IAL pre-conference Excursion

Lichens on the Atlantic West Coast of Scotland

A week’s excursion is offered lichenising in the stunning scenery of western Scotland. The Scottish west coast has a hyper-oceanic climate, varied geology, low air pollution, and relatively large areas of natural and semi-natural habitat. The landscape is varied and impressive, with mountain summits rising steeply from the Atlantic coastline. This setting comprises a range of species-rich lichen assemblages which are considered to be unique in Europe, and which in some cases are globally rare. The excursion will aim to cater to specific interests, though is likely to comprise visits to old-growth woodland (hazel, oak, birch), rocky coastlines, basalt outcrops, prehistoric sites, and mountain summits. The excursion will provide an exciting opportunity for taxonomists to extend their biogeographic realm, for ecologists to explore lichen species and communities in this unique European context, and for everyone to sample a drop of the liquid gold. Sightings of rare wild haggis cannot be guarenteed.

Location: Kintail Base Camp.

The Base Camp is situated below Sgurr na Moraich, the last of the famous ‘Five Sisters of Kintail’, and Ben Attow (The Long Mountain). These spectacular mountains rise steeply from the shores of Loch Duich, offering some of the best hill walking in Britain. The Base is 5 minutes from the A87 with Glenelg and the Isle of Skye within easy reach.

Kintail Base Camp provides a unique setting and was used successfully as part of the ‘Rockers Workshop 2005’ an international meeting of lichenologists with the focus on training Lichen Apprentices (Kintail was the second week of the 2005 Workshop).

Up to 20 can be accommodated in this excellent bunkhouse property. Five bedrooms with bunk beds - one two bedded, three four bedded and one six bedded - fully equipped kitchen, sitting room with wood-burning stove, dining room, drying room and laundry. Oil-fired central heating and wood burning stove.

The Excursion will be led by Dr Brian Coppins and Dr Chris Ellis (RBGE). A limited number of microscopes will be provided. A minibus will be available to take participants to different localities, to include woodland, montane and coastal sites. The mysterious Isle of Skye is on the agenda, with its mountains and woodlands.

Dates: Saturday 24th July – Staurday 31st July, 2010.
Cost: it will be about £300 per person for the 7 days
(includes all transport, all accommodation and most of all food).

Please book through Christian Printzen. It will be a matter of first-come-first-served. Arrangements about pick-up before, and bringing back to Edinburgh before the Conference will be arranged nearer the time.