Dingwall Field Club walkers enjoy a colourful outing on Ben Dearg jaunt in Wester Ross

Our June outing was to Lael – not the Forest Garden but up the River valley on the Ben Dearg Pathway. On the first crossing of the river we looked over the bridge deep into a mini Corrrieshalloch Gorge. Then we followed, not the ‘yellow brick road’ but a yellow - flowered path – Broom, Whins, Yellow Pimpernel, Wood Avens, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Hawkweed for example.

Other colours came from Herb Robert, Vetch and Violets and many plants of Butterwort – the sticky stars of leaves just hoping for an insect to land to be ingested. We counted at least 25 different flowers.

Our walk took us through coniferous forest on one side and scrubby birch and alder on the other with the mountain tops always ahead. Though we could hear many birds twittering our knowledge of their songs was not good – just ‘chiff chaff’ and the ‘teacher, teacher ‘of the Great Tit were most recognisable.

However, flying around were many dragon flies – blues, browns and blacks and some white butterflies too far away to be recognised. But Small Copper were there, too.

Just before our turning point we came on a wonderful walled old croft, now the only harvest a carpet of blue bluebells. We stopped off there on our return to have Lunch in the sunshine. Another enjoyable day.

Nowadays many people have realised how much they enjoy walking with the covid restrictions in place. Why don’t you join us and walk in a new area off the beaten track in our company? Just look up our website or phone 01349 864661 for more information.

Tributes to Dingwall Field Club stalwart Elizabeth Leask

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