Forestry and Land Scotland has built a new bridge to provide safer woodland access to people visiting the Clootie Well and surrounding woodlands at Munlochy.

The new bridge, on the ‘Woodland Trail’ (Red Trail) that lies to the west of the Well, improves access and will help to keep the site accessible for visitors when some forestry work takes place later this year.

FLS Seasonal Ranger, Kirsty Knight, said;

“The Clootie Well has been a place people have visited for hundreds of years and the woodlands around the Well are a great place to enjoy a mindful walk with the whole family.

“That sense of this having been a place of pilgrimage since the 7^th century makes it an especially restful place to visit.

“The old bridge was passed its best so we now have a sturdy replacement to continue to provide access to our trails”

“This will help visitors to continue to enjoy the forest when, later this year, we carry out some thinning operations to give the woodlands a lighter, brighter and airier atmosphere that will make the woodland an even more appealing place to visit.”

FLS will begin some tree felling work in the autumn to fell diseased trees that are at risk of being blown over in strong winds and damaging houses in Munlochy Village.

There will also be some thinning in other areas to the north (phase 1) and to the south (phase 2) of the burn.

Access to the woods will continue throughout with diversions in place as required. Car parking will be available throughout the thinning process but will alternate between the main car park and the Littleburn car park South of the burn.

Diversion maps will be displayed on main access points to the site to allow recreation users access and those following the John O’Groats trail to continue their journey.

Notes to editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.

2. forestryandland.gov.scot | twitter.com/ForestryLS

3. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.