Important notice
Essential path repairs and upgrades are taking place on the reserve for around six weeks from 18 November. Public access is restricted during this time.
An ancient semi-natural woodland typical of the Scottish Atlantic coast, Shian Wood stands on a low, flattened ridge jutting out of Loch Creran. In spring, the floor is cloaked with wildflowers, enticing many butterflies.
Why visit?
Highlights include:
- Carpets of spring flowers
- Saltmarsh on loch edges
- Enjoyable short circular walk
Best time to visit?
- May to Jun for spring flowers
- May to Jul for breeding birds
Visit for:
- birdwatching
- woodlands
- wildflowers
- coasts
- scenery
- mammals
- archaeology
Other information
Woodland birds dart through the trees and breeding birds nest where wet heath merges into reedbeds and saltmarsh near the shore.
A waymarked path weaves through the reserve.