Easter Ness Forest

Also within

Inverness County

Condition (NatureScot)

Habitats

Bracken scrub

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Granite, Sandstone

Landscape processes: Volcanic / Igneous

Description

EASTER NESS FOREST This large area of broadleaved woodland covers an 11 km stretch of steep, north-west facing slopes along the south side of Loch Ness. The varied geology and resultant soil conditions have led to the development of different woodland types. Birchwood covers the largest area, found mainly on the granite and old red sandstone soils in the northern part of the site. The acid soil has a characteristic ground flora of blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus and wavy hair-grass Deschampsia flexuosa with bell heather Erica cinerea and cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense. Some of the smaller birchwoods on Moine rocks display a richer herb layer with abundant bracken. Whilst oak occurs occasionally in these birchwoods, there are areas overlying Moine schists where it becomes the dominant tree. Where these rocks are more lime-rich, ash becomes the most common species with an associated flora of false-brome, Brachypodium sylvaticum, dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, bugle Ajuga reptans and common valerian Valeriana officinalis. These Moine schists show areas of both lime rich and acid soils occurring in the same place. Here, on thin rocky soil, an unusual woodland with a mix of Scots pine, ash, aspen and oak has developed. The vegetation underneath reflects this variation in conditions with juniper, holly and wood sage, Teucrium scorodonia, alongside dog’s mercury, woodruff Galium odoratum and wild strawberry Fragaria vesca.

Species mentioned

Insects to look out for

These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.

Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.

Plant communities