Many woodland plants flower early so as to capture the light and the sun’s energy before the trees are fully in leaf and the canopy closes over.  This short section of the former tramway track, now a woodland footpath, is therefore ideal for a spring visit.  The walk starts at the bus turning circle, by the public conveniences, in Port Bannatyne (Grid Reference NS068674). 

Shortly after entering the wood, note the rocky left side of the path; here, despite the intense shade, Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage still manages to thrive, along with extensive areas of Great Woodrush.  Further along the track, where the canopy is more open, there are colourful glades across the stream – differing shades of yellow (Primroses, Marsh Marigold and Lesser Celandine) and white (Wood Anemone and Large Bittercress – the latter rather resembling Watercress but distinguished by its violet anthers).

The track soon joins up with the West Island Way (note the carpet of Wild Strawberries) and, almost immediately afterwards, the road to Ettrick Bay.  Two short extensions from this point are well worthwhile.   Turn left and walk through the wood along the WIW for a couple of hundred yards, in the course of which you will see Pignut (the small white umbellifer-like plant just coming into flower), Bilberry and Yellow Flag (not yet in flower).   Returning to the road, turn left as far as the end of the wood for another selection of flowers beside the ditch, including Red Campion and Broom.  Look across the road to see large areas of Tuberous Comfrey (yellow) and Green Alkanet (blue flower!), both non-native colonisers that brighten the landscape at this time of year.

Finally return to Port Bannatyne by the road, pausing to take a close up look at the fine specimen of Sweet Cicely that you pass shortly before arriving  at the coast. Pick a small leaf and enjoy the aniseed smell that it exudes.  After you have turned right, look carefully at the wall that borders the recreation ground;  here in a completely different type of habitat you can find, among other species, Ivy-leaved Toadflax and Maidenhair Spleenwort.

The total distance of the walk is barely more than a mile, but with such a range of habitats and so many species to observe, don’t be surprised if it takes you a couple of hours.  Many of the species listed below are not yet in flower, but all have made sufficient growth to be identifiable.  As ever the list is far from exhaustive.