Some reflections on yesterday's Strathspey trip:
Colour in the landscape is approaching its peak (slightly later than here in the central belt), with many flowers of the hedgerow at their best. I identified the following in flower: Rosebay Willow-Herb, Common Ragwort, Harebell, St John's-wort, Pignut, Red Clover, Common Knapweed, Devil's Bit Scabious, Meadowsweet, Birdsfoot Trefoil and Redshank. Heather has not reached its peak yet with those plants in sheltered forest rides appearing quite purple but those out on the moors still quite muted in colour.
Insect life is probably around its peak too (judging by the number of midge bites I sustained) with butterflies (such as Scotch Argus and Small Tortoiseshell), moths, hoverflies etc all evident. Dor Beetles and ants were common on the forest tracks, as were caterpillars of Emperor Moth and one of the Arctiidae moth species. Also notable were a Bee Beetle, an Ichneumon Fly and a really big black and green dragonfly sp.
The tourist season also seems to be at its peak, ironically with the Scottish schools going back this week. However, as usual, I find that people tend to concentrate around the "honey pots", so that large parts of even the "high profile" trails are mostly empty.