While forestry has often been accused of stifling wildlife, the buffer zones between the heavily planted trees and the open hillside, such as at the top of Beinn an t-Sidhein, are well populated by both birds and animals. Along the forest paths the belling of tits and the sharp song of chaffinch can be heard. Closer to the edge of the trees there are many more birds to be seen and heard, especially great tits, blue tits, willow warblers, chiffchaffs and blackbirds. Out on the open hillside buzzards may be seen, along with skylarks and meadow pipits, curlews and lapwing, and lower down, oystercatchers. Roe deer sometimes browse on these slopes in the early morning and evenings and the red fox creeps its silent way to and from the glen below.

Below, in Glen Buckie, there is an atmosphere of highland remoteness. History abounds hereabouts. Sir Walter Scott set his 'Lady of the Lake' in this area and describes the local men rousing the clan to battle by carrying the fiery cross around the district. The cross was carried along Balvag's swampy course.

Many people return to Strathyre at this point but it is well worth descending the long northern shoulder of Benn an t-Sidhein by Buachaille Breige to the forest track that leads down to Stroneslaney. Here, a 13th century battle took place between the MacLarens and Buchanans. Not far away and well worth a short walk is the village of Balquhidder, which is the final resting place of Rob Roy, a one time chief of the Clan MacGregor. His grave is found in the village churchyard.