{"id":219,"date":"2025-12-14T21:54:55","date_gmt":"2025-12-14T21:54:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/?page_id=219"},"modified":"2025-12-15T23:07:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T23:07:43","slug":"gearrchoille","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/other\/gearrchoille\/","title":{"rendered":"Gearrchoille"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-accent-2-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-669513ed wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\">\n<p class=\"has-heading-font-family has-x-large-font-size\" style=\"line-height:1.2\">Gearrchoille Community Wood<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<p class=\"wp-container-content-0733e5d0\">Gearrchoille Wood is a 30-acre semi-natural ancient woodland, predominantly oak and birch, situated just south of Ardgay on the Dornoch Firth, Sutherland.&nbsp;It was gifted to the community by Balnagown Estate in 2003.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1409\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/woodland-from-above-1-scaled.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/woodland-from-above-1-scaled.png 2560w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/woodland-from-above-1-300x165.png 300w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/woodland-from-above-1-1024x564.png 1024w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/woodland-from-above-1-768x423.png 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/woodland-from-above-1-1536x846.png 1536w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/woodland-from-above-1-2048x1128.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-base-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d89aad35 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<p class=\"wp-container-content-9cfa9a5a\">The wood has been used in the past for curling; grazing livestock (it contains an old drove road); and the coppiced trees suggest timber production.&nbsp;Since it came into the care of the local community, access has been improved, the former curling pond has been restored for wildlife, and the wood is used as a venue for a variety of community events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull has-parallax\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);min-height:380px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><div class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-356 size-full has-parallax\" style=\"background-position:50% 50%;background-image:url(https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1433.jpg)\"><\/div><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-base-background-color has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-e4fd886c wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>Gearrchoille Community Wood is a community-owned native woodland in Ardgay, cared for by local people for the benefit of nature and the wider community. The woodland supports wildlife, promotes sustainable land management, and offers opportunities for learning, recreation, and connection with the natural environment.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We organise a regular volunteer afternoon on the 1st Thursday of each month at 2pm, when we get together to carry out routine maintenance such as path clearing, birch thinning, and pond clearing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1080\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080;\" width=\"1920\" controls src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Gearrchoille-v2.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gearrchoillecommunitywoodardgay.org.uk\/index.asp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Website<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/profile.php?id=100071604857282\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Facebook<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoilleenvironment-and-auditplan2008.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Management Plan<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoille-nvc-report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Survey (2007)<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/history-of-gearrchoilleii.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">History<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/peter-quelch-diary.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ancient Woodlands<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/trees_in_the_wood2014.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Trees<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gearrchoillecommunitywoodardgay.org.uk\/index.asp?pageid=660937\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lichens<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gearrchoillecommunitywoodardgay.org.uk\/index.asp?pageid=660935\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ponds<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gearrchoillecommunitywoodardgay.org.uk\/index.asp?pageid=660938\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Birds<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/moth-leaflet2014.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Moths<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-2-color has-contrast-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-092ed99faa2058cf70021386e763d490 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-facafb6f wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns alignwide is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-d1c656ed wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-stretch is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-right:0;flex-basis:60%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-73867b6b wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"min-height:100%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1536\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/public-talk.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/public-talk.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/public-talk-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/public-talk-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/public-talk-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/public-talk-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-rounded is-style-rounded--1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoillemembershipform.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoillemembershipform-724x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoillemembershipform-724x1024.jpg 724w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoillemembershipform-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoillemembershipform-768x1086.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoillemembershipform-1086x1536.jpg 1086w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoillemembershipform-1448x2048.jpg 1448w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/gearrchoillemembershipform-scaled.jpg 1810w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:40%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Gearrchoille Community Wood Ardgay (GCWA) exists primarily to conserve and enhance the biodiversity, cultural &amp; recreational value of Gearrchoille oakwood in Ardgay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gearrchoille Community Wood Ardgay is a company limited by guarantee, and a registered charity.&nbsp; It was formed to take ownership of the wood.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Company objects are &#8211;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To conserve, preserve and protect the Gearrchoille Community Wood Ardgay for the benefit of the public and in particular for the inhabitants of Kincardine and Croick;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To conserve, preserve and protect the wildlife, flora and fauna of the Gearrchoille Community Wood for the benefit of the aforesaid persons;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To advance the education of aforesaid persons about Gearrchoille Community Wood, its wildlife, flora and fauna and the conservation, preservation and protection thereof;&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To provide, in the interests of social welfare, facilities for recreational or other leisure-time occupation with a view to improving the aforesaid persons\u2019 conditions of life.&nbsp; And in furtherance thereof but not otherwise;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To work alone or in partnership with any organisation, agency, authority or other body to establish, manage and improve woodlands in the said area including access, recreation, conservation, environmental and cultural matters.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To encourage community involvement in the management of local woodlands, and<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>To prepare, review and implement alone or in partnership management plans, schemes and proposals for the attainment of the objects of the Company.