May 2023

A welcome addition to the numerous wild birds usually seen on Kildermorie Estate in the spring - mute swans on Loch Morie.

May 2022

Spring offers the perfect opportunity for children to explore the freshwater streams entering Loch Morie, sometimes with surprising 'finds'. When an insignificant cluster of small twigs begins to walk, it results in an evening's web research into the life-cycle of the caddisfly.

Caddisfly [Trichoptera] - A large order of insects which, at the larval stage, gather leaves, twigs, stones and other debris to make protective cases in which to pupate.

May 2021

We greet May with our first guests of the year in April Cottage, following the Scottish Government's easing of coronavirus restrictions from April 26th.

May is also a month of contrasting weather conditions, varying from bright sunshine to flurries of snow, the latter settling briefly on the higher levels such as the top of Meall Mor.

May 2020

The prevailing health crisis has resulted in guest bookings being cancelled; most guests have re-booked for later this year or for a similar period next year. However the Estate continues to function as normally as possible. The garrons have just received their annual equine flu and tetanus vaccinations, and the farrier will attend later this month to clip and file their feet.

A quiet estate has enabled various small landscaping jobs to be undertaken; a new picnic area is being prepared in a sheltered spot by the river, and the maturity of the trees beside May Cottage has enabled the deer fencing to be removed to afford the cottage a more open aspect.

The first red squirrel seen on Kildermorie, reported in 'This Month' last autumn, has stayed through the winter; congratulations go to the photographer for being in the right place at the right time, and taking this beautiful photograph. Notoriously shy, the red squirrel, Britain's only native squirrel, has been in decline since the early 20th Century, so it is uplifting to find this species taking up residence on Kildermorie Estate.

Photo credit: H Stefankova

On Kildermorie, sika hinds usually calve from mid-May onwards. This unusually early sika calf was photographed on May 2nd, barely discernible from a distance (below left) and noted to be very small on closer inspection. However, its mother returned later in the day and the calf was strong enough to follow her.

Photos: J Devine

May 2019

Early morning on Loch Morie - the water is becoming warmer and the fish are starting to take flies.

Photo: H Stefankova

May 2018

The long, cold and wet winter has not been kind to the deer on the open hill; winter mortality is the highest since the winter of 2010/11.

However, leaves budding on trees, mallard on the inland lochs and the appearance of wild flowers in the woodlands finally herald the start of spring.

May 2017

Remains of the winter snow still cling to Carn Chuinneagh, at 838 metres (2,749 feet) the highest part of Kildermorie, but the broadleaved trees are coming into leaf, and the colours of the mosses and lichens are growing in intensity. On the lower ground, the clumps of early wild flowers, such as wood anemone and primrose, are a promising indication of Spring.

May 2016

The earliest Spring flowers at Kildermorie are the primroses, but they are often obscured by snow until May, when violets, wood anemones and many other wild flowers join their ranks, quickly appearing in profusion in the moss-covered woodlands.

May 2014

After a mild winter, spring arrives at Kildermorie.