June 24 – 29 Sun – Fri
Group Size: 9
Starting Point: Inverness
Based: Loch Ness-side
Walking: Easy
Description: This is not an intensive botanical study of obscure plants but an easy-going sequence of excursions to locations featuring the more notable wildflowers (and non-flowering plants) of the Highlands, including some of rarity status. Although prioritising wildflowers we do not disregard other wildlife, in fact all branches of natural history are embraced.
We visit a diversity of superb habitats ranging from sea level to mountain tops, from meadows and moorland to crofts, lakes, rivers and bogs – where the walking is always easy.
An essential trip to the north coast produces our only endemic – Scottish Primrose – plus several other northerners including the exquisite Oysterplant. In the Cairngorms Cloudberry, Alpine Bearberry, Trailing Azalea, Dwarf Cornel and Dwarf Birch are specialities; on the Isle of Skye Mountain Avens, Mountain Sorrel, Greater and Lesser Butterfly Orchids are some of the rewards and, in Sutherland, we can look forward to Twinflower, One-flowered Wintergreen and Creeping Lady’s Tresses.
There are of course a great many more species, too numerous for this brief introduction. Among butterflies on the scene Scotch Argus, Dark-green Fritillary, Large Heath and Green Hairstreak are typical. The bird tally should exceed 100 species, while mammals should include Red Squirrels, Otters and Bottlenose Dolphins.
Itinerary
Days 1 – 3 Sunday – Tuesday: Morning rendezvous in Inverness followed by journey to Farr (drop of baggage at hotel). Daily excursions featuring easy walks.
Days 4 & 5 Wednesday & Thursday: Transfer to Helmsdale from where the north is
explored. Mid-late afternoon Friday we return to Inverness where the tour
terminates at transport terminals or accommodation
Cost: £720...includes: Accommodation; all meals including packed lunches; all travel.
Deposit: £100
Single Room Supplement: £75
