Sunday sightseeing

Sunday was a great day. No smoke alarm during the night which was a bonus. We got up and headed off to Inchnaholme Priory on Lake Menteith. Its a Historic Scotland property and you have to get a small boat over to the island which takes about 7 minutes. The lake is supposed to be home to otters and ospreys but we saw neither despite it being fairly quiet. We got to the island and it was fantastic such a peaceful place with a great feeling. The Canada Geese obviously thought so too as they were just nesting there when we got there and were a bit grumpy defending their nests. The priory is in ruins but its still well worth a trip. There are three Sweet Chestnut trees that are over 400 years old. They are awesome. Unfortunately my phone had run out of umph so I didn't take any pics with my phone but Tom did with his so will put some pics up of the magnificent trees when I find his camera. We also saw some Great Crested Grebes too I think on the lake.

After Inchnaholme we gave the dog a fuss and headed over to Dollar Glen and Castle Campbell. We parked in the lower car park and walked up the glen. Its a cute little gorge and I absolutely loved how lush and green and spring like it was. Look at the log below covered in spring foliage. I'm not sure of the species of plants but there were ramsons all about and what looked like a type of small and petite wild euphorbia but I need to check it out in my plant id book at some point.

After Dollar Glen we headed over to Flanders Moss Nature Reserve which is just down the road from Thornhill. Its a small but perfectly formed nature reserve that is recreating the bog that existed right across the area. It was fascinating to read about the moss and how the peat used to be 5meters deep but after the clearances the area was dug for peat for fuel by the peat lairds and much of the remaining area is now drained and farmland. Its admirable whats been done and there is a fantastic viewing platform. See below. I'm just not sure how they can keep visitors coming without extending the reserve of putting more board walk in. It would be a great place in summer for pond dipping, dragonflies and would be a great spot for birding with Hen Harriers being seen there and Kestrels but also imagine its a perfect spot for midges!!! It has a 900m circular path all on board walk. See below...

Another great day finished off by a fantastic meal in the Lion and Unicorn pub in Thornhill. Top food, top service and very reasonable price wise.

I cant remember what day it was but we also saw 4 Red Kites near Doune. I've not been yet but at Ardgaty there is a red kite viewing point which probably explains why we saw them there.