Dunagoil

On a glorious June morning, the rocky headland that is Dunagoil makes an impressive sight, but no less impressive is the range of wild flowers that can be seen in the course of a short, easy walk from the road to the caves at its northern end.  Start at the layby about half a mile before the end of the Plan road, where there is an information board erected by the Bute Conservation Trust (GR NS088537).

Brooklime and Watercress

Within the first 50 yards after going through the gate you can see at least 25 different species in flower!  The plant with blue flowers and large leaves in the burn on the right is Brooklime, a member of the Speedwell family, while the abundant white flowers are those of Watercress.

Follow the track down the gentle slope and after the second gate veer right so as to stay on the raised beach, the level ground between the cliff at the northern end of Dunagoil and the sea.  Here are some of the many flowers you can see on this species-rich stretch of coastline, categorised by colour.

White: Pignut, Heath Bedstraw, English Stonecrop, Sea Campion;

Thrift and Sea Campion

 English Stonecrop

Red/pink/purple: Red Campion, Ragged-robin, Wild Thyme, Thrift, Northern Marsh-orchid, Foxglove;

Wild Thyme and Bird's-foot Trefoil

 Heath Bedstraw and Mouse-ear Hawkweed

Yellow: Tormentil, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Silverweed, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Yellow Flag Iris;            Blue: Germander Speedwell, Heath Milkwort.

Thrift, Mouse-ear Hawkweed and Wood Sage

Yellow Flag Iris

 Wall PennywortThe raised beach ends with a mass of Yellow Flag Iris and views across to Arran. 

As well as inspecting the two caves under the cliff here, have a look on the rock face for Wall Pennywort, a plant that, as here, usually favours north-facing locations.

On the way back, take a short detour to the start of the rocky coastline on the other side of Dunagoil Bay.  Walking on this part of the coast is very hard going because of the dense cover of Gorse, Burnet Rose and stunted sycamore. 

Dunagoil Bay

Bloody Crane's-bill

But it’s well worthwhile making the effort for just a very short distance to see one of the less common species to be found on the island, Bloody Crane’s-bill.  The base-rich rocks here provide it with a suitable habitat.

 The list of plants in flower for this walk is unusually long, but it’s still far from comprehensive!