A Wander in the Hills

There was a time when a wander in the hills wasn't constrained by any need to be sensible and follow a defined track or path; no more but, despite this, there was still plenty to see and enjoy this morning in the hills above Golspie.

Some of the summer wildflowers have already disappeared - for example, the heath spotted and fragrant orchids - while others....

....like self-heal, are at their best and at their most special when....

....a colour variant is spotted.

The bell heather and cross-leaved heath (above) have both been out for some weeks but they are now being joined by....

....ling, the heather which will, in a few weeks' time, turn the hills into a rolling sea of lilac.

It's always good to stumble upon something new, like this dainty, blue-flowered plant which may be one of the speedwells.

I was out for over two hours, in no hurry, savouring an alone-ness only broken by a pickup being driven fast along the track.