Roots of Arran Community Woodland
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Roots of Arran Community Woodland is a registered charity (SC035585) on the Isle of Arran. Roots of Arran volunteers meet on the second Sunday of the month (11am at the Viewpoint car park between Brodick and Lamlash) to carry out conservation work in their 30 hectare woodland just outside of Brodick. Tasks include footpath creation and maintenance, tree-planting and management, as well as rhody clearance. Roots of Arran Community Woodland was formed in 2002 and has since planted up this large clear-fell site known as Fairy Glen or Lag a Bheith, with many young trees which include Beech, Hazel, Willow, Oak, Alder, Blackthorn and even fruit trees in a specially enclosed orchard area.
This is in order to regenerate the woodland for locals and visitors to enjoy and increase the islands biodiversity. In spring 2012 a pond was added as well as more footpaths. The area is on loan to Roots of Arran through a concordat agreement with the Forestry Commission. The site has fairly rough tracks leading through it but is accessible on foot from the Viewpoint car park on the hill leading out of Brodick towards Lamlash. You can also get to it by walking up the road which has Brodick Bar on the left and the Post Office on the right. It takes you on to a track known as the Mayish and leads to the site (approximately a 1.5km walk).
There is an ancient Beech Grove to the right of the main track just before the bridge if walking up from the Mayish, which has provided a fantastic space in which to not only shelter and chill out but make environmental art and practise woodland skills. Roots of Arran Forest School Leaders provide Forest School sessions to visiting groups of all ages and this can include delivery of the John Muir Award. The site includes a tarp shelter and composting toilet for these groups to use.