Tarbert Flora & Fauna

Much of the land around Tarbert and along Kintyre is land belonging to the Forestry Commission, although there are many walks through the forestry. There are also privately owned forests and woodland, all of which contain many varieties of trees, wildlife,wild flowers and shrubs, some of which are native only to Scotland. Many pine, spruce and larch trees are in abundance especially pine which covers many hills as you will see whilst exploring the landscape.

There are also ash and birch trees here with alder trees too, however these are not in the same great numbers that of the pine trees. Elm, poplar and beech trees are also low in numbers by contrast.

There are many wild flowers here, and around Tarbert Castle you will find the Scottish Rose, and the Rowan which grows large amounts of red berries, both of which are only native to Scotland. Primroses are a regular site here in Kintyre along with thrift and hyacinths, the mass of colours add to the intense beauty of this historic and natural area.

During the early summer, if you are fortunate enough to catch your visit at the right time the road into Tarbert for a few miles, either side of the road is a feast of reds, pinks and oranges from the wild rhodadendrons that cover the roadside landscapes. It is a trully beautiful and natural site. In some of the lochs south of Tarbert you may well find some pure white water lillies, floating in the stillness of the water.

There is truly a dazzling display of colour and a huge amount of variety of natural woodland, plants and flowers here in and around Tarbert. If you are a botanist, or maybe you collect dried pressed flowers, you are sure to find here in Tarbert something new to study, or something new to collect. For the photographer the colourful displays are ideal for the lense of a camera.