Scotland's Last Wilderness? | Exploring Knoydart

[@MartinMcclymont]

I done a 5 day expedition from Kinloch horn too Mallaig I stayed at Barrisdale bothy & Sourlies bothy

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Oh nice one! I hope it all went to plan! I've not been out to Sourlies bothy before but I was planning a camp out that way at some point. Thanks for watching 👍

[@Mister.Meeseeks]

Finally someone talks about what Scotland actually should look like. Interesting and informativ. Keep it up!

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for watching 😁👍

[@Mister.Meeseeks]

@@HighlandWoodsman Watching when you where in my neighborhood, Höga Kusten, as we speak!

[@edpikestone6800]

Looked like a great trip. Lovely part of the world even though it is under pressure. I get the feeling things are changing, but it takes time. I have just planted 360 native trees that their shade I doubt I will fully enjoy, but it nice to know that there will be a legacy for my kids and hopefully grandkids to enjoy.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

That's awesome about the tree planting Ed, everything helps! Yes the change is slowly rumbling on in the background we just need some more mainstream traditional estates to start showing changes and then hopefully it will start to snowball!

[@glenlyonexplorer]

I really enjoyed this video Sam, it’s been 20 years since I was in Knoydart! Love the talks too, must admit I like your videos but Forest Thoughts are my favourite bits 👍

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks as always Tony. First time for me I must admit and it's been on my doorstep most of my life! As long as the forest thoughts continue to be useful it feels worth doing 👍

[@stewartgregson8479]

Brilliant, just great to hear someone talking about the environment we walk through and camp in.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for watching 👍

[@glentyan2505]

Just came across this very interesting video. 1853 saw the landlord cast the tenant farmers of Inverie out into the night and burnt their houses forcing immigration on these poor souls. What a shameful episode in Scotland's history and one of many I have to say. 2023 marks the 170th anniversary of this atrocity, it's strange we think of Scotland rural areas as wilderness but up until the industrial revolution that's where most people lived. Excellent photography.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for watching Glen. Yes the Highland Clearances had such a significant impact on Scotland then and now also around the world. Many people are not even aware of what happened.

[@johnpowell9174]

also the Seven Men of Knoydart, 1948.

[@paulsmeaton2667]

Great vid. Forest thoughts was very educational - thanks for that. Give wee Darroch a pat from me 🐶👍

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Many thanks Paul 😄👍

[@tims7793]

Stunning landscape, but agree its also tinged with an eerie bleakness, due to lack of trees. Enjoyed the video and look forward to more. We have a lot of imported pine forest here in NZ, but luckily also plenty of native forest remaining

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for watching 👍 If I remember right there's a lot of non-native Radiata pine in NZ?

[@MountainManJohnFilms]

Loved that. Informative as well as stunning...I did a film 18 months ago from the boat and camped over Larven . Didn't get down that area. Looks just stunning, you got the weather too!

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much John, much appreciated 👍

[@danexitsstreetview3273]

Really enjoyed this as was there myself just over a week ago. Found your video quite educational and learned things about Knoydart that i didn't know before. Cheers. New subscriber.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Many thanks Dan for watching and subscribing - much appreciated 👍

[@Jim553just]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. A grand spot and I really enjoyed your well informed narration. Needless to say, I am now subscribed. Thank you, please keep them coming.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much Jim, appreciate that 👍

[@georgebooth4169]

Love roses videos man, keep up the good work. 👍👍

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thank you George, much appreciated 👍

[@stuartwilson1613]

Excellent! Will watch more, thank you very much.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks Stuart, much appreciated 😁👍

[@Kerry-ONeill]

Excellent trip with a lot of good information. Your dog pal is awesome. Thanks

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for watching Kerry 😁

[@keirafaye6491]

A very informative video Sam, I am throughly enjoying your content! Feel like I walk away just a little bit wiser each time 😁🌲 keep the good work 👍

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thank you so much Keira! I'm glad you get something from them 😄

