Strontian, Ardnamurchan peninsula
Tel: +44 (0) 1967 402201
Overnight and holiday accommodation
at the start of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula
and a gateway to Mull, Iona and the Small Isles
Email : info@strontianbandb.co.uk
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The wildlife at Strontian is prolific. Red deer are frequently seen from the house and a heron regularly stalks our pond. Black grouse lec half a mile from the house and we can hear them clearly on a still evening. Wildcats breed in the area. There are otters and seals on the shore of Loch Sunart and the pine marten is a common but elusive neighbour. Golden eagles may occasionally be seen and sea eagles fly further west on the peninsula and on nearby Mull.
There are whale, porpoise and dolphin watching boat trips. Basking sharks can be seen at the right time of year.
At Ariundle and towards Salen are the ancient Atlantic fringe oak woodlands with an abundance of flora, mosses and lichens. The higher ground supports typical wetland acid plants such as bog asphodel, butterwort and sundew.
Above Strontian are the remains of the old lead mines in the granite where the element strontium was first discovered and named after the village. At the western end of the peninsula can be found the Ardnamurchan Ring which is a huge volcanic crater formed when the Atlantic Ocean was opened up – the remains of probably two volcanoes which have been weathered down. Near Kilchoan there is a muddy limestone bearing distinct fossils.
Local National Nature Reserves
Ardnamurchan Natural History Centre
Sunart Oakwoods
Glendrian Volcanic Ring
Outdoor Capital of the UK
RSPB Glenborrrodale
2011 : Jan. and Feb. : about 400 . trees planted, viz. willow; popular; spruce; birch; alder and various shrubs. 20/3 : Frogs mating in pond. 2/4 : Sparrowhawk attack birds on the feeder (unsuccessful). 3/4 : Wood Anemones on burnbank. 10/4 : Numerous Drinker moth catapillars (have overwintered - will fly in July). 17/4 : 40-50 Sand Martins over water at the foot of Loch Shiel. 18/4 : First Cuckoo heard : Greater Spotted Wodpecker on bird feeders. 22/4 : Swallows arrived : Garden Tiger Moth catapillars. 23/4 : Slow Worm on grounds. 7/5 : Green Hairstreaks and lots of Specked Wood butterflies in Ariundle Wood. 26/5 : Butterwort in flower. 24/6 : Heath Spotted, Northern Marsh and L. Butterfly orchids out and Ragged Robin. 2/7 Chimney sweep moths and Scotch Argus. Ariundle Woods : Chequered Skipper and Spotted Flycatcher. 28/8 : Scotch Argus still about. 19/9 : Sea eagle seen by road on Ardgour 'beech'. Swallows and Martins now gone. 20/9 : Red squirrel seen near Kinglochmoidart.
2010 : 10/3 : Frogs mating in pond. Heron stalking. 22/3 : 3 immature Sea Eagles resting on island near Ardery hide. 13/4 : Wood Anemones on burnbank. 18/4 : F irst cuckoo. 22/4 : Lizards seen mating. 23/4 : First Swallow. 24/4 : First Wheatear. May : Regular sightings of cuckoos - didn't know that they call cuck-oo on the wing! Large White and Orange Tip Butterflies abound. 2/6 : Golden Eagle hunting 3 miles west of Strontian - 7 minute sighting. 3/6 : Northern Marsh Orchids are now flowereing. 9/6 : Customers in the caravan had a 5 minute sighting of a pair of Sea Eagles flying over our grounds (including mock change-overs) - we didn't see them!! 20/6 : Lots of Heath Spotted Orchids, Chimney Sweep and Clouded Buff moths, Small Pearl-Bordered Fritillaries. 4/7 : Many more Lesser Butterfly Orchids this year. 19/7 : Dark Green Fritillary and Scotch Argos. Wildcat has a kitten. 31/10 : visitors see wildcat by gate.
Common Sightings at Heatherbank: Red Deer; buzzard; goldfinch; siskin; other finches; meadow pipits; heron; wheatear; long-tailed tit: stonechat; house martin; swallow, cuckoos have been recently seen; On the plant side we have milkwort; lesser butterfly orchid; northern marsh orchid; heath spotted orchid; yellow and red rattle; yellow flag iris; butterwort. Chimneysweep moths; Scotch Argus.
Occasional Sightings at Heatherbank: Barn owl; black grouse; wildcat; sparrowhawk; whinchat, common lizard.
Nearby sightings: Golden plover; ringed ouzel; pine marten; otter; common seal; grey seal; golden eagle; sea eagle; ptarmigan droppings: roe deer. Chequered Skipper butterflies, also Dingy Skipper; Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary; Dark Green Fritillary. Golden eagle seen perched on a rock and ptarmigan.
Pippa Sharp. Heatherbank, Strontian, Acharacle, Highland. PH36 4JB. United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1967 402 201 .................... email: info@strontianbandb.co.uk