The Bute Forest

Rhubodach Forest is an area of ancient woodland, commercial forest, moorland and coast on the Isle of Bute.

In July 2010 Bute Community Land Company (a charitable company owned by the residents of the island) purchased 161 hectares of forest and acquired rights over a further 535 hectares for footpaths, cycle paths and hydro schemes.

Right from the start, the purchase of the forest was seen as the first important step in the community taking charge of its own destiny and leading the social and economic regeneration of the island.

The new Forest Manager, Emma Cooper  arrived in December 2011 just in time to oversee the first tree cutting event and the subsequent processing of the same tree through the Wood Miser mobile saw mill. Almost 50 local people turned up to sample mulled wine and pastries.

There is a way marked natural path to follow that brings you to Balnakailly Settlement, a site that is being investigated by archaeologists.  Other discoveries you might make as you wander through area include standing stones and a WWII bunker.  There are spectacular views of the Kyles of Bute and Cowal as you emerge from the trees. New for this year are mountain bike trails through the forest which are graded from blue to black. This give some stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

There is more information on the Bute Forest web site and you can sign up for regular news updates.