Places to Visit 1: Cairnsmore of Fleet

Across the British Isles there are many wonderful places to see carnivorous plants in their natural habitat.

From time to time we will post a few very accessible sites you may wish to visit, whether you are native to the Isles or are visiting from abroad.

First up is the Cairnsmore of Fleet National Nature Reserve, Gatehouse of Fleet, Castle Douglas. Cairnsmore of Fleet is a stunning location towards the south west of Scotland, in a remote part of the Galloways Hills where you will find Drosera rotundifolia and Pinguicula vulgaris.

Blanket Bog - Cairnsmore of Fleet

The internationally important Cairnsmore Reserve is predominantly covered in blanket bog, up to 10m deep in places and over 7,000 years old.

For the less adventurous you can join the Ibye Walk, which starts from the Visitor Centre and is only a short 45 minute walk. Much longer though when distracted by the sundews which litter an area of blanket bog on-route! The bog is found to the west of the path as you starting heading north up hill, shortly after starting your journey. This is a relatively dry area of bog, and can comfortably be accessed in a good pair of walking boots. Here you will find D. rotundifolia in large numbers amongst the grassy vegetation.  Further along the walk D. rotundifolia can even be seen growing amongst the mosses in a weeping rock cutting, once carved into the landscape to form a railway track.

Blanket bog - Inbye Walk

Drosera rotundifolia

Drosera rotundifolia

The more adventurous can access other trails across the Fleet Valley. These are challenging trails, and should only be attempted by well equipped and experienced walkers. Great care must be taken if you head off track onto the blanket bog areas along these walks, where with a good eye you may see P. vulgaris as well as the prolific D. rotundifolia. Unfortunately we are not able to give you a specific area for P. vulagaris along these trails, and if you do go to Cairnsmore it would be well worth contacting Scottish Natural Heritage for direction.

Bog pool - Cairnsmore of Fleet

Besides carnivorous plants the flora and fauna of the heather moorland and blanket bogs, along with the stunning scenery, make this a place not to be missed!

Golden-ringed dragonfly

For more information contact:

SNH Cairnsmore of Fleet Reserve Office
Dromore Farm
Gatehouse of Fleet
Castle Douglas DG7 2BP

Tel: 01557 814435