A Walk on the Wild Side

 St Vigean's is a small village near Arbroath in Angus. It was the site for an ancient monastery in the 8th Century and for Pictish Stones which are now housed in a former  cottage in the village. It's one of these places where you pop next door and ask for the key and then spend as long as you want in the museum examining Pictish stones and symbols.

Come for a walk along the old railway line at St Vigeans, part of the Arbroath path network. See our dog Freya has already gone on ahead.

The path runs along a river for about five miles surrounded by trees and fields and a few houses.
What is surprising are the number of wild flowers (and the odd garden escapee). It's a bit windy which made photography more challenging and some of the images are bound to end up fuzzy and just out of focus. However I hope some will good enough.

Red Campion.(Silene dioica) I think this is the red variety. If white and red are both present they tend to cross and produce the pink variety. The only difference in the appearance of the hybrid is taller than it's parents and may be pale pink. This plant is found widely in Angus.

Common comfrey((Symphytum officinale) is an erect hairy leafed perennial. It forms dense clumps and is related to the garden comfrey used as a compost and soil improver. Other colours of comfrey in evidence along the river were shades of pink and purple and are probably garden cultviars.

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Also known as May locally.This is a quick growing tree or is often used as a hedge. Has the most beautiful flowers and berries in the autumn. Great for adding to hedgerow jelly.

Water avens (Geum rivale) can be seen in abundance on both sides of the old railway line.
The flower is a dull orange pink in colour and is very similar to the wood  avens which was growing on the same banks on either side of the path.

Wood avens ( geum urbanum) This plant is closely related to water avens and is very similar in structure but is a yellow colour.

White Bryony (Bryonia cretica). I think judging by the height of the plant and the size of the flower this is the male flower. the female is much smaller. Can you believe that this plant is a member of the cucumber family?

Cow Parsley (anthricus sylvestris) is very common in Britain. It grows in hedgerows and has a pretty froth of white flowers.

These are only some of the wildflowers on the banks of the old railway line.