We walked through a bit of the Archallagan Plantation on our Marown walk (the one where we were snowed on...).

Today, we extended our local Kionslieu route to take in a bit more of the forest.

"This plantation," we are reminded, "is exposed to all quarters; the only protection is given by South Barrule." Today was a bit windy (when is it not?), but we felt fairly sheltered in among the trees. It wasn't too boggy when we were there either. But it probably pays to heed the warning: "It must be noted that because of the site and nature of some of the areas within this plantation it can become very muddy underfoot and small children have been known to need carrying after getting their wellies stuck..."

Archallagan was first planted in 1873, but during World War II, it was almost completely stripped of its trees, which provided mining timbers for shipment to the UK. Now it's quite a little wildlife haven, attracting rabbits, hares, and a variety of birds.

What I particularly loved, however, was the moss. Archallagan is Moss Central: