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ecotourism The Gullies
Experience the thrill of going places that even some locals haven't been! But don't go with out an experienced guide. Let an experienced 'Eco Tour Guide' show you nature's little surprises! 
In the centre of the island is Welchman Hall Gully. Named after a Welchman,
General Williams, it is approximately one kilometre north of Harrisons Cave.
Stroll through the roughly mile long deep and densely wooded gully where
monkeys scamper and chatter in the tree canopy and at every step there is
another fascinating tree or shrub to marvel at. This was actually part of
the Harrison's Cave network but the roof collapsed, resulting in a natural
gully. Since 1860 it has been nurtured and tended by its owners who began
planting exotic plants, shrubs and trees. Although a few non-indigenous
plants have been planted over the years the gully is not dissimilar to that
which covered the island in the 17th century. In 1962, following many years
of neglect the Barbados National Trust took it over and this site in fact
became Barbados' first organised natural sight. where trees form shapes beyond the human art, where the deep green silence embraces you to calm the soul and lift the heavy heart Where the gentle rains hold promise of life and tendrils reach down to draw from mother earth where strangers walk in awe of all they see where the world is hushed as if to witness birth This is the place that calls me back to sit enthralled within it's quiet glade and promises the peace I search for where all is contentment and earthly worries fade. H.Hargreaves Just north of Mount Hillaby you will find the last remaining area covered in the primary rainforest that once covered our island. Upon entering the dense forest the high humidity brings about the realisation that this is a different world, with a radically different ecosystem. Wandering through this ancient forest is a fascinating experience, surrounded by lianas, silk cotton, jack-in-the box and magnificent mahogany trees. The tall locust trees grow as high as thirty metres. Vines string and weave their way around the canopy. With cabbage palms over 130 ft tall this 46 acres of dense forest has remained unchanged over teh centuries. Take in the natural beauty and wildlife before joining the 21 century again! Just south of the Wildlife Reserve you will find Farley Hill. The once stately mansion of Sir Graham Briggs, President of the Legislative Council and a member of the House of Assembly. This Government Park was the home of the island's most stately 19th Century "great house" which unfortunately burned down in the late 1950s. It claims fame from the movie Island in the Sun, starring Harry Belafonte. Its skeleton now blends into the park ambience. Set in seventeen stunning acres of lovely rolling hills, now with restored walks, lawns carpeted with zoysia and savannah grass, shaded areas with old mahogany trees, tamarind, travellers' and cabbage palm, leading up to the 300 metre cliff-like ledge, where a stunning panorama awaits you. A vista sweeping over the Scotland District down to the east coast, from Ragged Point Lighthouse on the most eastern point of the island over to Chalky Mount which rises, craggy and gaunt, against the hills and lush valleys that surround it. A great picnic area or just somewhere to rest and recharge your batteries, surrounded by the grandeur of nature, bathed in the breezes that blow in from the Atlantic. An atmospheric setting every January for the Paint It jazz Festival. Hosted in the beautifully landscaped grounds with numerous fruit trees including soursop, mammee apple, mango and tamarind. This steep 300 metre limestone escarpment marks the edge of the Scotland district to the west in St. Joseph and to the east in St. John, the rugged limestone cap was eroded by the sea many centuries ago. Well worth a treck for the fabulous views across the craggy, eroded hills of the Scotland District, named, by the original home-sick Scots after their much loved land of Robbie Burns. This is a quiet, peaceful spot to enjoy the views from Pico Teneriffe in the north to Ragged Point in the east. It is a delight to watch the swirling swifts paraglide the warm air currents. |
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Save
the gullies! Once
upon a time there was a beautiful little grove of trees. Monkeys played
there and found food and a wonderful variety of birds including black faced
sparrows, yellow birds, humming birds, peewitlers and most precious of all
the threatened little blue heron, all nested and made their lives in this
little forest at the edge of the gully.  A Green monkey family caring for each other, playing happily in a protected area. 
Please play your part in protecting this beautiful
region. |
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