Mountain Flora Weekend

pdfmore information on this course (2mb)

Grade 2

Have you ever wondered as to what those delicate little flowers are as you pass by? Whether you are just of an enquiring mind, have a particular interest in mountain plants or what to increase your environmental knowledge for a looming mountain qualification then this weekend course may provide the answers. As well as looking at the identifying features we cover the historical use of these plants, how they have adapted to the harsh mountain climate as well as the likely habitats you may well find them.

We venture onto the high plateau of the Cairngorms on the Saturday.  From the heather moorland to the acidic gravelly soil of the high tops, from bog to wind exposed ridge, each habitat has it’s own set of plants. Many provide berries: from Bleaberries amongst the trees to cloudberries amongst the heather and Arctic Blaeberry high on the shelter mountain flanks.

 
Sunday is a gentler day down beautiful Glen Feshie. The underlying Geology and the climate of this sheltered valley is very different and so is the plant life. Field Gentians, Orchids, Wild Thyme to various saxifrages all proliferate in the shelter of this valley. Amongst the noble Caledonian pines various types of both edible and in-edible fungi can be found.
 
Of course, should we spot wild animals whether they be summer visitors like the Dotterel or the year round resident the Ptarmigan we will cover these too as well as anything else of environmental interest such as the geology and geomorphology.
 
This weekend is essentially a mountain walking weekend so you need to make sure you are adequately equipped and have an appropriate level of fitness before signing up.

Mountain Innovations Ltd will pick up from Inverness airport at approx. 5pm, if required.

Mountain Innovations advises all clients to take out suitable insurance cover. We can offer you the names of some insurance companies clients have mentioned to us, but we can in no way endorse any particular company. Please feel free to check all available options.

Final choice of route on the day is at the discretion of Mountain Innovations Ltd and may depend on prevailing weather conditions &/or the fitness of the group.

We've added a FAQ section to the website for your information. Please feel free to have a look through - click here to go the FAQs. Some of your questions may well also be answered in the course info pdf above. If you can't find the answer to your query on the site please give us a call.