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-2-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-7cd14b77 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignfull is-stacked-on-mobile\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/experience.arcgis.com\/experience\/bd799a72ca0f4bcab21667046aa671cd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\" noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"814\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/map-Gearrchoille-1024x814.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-308 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/map-Gearrchoille-1024x814.png 1024w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/map-Gearrchoille-300x238.png 300w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/map-Gearrchoille-768x610.png 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/map-Gearrchoille-1536x1220.png 1536w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/map-Gearrchoille.png 1850w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><strong>Native woods<\/strong> mainly consist of species that arrived in Scotland without human assistance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Semi-natural woods<\/strong> are self-sown, naturally regenerating woodlands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ancient woodlands<\/strong> are directly descended from the same sites where the original &#8216;wildwood&#8217; established itself in Scotland when glaciers retreated following the last ice age. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Only about 1% of Scotland is covered in ancient semi-natural woodland<\/strong><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Click the map to explore the Gearrchoille Wood in more detail. <em>Click relevant tabs at the bottom of the interactive map; turn different layers on\/off with the layers icon at the top-right\u2014especially &#8216;Woodlands &amp; Forests&#8217; and &#8216;Basemaps&#8217;.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery alignfull has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" data-id=\"255\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pond.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-255\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pond.jpg 720w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pond-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"263\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/undergrowth-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-263\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/undergrowth-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/undergrowth-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/undergrowth-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/undergrowth-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/undergrowth.jpg 1365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"718\" data-id=\"252\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/squirrel.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-252\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/squirrel.jpg 960w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/squirrel-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/squirrel-768x574.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"854\" data-id=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/group-activity-1024x854.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/group-activity-1024x854.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/group-activity-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/group-activity-768x641.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/group-activity.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pond-clearing-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pond-clearing-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pond-clearing-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pond-clearing-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/pond-clearing.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" data-id=\"265\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/guided-walk-HQ.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/guided-walk-HQ.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/guided-walk-HQ-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/guided-walk-HQ-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gearrchoille Community Woodland 20th Anniversary Celebration. People start to gather at the shelter prior to the official thank you to all the people involved in setting up the Community Wood, 20 years ago.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"668\" data-id=\"269\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/moth.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-269\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/moth.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/moth-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/moth-768x513.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Gearrchoille Community Woodland 20th Anniversary Celebration. Poplar Hawk Moth caught in a moth trap for the Moth identification session.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"262\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/clearing-tree-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/clearing-tree-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/clearing-tree-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/clearing-tree-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/clearing-tree.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"698\" data-id=\"264\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/winter-walk.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-264\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/winter-walk.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/winter-walk-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/winter-walk-768x536.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"732\" data-id=\"260\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/work-team-1024x732.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/work-team-1024x732.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/work-team-300x214.jpg 300w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/work-team-768x549.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/work-team.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" data-id=\"254\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/wooden-path.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-254\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/wooden-path.jpg 720w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/wooden-path-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"258\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mushroom-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-258\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mushroom-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mushroom-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mushroom-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/mushroom.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"467\" height=\"700\" data-id=\"253\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/checking-nests.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/checking-nests.jpg 467w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/checking-nests-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 467px) 100vw, 467px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"259\" src=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/evening-light-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/evening-light-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/evening-light-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/evening-light-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/msclt.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/evening-light.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Gearrchoille Community Wood Ardgay (GCWA) is an independent entity. This page is only hosted by Mid Sutherland Community Land Trust (MSCLT).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gearrchoille Community Wood Gearrchoille Wood is a 30-acre semi-natural ancient woodland, predominantly oak and birch, situated just south of Ardgay on the Dornoch Firth, Sutherland.&nbsp;It was gifted to the community by Balnagown Estate in 2003. The wood has been used in the past for curling; grazing livestock (it contains an old drove road); and the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":2,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-219","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/219","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=219"}],"version-history":[{"count":93,"href":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/219\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":357,"href":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/219\/revisions\/357"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/msclt.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=219"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}