I had almost but not quite forgotten the feelings of freedom and of elation as, a few days ago, we set off into the Scottish hills knowing that, for the next hour or more, the chances were that we would not see another human; and we'd be able to breathe air that was fresh and clean; and....
....that we would meet old friends, like devil's-bit scabious which is in full bloom at this time of year, often found with....
....its pink variation, though there was no sign on our walk up the Kildonan Burn of the rarer white flower.
Other old friends we found included bog aspodel with its delicate flower and rather sinister reputation as a poisoner of sheep and....
....this startlingly red toadstool, probably a scarlet waxcap; and....
....a couple of these large butterflies, one of the fritillaries, perhaps the dark green fritillary.
Then, to make my day, as we set off back along the road towards our hotel Gill spotted....
....a red deer stag in velvet in one of the remains of the 'deer forests' which were developed in the nineteenth century to provide sport for the estate owner and his friends.
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