Fraoch Wood

Fraoch Wood is an attractively situated, native Scots pine woodland, with a colourful ground cover of heather ("Fraoch" in Gaelic, pronounced "Frew-och") and blaeberries. The Scots pine, planted in 1962, have been carefully thinned, creating an open canopy and bright setting for conservation activities, observation hides and nature-friendly camping. With an interesting and varied mixture of open and more dense areas towards the east of Fraoch Wood and a few birch and other native broadleaves interspersed amongst the predominant Scots pines.

Internal access is off a main forest track along the wood's western boundary and a 4WD ride/track along the southern boundary..

This is a well thinned Scot's pine woodland that shows good growth of timber; it is one of the strongest of the softwoods and as such is widely used in the construction industry. A mature tree can live for up to 700 years and is a stalwart of the Caledonian forest. Its canopy allows more light down to the forest floor and as such is great for biodiversity.

The native fauna in the wood and surrounding area includes rare and protected red squirrels, capercaillie and wood ants. The forests of Baddengorm are one of the last redoughts of the capercaille and woodland owners are asked to work in partnership with the Capercaille Project, to both preserve the habitat and ensure breeding birds are given a wide berth.These woods are very private and are generally unwalked by the public, allowing the wildlife to thrive with a vibrant blaeberry understory that provides the perfect habitat for the capercaille.

Access is good off the main road and the woodland is open and easy to traverse, the woodland tracks are shared with other woodland owners and is also an access route for Tom Mor Forest.Sporting rights are included with the land.

Fraoch Wood is part of Baddengorm Wood and is situated close to the attractive highland village of Carrbridge in the Cairngorm National Park, well known for its mountain ranges, outdoor pursuits and diverse native wildlife. Ancient Caledonian Pine Woodland sites are close by to the north and to the south at the Rothiemurchus estate, popular with visitors. Aviemore, the Spey river and Speyside way are all within 10 miles. The city of Inverness is about 30 minutes to the north.These woods are a great hub for exploring the wider area and would be perfect for camping in summer or as a campervan park up.

Interested in this woodland? Get in touch with us:

Contact Torquil Varty & Rachel Bower on 07803 903 203 or email us at [email protected] with your details.