Glen Trool Forest Park Booklet 1965
The booklet was kindly loaded by Joan Park, Perth, whose father Hamish was a forester in Glentrool Forest for a number of years. The changes in name spelling (Glen Trool to Glentrool) are not understood but certainly the Forestry Commission appears to have generally used the latter version for the Village and Forest names whereas the actual Glen and Loch Trool retain the word separation.
There appears to have been quite an effort to produce an authoritative and comprehensive park guide and certainly as an example, in Andrew McCormick’s appreciation section, he does not hold back on his praise and love of the area.
The Foreword below was written by Sir Samuel Strang Steel who was a Forestry Commissioner from 1932 to 1949
“In deciding to create a Forest Park in Glen Trool the Forestry Commission made a wise decision, and it is their hope that the charm of the scenery and the historic associations within the boundaries of the Forest Park may give great pleasure and satisfaction to all who visit it, and at the same time be of intrinsic interest to those who are especially fond of nature, by studying the bird life, the wild flowers and the various geological formations in the area.
The seven forests, Glen Trool, Carrick, Cairn Edward, Dundeugh, The Garraries, Changue and Kirroughtree, which make up the Glen Trool Forest Park, contain a large stretch of the finest and highest hill country in the south of Scotland, a district which is entirely unspoilt and has been little changed by the hand of man, and yet is within easy reach of the populous parts of Ayrshire, Renfrewshire and Lanarkshire
The views from the high peaks of the mountains surrounding the Merrick are unsurpassed, and the climb to one of these high tops is quite easy and well within the compass of most young and fit people; there are, as well, innumerable and delightful walks in the valleys on good roads and paths, suitable for older people.
The Forestry Commissioners feel especially grateful to those who have written such valuable contributions to this Guide, which should be obtained beforehand by all those intending to visit Glen Trool.”
The contents list some eminent contributors:
An appreciation of Glen Trool Forest Park by Andrew McCormick
History and Tradition by H L Edlin
Mountains, Lochs and Rivers by H L Edlin
Geology by G H J Daysh, Professor of Geography, Kings College, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Plant Life by J R Matthews, Professor of Botany, University of Aberdeen
Wild Animals and Birds by Gavin Maxwell
The Forests and Plantations by J R Thom and H L Edlin
Roads in and around the Park by H L Edlin
Walking Routes by Andrew McCormick
Note that this is the third edition and it would be interesting to find out when the first edition was published. Does anyone know?
Please see the PDF below for the full booklet.
Download Large Version (771kB)
Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry Records, Booklets and Reports