Botanical Sites in Midlothian

[Peetmate]

hello All,

I've just moved up to Edinburgh for a new job and I'm wondering if anybody knows where some good spots for botanising are within a few hours driving distance?

I'm especially interested in finding some good quality calcareous/neutral grasslands or meadows and coastal habitats (salt marsh and sand dune) as the upland acidic habitats abound up here. I spent last summer marching about the highlands for CS2007 and now it's time to tackle some different habitats.

Tell me your favourite spots around Auld Reekie!

Cheers,

Pete

[Mark Tulley]

Hi Pete,

I live up in Perthshire, but our flower group had an expedition to Aberlady Bay, east of Edinburgh, last June and had an excellent day there. If you can get the warden to show the specialities, so much the better. We saw Common Bladderwort, Utricularia vulgaris, and Nodding Thistle, Carduus nutans, amongst many others.

Hope you enjoy Midlothian.

Mark

[Peetmate]

Thanks Mark

I haven't been aquainted with nodding thistle yet, can't wait until spring really gets going and it's time to dust off Rose and Stace and get out of the city.

What are your favourite spots in Perthshire?

Cheers Pete

[ceterach]

Hi Pete

Only ever been to Edinburgh on business and so the only place I ever managed to visit was the nearby Pentland Hills. Good walking and for me, botanically interesting for finding Lesser Twayblade (Listera cordata) in profusion in the sphagnum bogs.

Have a great time exploring.

All the best