Mid-spring means the start of bluebell season in Scotland, and there are plenty of lovely walks in which to enjoy these seasonal beauties.
This delicate bluebell flower creates a colourful blanket from April, with the season reaching its peak in May.
Around half of all the world’s bluebells are found in the UK, and our native species is protected. This means that walkers are urged to take care when passing through a crop of the flowers, especially within woodland as these blooms will have been there for a long time.
The Woodland Trust has a campaign to record the UK’s bluebells in the Big Bluebell Watch, and anyone can get involved.
As we’re heading for nicer weather, we’ve listed our favourite woods and walks in Scotland to see bluebells.
5. Balmacaan Wood, Inverness, Highlands
This ancient woodland, situated along Loch Ness is home to some of the largest specimens of Wellingtonia, Lawson’s cypress and Douglas fir in Britain. There’s also a series of marked walks, making this a great place for bluebell spotting this spring. | Matt Cardy/Getty Images
6. Glasdrum Wood, Oban, Argyll & Bute
Located by the beautiful Loch Creran, visitors to this Celtic woodland can not only enjoy wild flowers, including bluebells but also watch wildlife such as otters, herons and butterflies. | Judith - stock.adobe.com
7. Carron Glen, Denny, Falkirk
This broadleaved woodland lines the steep north bank of the River Carron which boasts dippers, otters and kingfishers, and is alive with wild flowers in spring and summer. | Getty images
8. Binn Wood, Perth & Kinross
This ancient woodland, which was shown on a map drawn by General Roy after the Jacobite uprising of 1750, is home to a mix of broad-leafs, conifers, bluebells and buzzards. With two marked routes that have rough paths, good walking footwear is essential when visiting. | Charly - stock.adobe.com