Louis P
@sibthorpia.bsky.social
Young naturalist & NCFC supporter. Based in the Scottish Highlands for a year.
Unfortunately by the end of August it was time to head back South, so I took a bit of a detour to see a few of my remaining targets for the year - Scottish Dock (Rumex aquaticus) and Eight-stamened Waterwort (Elatine hydropiper) - and with that my bumper botanical year was over!
January 2, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Unfortunately by the end of August it was time to head back South, so I took a bit of a detour to see a few of my remaining targets for the year - Scottish Dock (Rumex aquaticus) and Eight-stamened Waterwort (Elatine hydropiper) - and with that my bumper botanical year was over!
It felt right to save Ben Nevis for my final hill walk during my year in Scotland, so in late August I headed to the summit via the Ledge Route seeing Tufted and Highland Saxifrages (Saxifraga cespitosa and rivuralis), and Wavy Meadow-grass (Poa flexuosa) on my way to the summit.
January 2, 2026 at 12:23 AM
It felt right to save Ben Nevis for my final hill walk during my year in Scotland, so in late August I headed to the summit via the Ledge Route seeing Tufted and Highland Saxifrages (Saxifraga cespitosa and rivuralis), and Wavy Meadow-grass (Poa flexuosa) on my way to the summit.
After a ferry to Mallaig, stops at two sites for Saltmarsh Sedge (Carex salina) were successful but only in finding vegetative plants, and at Loch Arkaig I found a few spikes of Irish Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana).
January 2, 2026 at 12:17 AM
After a ferry to Mallaig, stops at two sites for Saltmarsh Sedge (Carex salina) were successful but only in finding vegetative plants, and at Loch Arkaig I found a few spikes of Irish Lady's-tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana).
Putting up with the crowds at the Old Man of Storr was well worth it when I reached the summit of The Storr, where Iceland-purslane (Koenigia islandica) was abundant in the gravelly flushes and I found a new population of Alpine Pearlwort on nearby ledges (Sagina saginoides)!
January 2, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Putting up with the crowds at the Old Man of Storr was well worth it when I reached the summit of The Storr, where Iceland-purslane (Koenigia islandica) was abundant in the gravelly flushes and I found a new population of Alpine Pearlwort on nearby ledges (Sagina saginoides)!
By the start of August I was running out of time before moving back South and new plants to see, so my final multi-day trip of the year led me to Skye, with a mix of species of day one including Alpine Rock-cress (Arabis alpina), Pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum) and Early Orache (Atriplex praecox).
January 2, 2026 at 12:05 AM
By the start of August I was running out of time before moving back South and new plants to see, so my final multi-day trip of the year led me to Skye, with a mix of species of day one including Alpine Rock-cress (Arabis alpina), Pipewort (Eriocaulon aquaticum) and Early Orache (Atriplex praecox).
On my fifth and final day of the trip I only had time for one stop after my FISC exam in Banchory - a visit to some nearby flushes timed perfectly for flowering Marsh Saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus).
January 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM
On my fifth and final day of the trip I only had time for one stop after my FISC exam in Banchory - a visit to some nearby flushes timed perfectly for flowering Marsh Saxifrage (Saxifraga hirculus).
My final hill day of the trip was spent around Little Kilrannoch finding Alpine Catchfly (Silene suecica), Scottish Mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum subsp. scoticum), vast cushions of Cyphel (Cherleria sedoides) and a potentially native population of Silver Lady's-mantle (Alchemilla conjuncta).
January 1, 2026 at 11:55 PM
My final hill day of the trip was spent around Little Kilrannoch finding Alpine Catchfly (Silene suecica), Scottish Mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum subsp. scoticum), vast cushions of Cyphel (Cherleria sedoides) and a potentially native population of Silver Lady's-mantle (Alchemilla conjuncta).
Best of all was the abundance of montane willow scrub, comprising mainly Downy and Woolly Willow (Salix lapponum and Salix lanata). Corrie Sharroch undoubtedly represents one of the best examples of this habitat in the UK, and shows what could be possible elsewhere with better management.
January 1, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Best of all was the abundance of montane willow scrub, comprising mainly Downy and Woolly Willow (Salix lapponum and Salix lanata). Corrie Sharroch undoubtedly represents one of the best examples of this habitat in the UK, and shows what could be possible elsewhere with better management.
Moving onto Corrie Sharroch was a sedge-lover's paradise: Close-headed Alpine-sedge (Carex norvegica), Carex atrata (Black Alpine-sedge), Mountain Bladder-sedge (Carex x grahamii) and Sheathed Sedge (Carex vaginata) were found in various flushes.
