2024 County Report for Clyde Islands

Angus Hannah & Sarah Cowan

It has been a year of extraordinary finds on Arran this year:

  • A new patch of Trichomanes speciosum (Killarney Fern) and refinding two existing patches
  • New extensive patches of Circaea alpina (Alpine Enchanter’s-nightshade) near Lochranza and a couple in Glen Rosa
  • Surveying the 300+ Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly-orchids) in an ancient hay meadow on the south of the island
  • Hieracium cyclicum (Round-leaved Hawkweed) refound by Chris Miles at the Fallen Rocks at the north of Arran, not seen since 1987
  • Dryopteris expansa (Northern Buckler-fern) refound in Merkland Woods
  • Scattered patches of Hypericum elodes (Marsh St John’s-wort) in fine health in coastal boggy areas at the north of Arran, refinds C. Miles and S. Cowan
  • Monitoring of the remaining single patch of Mertensia maritima (Oysterplant), and relieved to find it still “hanging in there” for another year
  • Refinding the single Crambe maritima (Sea-kale) at Kings Cave, Arran
  • Rubus vestitus, near Cnoc na Dail, Lamlash.  First find on Arran since 1950’s on an Angus Hannah batology visit!

Non botanical finds but nonetheless just as impressive and an indicator of the botanical substructure on which they rely:

  • Rare Hazel Gloves fungi in old damp, humid hazel woodland, south of the island
  • Scarce Persistent Waxcap and Smokey Spindle fungi on fragmented patches of unimproved short grasslands on the south of the island
  • Key indicator species of Lobaria lichens on mature beech and sycamore at Merklands woods
  • Rare Chamomile Shark moth caterpillar on Hieracium at Thunderguy
  • Scarce Elephant Hawk moth caterpillar on Fuchsia at Kildonan
  • Crossbill and Goshawk birds in Kildonan mature Sitka and mixed woods, Eas Mor

Arran continues its impressive range of plants that affords the island its Important Plant Area (IPA) status. The Isle of Arran Rare Plant Register was also updated by Sarah Cowan in 2024, and can be found here.

During 2024 Angus Hannah has continued his work as Scottish Rubus (Brambles) referee, leading training workshops, identifying many hundred brambles from photos sent in by other botanists, travelling the country to help recorders update their Rubus records, and working on a new Scottish Brambles Handbook.

Both Angus and Sarah plan to step down as Vice-county Recorders for the Clyde Islands in 2025, with Angus continuing in a caretaker role. If you are interested in becoming a Recorder for this wonderful and botanically important vice-county, or would just like to learn more about what is involved, please email Angus Hannah.

Circaea alpina (Alpine Enchanter's-nightshade)

Refind of Circaea alpina (Alpine Enchanter’s Nightshade) at Lochranza and new finds of extensive, thriving colonies further along the north coast to Fiary Dell and another site inland at Glen Rosa. Arran seems to suit this shy and shade loving nationally scarce plant.

Trichomanes speciosum (Killarney Fern) sporophyte

A new colony of Trichomanes speciosum/Vandenboschia speciosa, sporophyte (Killarney Fern) near to an existing site on Arran’s coastal cliffs.

Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly-orchid)

300+ spikes of  Platanthera chlorantha (Greater Butterfly-orchid) at the south end of Arran in an ancient hay meadow which is to be preserved as such by the new owners.  The meadow has not been ploughed for around 60 years.