Green Hairstreak

Woke to sunshine and went about without a waterproof for the first time for a week! Ideal weather for outdoor activities so after a delicious coffee (and several purchases) at our young friends' Oban Chocolate Company it was on to Ardmaddy Castle Garden for a wander round. Not far away and after a short boat crossing we were on  Easdale, an island famous for production of slate, (a variety that often contains inclusions of cubic gold-coloured pyrites) and venue for the World Stone-skimming competition; in fact, the island is pockmarked with disused slate quarries. There is a  permanent population of about 70, plus a similar number who own residential property and visit regularly. Although there is talk of a community buyout, unlike Eigg this is not popular with all residents; possibly those using their property as holiday homes feel they could not fully support the enterprise.

We walked up over the ridge above the quarries and, fluttering round the profusion of primrose, scurvey-grass, celandine and gorse were several green hairstreak butterflies, this couple mating shows both upper and lower wing colours.

After this we drove home, stopping at the Real Food café in Tyndrum for an excellent fish and chip supper.

Edit: These are actually Green-veined White, not Green Hairstreak as stated - blame our trusted friends, who identified them wrongly!