Tullybaccart Old Pines Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A cache placed off the path to Laird's Loch in the Hallyburton Community Wood. Parking just off the A923 and a short walk from there.
Cache is a transparent plastic sample type container with a few trinkets and log. It was placed to honour the small grove of majestic old Scots Pines which have stood here long before the new woodland now surrounding them. Laird's loch has, in miniature, a west coast Canadian feel to it, somewhat spoiled by the derelict fishing bothy and the abandoned rowing boats scattered among the fringe rushes. There is a small dam at the western end of the loch and a weir where hordes of toads gather in Spring to mate. Sadly many end up drowning or being eaten by gulls. Later, if you walk the circular route and take in the Schiehallion in the distant west cache, you may see hundreds of wee toadlets crossing the paths. Hard to believe they have struggled that far from water.
Alongside the path to the Loch, in summer, you will see a few clumps of the Greater Yellow Rattle (Rhinanthus angustifolius) an extremely rare plant so nae touching please! It's smaller cousin the common rattle or vampire plant is more common on undisturbed pasture. The plant is more often found, or used to be, nearer the coast but modern farming and herbicides have brought it to rare status. The plant is an annual, relying on its seed each year to hit the ground, germinate and make contact with grass roots so it can take nourishment from the grass plants. In abundance the grass will be suppressed which can be a good thing and allow other wild flowers to flourish. The rattle name is given because the ripe seed heads rattle in the wind or when disturbed.
Past Laird's Loch you can enter North Ballo woods for another bigger circle and enjoy the fantastic views of Strathmore. The area is rich in summer with butterflies, large dragonflies and damsel flies as well as numerous birds. Enjoy!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Fghzc nobhg 12" nobir tebhaq fgbarf naq onex.
Treasures
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