The Wildlife Map of the Hebrides

1. Stornoway Castle Grounds

This extensive mixed woodland was planted in the mid 19th century by Sir James Matheson and is now owned by the community. There is a huge variety of trees, including some rare foreign species. Woodland birds wandering from the mainland have colonised these woods and have spread from there to other parts of the island. The woods have the greatest variety of breeding warblers, tits and thrushes in the Outer Hebrides, and have the only rookery. This is one of the few places in the islands where Herons nest in trees. The Grounds are also good for migrating birds. The ground plants are also very varied, helped perhaps by imported soils. Over-mature trees and spreading rhododendrons are now being cleared and these areas replanted. Grey seals swim around the inner harbour.