Gaick Forest

Downs, Moorland in Inverness-shire

Scotland

Gaick Forest

The southern end of Loch an t-Seilich Taken from the slopes of Mullach Coire nan Dearcag. The small stand of trees in the centre of the photo is very close to Gaick Lodge, which is hidden from view. — The southern end of Loch an t-Seilich Credit: Michael Earnshaw

Gaick Forest is a remarkable natural area located in Inverness-shire, Scotland. Covering a vast expanse of downs and moorland, it stretches across approximately 12,000 hectares of stunning Highland landscape. The forest is nestled between the Cairngorm Mountains to the east and the Monadhliath Mountains to the west, offering visitors breathtaking views and a sense of tranquility.

The terrain of Gaick Forest is characterized by rolling hills, heather-covered moors, and scattered woodlands. The area is rich in biodiversity, providing a habitat for a diverse range of wildlife species. Visitors may spot red deer, golden eagles, ospreys, and a variety of other bird species, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

The forest is crisscrossed by a network of paths and trails, making it an ideal destination for hikers and walkers. The routes offer a mix of easy strolls and more challenging hikes, catering to all levels of fitness and experience. Along the way, walkers can soak in the stunning scenery, with panoramic vistas of the surrounding mountains and glens.

For those interested in history, Gaick Forest holds significance as an ancient hunting ground. The area was once used for recreational hunting by Highland clans, and remnants of this past activity can still be found, including former hunting lodges and gamekeeper's cottages.

In summary, Gaick Forest offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands. With its diverse wildlife, picturesque landscapes, and historical significance, it is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an authentic Scottish outdoor experience.

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Gaick Forest Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 56.94004/-4.047856 or Grid Reference NN7585. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

The southern end of Loch an t-Seilich

Taken from the slopes of Mullach Coire nan Dearcag. The small stand of trees in the centre of the photo is very close to Gaick Lodge, which is hidden from view.

Michael Earnshaw

Gaick Lodge

Traditionally run as a sporting estate, with Garron ponies used to retrieve the stags and grouse during the season, things seem to be changing with web sites suggesting that the lodge "will not be available from 2016". It is apparently now owned by "Wildland Scotland" with a view to rewilding. There's a lot less evidence of forest regeneration in Glen Tromie compared with nearby Glen Feshie in the same ownership, but there are a lot of downed fences and rolled up wire, suggesting that some rewilding is going on. Deer numbers still need to be controlled for that (indeed, even more so) so the gamekeepers house marked on the map will no doubt be in use. Chris Packham having been on TV wildlife viewing up the hill to the right in 2021, perhaps this is destined to become an eco-tourism destination ? It will take a while before the land is suitable for the return of wolves and bears...

Andy Waddington

The head of Loch an t-Seilich

A natural loch whose outflow is dammed, Loch an t-Seilich at the end of summer 2021 seems to be drawn down to about the lowest level the channel will support, leaving a large area of barren beach exposed. Seems badly out of step with the idea that Wildland Scotland are rewilding the estate, but forest regeneration has barely begun here so things like remediation of exposed banks are presumably some way in the future. Gaick Lodge, the centre of the estate, is just at the left of the photo, separated by the gap of the Gaick Pass (and the continuing cycle route to Sronphadruig and Dalnacardoch) from the imposing hillside of Sgòr Dearg, ascended by a punishingly steep stalkers' path, climbing 350m over less than a half a kilometre as the crow flies (or, more likely here, an eagle).

Andy Waddington

Loch an t-Seilich from above

Taken from close to the summit of Maol an t-Seilich.

Kevin Philpott

Ford, Allt Gharbh Ghaig

A wide but in these conditions, easy ford on the Gaick Pass.

Richard Webb

Bike packing through the Gaick

Quite a few bikes cross the Gaick which has a road for all but 2km of its length. The main problem is river crossings but not during a prolonged warm and dry spell like this. Three folk crossed on horseback today as well, however there are gates between Dalnacardoch and Sronphadruig and these were open today.

Richard Webb

Ford, Garbh Gaick

The route of Comyn's Road, once the main route between Badenoch and Atholl. The background hills are the other side of the much derided Monadh Ghaig, east of Dalwhinnie. (tops of Carn na Caim).

Richard Webb

A new course for the Allt a' Mhoraire

The heavy rains and flooding of December 2015 have had a very big impact on the Gaick. There are lots of new landslides, outwash plains have been refreshed and rivers have found new courses. Here the burn's old bed is full of debris and it has yet to wash away the vegetation and soil in its new course.

Richard Webb

Refreshed alluvial fan, Garbh Gaick

Eight years on from NN7683 : Allt a' Mhoraire and six months after heavy rain made a few big changes to the Mounth, causing bad flooding in several towns. A fresh load of stone has been washed down the gorge.

Richard Webb

Ford, An Gharbh Ghaig

Once bridged, this is a potentially awkward river crossing on the Gaick Pass. View towards Gaick Lodge.

Richard Webb

Road, Gaick Pass

Passing Loch Bhrodainn, just south of the junction with the Garbh Ghaig/Comyn's Road.

Richard Webb

Loch Bhrodainn

The middle of the three Gaick lochs with a background of scree covered An Sgòr.

Richard Webb

Gaick Pass: Loch Bhrodainn

The road heading south towards Loch an Dùin between the two background hills. (A' Chaoirnich and An Dùn).

Richard Webb

Scree, Gaick

The east side of the Carn na Caim/Bhuidheanaich Beag plateau above Loch Bhrodainn.

Richard Webb

Bridge, Dubh Bhrodainn

Crossing the river leaving Loch Bhrodainn with an alluvial fan from the Allt Bhrodainn which runs in from the west.

Richard Webb

Garbh Ghaig ford

Northward view towards Sròn a' Mhoraire on the other side of the sometimes troublesome ford.

Richard Webb

Allt Gharbh Ghaig ford

A bike packer contemplates his next move. The river has cut a deep channel through the alluvial fan, and although the water level was low, it was a bit of step down into it. Adam Watson in the 1970s edition of the SMC district guides describes a bridge here. It has long gone.

Richard Webb