WILDLIFE

Bird Watchers, animal lovers, wild flower enthusiasts and naturalists of all kinds can observe their favourite wildlife in its most natural surroundings. A large section of woodland mainly on the Loch Caolisport side has been designated as an area of special scientific interest mainly because of the important lichens which flourish there. Glasgow University has for the past number of years carried out a special survey of bird life, and the BBC selected the Stronefield woods for an educational films on woodland insect life with particular attention to the number and size of ant heaps there. It is not uncommon to see foxes, badgers, otters, seals as well as three distinct varieties of deer. The red squirrel, once so common in most of the country, can still be observed at Ellary. Wild flowers too numerous to mention make a spectacular show. Enthusiasts have become excited about fungi, ferns and butterflies. If you are lucky enough to book your holiday at the right time of year, you can get all of the family interested; large amounts of the most delicious brambles can be gathered. In addition it is possible to collect useful quantities of hazel nuts, mushrooms and edible fungi (but be careful!), sloes (four your sloe gin), elderberries (for your elderberry wine) rowans (for rowan jelly), cockles, mussels and whelks. All of these are free, and in addition less useful amounts of many other edible plants are there for the finding, some of which are regarded as great delicacies.

ENQUIRIES TO : THE BOOKING OFFICE , ELLARY , LOCHGILPHEAD , ARGYLL PA31 8PA TEL: 01880 770232 FAX: 01880 770386 EMAIL : info@ellary.com