Dare to step where most will not, and discover the botanical secrets of the peatland habitat on The Flows World Heritage Site.

Have you ever wanted to wander out onto the vast expanse of blanket bog here in Sutherland, but not plucked up the courage! If so, it’s hardly surprising. It can be daunting having many metres of squidgy peat beneath your feet, quivering like a jelly (the peat, if not you personally…).

Why not join me this summer to experience it, whilst admiring the splendid plants that are to be found there, including: Scottish Eyebright (Euphrasia scottica), Pale Butterwort (Pinguicula lustanica), Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum), Sundews (Drosera rotundifolia and D. anglica), Marsh Lousewort (Pedicularis palustris), Cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense), Lesser Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera bifolia), Bog Sedge (Carex limosa), Few-flowered Sedge (C. pauciflora), Dioecious Sedge (C. dioica), Deergrass (Tricophorum germanicum), Lesser Clubmoss (Selaginella selaginoides). Finding Bog Orchid (Hammarbya paludosa) is also a distinct possibility. Squeeze then sniff some Bog Myrtle! Will it repel midges? We might get the chance to find out!

We might find the awesome caterpillars of the Northern Eggar moth. One of the very impressive, wetland-inhabiting hairy-eyed craneflies found here is Pedicia rivosa…

Learn a bit about why bogs are so important in locking up carbon, and what work is being done locally by the RSPB and other landowners to repair bogs that have been damaged by past agricultural and forestry practices.

Hear about the Arctic-alpine flora found in the area. Hear me tell tales of some fantastic insects that are closely associated with the local Red Deer, and of my encounters with them…

We won’t go far off the beaten track. This is just a chance to sample the experience. Wear Wellington boots if you have them. Walking boots and gaiters will suffice. But be prepared to get a bit wet, just in case! Walking poles with a broad base will be useful to give you traction.

We will meet at Forsinard, in the RSPB car park that is opposite the railway station. We will then drive to the start point (a few minutes away). Car parking at the site is limited to 4 spaces, with other options a short walk away (5 minutes) but car sharing will be possible to get us all to the start point.

Forsinard railway station is 20 minutes’ walk away from the location, but anyone coming by train can join me in my car. This walk fits in perfectly between train arrival and departure, both north- and southbound.

Find out more and book via Eventbrite.