January 1, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Moving onto Corrie Sharroch was a sedge-lover's paradise: Close-headed Alpine-sedge (Carex norvegica), Carex atrata (Black Alpine-sedge), Mountain Bladder-sedge (Carex x grahamii) and Sheathed Sedge (Carex vaginata) were found in various flushes.
Day three begun in the marvellous Corrie Fee and its botanical gems such as Oblong Woodsia (Woodsia ilvensis), Yellow Oxytropis (Oxytropis campestris) and Purple Colt's-foot (Homogyne alpina).
January 1, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Day three begun in the marvellous Corrie Fee and its botanical gems such as Oblong Woodsia (Woodsia ilvensis), Yellow Oxytropis (Oxytropis campestris) and Purple Colt's-foot (Homogyne alpina).
For day two I headed to Glen Shee, finding Nordic Moonwort (Botrychium nordicum) by the ski centre, Alpine Blue-sow-thistle (Cicerbita alpina) on its ledge and a population of Alpine Milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus) that had escaped a fire by a few metres!
January 1, 2026 at 11:33 PM
For day two I headed to Glen Shee, finding Nordic Moonwort (Botrychium nordicum) by the ski centre, Alpine Blue-sow-thistle (Cicerbita alpina) on its ledge and a population of Alpine Milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus) that had escaped a fire by a few metres!
It was soon time for another 5 day botany trip, with day one spent looking at goodies such as Blue Heath (Phyllodoce caerulea), Slender-leaved Pondweed (Stuckenia filiformis) and False-sedge (Carex simpliciuscula).
January 1, 2026 at 11:25 PM
It was soon time for another 5 day botany trip, with day one spent looking at goodies such as Blue Heath (Phyllodoce caerulea), Slender-leaved Pondweed (Stuckenia filiformis) and False-sedge (Carex simpliciuscula).
A trip up Ben Vrackie in the afternoon was equally successful, with plenty of Alpine Milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus) and Purple Oxytropis (Oxytropis halleri) on the crags, and a transplanted population of Brown Bog-rush (Schoenus ferrugineus) on the way up.
January 1, 2026 at 11:20 PM
A trip up Ben Vrackie in the afternoon was equally successful, with plenty of Alpine Milk-vetch (Astragalus alpinus) and Purple Oxytropis (Oxytropis halleri) on the crags, and a transplanted population of Brown Bog-rush (Schoenus ferrugineus) on the way up.
The next morning was devoted to a few quick stops for the coriander-scented Baldellia repens, Small Cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum) and Whorled Solomon's-seal (Polygonatum verticillatum).
January 1, 2026 at 11:15 PM
The next morning was devoted to a few quick stops for the coriander-scented Baldellia repens, Small Cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum) and Whorled Solomon's-seal (Polygonatum verticillatum).
Next was undoubtedly the highlight of the day, a lucky encounter with a species I thought I'd never see - Snow Pearlwort (Sagina nivalis)! A few metres away was Mountain Bladder-fern (Cystopteris montana), then on the way back Hairy Stonecrop (Sedum villosum).
January 1, 2026 at 11:11 PM
Next was undoubtedly the highlight of the day, a lucky encounter with a species I thought I'd never see - Snow Pearlwort (Sagina nivalis)! A few metres away was Mountain Bladder-fern (Cystopteris montana), then on the way back Hairy Stonecrop (Sedum villosum).
Heading up from the 'hanging gardens' towards the summit, Drooping Saxifrage (Saxifraga cernua), Rock Whitlowgrass (Draba norvegica), Net-leaved Willow (Salix reticulata) and Scottish Pearlwort (Sagina x normaniana) were the highlights.
January 1, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Heading up from the 'hanging gardens' towards the summit, Drooping Saxifrage (Saxifraga cernua), Rock Whitlowgrass (Draba norvegica), Net-leaved Willow (Salix reticulata) and Scottish Pearlwort (Sagina x normaniana) were the highlights.
A year of Scottish botany wouldn't be complete without a trip to Ben Lawers, and a long day in the hills produced all my targets. First up were Alpine Gentian (Gentiana nivalis), Alpine Forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris), Alpine Fleabane (Erigeron borealis) and Mountain Sandwort (Sabulina rubella).
January 1, 2026 at 11:01 PM
A year of Scottish botany wouldn't be complete without a trip to Ben Lawers, and a long day in the hills produced all my targets. First up were Alpine Gentian (Gentiana nivalis), Alpine Forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris), Alpine Fleabane (Erigeron borealis) and Mountain Sandwort (Sabulina rubella).
