As the burn approaches South Clunes, it drops into a steep, wooded ravine known as
Moniack Gorge. This is a highly biodiverse area of woodland, with
ash,
hazel, and
birch trees all growing in abundance. Although its soils vary in general the gorge is highly alkaline, supporting a wide variety of
vascular plants and flowers. A small family of
wild goats also lives in Moniack Gorge.
Reelig Glen The lower part of Moniack Gorge is known as
Reelig Glen (or the "Faery Glen" amongst locals). This is an ancient
coniferous forest, with many trees over 50m high and a century old. The name Reelig is believed to derive from the Scottish Gaelic
ruighe lice, meaning "stone slope"—possibly a reference to the gorge's inland cliffs. For over 500 years, Reelig Estate has belonged to the Fraser family.
James Baillie Fraser, a Scottish travel writer and watercolourist, is responsible for much of the way Reelig looks today, planting many of its trees before his death in 1856. The Reelig Estate was sold in 1949 to
Forestry and Land Scotland, and is now a very popular area for families and dogwalkers. File:Moniack burn - geograph.org.uk - 1531425.jpg|Moniack Burn, viewed through the trees File:19th century stone bridge spanning the Moniack Burn - geograph.org.uk - 781314.jpg|The 19th century stone bridge in Reelig Glen, built by the Fraser family File:Reelig Glen - geograph.org.uk - 284921.jpg|The coniferous forests of Reelig Glen == References ==