NATIONAL Trust for Scotland (NTS) specialists have abseiled down the sides of a gorge to tackle invasive plant species at a Highlands beauty spot.
The project was undertaken to tackle the invasive non-native species (INNS), including Japanese knotweed and Rhododendron ponticum, that had established itself in the crags of the 60m deep gorge at Corrieshalloch Gateway to Nature.
Property and conservation staff surveyed the gorge, identifying sites where invasive plants had established themselves on the vertical cliff sides.
Specialist rope access contractors have been deployed to wipe out the invasive plants by different methods – mainly using stem treatment to apply a targeted dose of herbicide.
The National Nature Reserve in Wester Ross is one of eight reserves cared for by the conservation charity across the country.
The INNS project at Corrieshalloch is supported by funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Earth Trust.
It follows the publication of the National Trust for Scotland’s new plan for nature, which outlines the actions the charity will undertake to address INNS which have been identified as a main driver of nature loss in Scotland.
Rob Dewar, National Trust for Scotland INNS project officer, said: “Our work at Corrieshalloch is part of our ongoing nature conservation to remove invasive non-native species and demonstrates the extreme lengths we go to, to protect the places in our care. These gravity defying feats are undertaken by our rope access specialists who support our conservation efforts in these hard-to-reach places where these species can quickly establish themselves, like on the vertiginous sides of the gorge.
“The National Trust for Scotland’s INNS work is focused on eradicating invasive non-native plants, including Japanese knotweed, American skunk cabbage and Rhododendron ponticum. The work helps to tackle these species and protect native flora from being crowded out of their natural habitat to safeguard the biodiversity of Scotland’s wild landscapes.
“It is thanks to the continued generosity of our members and supporters, including players of People’s Postcode Lottery, that we’re able to continue our vital work to care for and protect Scotland’s natural heritage at this special place for everyone to enjoy, now and into the future.”
Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have supported the conservation charity’s Love Our Nature project since 2022, which benefited from £900k last year.
Further funding is expected to support nature conservation work across a variety of different habitats including coastal and marine areas, peatlands, wetlands, woodland, and the eight National Nature Reserves cared for by the Trust.
