Waterfall Wood Art Trail

A Small Rainforest with a Big Story

There is no easier way to experience Oban’s rainforest than at the Waterfall Wood. Just a short distance from the town centre, this surprising little patch of woodland offers a wonderful introduction to the magic of temperate rainforest and the feeling of stepping somewhere a little wilder.

The story of the wood is one of recovery. Supported by a grant from Highlands and Islands Environment Foundation, this has been a true community rehabilitation effort. Volunteers have cleared a huge amount of litter and junk, opened up a path, planted trees, and worked tirelessly to tackle invasive species that were overwhelming the site.

That work has been especially important because two of the biggest threats to Scotland’s rainforests are invasive species and deer browsing, of which the Waterfall Wood had both in abundance! A great deal of rhododendron has now been removed, and where its dark, forbidding canopy once smothered the wood, light has returned. Sitka spruce has also been taken out, and some of the remaining stumps have been transformed into the Guardians of the Wood, adding a little wonder and imagination to the trail.

As the woodland has become more welcoming, more people and dog walkers have begun using it, and deer numbers have reduced. That means natural regeneration is now beginning in places, with young trees and plants getting a chance to establish once more. In some areas, tree guards are in place, but only for a short time to help them on their way.

Small though it is, the Waterfall Wood is an important part of Oban’s rainforest story. It is uniquely rich in goat willow, which support an abundance of other species including rare lichens, and it serves as both a wildlife refuge and corridor, and a place where people can come to breathe, wander, and forget the rest of the world for a while.

How to access Waterfall Wood

The wood can be accessed from next to Oban High School where there are a couple of rough paths leading from the tarmac path into the wood. The ground can be damp and uneven so care should be taken.