Deerness, Orkney

Shag
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Deerness is on the east of the Orkney mainland. En route we stopped at Minehowe and had a climb down into the chamber.


On to Deerness where there is an excellent walk around Mull Head. First point of interest is the Gloup, a collapsed sea cave. Seaward there are fulmar nesting and at this time of year, fluffy babies on the nest. Continuing round the coast the brough of Deerness is almost an island with it's own ruined chapel. The well marked route continues to the mull head and on round the coast before crossing inland,back to the carpark.

Yesnaby, Orkney

Yesnaby
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

A blustery day, two cars gave the opportunity of a linear walk from Yesnaby to Stromness.

The walk along the coast has plenty of interest, including the stack named Yesnaby Castle, cliffs and seaviews to Cape Wrath and the Old Man of Hoy.
This area is also home to the Scots Primrose, which is endemic to Scotland. We were lucky, initially we spotted a single flower, nearer Stromness we spotted lots. Also on the walk we saw lots of Grass of Parnassus.
The last bit of the walk, down the road to Stromness was long, but the coffee in Julia's coffee shop was worth the wait!

Birsay

Met up with friends at Birsay. The island is tidal, you need to watch the tides so that you don't get stranded on the island until the next low tide. The Brough of Birsay is a neolithic site. The lighthouse has great views over the island and back to the mainland.

Forsinard

A bit of a dreicht day with lots of time to spare before the 7pm ferry at Stromness. I've never been to this reserve before. There's a RSPB exhibition in the Forsinard railway station waiting room. I had a chat with the warden about the reserve and about the role of peat bog as carbon sinks.

There is a very good short trail around the reserve, the wardens also lead some walks.

Followed this with a visit to Dunnet Head, good views to Orkney. Taking the evening boat to Orkney was a good move as the light was wonderful, the Old May of Hoy was very impressive.


Camped at the very busy Stromness campsite.

Around Loch Affric

Loch Affric

Caterpillar

Glen Affric is a beautiful glen, with lots of opportunities for walks. There was some cloud on the summits so I decided to walk around Loch Affric.

The paths are very good, there were lots of flowers and insects. Right at the end of the walk I spotted this caterpillar on the heather. I think that it's face looks like a puppy! Met lots of people on the walk.

When I got back to the car I continued northwards, camping near Tain, in the campsite beside the bridge over the Dornoch Firth.

Journey to Cannich

Black Mount


Damselfly

Heading north for a couple of weeks. Lovely day with lots of opportunities for photography. I went up Loch Lomond, across Rannoch Moor where there were lovely reflections of the Black Mount in the lochan by the A82.

I stopped by Bridge of Oich and walked up the canal to the next lock. Lots of dragonflies around.

Camped at the Cannich campsite.

Culzean Castle

Culzean Castle
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Hot today (for Scotland), and not too good for photography. The grounds of Culzean Castle are very refreshing in the heat.

Geilston Gardens

Curled Petals flower
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Eventually the sun comes out, the gardens basking in the sunshine. Lots of interest, but remember to keep the camera batteries charged!

Ben Lawers Nature Trail

Emperor Moth Caterpillar
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

A return visit to Ben Lawers, this time to concentrate on flowers. Unfortunately it was pretty windy making flower photography difficult, luckily there were a few caterpillars and beetles around to capture (digitally).


Beetle

Emperor Moth Caterpillar

Bug

Bug
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Ardmore Point provides a good short walk, with great views over to Greenock and to Rosneath. Lots of wildlife around, including flowers and insects.

Gold-ringed Dragonfly

Gold-ringed Dragonfly
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Another close-up of a gold-ringed dragonfly. This time I came across it on a 10 mile walk from Arrocher. A great walk, up Glen Loin to Loch Sloy, then back through the forrest to the head of Loch Long.

Geograph website

Found a new website - Geograph. "The Geograph British Isles project aims to collect a geographically representative photograph for every square kilometre of the British Isles". So added this photograph and a couple of others!

From this I found a great site for OS maps - Get-a-map.

Benmore Botanic Gardens

Plant
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Lots of midgies at Benmore but lots of opportunities to take photographs, both exotic plants and some native wildflowers.

Ben Lawers

Northern Eggar Moth
Originally uploaded by ShirleyGrant.

Helen and I climbed Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers from the vistor centre. Lots of flowers and moths. Saw several northern eggar moths. These had just emerged from their pupa and were resting on a stalk of grass.