An avenue of Buddleia

[past my sell by date]

I am normally in Switzerland at this time of year, - in fact I don't think I have been in the highlands in August for at least 50 years - but COVID has changed all that
In the woods North of St. Fillans the tracks are lined in Buddleia which is now in flower - the honeyed aroma is quite overpowering though I don't think there are as many butterflies as there should be.
The particular track I take for my one hour or so walk several times a week is not on the WH map, but zig-zags up the hill from the top of Station Road to a seat and cairn with a fine view down Loch Earn. it then descends to the older track wich IS shown on the map and following that down I return along the old railway/cycle track.
here are some photos

An odd white one

Near the top the track flattens out

And reaches the viewpoint

Donna made it to this point which was quite an acheivement for her

The Buddleia continues

A slightly darker bush

At tthe bottom just before it intersects the railway
Although this is a commercial forest the tracks are lined with a wide variety of native (and some not so native) plants

[Anne C]

I read the title of your report twice to check I'd read it properly - we were in that exact same area two weeks ago, a wee day away and a circular walk above St Fillan's. I noticed the same thing - the incredible amount of Buddleia, I've never seen anything like it. It was glorious.I assume it must have spilled out over the years from gardens and taken root.Beautiful area.

[past my sell by date]

I read the title of your report twice to check I'd read it properly - we were in that exact same area two weeks ago, a wee day away and a circular walk above St Fillan's. I noticed the same thing - the incredible amount of Buddleia, I've never seen anything like it. It was glorious.I assume it must have spilled out over the years from gardens and taken root.Beautiful area.

Oh No - I'm sure the bulk of it was planted deliberately - though it may have spread : this is a new(ish) track as it's not on the map and there are only occasional Buddleia bushes on the old track or by the cycle tracki/disused railway: the estate probably wanted to encourage wild life - the seeds make excellent winter food for small birds

[Gordie12]

Who needs Switzerland when you have this on your back door..........