It's an ill wind. Planting new trees in the Torridon grounds

We do get the occasional breeze in the Highlands

From time to time we get a wind that just comes from an unusual direction or with a quick focused energy which can uproot some of the older trees that have reached maturity. Last season we lost a couple of firs near the main entrance and a couple of months earlier an old conference pear tree in the kitchen garden.

The soils here are fairly shallow glacial moraine and often very wet in the winter months it is quite difficult for large trees to get anchorage. However, for every tree that succumbs to wind throw, disease or is thinned out, several replacements are planted around the hotel grounds. Some of the large trees are well over 100 years old and very tall and one wonders how they survive.

The photograph accompanying this post is of part of a frieze at the entrance to Kew Gardens and is composed of the wood taken from many species of tree that fell in one horrific period of winds that affected most parts of the British Isles.

We planted many new trees, including some new species in the Torridon grounds last year. Trees planted include Red Filbert, Cherry Plum, Gean or Wild Cherry, Hazel, Italian Alder, Spindle (several species), Blackthorn, Crab Apples, Amelanchier, Rowan, Oak, Hornbeam, Snake Bark Maple. Within the kitchen garden it is hoped to grow a small nursery of trees to provide new stock for the future.

There are a wide variety of trees growing in the hotel grounds and numerous seedlings which provide cover for nesting birds, mammals and a whole host of insect life. Some of the nut and fruit trees planted may provide a harvest for the kitchen in years to come.

Come partake of our sylvan pleasures!