Gatehouse Bank at Acheilidh


Acheilidh is an ambitious native woodland creation project, where former rough grazing land is being transformed into a Scots pinewood, the climax habitat in the north of Scotland.

Native pinewoods, sometimes referred to as Caledonian Pinewoods or the Caledonian Forest, once covered vast swathes of Scotland, from the southern Highlands to the northwest coastline. Over time, their distribution has waned and now only fragments of this ecosystem remain. However, the pinewoods are still critical for a whole host of animals and plants, which are found nowhere else in the UK.

As a result, the creation of this native pinewood at Acheilidh will deliver important biodiversity benefits, eventually providing a home for charismatic species like pine marten, red squirrel, black grouse and Scottish Crossbill.

Gatehouse Bank at Acheilidh

Acheilidh is an ambitious native woodland creation project, where former rough grazing land is being transformed into a Scots pinewood, the climax habitat in the north of Scotland.

Native pinewoods, sometimes referred to as Caledonian Pinewoods or the Caledonian Forest, once covered vast swathes of Scotland, from the southern Highlands to the northwest coastline. Over time, their distribution has waned and now only fragments of this ecosystem remain. However, the pinewoods are still critical for a whole host of animals and plants, which are found nowhere else in the UK.

As a result, the creation of this native pinewood at Acheilidh will deliver important biodiversity benefits, eventually providing a home for charismatic species like pine marten, red squirrel, black grouse and Scottish Crossbill.

Species Mix

  • Alder
  • Birch
  • Rowan
  • Willow
  • Scots pine

Gatehouse Bank at Acheilidh

17,000 trees 11.94 hectares Spring 2,264 tonnes CO2

Project Additional Benefits

Community Wildlife