Events
Some events occur annually, with dates included on the website as soon as they are known. These include:
Annual Gathering of Members and AGM – scheduled for autumn, usually late September/October
Lochgoilhead Gala and Carrick Castle Fayre – CCW volunteers man a stand at each of these events. The Gala usually takes place in early summer and the Fayre a little later on. These are occasions to engage with our local communities, explain more about our wonderful woodlands, encourage membership and volunteering and possibly, make a little funds from merchandise and donations. Our Cormonachan pens have been especially appreciated in recent years!
Carrick Castle Fayre – Sunday 20th July 2025
Guided Tours
Guided tours led by trained volunteers were initiated when the Upper Cormonachan Path was opened in 2023 (Review of the Guided Tour to Cormonachan Falls & Medieval Settlement). Although these are currently suspended, we are working on re-introduction on specific dates during the summer months of 2026. Watch this space for dates! Past events have included Bat walks, Easter Egg walks & Halloween walks.
Special Events
The Board of Cormonachan Community Woodlands Ltd. periodically organises one-off events, but also encourages, and permits, special events in the woodlands. Feel free to email us with your ideas – secretary@cormonachan-woodlands.co.uk .
Marriages in Contemplation Shelter
What could be more special than organising your marriage in the Contemplation Shelter with its fantastic views down Loch Goil to Loch Long.
Celebrate your special day in our beautiful woodland surroundings. Click here for more information.
Contemplation Shelter and Loch Goil
A Flavour of Some Special Past Events
2025 – Saturday 13th September – Scotland’s Rainforest
Luke Winter’s beautiful Romany-style Story Wagon toured through Argyll in summer & autumn 2025 and popped up at Cormonachan Woodlands to run storytelling and writing activities about Scotland’s Rainforest in a free day suitable for people of all ages.
2024 – Sunday 8th September – Escape the Forest
Local storyteller Shona Cowie ran a FREE event entitled “Escape the Forest, a Family Adventure” in the Woodlands. This was funded by Argyll & Bute Council’s ‘Supporting Communities Fund’. This was an interactive escape ‘room’ experience, combining the thrill of solving puzzles with the enchantment of the natural environment and attracted 13 groups with 46 attendees, who set off at 15 minute intervals. It was a highly successful event on a lovely summer’s afternoon.
2023 – Sunday 9th April – Children’s Easter Holiday Squirrel Trail
This event was held from 12-3 pm and 40 children attended. Creative face painting was available.
2023 – 30th June & 1st July – Official Opening of the Upper Cormonachan Heritage Paths
This included an invited group of funding and supporting organisations and individuals at the new South Car Park. The Upper Cormonachan Heritage Paths were opened by Andy Rockall, Director of Scotland’s Community Woodlands Association. The opening to the public was held on 1st July at the South Car Park, from which a new steep path leads to Lower and Upper Cormonachan Falls, the medieval settlement and the new paths to the Contemplation Shelter and North Car Park. Sadly, due to extraordinary heavy rainfall soon afterwards, the Falls path and South Car Park were damaged and remained closed until October 2025 when the Falls Path was reopened, with the South Car Park completion happening in early 2026.
2023 – 14th March – Film Release
We released a new film on “Cormonachan Community Woodlands”. Watch here: Native Woodlands. Cormonachan Community Woodlands. March 2023
2022 – 2nd – 30th October – Art Trail
Argyll Arts Collective organised ‘The Woodlands Art Trail’ which was attended by 1,149 people. This was a repeat of the successful Woodland Arts Trails held between 2nd October to 7th November 2021 with 1,415 attendees and between 3rd to 31st October 2020 – ‘Cormonachan Woodlands Art Trail’ with 1,125 attendees.
2022 – 17th March – Guided Walk
Students from Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh and Lochgilphead High School had a guided walk led by Dee Locke, around the 2.5 km circular paths in Cormonachan Community Woodlands. This included them filming the trees and nature within these ancient woodlands in conjunction with Cove Park. See their two films – Argyll Beacons
2022 – Theatrical Events
We have also had some live theatrical events in the Woodlands, again funded through Argyll & Bute Council’s Supporting Communities Fund, making then free for attendees
On Friday 3rd June, to celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, the Walking Theatre Company presented a special William Shakespeare production of ‘Macbeth the Red’ at 7pm and another special performance for children, entitled ‘The Wonderland Adventure’ at 2pm. The performances were organised in conjunction with Argyll Arts Collective and were well attended. On Sunday 15th April 2018 we had a successful presentation of ‘The Celtic Tree Walk’ for children at 2pm and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at 6:30pm.
2022- 17th August –“The Ghost Rainforest”
A short 10 min film about a visit by indigenous Amazonians during COP26 was released. This poignant film won BEST DOCUMENTARY and BEST ORIGINAL SCORE at the Film in Focus International Film Festival, 2022. Watch here: The Ghost Rainforest.
2021 – 7th November – Planting of an Oak tree
During their visit for COP26, the Amazonians planted an oak tree and performed a blessing of the Rainforest.
Dee Locke with the Amazonians.