Author Archives: David Simpson

We’ve now received 420 tree saplings from Woodlands Trust Scotland, complete with stakes, guards and fertiliser. There are a variety of species including willow, alder, birch and hawthorn. Viv Halcrow, the Croft Woodlands Adviser for the Western Isles said “Go ahead and plant, bearing in mind they will need to be in a deer-fenced area, not on deep peat and preferably where the soil is a bit better i.e. grassy rather than heather. Hope you have a good planting experience and do send some photos!” We will of course, once we can get the job done over the next couple of weeks.

The Woodland Trust have a great page on their website with useful tips and instructions for planting trees which includes a really good video.

We are looking for volunteers to come along and help with the planting, so if you are interested in taking part in this and other projects, please get in touch and we’ll let you know how and when you can support Aline Community Woodland.

A guide for crofters, communities and small woodland owners

This excellent handbook contains several very useful sections which cover a range of pertinent subjects including how to create a new woodland, advice on managing small woods, assessing the value of a woodland, and lots of good information on learning and support related to woodland management. The experience shared in this book cover a range of situations and illustrate how various people have approached the management of small woods with case studies. You can download a PDF file of the handbook from Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar here

Immerse Hebrides provide guided outdoor, cold water swimming adventures and now they are at Aline Community Woodlands too!

Based in Stornoway, the Immerse Hebrides guides are Norma and Neil, a husband and wife team with extensive and in-depth knowledge of the best places to swim in the Outer Hebrides.

Suitable for all abilities with the choice of location will tailored to individual requirements and upon the conditions of the day. For the more experienced sea-swimmer they offer more challenging swims between small islands, across channels or around rugged areas of coastline with water safety provided. Long-distance swims to outer islands can be arranged by special request.

Loch swimming is also available and now Immerse Hebrides will offering guided swimming at our loch at Aline Community Woodland too. Visit Immerse Hebrides website for information, blog, gallery and event listings including those at Aline Community Woodlands.

Visit Immerse Hebrides website for more information, blog, gallery and event listings including those for Aline Community Woodlands and more…

Contact Immerse Hebrides at: info@immersehebrides.com or telephone Norma and Neil on 07920 111390

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A healthWalk is a short, sociable, local, led walk adapted wherever necessary to the needs of the walkers in the group. HealthWalks usually last between 30 minutes to an hour. Its a simple way to increase physical activity for all ages and fitness levels. The HealthWalks aim to improve health, help with weight loss, make you feel good and its free!

The Pairc Trust and NHS Western Isles ‘Walk On Hebrides’ project promotes and encourages the Pairc and Kinloch HealthWalk Group. Its part of the Paths For All initiative whose strategy is to help everyone in Scotland to walk more and to be more active. You can find out more at their website.

The Pairc and Kinloch HealthWalk Group meet every Saturday for gentle stroll in the Kinloch and the Pairc areas of Lewis. Trained walk-leaders are on hand to guide and provide support if needed and sometimes members kindly share their historical and local knowledge with the group.

On Saturday 2nd October 2021 the group will be meeting at the car park at Aline Community Woodlands to walk on the west-side board walk, heading towards Airidh a’ Brhruaich and back. The group will be setting off at 11am. Everyone is welcome. Walkers are encouraged to follow the current guidelines from The Scottish Government and Western Isles NHS about social distancing and safety measures when around other people. The group have a Facebook page which regularly posts the details of their next walk and their monthly schedule.

As Covid-19 restrictions have eased recently, we’ve seen more visitors coming to the community woodland to enjoy the walks, the playground, paddle boarding and canoeing on the loch and generally enjoy being out of doors. Visitors have been making good use of the cabin in the main car park for shelter when the weather is inclement or the midges too fierce.

Children have had fun at the playground, especially since we have been able to treat the area to combat (for now at least) the reeds. Thank you to Iain and Rob for working on that area and making it more attractive and better to play in. The cabin now has a better rain water supply and again many thanks to the volunteers who have worked so hard to ensure it works and that the cabin facilities are clean and pleasant to use. Please do get in touch with Donnie or David if you are interested in taking part in maintaining the community woodland as a volunteer.

A beautiful new seat has been fitted on the boardwalk just down from the main car park and overlooking the loch. the funding to purchase it came through a funding package from Muaitheabhal Community Wind Farm Trust . This is the first seat after the car park, making a shorter trip for anyone with walking difficulties or when you just want to soak up the wonderful view across the loch.

We are very happy to announce that we now own the cabin in our main car park having purchased it from Heb Shuttle through a funding package provided by Muaitheabhal Community Wind Farm Trust.

If you are a regular visitor to the forest keep an eye on it as we don’t want anyone abusing the excellent facility. Currently it is a rest area for cyclists and walkers but we don’t allow overnight stays!

Our regular Aline visitors can of course use it as well.