Samhairidh, Lochaber
Located on the coast of Morvern in South West Lochaber, Samhairidh (pronounced Savary) is one of the northern-most examples of this type of habitat on the mainland west coast of Scotland. The meadow has good examples of three enclosed grassland UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority habitat types; Lowland meadow, Lowland dry acid grassland, and Purple Moor-grass and Rush Pasture. These diverse habitats are home to 83 recorded plant species including Heath Spotted Orchid, Northern Marsh orchid, Oxeye Daisy and Yellow-rattle.
Historically this meadow may have been part of a croft or at least was traditionally managed. Today, this site of just over 5ha is managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland and is grazed by Highland cattle.
Image - Forestry Commission Scotland, Jeff Waddell
Managed by
Species to spot
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Oxeye daisy
Best time to see: June - Aug.
Large and daisy-like, the oxeye tends to bloom around midsummer and in fact is called the Sunnwendbleaml - or 'solstice flower' - in Austria. Before the 16th century it was known as the 'Moon Daisy' or 'Dog Daisy'.
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Yellow rattle
Best time to see: May - Sept.
A semi-parasitic flower, that feeds off nutrients in nearby grass roots. In doing so it helps restrict the vigorous grasses, allowing more delicate wildflowers to emerge. Its 'rattle' is from tiny seeds in their pods.
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Small pearl-bordered fritillary
Best time to see: June - July
Preferring damp meadows, this butterfly flies low to the ground frequently skipping from flower to flower to drink nectar. In recent years it has declined dramatically in England. Image © Hugh Venables/CC BY-SA
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