Natural History & Environment
A fawn asleep. Photograph courtesy of Hugh MacNally.
Two youngsters. Photograph courtesy of Hugh MacNally.
Nearly an hour’s strenuous walk from the nearest road, the Fraser Yew stands high above Loch Ness south-west of Knockie. The original trunk has long since disappeared and the tree has formed a grove of stems around 30 yards in diameter. Because of this form, age cannot be determined by counting growth rings, but it is thought that yew trees can live almost indefinitely in this way. Almost certainly the tree was here before the Frasers! Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Inside the Fraser Yew – remember this is all one tree! The yew tree has sometimes come to symbolise the centre of a tribal area, and certainly this one had great importance for the Stratherrick Frasers, who used to gather here before a battle, and carried a sprig as a talisman. It has also been suggested that Celtic knotwork was originally a stylised depiction of the twisted growth of an ancient yew tree. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Nessie! This photograph had the world excited and intrigued for many years before being accepted as a fake. But does she really exist? Many local people will tell you that they have seen her so you make up your own mind. Photograph courtesy of Roger Creegan
Red deer stags. Photograph courtesy of Hugh MacNally
Roe deer. Along with the Red deer, these are native to the area. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Sika deer first introduced to Britain in 1860 from Japan. Now very commonly seen in the area. Photograph courtesy of Iain Cameron.
Wild Goats on beach below Oakbank Inverfarigaig 1935 Photograph courtesy of Roger Creegan
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