On a blustery day at Creag Meagaidh I finally found two grasses in the stony flushes that had eluded me elsewhere - Alpine Cat's-tail (Phleum alpinum) and Alpine Foxtail (Alopecurus magellanicus) - as well as Highland Cudweed (Omalotheca norvegica) and Downy Willow (Salix lapponum) on the ledges.
January 1, 2026 at 10:54 PM
On a blustery day at Creag Meagaidh I finally found two grasses in the stony flushes that had eluded me elsewhere - Alpine Cat's-tail (Phleum alpinum) and Alpine Foxtail (Alopecurus magellanicus) - as well as Highland Cudweed (Omalotheca norvegica) and Downy Willow (Salix lapponum) on the ledges.
July begun with 5 days on the Uists, mainly involving taking in the many stunning beaches and areas of machair but with the odd detour to see a few scarce aquatics - American Pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus), Slender-leaved Naiad (Najas flexilis) and Spiral Tasselweed (Ruppia spiralis)
January 1, 2026 at 10:49 PM
July begun with 5 days on the Uists, mainly involving taking in the many stunning beaches and areas of machair but with the odd detour to see a few scarce aquatics - American Pondweed (Potamogeton epihydrus), Slender-leaved Naiad (Najas flexilis) and Spiral Tasselweed (Ruppia spiralis)
A rare day in the lowlands was spent in the Insh Marshes area, with a heavy focus on sedges and grasses including String Sedge (Carex chordorrhiza), Scandinavian Small-reed (Calamagrostis purpurea), Narrow Small-reed (C. stricta) and Small-white Orchid (Pseudorchis albida).
January 1, 2026 at 10:43 PM
A rare day in the lowlands was spent in the Insh Marshes area, with a heavy focus on sedges and grasses including String Sedge (Carex chordorrhiza), Scandinavian Small-reed (Calamagrostis purpurea), Narrow Small-reed (C. stricta) and Small-white Orchid (Pseudorchis albida).
For one week at work we were joined by the excellent botanist David Bale, and I was fortunate to join him on a day to the Bone Caves, complete with its limestone flora including Rock Sedge (Carez rupestris), Globeflower (Trollius europaeus) and Whortle-leaved Willow (Salix myrsinites).
January 1, 2026 at 10:38 PM
For one week at work we were joined by the excellent botanist David Bale, and I was fortunate to join him on a day to the Bone Caves, complete with its limestone flora including Rock Sedge (Carez rupestris), Globeflower (Trollius europaeus) and Whortle-leaved Willow (Salix myrsinites).
By June the alpine flora season was really kicking off, and a day around Cairn Lochan included Hare's-foot Sedge (Carex lachenalii), Hare's-foot Clubmoss (Lycopodium lagopus) and Arctic Mouse-ear (Cerastium nigrescens).
January 1, 2026 at 10:27 PM
By June the alpine flora season was really kicking off, and a day around Cairn Lochan included Hare's-foot Sedge (Carex lachenalii), Hare's-foot Clubmoss (Lycopodium lagopus) and Arctic Mouse-ear (Cerastium nigrescens).
Timing a trip to the pinewoods to catch One-flowered Wintergreen (Moneses uniflora) and Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) can be tricky but fortunately work regularly took me to Balblair Woods - an excellent site for both species.
January 1, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Timing a trip to the pinewoods to catch One-flowered Wintergreen (Moneses uniflora) and Twinflower (Linnaea borealis) can be tricky but fortunately work regularly took me to Balblair Woods - an excellent site for both species.
A trip to the curious 'Inchnadamph Zoo' was successful, with Fairy Foxglove (Erinus alpinus), Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna), Alpine Campion (Silene alpestris) and Oxford Rampion (Phyteuma scheuchzeri) all found.
January 1, 2026 at 10:17 PM
A trip to the curious 'Inchnadamph Zoo' was successful, with Fairy Foxglove (Erinus alpinus), Spring Gentian (Gentiana verna), Alpine Campion (Silene alpestris) and Oxford Rampion (Phyteuma scheuchzeri) all found.
Back on the mainland later in the month, Pyramidal Bugle (Ajuga pyramidalis) and Diapensia (D. lapponica) were both suffering in the dry spring, but this Narrow-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) growing in a tyre was at its best, as was Rock Cinquefoil (Potentilla rupestris).
January 1, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Back on the mainland later in the month, Pyramidal Bugle (Ajuga pyramidalis) and Diapensia (D. lapponica) were both suffering in the dry spring, but this Narrow-leaved Helleborine (Cephalanthera longifolia) growing in a tyre was at its best, as was Rock Cinquefoil (Potentilla rupestris).