Glen Sherup
Glendevon by Dollar Perthshire
Woodland Trust wood
Size:
603.51 ha (1,491.27 acres)
Grid reference:
NN946032
Map reference:
Explorer 366
OS Landranger 58
Glen Sherup is the most northerly of the three native woodlands that make up the Woodland Trust Scotland area known collectively as Glen Devon Woodlands. Together they stretch from Clackmannanshire to Perth and Kinross, with some of the best scenery that central Scotland has to offer.
With vast, open spaces, high hilltops and spectacular views, along with iconic wildlife such as the red squirrel and the elusive pine marten, a visit to Glen Sherup is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Features
- Parking at site
- Public access
- Waymarked walk
- Grassland
- Moorland
- Broadleaved woodland
How to get to Glen Sherup
Glen Sherup is located 2.5km (1.5 miles) north of the village of Glendevon and 9km (5.6 miles) south of the town of Auchterarder.
Glen Sherup is located in the central part of the Ochil Hills range. All three sites are linked by the main A823 Dunfermline to Crieff road which runs through Glendevon.
There is a large designated car park 2.5 km (1.5 miles) north of Glendevon village on the A823, near the Glendevon Caravan Park, which is shared between Forestry Commission Scotland and Woodland Trust Scotland.
There is also a small parking area just off the A823 at the extreme north end of Glen Sherup, just beyond the blue railings on a Scottish Water road that leads to the Lower Glendevon Reservoir at Frandy. Please park at this wide entrance and walk up the single track road which leads to the Lower Glendevon Reservoirs at Frandy.
The nearest train station is Gleneagles, around 9km (5.6 miles) from the wood.
Visit National Rail for more information.
The nearest bus stop is near the old toll house in Muckhart, around 10km (6.2 miles) from the wood.
Visit Traveline for more information.
Facilities and access
The Reservoirs Trail spans across all three sites and covers a distance of 14.5km (9 miles). It is the longest of the waymarked routes in Glen Devon Woodlands and spans across all three sites. It is part of a core path and on its way it travels through some Forestry Commission Scotland woodland and links up with four of the local reservoirs.
There are several long and unsurfaced paths to follow – parts of which can often be muddy.
There is a joint Forestry Commission Scotland/Woodland Trust Scotland car park near the Glendevon Caravan Park, with secure rails for locking bicycles.
There is also a small parking area just off the A823 at the extreme north end of the sites, just beyond the blue railings on a Scottish Water road that leads to the Lower Glendevon Reservoir.
There are no public toilets within 8km (5 miles) of the site. The Tormaukin Hotel, at Glendevon, and Mona’s Café and the Inn at Muckhart have toilet facilities with access for wheelchair users, available to customers.
Wildlife and habitats
Animals
A great variety of moorland, woodland and woodland edge bird species are found in Glen Sherup, including kestrel, meadow pipit, tree pipit, and lesser redpoll; and summer visitors, such as wheatear, whinchat, whitethroat, blackcap, and willow warbler.
Waders, such as snipe, curlew, lapwing and oyster catchers are frequent visitors to the open moorland and watercourses.
Look out for:
Trees, plants and fungi
Glen Sherup is predominantly downy birch with silver birch in places, along with a wide variety of other native trees including sessile and pedunculate oak, alder, rowan, Scots pine and Juniper.
Grassy areas are full of wild flowers in warmer months, including meadow buttercup, red campion, oxeye daisy and bird’s-foot trefoil.
Look out for:
Habitats
Glen Sherup is a mosaic of habitats, including wide expanses of open hill ground, grassland, moorland watercourses and native woodland, all of which provide a variety of habitats for a range of animal species.
Explore:
About Glen Sherup
We acquired Glen Sherup in 2002, in a state where it had been degraded after long-term grazing. We undertook a programme of tree planting in 2003 over 605 hectares (1495 acres), around 70% of the site.
The tree planting programme was managed by the Scottish Forest Alliance (part funded by BP) which has the prime objective of regenerating and expanding Scotland’s native woodland.
A lasting legacy
This wood is just one of many to have been protected by gifts in wills, securing it for generations to come. Your legacy gift could also make a real difference to woods, trees and wildlife.
Learn what your gift could meanThings to do at Glen Sherup
Walking
Whether it’s a thirty-minute stroll or a five-hour hike, Glen Devon Woodlands offers a range of walking routes to suit everyone – from the easy 2km (1.2 miles) Castlehill Lower Loop walk to the more challenging 14km (8.7 miles) Reservoirs Trail. Just follow one of the waymarked routes.
The most impressive of which has to be the route across Ben Shee with its spectacular views across the surrounding hills. Walking in Glen Sherup provides an experience of remote and peaceful wildness.
Explore the Glen Devon Woodlands
