Bholsa caves, Islay

A good stretch out yesterday! We parked up as usual at Killinallan and then along to Gortantoid farmstead and along the coast to the caves up at Bholsa. There is clearly a problem with rhododendron at Gortantoid! On the return we came down Killinallan beach. Plenty of deer, good views across to Colonsay and Mull. Perhaps the most unusual sighting was the barn owl that flew out of one of the caves giving us an excellent view. Plenty of small heath butterflies on the wing and lots of heath-spotted orchids.

Gortantoid rhododendron on the march!

Views; golden rod; deer; plenty of moths including latticed heaths - this one yet to be identified; heath-spotted orchid and yellow hammer.

Dykes and arches......

Beach debris..........

Lichens on the raised beach pebbles.

The shags made all sorts of noises as we found them on the nest in the caves.

Small heath butterflies.

Back along the shore of Gruinart.