Littleferry Links

Most of the land at the back of the beach at Littleferry is a good example of the links habitat of the east coast of Scotland. The soil is formed from calcitic sands blown inshore and colonised by a wide range of plants as well as some rare insects, like the small blue butterfly. Sadly, many of these links habitats have been developed, most famously as golf courses but also for coniferous forestry.

Left to their own devices links habitats locally tend to be treeless but in one limited area at Littleferry there are a couple of knolls upon which stand a few conifers, the majority now dead. I have no idea why there should have been these mounds just here, nor why the trees should confine themselves to them, but the area has an atmosphere, an eeriness, as if they are not natural but man-made - which is perfectly possible as these beaches were exploited by our ancestors for their rich shellfish beds - evidenced by occasional middens - rubbish heaps - of broken shells and fish bones.

Today these dead and dying trees still have a use. Ropes have been hung from their branches to make swings for the pleasure of passing children.