Seasonal Colours

The West Ardnamurchan countryside is gearing itself up for what is, in the Diary's view, one of the most spectacular seasons of the year.

The autumn, from mid-August to October, is a time of crystal air, sudden dark clouds bearing heavy showers which clear quickly to give breaks of brilliant sunshine, often accompanied by spectacular rainbows.

In a few weeks' time the heather will be in full flower. There's plenty of it out already, so it should be a vintage year - this shot was taken of the hillside behind Craigard, in Ormsaigbeg. Soon the braes will be clothed in purple. Probably the best place to see this breathtaking display is along Ardnamurchan's north shore, along the path to the east of Ockle.

It also looks like a good year for the rowan's bright berries. We had the same sort of heavy fruiting last year, and it was followed by a cold, dry and sunny winter, so we're hoping for the same again. This year's successful nesting season has produced hundreds of small birds which will benefit from the tree's generosity.

The dog rose, Rosa canina, is another plant that has done well this year, leaving heavy crops of hips along the hedgerows.

In contrast, it hasn't been a good summer for butterflies but, with the recent sunny weather, the peacocks are suddenly out in force, enjoying the nectar offered by a good flowering of buddleia and the smaller, more leggy thistle, or sunning themselves on the basalt outcrops.