[@AnnieRoo72]

Thanks for another great video and it's great that you educate as well as entertain .... Oh and you still got the best lil camping buddy ❤

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks as always Anne 😄🙌

[@pawoutdoors9290]

Awesome. If you have a tray for fruit leather try dehydrating salsa. It rehydrates easily for extra zip in food

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Ohh that's a good idea, might try that! 👍

[@pawoutdoors9290]

It’s so easy. Just make it in small discs then we just take a few in a small container

[@alexhumphries2568]

Awesome video, Sam. Really informative… always learning new things from your Forest Thoughts🌲

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks Alex 🙌

[@aperosn5743]

Your insights into how the landscape is not natural are inspiring. This has so much potential for carbon storage and re-wilding, thank you for your knowledge and passion!

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for taking the time to watch, much appreciated 😊

[@09Brzezinski]

I found your video very interesting, just learning about Scotland and all its diversity. You've got a new subscriber.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Many thanks for watching and subscribing 😄👍🏻

[@paulpower8564]

Great video and knowledgeable information about our inviroment. You mentioned using a dehydrator,looked them up,all showing fruit fruits and vwg, how did you go about dehydrating your pasta dish ?

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Hi Paul, thanks so much for watching. For the pasta I just cooked it up as normal then spread it out very thinly on the trays covered in baking paper 👍🏻

[@trippydippy-j5n]

Awesome video , stunning place, and extremely brutal if the weather turns. Dont go unprepared ❤

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamesdouglas9420]

Fantastic, really good coverage Sam.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Many thanks James 👍

[@amosjl]

Just come across your channel. Have worked in conservation myself, sparked by a keen bushcraft interest. You communicate the various connected issues very well and bring attention to an issue most are oblivious too. Hoping to move up to the Glen Morison area from Yorkshire this year and keen to get involved with the many related projects on the area. Nice work. Subscribed.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Many thanks for watching and subbing. Hope your move North goes to plan.

[@ulvdottern]

Another great video Sam 🔥 🌲 very educational 🙌 love it

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thank you Ronja, looking forward to your next one 🌲

[@anniemack4282]

Great tree info, thanks, really enjoyed it.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Many thanks Annie 🙂

[@andyg1706]

Another cracking vid or Sam, informative too 👍🏻

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much Andy 👍

[@chriswoodward7967]

I have recently watched more of your videos covering the longterm deforestation in Scotland (after watching your trip to Norway and the reforestation) thanks for sharing. A massive difference seen due to culture and value of wild places (and not over populated). Informative reminder that so much of the UK is nowhere near what it used to be. Seems for the most part, even open spaces in the UK are there solely to make a profit. It is encouraging to hear that more recently people in Knoydart are affecting things in a positive way though. I only get to visit the Highlands once a year and still consider it to be a great escape from the relatively busy rural southwest of England. While relatively small, it is encouraging to see projects in places like Dartmoor, expanding on fragments of ancient oak woodland. Hopefully projects like this can continue to form more substantial areas. Cheers

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for watching Chris and I'm glad you were able to get something from it. There's definitely a wave of more positive change at the moment as more and more people start to realise. Hopefully in time these smaller projects will help to inspire and motivate for bigger projects but there is still a long way to go.

[@banquo3051]

Thanks for another excellent video. Very interesting

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for watching 😁👍

[@anthonyward7971]

Hiked around from Mallaig to Inverie 15 years ago. Was a great way to spend 3 days, midges almost got us to death

[@HighlandWoodsman]

The midge are definitely fierce in this part of the world 😂

[@peterrutherford4230]

I’ve learnt so much! Thank you.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks Peter 👍

[@chrisbattye3849]

Do the various conservation groups on Knoydart have a plan to restore the pine forests?

