Follow Butterfly Conservation Trustee Simon Saville on the first 7 days of his gruelling 700 mile bike ride from Glasgow to Inverness to raise funds to help protect endangered butterflies and moths.
Day 1
Day 1 of Bike for Butterflies done! After 52km of cycling, I have made it to Loch Lomond. On my way I visited Ruchill Park, Glasgow, where Butterfly Conservation has been doing habitat improvement work with the local community. I met a transect walker and saw a female Orange Tip – my first butterflies of the ride!
Next up was Forth and Clyde Canal (more Orange Tips, males this time) and along the River Leven to Balloch.
Weather today has been surprisingly good and overall fairly easy cycling, but slow up the hills …15kg of equipment feels a lot heavier going uphill. Well, what comes up must come down!
Here’s to 23 more days of cycling!
Day 1 of #BikeForButterflies ends at Loch Lomond. Lovely ride along the Forth & Clyde Canal that joins these mighty rivers + possibly makes the north of Scotland an island? More Orange Tips & Chiff Chaffs to raise my spirits. Only 51km, but slow uphill with panniers. pic.twitter.com/kcWDBWYPCW
— Simon Saville (@sbsaville) May 19, 2023
Day 2
The plan for today is to pootle along Loch Lomond, enjoy some views then brave the A82 before I climb up to Tyndrum. 50% chance of rain on the forecast but no wind so I’m staying optimistic for the day.
Hello again. Day 2 complete. Today’s Bike for Butterflies was all about bike. The weather held out and remained grey and cool all day, but unfortunately meant no butterflies - not even a Green-veined White, which have been a regular roadside companion.
The views of Loch Lomond were great today although the road surface wasn’t the best to be cycling on, and after the Loch it was onto the A82. Some of you may know the A82, a very busy main road from Glasgow all the way to Inverness but I’m glad to say it wasn’t as buttock-clenchingly awful as I first feared!
I stopped at the Tyndrum Community Woodland today, a great place and looked for Small Pearl-bordered Fritillaries at the River Falloch but I’m a couple of weeks too early.
Despite the weather and roads, I’m still enjoying the ride. Fingers crossed the weather improves soon, but rain due tonight. Signing off to a serenade by a persistent Cuckoo at the campsite tonight, onto tomorrow.
Day 3
Today has been a good day! First a spirit-lifting ride down from a cool & damp Tyndrum along Glen Lochy, then past Loch Awe - both stunning - to Taynuilt.
Weather improving, and saw lots of Green-veined Whites and Orange Tips plus a tattered Peacock, still hanging on from last summer. Lots of Brown Silver-line moths in the bracken.
My journey took me past Connel Bridge, the Falls of Lora and some cattle too. Now at Oban in warm sunshine and My! The hills of Mull look HUGE from here….uh oh!
Day 3 of #bikeforbutterflies ends in warm sunshine in Oban. Rewarded with lots of Green-veined Whites, Orange Tips & Brown Silver-line moths plus one I have yet to identify.
— Simon Saville (@sbsaville) May 21, 2023
The hills of Mull look big from here, uh oh! https://t.co/QPECpy9PJU @savebutterflies pic.twitter.com/D6QiW0K1id
Day 4
I’m sat on Oban prom at the end of Day 4 of my Bike for Butterflies looking out towards Mull.
My day started by cycling over to Glen Nant, an ancient coppiced oak woodland which was bursting with life, including Speckled Woods, Green-veined Whites and Orange Tips.
With a cuppa on my mind I made my way in Taynuilt but the café was closed. Disaster! Back on the bike I retraced my steps (wheels?) up the hills to Glen Lonan and Glenmachrie.
I found the site where there were records of Pearl-bordered Fritillary from 20+ years ago. It is a butterfly hotspot, being south-facing and sheltered: quite a few flying. I was elated to see a fritillary, but it turned out to be a Small Pearl-bordered, which are much more common and widespread in Scotland. The Pearl-bordered Fritillary is very picky - needs warm micro-habitats - and is much more local.
Wrong Fritillary! Found the Glenmachrie site with historical records of Pearl-bordered Frit. Heart raced when a fritillary flutter by. But it was "only" a Small Pearl-bordered Frit: much commoner in Scotland. Still pleased though. #bikeforbutterflies @savebutterflies pic.twitter.com/pWmH6jLGMR
— Simon Saville (@sbsaville) May 22, 2023
Early morning Ferry to Mull tomorrow – must get packing and head for an early night.
Day 5
Short update today.
Early morning ferry across the Mull. The crossing was calm from Oban but cold as the sun hadn’t warmed up just yet. I waited for the chill in the air to heat up before setting off for day 5 of Bike for Butterflies.
I can see donations coming in and I am so grateful. Please keep them coming, they are really helping keep spirits high on my tour. Your donations are helping to fund Butterfly Conservation’s projects across the country to save the futures of butterflies and moths. We need to save them before it’s too late – please donate today.
Day 6
Day 6 of Bike for Butterflies started wet. Birdsong woke me up but I quickly realised it was drizzling and this turned to steady rain at 7am. I hunkered down until it eased an hour or so later and then packed away a wet tent and set off for Treshnish Farm.
Gratefully the weather cleared a bit and I was treated to some stunning views. I decided to visit Ulva by the little ferry and walked round. Sun came out and Ulva was captivating. No Marsh Fritillaries in the fields where they are supposed to be though. I explored further and was forced back by a persistent Highland Bull. Long detour to get back to the ferry. Rewarded myself with a light lunch.
Something to lift the spirits.
— Simon Saville (@sbsaville) May 25, 2023
A Green-veined White on the Isle of Ulva, accompanied by birdsong.
On Day 6 of my #bikeforbutterflies pic.twitter.com/oYuk5RwZb3
Distance to Treshnish wasn’t far but it was the toughest cycling I’ve done in a long time. Some long hills with very steep sections made even more challenging with loaded panniers.
I got to Treshnish Farm, my resting place for tonight, at 4:30pm.
Treshnish Farm is wonderful and has been a highlight so far. I spent my evening walking around beautiful flower-rich meadows with wonderful hosts. Fields full of Cotton Grass and Squill, magical scenery and superb weather have been the most wonderful treat - even without butterflies. I feel enriched by the experience and ready for the next steps in my Bike for Butterflies journey.
Day 7
Today’s ride really showcased Scotland’s beauty! The scenery was amazing on my route from Treshnish to Tobermory. Calgary bay was idyllic and Dervaig delightful with beautiful lochs and vistas.
Short ride but very steep hills – my legs are aching today! Time for a bit of recovery….and sleep!
Stunning views on the short but tough ride Treshnish - Tobermory: Calgary Bay, Dervaig. Rested up, as legs need to recover. Day 7 of #bikeforbutterflies pic.twitter.com/u78DH2I1VU
— Simon Saville (@sbsaville) May 26, 2023
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