Kilmun Arboretum
Kilmun Arboretum is an extensive and fascinating plantation of exotic trees laid by Kilmun on the Cowal peninsula of Argyllshire.
The arboretum was established by the Forestry Commission in the 1930s to monitor how a variety of exotic tree species could survive and thrive in the soils and the wet environment of Argyll. Over 260 species were planted. Many of them did not take to the environment, but other grew with remarkable success, some growing faster and larger than they would at home.
The arboretum today has over 150 species, including specimens of Sequoia, Japanese Larch, Araucaria araucana (monkey puzzle) and Japanese chestnut amongst many others from around the world. It has joined in a project run by the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh to produce seed from endangered species to enable them to be grown elsewhere.
It is today open to visitors, who can wander the little forests of silver firs, giant sequoia, coastal redwoods, Oregon maple and Chilean southern beech and others. A series of woodland walks has been established of varying gradients and degrees of difficulty, which link by a forestry track to Benmore wood at the top of Puck's Glen.
Outside links
- Kilmun Arboretum
- Kilmun Arboretum: WalkHighlands
