Skye flowers and butterfly

The Scotch Argus butterfly is quite common in many parts of Scotland, and was the butterfly we saw most on Skye.


Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) is a common plant growing in the edges of lochs.

Bur Reeds (Sparganium sp.) also grow around the margins of lochs, and sometimes also in deeper water. This one is probably Least Bur Reed (Sparganum minimum).

We found Field Gentian (Gentianella campestris) in the shorter grass near the sea.

Also growing in the short grass were Heath Spotted Orchids (Dactylorhiza maculata ssp. ericetorum).

This Greater Sea-spurrey (Spergularia media)was growing just above the high tide line.

Silverweed (Potentilla anserina) grew along the top of the beach.

Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) is often a mountain plant, but we found it growing at all levels. Here, it was overlooking a stream.

Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris) is one of the most beautiful flowers, and one of my favourites.

A close-up view shows the sterile stamens branched into little semicircles of glandular hairs between each fertile stamen.

For more information on the flowers of Skye, see Skye Flora