Leaders: Philippa Thompson and Craig Whyte with assistance from Gordon Rothero and Julie Smith.

Craig is the Project Coordinator for the Great Trossachs Forest TGTF, which is a nature restoration project spanning an area stretching from Bochastle near Callander to Inversnaid on Loch Lomond. One of their core aims is to expand and enhance the area of woodland within the area, creating links and corridors between them, and involving local communities in the process, offering opportunities to learn and improve well-being of individuals and of the wider community. The western part of the area is in the rainforest zone, this being defined largely by its hyperoceanic climate, but woodlands further east could also readily pass as rainforest by other measures. They are keen to monitor bryophyte populations as the restoration activity takes root and develops (and as the climate changes) and they would like to train people locally to help them to do this. Accruing baseline data is obviously crucial to enable them to monitor change.

Gartmore just south of Aberfoyle will be the base. The Large Meeting room in Gartmore Village Hall has been hired for the week to provide a microscope space https://www.gartmorevillagehall.co.uk/takethetour. The nearby Trossachs Holiday Park has a selection of camping pods, caravans and chalets that are reasonably affordable. I have been warned that they get booked up quite a long way in advance, so early booking is advisable. https://www.hoseasons.co.uk/accom/trossachs-holiday-park-tros. For those who would prefer more comfort there is a very nice hotel next to Gartmore Village Hall https://blackbullgartmore.com/ and there are also various camping options nearby.

Please contact Philippa Thompson (meetings@britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk) to register interest in this meeting.