Highland Water

As I launched in to the days walk, 'It should hold off' said the nearby forest ranger regarding the grey soup which hung above us, moments later it began to rain softly; it's a funny old world. By the time we reached the edge of Holmhill Enclosure which was first enclosed 1815, primarily with conifers and a number of broad-leaves (Oak and Beech with Silver Birch), the rain has increased. Reaching Highland Water the rain has now become a noisy cacophony on the canopies over hanging the stream. The canopy creates an effective shield, with only the occasional rain drop penetrating. The nature of the terrain combined with the verdant flora conspire to create a tangible sense of isolation as we make our way up stream; there is no visible indication of human presence or intervention. Occasionally, stands of tightly clustered Silver Birch create impenetrable screens, obscuring the already limited views, making the forest close in.

We saw a couple of wooden (survey?) posts on either bank of Highland Water, worrying. Bog woodland restoration is all the flavour at the moment, stream walks and views, I'd known for decades have gone, 'restored'; I don't want that to happen here, this section of Highland Water represents the last stretch of stream of its kind, it has a wildness and presence of its own.