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Hi Chris, I talk about this quite a bit through the video and at the end but essentially the bulk of the existing pinewoods is on Barrisdale Estate which is a private sporting estate. The majority of the pinewoods are fenced and there is some regen within the fence but at the moment it appears that's as much as this more trational estate is willing to do. The other groups on the peninsula are all doing their own bit to restore native woodland and I think there are increasing discussions on collaborative working so perhaps in the future Barrisdale Estate's objectives may change to help the pinewood. Thanks

[@agnieszkas7238]

fantastic video!

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thank you 😁👍

[@brianfisher2088]

Loving the dods saddle bag. I thought sutherland Scotland last wilderness. Al give you knoydart it's pretty scarce of humans. What's pups name. Thanks. Love these vids glad to see you back.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks Brian! I think there maybe a few "last wilderness" in Scotland 😂 which kind of highlights most people's view of the place! The dog's name is Darach 👍

[@1stSnitas]

Your dog is so entertaining. Loves to play fetch the stick even without you. My black Chesador boys are a lot of fun, too. They'll be 2 years old next month. I do enjoy your videos. Scotland looks a lot like Idaho. USA. Except we have abundant pine forest intermixed with desert terrain and craigy mountains.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for watching! I had to Google Chesador and I'm glad I did because they are beautiful looking dogs!

[@plodonsteady4712]

Enjoyed your video, the bacon and depressing porridge comment made me chuckle

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks for watching 😄👍

[@eckartbeutel6699]

Thank you for taking us with you into this gorgeous landscape. I see you are using a x-boil. What is your experience with this system? What kind of pine is growing in this area?

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Hi Eckart, yes I'm using the x-boil, I absolutely love it. Genuinely one of my favourite pieces of kit that I would recommend. The pine in this area are Pinus sylvestris.

[@yewtube3503]

Good for you. Nice to hear some sense talked about Knoydart. I am proud to say i had a very small part in putting the Estates last private absentee landlord Stephen Hinchliffe in the jail. A crook in a suit if ever i saw one. Keep up the good work.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for watching and leaving a comment - it's much appreciated!

[@joepublic573]

cool content sam. enjoyed watching you and your dog rambling along. couple of questions for you: (a) what boots are you wearing? (b) is that the 3man version og the elixir? the extra history was great too - keep it up :)

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Hi Joe thanks for watching 👍 Boots are Meindl Himalaya - been my go to boots for over a decade now. This is the Elixir 2.

[@treasurehuntingscotlandmud9340]

great trip enjoyed the video

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thank you 😁👍

[@AndyJarman]

East Anglia in England has some stands of Scots pine, generally lowland heath in England not uncommonly has Scots pine.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

You'll definitely find it all over the UK, it's a widely planted tree and some of them can be quite old now but it's actual native range is across the North 👍

[@tommyatkins2446]

An insightful video. I am happiest outdoors, The Brecons, Black Mountains and have a trip to Glencoe later in the year. I worked in Woodland management for a short time here in Kent. A company set up to train and educate a new workforce to sustainably manage land. It was a dream for me as I had a goal to work in the Highlands, an area I have long admired. Sadly Brexit arrived and the small organisations` funds were pulled, and it had to close, so back to the office for me. It`s great to listen to someone `well read` talk about something they are passionate about. New subscriber

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks for watching and subbing Tommy, much appreciated! I hope you find a way to get back out of the office soon. All the best.

[@tommyatkins2446]

@@HighlandWoodsman You`re welcome, and thanks. I get a good 5 or 6 `re wilding` trips in a year, it`s not my dream but it`s a good start.

[@arkaywat11]

Just subbed. Very informative video, I visit the highlands on my motorbike at least once a year and Inverie via ferry has been on my to do list for quite a while (hiking is well past me). A double sided coin of a video though, as much as enjoyable and informative as it is, quite disappointing to learn how spoilt the area has become after believing it to be the most remote area in the mainland UK. Thanks for sharing!

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks for watching and subbing Bob, much appreciated. Yes I often find my content can be bittersweet but I'm a firm believer in not being able to fix the problem until people are fully aware of the issues.

[@jfsenrab8349]

excellent video ...thank you

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks for watching 😄👍🏻

[@paulpower8564]

Thank you.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

You're welcome!

[@RootsLion]

only found this ch recently loving the vids

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much 🙌

[@DavidColeman-k8g]

Allot of home truths spoken about the state of the highlands environment - but still a great video.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Many thanks David.

[@AndyJarman]

I live in Western Australia, the deforestation is obvious and pretty depressing. To Australians it's normal but to someone from the forested south of England it always strikes me as pretty devastated.

[@catherinegowan1362]

Me too. South of perth. Manjimup. So blessed to live among our beautiful jarrahs.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

I wasn't aware of the situation in Western Australia. Even more worrying as England is one of the least forested countries in Europe so if it looks bare compared to England it really must look bleak.

[@Jim553just]

When was Scotland in the south of England?

[@Jonathanart-jm9fx]

Loved this video. I'm hoping to visit this area in September. Do you know if is it a no-go area during stalking season?

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks Jonathan. I know there are virtually no issues with stalking and the routes up the Munros all year round so I think it would be the same for Barrisdale area especially if you are sticking close to recognised routes 👍

[@BrokenBackMountains]

Why hadn't YT offered up your channel before? I thoroughly enjoyed this and am totally in agreement. I've been going up the Scottish hills since the 70s and know the landscape as heavily influenced by man for sport and agriculture etc. Basically it could be classed as an ecological desert. Too many deer and sheep. Too many monoculture plantations. Too many managed grouse moors. It is hard to imagine a landscape of native trees to the tree line and though some are trying to rewild, ii will never see it. Anyhoo, subscribed and will watch your back catalogue.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks so much for your comment it's much appreciated. I hope you enjoy some of my other videos 👍🏻

[@DaveDoesOutdoors]

Enjoyed 👍🏽

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Thanks Dave 🙌

[@elcaminantebilbaino]

Precioso.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

😄🙌

[@rjf-p5l]

Wow, that was a lot of info for 1 vid bro lol. Great stuff as alaways tho 👍🏻. Yeah, the misinterpretation of ‘baron’ sums up Knoydart & many other places rather. The windswept peat bogs here also indicating a ‘wilderness’ that once was. Doggerland is what they call the now submerged area you mentioned I think. But in terms of ‘wilderness’ your home turf Glen Afric is as good a candidate is any I think. Be spending a night or 3 on Beinn a’Mheadhoin in May myself actually. Love seeing Darach ❤️ so ‘self-indulged’ there btw, his health reflected in his behaviour. Stay safe.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

I know I know… it was a lot 😂 I even took notes with me to help remember! I think Doggerland was actually to the East between us and mainland Europe but it would have been a similar idea between us and Ireland I guess. Affric is actually pretty unnatural too, about two thirds of it has lost its forest and it used to be a very busy crossroads for people travelling East to West and it was lived in by several families and farmed. Thanks for watching 🙌

[@aaronkent1741]

I was in Wales last weekend and Rhody was bloody everywhere. I honestly don't think enough is being done to eradicate it.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

I absolutely agree but I also know it's so much hard work and so expensive. We spend millions every year on rhody control but it barely scratches the surface and if your neighbours aren't trying to achieve the same thing it's almost pointless. Really frustrating!

[@aaronkent1741]

@@HighlandWoodsman I suppose you've got a point there. one step forwrads two steps back kind of thing. I guess i didnt really consider the money already going into it :(

[@pawoutdoors9290]

Is it possible to start a fund for you to purchase a wee bit of land to help out. Living here I see so called progress wiping out the foothills of the Rockies. The highlands could rival anywhere if given a chance to regenerate. I live in a town where deer are protected so there are many in a small area. Normal to see them rush my dogs. Big dogs.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Well that would be an awesome project but almost impossible unfortunately. Most of the land here is locked up by big landowners and even if something comes up for sale it's a small fortune just for a tiny house plot! It's really frustrating. I remember watching MySelfReliance on here in Canada and he was able to just buy like 18 acres of amazing forest off the government for like $18k. That's insane 😂 Government doesn't sell land that like here and if you bought it privately you'd be talking hundreds of thousands of pounds ☹️

[@pawoutdoors9290]

Sad. Rich people / business/ government just crushing land that could last generations if the right people were in control.

