STORM ARWEN

On the night of the 26th November 2021, Storm Arwen hit a number of areas of Scotland causing extensive damage to property, woodlands and gardens. The highest recorded gust was 110mph.

At Cluny the Storm caused significant long term damage as a result of the gusts which were well in excess of 80mph. The garden was effectively cut in half when eight 30 metre shelter belt conifers were blown into the garden crushing trees and 70 year old rhododendrons in their path. A 200 year old 15 metre walnut tree with a canopy spread of 15 metres was also smashed with only its stump sticking through the conifers. Close to these conifers a 30 metre Norway Spruce fell onto a 60 year old Japanese Red Cedar and suspended itself on a mature oak. The cedar has a lifespan of somewhere between 600 and 1000 years in its native habitat. Also nearby one of a pair of Noble Firs planted around 70 years ago crashed down.

Two 200 year old trees landed directly on a large woodshed full of firewood for the winter. Significant limbs of pine, cherry and a Southern Beech landed on paths and flower beds. Branches were suspended on trees at great heights.

The garden was littered with debris most prominently around the top part of the garden with many hundreds of Giant Redwood cones (“golf balls” and dangerous underfoot) and everywhere branches of all sizes. 

All in all more than 30 trees fell, over half of them very large and they damaged many other trees and shrubs as they fell. Some trees have had their roots loosened and will have to be felled as they are unsafe or may cause more damage. 

As a result of a great deal of help from many people and financial assistance through a GoFundMe, we decided to open the garden on the 25th March 2022. There is still much work to be done but we are hopeful that you will be understanding. There are areas in the garden which don’t look much different but there is a swathe in the middle which is now very open although it does have a lovely view to the east/north-east. We are acquiring new trees and shrubs for planting to fill in the gaps.

The red squirrels are as abundant and as tame as ever. There is plenty other wildlife and many new nest boxes and bat boxes have been erected to give alternative homes where trees have disappeared.

The numerous red squirrels at Cluny are very active throughout most of the day but especially when they are fed around 0900-0930 with hazelnuts, sunflower seed, fruit and peanuts. Apart from at the feeders, if you go around the garden quietly, taking your time you should see the squirrels foraging on the ground or scampering off up a tree. No 5, at the Big Tree is a good spot to sit and watch them for as long as you want.

Pine martens do visit the garden probably mainly at night although they have been seen during the day as well. Wandering badgers also visit. Tawny Owls also frequent the garden during the night and will be vocal over the autumn and winter.

Many woodland bird species are present including 3 types of tits, bullfinch, treecreeper, chaffinch, greenfinch, goldcrest, great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, blackbird, long-tailed tit, jackdaw, song and mistle thrushes and now much better numbers of house sparrow. Jays frequent the bird feeders and buzzards and ravens are regular overhead most days.