- Doon of May
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Coordinates: 54°50′20″N 4°38′38″W / 54.839°N 4.644°W The Doon of May is a conifer plantation in the Machars, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) west of Wigtown in south-west Scotland. It was purchased from the Forestry Commission by the Tinne Beag Workers’ Co-operative. Since 1999 the co-operative has been managing the woodland for sustainable use of both timber and non-timber forest products, while increasing biodiversity and restoring native vegetation types where possible.
Contents
Woodland
The woodland comprises 100 acres (40 ha) of mixed sitka spruce plantation with a substantial area of semi-natural deciduous woodland of oak, ash, beech, birch, Scots pine, willow, alder, and sycamore. There is also 75 acres (30 ha) of peat bog wetland that was clear-felled around 1998. It is being regenerated with birch, rowan and willow with planted oak. Within the sitka there are many wetland glades of derelict alder coppice and areas containing a variety of sphagnums which give a verdant break to the monotony of regimented monoculture.
Hill fort
The Doon of May plantation takes its name from a vitrified Iron Age hill fort on the south-west of the plantation. The fort is some 139 metres (456 ft) above sea level and provides spectacular views of Luce Bay with the coast of Ireland in the distance.
The fort or walled settlement is an irregular ellipse, measuring 140 feet (43 m) east to west by 100 feet (30 m) north to south. The surrounding wall is up to 10 feet (3.0 m) on the south side, and the entrance was probably from the west. The facing stones of the heavily vitrified wall have almost entirely gone. Natural cliffs enhance the defensive nature of the site, and no evidence survives of outer defences.[1]
Boundaries
The northern boundary of the woodland is formed by the south edge of Mochrum Loch, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, hosting Britain's largest inland nesting colony of cormorants.[2] The woodland is adjacent to part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network. A Peace Pole has been erected at the eastern side of the public road which passes through the plantation.
References
- ^ "Doon of May". CANMORE. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/62203/details/doon+of+may+may/. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
- ^ "Mochrum Lochs Site of Special Scientific Interest". Scottish Natural Heritage. http://gateway.snh.gov.uk/pls/portal/Sitelink.Show_Site_Document?p_pa_code=1171&p_Doc_Type_ID=1. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
External links
Categories:- Forests and woodlands of Scotland
- Hill forts in Scotland
- Environment of Wigtown
- Archaeological sites in Dumfries and Galloway
- Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Scotland
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