Purple - the Colour of August
In August, the hillsides and forest floor understorey of the Caledonian Forest take on spectacular hues of deep lilac and purple, as ling and bell heather bloom en masse.
 Close-up view of the flowers of bell heather.
 Common or ling heather (Calluna vulgaris) in full bloom, beside Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin in Glen Affric. |
 Blossoming heather and blaeberry-clad hummocks amongst downy birches (Betula pubescens) in Glen Affric.
 Another plant which blossoms with purple flowers in the Caledonian Forest in late summer is devilsbit scabious (Succisa pratensis), seen here being pollinated by a bumblebee (Bombus hortorum).
 The flowers of bell heather (Erica cinerea) are a deeper and richer shade of purple, and here make a dramatic contrast with the creeping ladies tresses orchids (Goodyera repens) in their midst. |
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