crisscrossed by a network of well-maintained trails, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the forest's wonders. The main path, known as the Black Wood of Rannoch Trail, winds through the heart of the forest, offering breathtaking views of towering trees, delicate wildflowers, and a diverse array of wildlife. Birdwatchers can spot species such as woodpeckers, crossbills, and red kites, while lucky visitors may even catch a glimpse of red squirrels or elusive pine martens.

Black Wood is not only a haven for nature enthusiasts but also plays an important role in local history and culture. The forest is believed to have inspired the renowned Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, who spent time in the area and drew inspiration from its mystical beauty. Today, the wood remains a favorite destination for artists, writers, and those seeking tranquility and inspiration.

Overall, Black Wood in Stirlingshire is a captivating and immersive forest where visitors can explore Scotland's natural beauty, discover its rich biodiversity, and connect with its storied past.

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Black Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.021167/-4.4425182 or Grid Reference NS4783. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Aucheneck trig pillar

John Ferguson

T. V. relay mast for the Killearn area

John Ferguson

Carnock Burn flowing through the gorge in Finnoch Glen

John Ferguson

Signpost on the John Muir Way

Looking towards Ben Lomond from John Muir Way signpost on Cameron Muir.

Raibeart MacAoidh

Loch Lomond and Stockie Muir from the air

Stockie Muir is in the foreground, Drymen is on the right, the 39km long loch spreads far into the distant mountains.

Thomas Nugent

No overtaking for 300 yards

A section of the A809 just outside Croftamie leading up to a sharp corner.

Richard Sutcliffe

Entrance to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

On the A809 just south east of Croftamie.

Richard Sutcliffe

The John Muir Way approaching Cameron Muir

Less than 50 metres of this track, which is marked on the 1:25000 map, passes through this grid square. The picture was taken from roughly the point where the track enters the square from the south, and is a view towards the point where it leaves on the east.

Lairich Rig

Gate on the John Muir Way

The John Muir Way leaves the woods here, and reaches Cameron Muir. There is a marker for that route on the gate; it turns left here, to head west. A different route heads right (east) at this point: a NS4683 : Track across Cameron Muir. The peak at the centre of the skyline, obscured a little by haze, is Uamh Bheag ("little cave", NN6911). A telecoms mast is on a nearer hill on the right, almost directly behind the rightmost gatepost in the picture: NS4884 : Aucheneck trig point, and telecoms mast. The bend in the path behind the gate is shown, from the other side of that turning, in NS4683 : The John Muir Way at Cameron Muir.

Lairich Rig

The John Muir Way at Cameron Muir

A marker on a gatepost beside the path shows that the John Muir Way makes a right turn here, to head south, passing through a gate that is out of shot to the right, but which is shown, from the other side, in NS4683 : Gate on the John Muir Way, where the same turning in the path can be seen. The route that carries on straight ahead (east) is a NS4683 : Track across Cameron Muir; the end-note refers to that route, which is distinct from the John Muir Way. The Campsie Hills are in the background, left of centre, and the more distant Fintry Hills are at the far left. Sometime after this picture was taken, a signpost was put up here at the turning: see NS4683 : Signpost on the John Muir Way, taken in 2020.

Lairich Rig

Carnock Burn

From here the burn flows NE, beneath the bridge carrying the A809, into Finnich Glen. The picturesque glen is 70 feet deep in places and is visited by thousands of people every year and contains a rock feature known as the Devil's Pulpit. The pulpit is accessible via a set of very steep and slippery stone steps on the South side of the glen.

Steve Partridge

Roadworks, A809

Today's road closure - there always seems to be one in the Balfron/Drymen area. I was able to negotiate passage.

Richard Webb

Woodland, Craighat

Richard Webb

Long grass, Finnich

A field which seems to have been left alone this year.

Richard Webb

A809

Quiet, due a resurfacing closure nearer Croftamie.

Richard Webb

High Finnich

A field of long grass which has been left for a while.

Richard Webb

Footpath Finnich Glen

The footpath in autumn approaching the Devils Pulpit located in Finnich Glen.

Steve Houldsworth

Old Milepost by the A809, Craighat Wood, Killearn Parish

Glasgow curved by the A809, in parish of Killearn (Stirling District), Craighat, on grass verge. Inscription reads:- : GLASGOW / ROYAL EXCHANGE / 14 / {pointing hand} / DRYMEN / {pointing hand} / 3 : Surveyed Milestone Society National ID: ST_GWDR14.

Milestone Society

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Black Wood is located at Grid Ref: NS4783 (Lat: 56.021167, Lng: -4.4425182)

Unitary Authority: Stirling

Police Authority: Forth Valley