Glen Tilt Woods

Also within

Perth and Kinross County Cairngorms National Park

Condition (NatureScot)

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine · Rock Type: Limestone, Schist

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

GLEN TILT WOODS Glen Tilt Woods lies in the north-south running gorge of the River Tilt to the north of Blair Atholl in highland Perthshire. The site consists of two small but species-rich areas of upland mixed ash woodland on Dalradian limestone and schist (a metamorphic rock). Wooded limestone gorges of this type are rare in Perth and Kinross. The woodland in the gorge is predominantly ash, hazel and wych elm, with birch and mixed non-native species on the more level ground on either side of the gorge. The lime-rich geology and humid microclimate has encouraged a diverse woodland ground flora which in the lower section on limestone includes the nationally rare whorled Solomon’s seal Polygonatum multiflorum, as well as species such as herb Paris Paris quadrifolia and lily of the valley Convallaria majalis. The upper section consists of less lime-rich schist, but it notable for the nationally scarce small cow wheat Melampyrum sylvaticum and the rare yellow bird’s nest orchid Hypopitys monotropa. The lower section of the site in particular is very rich in lower plants and includes a number of nationally rare and nationally scarce lichens, mosses and liverworts.

Species mentioned

Plant communities