Woodland History of North Lochtayside
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Modern tree plantation at Edramucky
This area was once part of the Breadalbane estate, a vast Campbell stronghold extending from the Argyll islands, to Aberfeldy in the east. The Breadalbane muniments, the bulk of which are housed in the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, contain documents relating to the Campbells of Glenorchy spanning some 500 years, from 1374 until the 1920’s. This collection has been described as, arguably, one of the finest for estate papers in Scotland, and is inordinately prodigious in 16th, 17th and 18th century material. It is therefore the intention of this project to look at the historical development of the woodland of north Lochtayside, by utilising primarily these records, but also by examining the cartographic record for the district.Map-based research will include a detailed analysis of the 1769 and 1772 Farquharson plans of north Lochtayside. These plans can then be compared with Pont’s late 16th century map of Loch Tay (Pont 18), the mid 18th century Roy maps, the 1st edition OS (1861) and present-day maps. Together these can help illustrate changing woodland distribution. This would result in the production of a highly visual and easily interpreted map of woodland change.
Work on the project was delayed following an extended maternity leave; however, preliminary work finally began in August 2004. So far, this has been confined to assessing existing information gleaned through previous archival research carried out on the woodlands (Stewart 1997, Stewart 2000) and work undertaken for the RCAHMS on the history of land use and management on the slopes of Ben Lawers. (RCAHMS forthcoming). Once this cross referencing work is completed, further location specific archive material will be gathered from the Breadalbane muniments. A chronology of the factors that affected the woodlands during this period will be produced. Topics envisaged will include:
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Loch Tay Its Woods and Its People, The Woodland
History of Lochtayside, |
2005 Woodland History Report
| Work to uncover the story of the woodlands on North Lochtayside since
the 17th century, using documentary and cartographic evidence began this
year and is due for completion at the end of September 2005. The Perthshire and Argyllshire estates of the Campbells of Breadalbane embraced a significant area of woodland, over which the Campbell lairds and earls held sway for several centuries. The rich collection of historic archives of the Breadalbane estates is therefore a mine of information for all aspects of land use history, not least the history of the woodlands. From these we can develop an understanding of how the woods were used and how they changed, particularly from the period when estate records became more prolific from the 17th century. |
Pennant’s Killin and Loch Tay around 1772, (Photo: Christopher Dingwall) |
A crooked Oak tree (Photo: Alan Drever) |
Documents looked at so far, reveal both general trends in the estates approach to woodlands, their management and use, and also allow more specific histories to be constructed for some of the woods within the project area. For example, there appears to have been a shift in attitude towards the estate’s woods during the 18th century. Comments by the second earl in the early 18th century suggest a less intrusive management approach, which involved working with what existed. If a wood was poorly cut or damaged by grazing, and was left open, then the attitude was: what can be done to encourage good growth? By the late 18th century, woodland management had become more interventionist, particularly after the renowned agricultural improver, William Marshall had visited Breadalbane and advised the fourth earl on a raft of new ’improvements’. So, if trees were not growing well, it was thought better to extirpate them and change the land use, so increasing the land’s value. Woods were also being planted where it was thought they would grow better or be of more use rather than simply on the basis of where they had always grown. It is during this period that more significant quantities of trees, particularly larch, were being planted on open ground and remnant plantations such as those we see today on the East Mealour and Meall Odhar on the lower slopes of Ben Lawers were planted during this time. |
As well as looking at the written papers of the Breadalbane muniments, map-based research is about to commence, which will include a detailed GIS analysis of the 1769 Farquharson plans of north Lochtayside, the 1st edition ordnance survey (1861) and present day maps.
Reference:
Stewart, M J, (1997) The Utilisation and Management of the Semi-Natural Woodlands of Lochtayside 1650-1850, unpublished MPhil thesis, St Andrews UniversityStewart, M J, (2000) Loch Tay Its Woods and Its People, The Woodland History of Lochtayside, Scottish Native Woods, Aberfeldy
Mairi Stewart
