The late spring image of woodland carpeted in blue is in danger of disappearing from Scotland.
According to the Alarm Bells for Bluebells campaign the humble bluebell is officially an endangered species with its genetic integrity being diluted by the highly invasive Spanish variant. For further information about the campaign, visit
www.csft.org.uk/bluebells1: ARDKINGLAS WOODLAND GARDENArgyll and Bute, 01499 600 261
www.ardkinglas.com The Ardkinglas Estate boasts a stunning 25-acre woodland garden. Although the grounds are very much a designed landscape, the bluebell display in the woodland garden is no less impressive. Open dawn to dusk, the gardens have an admission charge of £3.50.
2: CARSTRAMON WOOD WILDLIFE RESERVEDumfries and Galloway, 0131-312 7765
www.swt.org.uk Two miles north of Gatehouse of Fleet is one of the most impressive bluebell displays in Scotland. The deciduous woodland comes alive in spring with the visuals supplied by the bluebells and an accompanying soundtrack of returning summer migrants, including pied flycatcher, redstart and wood warbler.
3: CUMBERNAULD GLENNorth Lanarkshire, 0131-312 7765
www.swt.org.uk Managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The woodlands, with their spectacular bluebell display are also home to intriguing historical features, including the remains of a 13th century castle and a 16th century dovecot.
4: DARROCH WOODPerthshire, 01738 475256
www.pkct.org Accessed by part of the Blairgowrie path network maintained by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust. The Bluebell Wood trail is a two-mile circular route taking in Darroch Wood, Ardblair Wood, Fingask Loch and White Loch where, as well as bluebells in the oak woodlands, osprey are regularly seen fishing.
5: KEIL'S DENFife, 01738 635 829
www.woodland-trust.org.uk A long, narrow woodland glen beside Lower Largo. At the northern edge, Pitcruvie Castle is just visible through the trees. The central section of the circular track is somewhat sinisterly known as The Coffin Walk as it was historically used when transporting coffins from Hatton to Largo Cemetery.
The full article contains 340 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
