Torboll Woods

Also within

Sutherland County

Condition (NatureScot)

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Torboll Woods Torboll Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lies in southeast Sutherland in and around the gorge formed by the burns draining Strath Carnaig and Loch Tarvie as they flow into Strath Fleet. This is the richest and most varied of the east Sutherland gorge woodlands. Birch-dominated woodland covers most of the site. The acid soils of the slopes east of Allt Loch Tarbhaidh support an unusual combination of birch Betula pubescens and both species of oak Quercus petraea and Quercus robur. hazel Corylus avellana, wych elm Ulmus glabra, aspen Populus tremula, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, bird cherry Prunus padus and willows including goat willow Salix caprea are all present. Alder Alnus glutinosa occurs on the steep, wet slopes. The woodland vegetation benefits from the high humidity maintained by the steep-sided ravine and its waterfalls. The different ground flora communities reflect the variety of soils, aspect and exposure. Notable species include wood false-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum, wood vetch Vicia sylvatica, woodruff Galium odoratum and upland enchanter’s nightshade Circaea x intermedia. Flushes support golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, and wood fescue Festuca altissima and mountain melick Melica nutans grow in the gorge.

Species mentioned