Patches of this bright orange-yellow lichen are common on the small rocks and cobbles along the back of local beaches, above the high-tide line of winter storms. Perhaps because there are so few other bright colours at this time of year, they stand out.
I always hesitate to venture into the world of lichens as there are so many and they're so complex but this one appears to be Xanthoria parietina. According to Wikipedia, it has wide distribution and common names such as 'common orange lichen', 'yellow scale', 'maritime sunburst lichen' and 'shore lichen'.
At this point I'm going to stop and marvel rather that go any further as I fear that I will stray into areas which are too complex for my ageing brain. All I would add is that I'm glad I looked: this lichen is simply and stunningly beautiful.
I always enjoy looking at the mozaics of lichen as they pattern the rocks on Ardnamurchan. Sometimes they are of such perfect fit and deliniation, one just has to take a photograph of the most picturesque. I admit I am with you on this subject - when it comes to lichens, mosses and liverworts, even the book is little help.
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