Campbeltown Biodiversity Project 2024

Glen

It has already been suggested that this would make a good community garden.

Part of old Limecraigs Estate, owned by the Duke of Argyll. An estate house on a nearby site has been there for at least 250 years. Big estate owners had what are known as "policy" woods around their property and this wood is probably a remnant of this. Its most important wildlife features are its wych elms, including a line of them which seems to have been planted to screen the wood from the railway line. Recommendation: core area to be mapped as part of Campbeltown Elm project.

Easily accessible beach. Coastal habitat excellent for education and leisure. Part of Campbeltown loch, a richly biodiverse area.

There are elms all over the town, many of them in small copses and on banks which together form several rookeries (at one point around 700 nests have been recorded). These elms are likely to be Wych Elm, a species of elm found only in Scotland and the north of England. They were widely planted as specimen trees and to form policy woods (see the Cutting), shelter belts and "hanging" woods on steep banks which were not suitable for agriculture.

Potential with neighbouring Hospital for hedgerow establishment, plus individual standard trees, to make a wildlife corridor.

Grounds of Heritage Centre. Excellent for hedgehogs which move between private gardens and centre grounds

Potential with neighbouring helipad for hedgerow establishment, plus individual standard trees, to make a wildlife corridor.

This site is already great for wildlife with mature shelter belts planted in the mounds (they were probably created when the call centre was constructed ).

A small formal park with mature trees, frequented by hedgehogs.

This large area, which includes the helipad as well as the playing fields, is bounded on one side by the Witch burn, which is liable to flood, hence the three ponds which have been created as part of the flood protection scheme.

Campbeltown Putting Green is operated by SKDT under licence from Argyll & Bute Council. It is normally open during the summer months (Mar - Sept) and is much loved by locals and visitors alike. Alongside the Putticg Green " Club House" there is small community garden designed for children and consisting mostly of fruit shrubs and herbs. 

A native woodland surrounding a small north-facing ravine with high levels of humidity. Recommendation. Survey the site for rainforest species.

Grounds of Heritage Centre. Excellent for hedgehogs which move between private gardens and centre grounds.

This new community garden was established in early 2024 on site of an old garden, established on derelict land once occupied by housing. Thisd garden includes raised beds (including wheelchair accessible ones), tea shed, toolstore, herb and bee nectar/pollen plantings, wildflower meadows, bug hotel, compost heaps, hedge. Volunteers welcome. Some beds managed by local groups, others by volunteers. including local schools and nurseries, mental health groups and other community groups.

Extended corridor area consisting of the burn itself, ponds, copses, individual trees, recreation area and helipad. Already acts as a wildlife corridor which could be enhanced by wetland planting, conversion of grass areas into wildflower meadows and planting of hedges and individual trees, possibly a small woodland.

An ideal site for another community garden. South facing slope away from road.

A copse planted with even-aged Scots Pine. Recommendation: Survey with a view to possibly carry out selective felling to open up the canopy and to introduce a wider range of tree species.