The depth of the gorge creates a moist and sheltered microclimate with a rich and varied flora, where mosses and ferns are abundant. As you walk along Lady Fowler’s Fern Walk, see how many species of ferns you can spot. Some examples include lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas), ladder fern and hart’s tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium).
The gorge is also home to a nationally rare species of cranefly (Lipsothrix ecucullata), which benefits from the damp rotten wood in shaded areas.
Spring brings the first flush of buds and blooming wildflowers in the gorge below. The dark, shady conditions lend themselves to plants like sanicle. Shade-loving ferns and plants such as mountain sorrel, germander speedwell and saxifrage also thrive in the lowest levels.
In summer you can see and hear woodland birds in the gorge, and ravens often nest in the ledge beside the suspension bridge. Golden eagles can sometimes be seen soaring high above the gorge. Far below, trout live in the deepest pools of the gorge.
In autumn, along the flanks of the ravine the native trees such as birch, rowan, oak, hazel, elm and pine are resplendent in their glowing autumn colours. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for nibbled pine cones that look a little like corn-on-the-cob – this is a good sign that red squirrels have been in the area.
Check out our wildlife spotter’s guide for Corrieshalloch Gorge, and see how many you can spot during your next visit:
