U3A Nature Group: Trees of Dunvegan

Seven of us turned up to for the 2 mile walk through the woods and moorland just north of Dunvegan. What we encountered included the following:

          Dolorite - an intrusive igneous rock, i.e., magma that has formed, cooled, and crystallized underground and eventually been exposed through erosion.

                      Dog lichen (Petigera canina)

                           Lichen is a fungus living in close symbiosis with algae or cyanobacteria.

                                                                A salmonberry flower

                                              Looking across Loch Dunvegan to the northern end of Duirinish

                                                            Liverwort (Lobaria pulmonaria)

                                           Looking south east towards the Cuillins (hidden by cloud)

The weather was kind and we all had a good day out and learned a bit about lichen and mosses and managed to munch our packed lunches in reasonable comfort with beautiful views. We also spotted a couple of meadow pipits up on the moors, probably back from a bit of overwintering down south, and one or two buzzards. St. Mary's Church marked our arrival back at Dunvegan. This is a ruin but is nevertheless the site where members of the Macleod Clan are still laid to rest.

 The April trip will be to the Trotternish Peninsula which is well known for its wide variety of wild flowers.