[@Chilternwildcamper]

Get the Scots pine back and so will be even more beautiful. I am an ecologist so I feel the pain when I look at the Lake District too.....

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Sometimes I wish I was ignorant to it and that I could relax when I'm outside. It's tough! Thanks for watching.

[@steve-r-collier]

hi i have you heard about knoydart being an mi5 training base? and did you know jo and brendan cox supposedly got married there

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Were you on the wacky backy last night? 😂

[@ysabellpp]

I’m a foreigner living in Scotland and hillwalking here made me look up the history of these remote lands. It’s really shocking how brutal and exploitative it’s been and to be honest still is. I always get upset how some landowners ruin the nature and peoples lives on a whim. Just recently they shot an eagle in the borders..however beautiful it’s a landscape covered in greed and blood

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Yes it really is. The next round of exploitation is now windfarms and large scale planting for carbon money. Still keeps the general population off the land and unable to make the best use of it.

[@ysabellpp]

@@HighlandWoodsman that’s actually another side of this. I’ve been here only 7 years and had to dig really deep to gain any knowledge about land ownership on a large scale in Scotland and the issues that come with it and the devastating ecological impact. It only peaked my interest because I’ve noticed these issues during my munro bagging journey but whenever I talk to local people they are either unaware of what’s going on or dismissive. Why is no one talking about it and if they do it’s being nicely covered up or ignored…I find it really baffling. Appreciate your videos because they bring much needed awareness to these issues

[@fraserconnell21]

Best of times to wildcamp in Scotland. Nae beasties. Good point about the over population of the red deer and lack of natural predators. 👍👍

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Oh definitely, especially here in the North West! Gets pretty miserable come June time 😂

[@kaleygoode1681]

Why doesn't anyone try to reforest around Mallaigmore? I saw a couple of square miles was for sale on the North coast there and wondered why someone would buy it - why isn't it just a liability?! Perhaps someone naive like me bought it and found it they can't do anything with it and are now selling it! If it is possible to buy it and restore the land, if definitely have a go... Perhaps planning bureaucracy gets in the way - or cost: the price of 8 miles of fencing to control the large mammals etc! I know there's Bryce, a fencing machine company on the east coast, that make a machine that'll poke fence holes through loose stone 🤔 Yeah, I need to stop thinking of this... I'm going to hyperfocus and get overwhelmed😂

[@HighlandWoodsman]

No it's great to think about these things, I wish more people would. On the whole we are so disconnected from the reality of our countryside as most of us just don't get the chance to be involved. It's hard to say but I suspect it could have been some or all of those reasons! At the moment it is very difficult / expensive to promote change in a landscape especially if you are very small! It may have just been unfeasible and they hit roadblocks. Or maybe it was part of an old croft and they were just looking to sell for house / holiday plots?

[@Clydeyboy5]

They should have a sign telling folk. If you feed the deer, we may have to shoot it as it's annoying visitors.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

I found out later on that the local estate staff actually encourage the deer to come in and they have named this one. Madness.

[@LornaNicholson-uv6js]

And then you have the fact the Gaelic language has been desecrated by this. Depopulation and overtourism are our future sadly.

[@HighlandWoodsman]

If I'm honest I have to agree, I'm not sure how we can go backward to something that is sustainable.

[@benmacdui9328]

Hi mate , I used to follow you on insta before I got rid of social media, Ross.alba. Good to see you still out and about , great video mate !!

[@HighlandWoodsman]

Hi Ross, thanks for watching, hope you're well!