Lochshiel has some of the best scenery in the west coast of Scotland with a rich and diverse wildlife.

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Red deer are the iconic symbol of Highland Scotland. These impressive animals roam freely in the hills and if you venture out you will have a very good chance of seeing them.

 

Red squirrels can be spotted in the woods and if you are lucky, otters on the shore. Pine martens tend to be more elusive as they are nocturnal but many visitors have had a sighting. 

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The area is a haven for bird watchers. Sea eagles, golden eagles, osprey and buzzards fly overhead. Venture on to the shore and you are bound to hear oyster catchers and further inland even a curlew. Both the little egret and the great white egret have been seen.  As you walk along the river Shiel you will see herons and ducks of all types- mallard, merganser and golden eye. As autumn approaches flocks of geese gather on the shore and river banks. 

 

Forestry plantations of sitka spruce have now been largely felled and replaced with native Caledonian pine. Further areas of native woodland have been planted recently - these include trees such as oak, birch, aspen, hazel and rowan. These plantings will enhance the natural environment as well as locking in carbon. 

 

The estate has undergone a long programme of rhododendron eradication. This is ongoing to prevent them dominating the habitat and to allow other plants and native trees to become established.

 

The slopes of the hills around Dorlin show habitat typical of Atlantic temperate rainforest. High levels of rainfall and mild temperatures create the perfect conditions for mosses, lichen and liverworts to flourish. The diversity of species this type of habitat support is immense. This is a very rare and special type of landscape and only 2% of woodland in Scotland is made up of temperate rainforest.