John Trower WoodBeauly, Inverness-Shire, IV4 7JR

John Trower Wood lies south-west of Beauly, to the south of the River Beauly. The surrounding area is well wooded on the valley sides, with open hill and moorland above. With recent thinning, the site has proven use for the production and extraction of timber. A range of timber milling and processing facilities serve the area, including sawmills at Dingwall, Nairn, Fochabers and Fort William and processors at Invergordon and Dalcross.

John Trower Wood was named in memory of the forester who designed and planted the site. The wood extends to 309 hectares planted on an undulating south facing hillside (80m - 349m asl). The site was planted with mixed conifers in the 1980's and is at mid/late-rotation stage. The current productive timber area is 200ha (65%). The planting is mainly mixed Sitka spruce, Scots pine and some Larch, graduating to Sitka spruce/Lodgepole Pine on the higher ground to the west. The crop has been well managed, with careful thinning to improve the trees and feathering visible edges. There is in general, good tree form and little windblow. The property includes part of Chapel Wood, an area of native broadleaves on the left hand side of the access. This is part of the 15.06ha of native broadleaves which add to the species diversity and amenity across the site, most notably along the northern and western boundaries. The wood includes Loch Raineachan, an attractive natural lochan which extends to about 1.5ha in the centre of the site and provides an opportunity for wild trout fishing, and a focus for wildlife.