Visit Knapdale

Read an independent review of the Scottish Beaver Trail at Knapdale from a visitor's perspective.

The beavers were released into Knapdale Forest in May 2009 and the first few months are a crucial time as the beaver families settle into their new home and establish their territories. We hope to see many people visiting the trial site over time, but the beavers do need some time to settle in.

Visitors will stand a better chance of seeing beaver signs, and maybe even some beavers, by waiting a few months until late summer of autumn 2009 to make their trip to the trial site. By timing your visit in the early morning or early evening, you will have the best chance of spotting these intriguing animals in the wild.

There are limited parking facilities around the trial site. We strongly recommend you make use of the car park at Loch Coille-bharr and explore the site on foot from there. Please do not leave your vehicle in undesignated fields or lay-bys.

Where is Knapdale?

Grid reference: OS sheet 55 NR766884

Nearest town: Lochgilphead
From A816 one mile north of Loghgilphead. Follow B841 towards Crinan, turn left at Bellanoch onto the B8025 towards Tayvallich taking you into the heart of Knapdale

Knapdale Forest is situated in a National Scenic Area and is flanked to the north by the Crinan Canal and to the west by the Sound of Jura and Loch Sween. The name is derived from the Gaelic description of its striking topographical features; Cnap (hill) and Dall (field).

The walks, picnic sites and cycle routes within Knapdale are situated close together and are designed to allow access to a variety of habitats and to provide interest and enjoyment to all those who use them. Barnluasgan Interpretation Centre provides the ideal starting point to a visit to Knapdale.

Knapdale Forest is a Forestry Commission Scotland woodland, managed in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust as a wildlife reserve.