On this page:
Early days
In our October 1950 newsletter the Trust announced the purchase of Ben Lawers which had ‘long been recognised as the richest in rare and interesting alpine plants of all the mountains in Britain’.
The purchase of a property primarily for nature conservation was, at that time, progressive – and this clarity of purpose has guided the property’s management through the last 75 years.
The earliest rarity – alpine saxifrage (Saxifraga nivalis) – had been recorded in 1768; by the start of the 19th century, most of the plants for which Ben Lawers is renowned today had been discovered. The early botanists were great collectors, with notable species also sought out by horticulturalists for rock gardens.
Formal recognition of Ben Lawers’ ecological significance followed from 1955 with various national and international designations:
- Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- National Nature Reserve (NNR)
- Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The Trust has worked closely with NatureScot and its predecessors to ensure that the management of the reserve befits these accolades.
The stunning mountain landscape also attracted recreational interest, as well as its own designation as part of a National Scenic Area (NSA). The relative accessibility of the high summits drew mountaineers, and, at the time of acquisition, the area was regarded as Scotland’s chief winter sports playground with a Scottish Ski Club hut in Coire Odhar. The Trust was keen to encourage members to enjoy access.
Cross-country and ski-mountaineering remain popular despite the development of dedicated ski centres across the country, although suitable conditions are becoming less frequent. Hillwalking has grown massively in popularity during the Trust’s tenure, with tens of thousands of ascents every year.
Ben Lawers is a landscape modified by use. People have lived and worked here for thousands of years, as revealed by the richness of cultural remains. Since the 1840s the mountains have been intensively grazed by sheep, which has altered the vegetation. Local farms still retain grazing rights here today. Infrastructure, installed in the 1950s as part of large-scale hydropower schemes across the Highlands, is used to generate electricity.
Visitor engagement
During the 1960s and ’70s there was an emphasis on providing information to the increasing number of visitors. The first seasonal wardens, employed from 1963 onwards, were botany students. They were initially based in a Scottish Ski Club hut but later moved to one that also served as a visitor centre. As well as interacting with visitors, they were expected to carry out research projects.
The Mountain Visitor Centre opened in 1972 to raise awareness of the importance of the site and promote responsible behaviour. It was becoming apparent that the perceived threat to the flora from collecting was not the only potential impact of the increase in recreational visitors. Despite being designed to fit inconspicuously into the hillside, the building was controversial. Some loved it, but critics felt that its location contravened the wishes of the donor who had enabled the purchase of Ben Lawers.
The centre was of its time and costly to maintain and operate in such a challenging environment, so after careful weighing of options for providing interpretation, it was removed in 2010 and replaced with a more sustainable model.
Ranger service
Our ranger service, established in the 1970s, continues to connect visitors to nature, delivering guided walks, talks and environmental activities both on and off site.
It also developed and led the pioneering conservation management for which the reserve is widely recognised.
Conservation management
In the 1980s the commitment to nature and landscape conservation increased. Surveying and monitoring of species was established, including research into lifecycles and the effects of grazing on rare species. This meticulous work continues to be fundamental to informing and measuring progress of our ambitious work programme.
After 45 years, the long-term data is significant in demonstrating trends in distribution and abundance. Unfortunately, it clearly shows that several of the rarest species – those most highly adapted to the harsh mountain environment – are in serious decline.
Early results from the surveys and monitoring led to experimental habitat restoration. This increased in scale with the acquisition of the Tarmachan hill ground, unencumbered by grazing rights, in 1996 and has expanded incrementally since.
Evidence of the negative effects of grazing fuelled the aspiration to be in control of the grazing levels on Trust land. Since the early 1990s, the Trust has acquired over 50% of the rights, often as farms sought to diversify. We also work in collaboration with the remaining grazing rights holders to deliver conservation objectives, such as with the reintroduction of cattle to West Beinn Ghlas.
In 1980, pioneering work to tackle footpath erosion was established as an ongoing programme. At that time, the route ascending Ben Lawers was visible as a prominent scar from miles away. Initially, work was carried out by staff and volunteers, but the availability of grant aid linked to the National Scenic Area (NSA) designation and the advent of specialist contractors accelerated progress. Multi-year, Trust-wide projects enabled the creation of an in-house Footpath team, and this work remains vital today.
Then and now
Ben Lawers exemplifies the delicate balance required to simultaneously manage conservation and access. The benefits from being in the long-term care of the Trust have enabled the delivery of pioneering techniques in both, working towards the delivery of our long-term vison. The success of our management has been demonstrated by new species records, which include some flora, many invertebrates and even mammals.
There have been many changes and challenges over the last 75 years, including the current climate and nature crises, but at the Trust we are committed to continuing to protect and enhance the precious natural environment of Ben Lawers.
