Keltneyburn Nature Reserve and Frennich, Foss

Book Online or send payment by cheque made payable to ‘The Professional Gardeners’ Guild’ to Colin Carmichael, Selma, Old Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2DH.

Keltneyburn Nature Reserve

Come and take a stroll through this rough and undulating wildflower meadow and be enthralled to see bird nest orchid, greater butterfly orchid, lesser butterfly orchid, fragrant orchid (smell it too), common spotted orchid, marsh orchid, common twayblade – all have been recorded at this SSSI. Other interesting flowers to be seen are globeflower, yellow rattle (a hemiparasite), common cow-wheat (also a hemiparasite) and spignel. As well as the ones mentioned there are many others waiting to be discovered.

Ringlet, dark green fritillary, common blue butterflies and chimney sweeper moths can be seen, as well as dragon flies and damsel flies. I am sure that there are adders too but I haven’t been successful at spotting them…so far. This is a Scottish Wildlife Trust managed Coronation meadow.

Frennich

Garden owner Colin Hamilton has very kindly allowed us to visit his plantsman garden on the shores of Loch Tummel, which is ably looked after by PGG member Robert Holmes, who has a passion for alpines and has travelled to Bolivia and Peru to study them. The garden is about five acres in size with the Frennich burn flowing through it, crossed by a picturesque stone bridge as a backdrop to the plantings. Small paths wind through the garden where there are many treasures to discover. A newly installed alpine house sits in the kitchen garden. By the loch side is an impressive wildflower meadow, carefully maintained by Robert. I soon realised just how special this garden was when I ‘bumped’ into a Chelsea Show exhibitor in the garden, who was a friend of the owner.

Don’t forget appropriate footwear in case the ground is wet. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead.

Programme

10.00–10.30am. Meet in the car park behind the Co-op in Aberfeldy.
10.30am. Head off to Keltneyburn Nature Reserve.
12.30pm. Lunch, bring your own picnic lunch.
1.30pm. Head off to Frennich, Foss.
2.00pm. Arrive at Frennich, to be met by Robert Holmes for a tour of the gardens.
3.30pm Leave for Aberfeldy.
4.00pm Tea/coffee and scones at Selma, Aberfeldy.

Address and directions

Meet in the large car park on Moness Terrace, behind the Co-op in Aberfeldy, Perthshire. Because of the narrow roads and limited access we will car share up to the reserve and to Frennich. The reserve road is a steep, rough track. Numbers are limited to twelve for this meeting, so book early to avoid disappointment.

Two EV charging points are available in the car park, although there is a one-hour time limit. Satnav: PH15 2AF.

Cost

£10.00 per person.

Booking

Book Online or send payment by cheque made payable to ‘The Professional Gardeners’ Guild’ to Colin Carmichael, Selma, Old Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2DH.