Gartocharn

Small Copper Butterfly

Returned to Gartocharn to revisit the views of the Loch Lomond. A new path has been made taking a lovley route through the wood to Endrick Water. Rather windy today which made taking flower photos rather difficult but I found a patch of thistles which had attracted lots of butterflies and other insects.

Saw this butterfly which I later identified from a guidebook as a small copper butterfly.
"Though it remains a common and widespread species, the Small Copper declined throughout its range during the twentieth century."

St Abbs Head

Heading south for a few days, decided to go down the east coast for a change. The trail around St Abbs Head is lovely, lots of interest. A very warm and sunny day, so good for all kinds of butterflies. A good cafe for lunch at the visitor centre.

Ardkinglas

Fly on yellow flower

Ardkinglas is one of my favourite gardens.
I arrived just after the rain today, it was very quiet. Lots of photo opportunities, I actually used a tripod for a change, great for the droplets on the plants.

Updating

Adding some info on my recent trip to Orkney. See a slideshow of photographs on flickr

Orkney

Visiting Orkney for a few days. The islands are lovely and there are plenty of places to visit, lots of walks, beaches etc. Will post some photos when I get home.

Rousay

The ferry to Rousay leaves from Tingwall. Leaving the others to cycle around the island I took a walk east along the road to the old mill.

After returning over to the mainland I visited the Broch of Gurness.

Stenness Stones

Steness Stones

Shapinsay is not far on the ferry from Kirkwall. We visited the RSPB hide at Mill Dam. Back on the Orkney mainland the clouds started to break giving some lovely evening light conditions over the Stones of Stenness and The Ring of Brodgar.