Puck's Glen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puck's Glen |
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Puck's Glen: path up ravine, with waterfalls
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| Geography | |
| Location | Cowal, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. |
| Country | Scotland |
| OS grid | NS 14706 84349 |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Glen |
Puck's Glen is a beautiful, narrow valley in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It was carved out by a river over many years. A popular walking trail follows the Eas Mòr stream, which means "big waterfall" in Gaelic.
This magical place is part of the Argyll Forest Park, which is inside the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Forestry and Land Scotland manages the area. They call Puck's Glen "One of the most magical forests in Scotland."
The Eas Mòr stream flows down many waterfalls and fast-moving sections. It eventually joins the River Eachaig near the Benmore Botanic Garden. You can find a car park off the A815 road to start your adventure.
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Exploring Puck's Glen: A Magical Walk
Puck's Glen is famous for its amazing walking trail. It takes you right into a deep, rocky gorge. As you walk, you'll see stunning waterfalls and ancient trees.
The path can be a bit steep in places, with steps and bridges. It's an exciting journey through a lush, green forest. The air often feels cool and fresh, even on a warm day.
Sometimes, parts of the glen might be closed for safety. This can happen if trees are unhealthy or if the path needs repairs. Always check before you visit to make sure it's open.
Puck's Glen: A Look Back in Time
The land around Puck's Glen was once part of the Benmore Estate. In the 1800s, different owners worked to improve the area. They started planting trees and creating beautiful gardens.
How Puck's Glen Got Its Name
In 1870, a man named James Duncan bought the Benmore Estate. He loved to plant trees and added millions of them around the estate. He also built paths along the Eas Mòr gorge.
Duncan wanted his visitors to enjoy the "magical atmosphere" of the glen. It reminded him of Puck, a playful fairy character. Puck is famous from William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream. That's how Puck's Glen got its enchanting name!
Later, in 1889, Henry Younger bought the estate. He and his son, Harry George Younger, continued to improve the woods and gardens. They planted different types of trees, including Japanese larch.
Puck's Glen Becomes a Public Treasure
In 1924, Harry George Younger gave the estates to the Forestry Commission. This meant that more people could enjoy the beauty of Puck's Glen.
In 1925, a group called the Royal Scottish Arboricultural Society visited. They said Puck's Glen was an amazing example of how nature and people can work together. They felt it had become "one of the most lovely walks imaginable."
Harry George Younger also built a special hut above the glen. It was called the Bayley Balfour Memorial Hut, or Puck's Hut. It was named after a botanist, Sir Isaac Bayley Balfour. The hut had beautiful views over the glen and the surrounding forests.
In 1929, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh opened the Younger Botanic Garden nearby. This garden became a place to study and grow many different plants.
The Forestry Commission's guide in 1947 described Puck's Glen as a "rocky cleft beside a rushing stream." It said anyone could visit it for free.
The Bayley Balfour Memorial Hut was moved in 1968 to the walled garden in the Botanic Garden. The path in Puck's Glen was also repaired and new bridges were added in 1986.
Woodland Trails and Amazing Trees
Puck's Glen gets a lot of rain, which helps create a temperate rainforest environment. The soil is also acidic, which is perfect for conifer trees. The Forestry Commission has planted many conifers around Puck's Glen.
These woods are part of the larger Benmore forest. You can find marked trails that lead you through towering trees. Some of these include giant Californian redwoods, Douglas fir, and Western hemlock.
The Puck's Glen Gorge Trail starts at the car park. Another path, the Black Gates Trail, begins at the entrance to Benmore Botanic Garden. It goes past huge, old conifers before connecting to the top of the Upper Puck's Glen loop.
You'll find signposts that guide you to other places. You can go south to Kilmun Arboretum or north to Benmore Botanic Garden. The Upper Puck's Glen Loop path continues uphill beside the stream. It then connects to the top of the Black Gates Trail.
Images for kids
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Connection to the top of the Black Gates Trail.
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Trail down to car park
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Modern view above the treelike, looking down over the upper glen past the Holy Loch and Dunoon to the Firth of Clyde.
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The path ascends, with ups and downs, through woodland.
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Waterfall beside the path in Upper Puck's Glen
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Steps down from the old main road to the foot of the trail
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Path up by a series of waterfalls.
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Steps beside a large waterfall.
