Day 1

Following arrival and registration we loaded our bags into one of the two support station-wagons and then walked up Gameshope burn to the Gameshope bothy. There we setup camp, I took a solitary spot downstream of the burn to maximise sleep likelihood. We could see the planting spot from the campsite - with the steep valley slopes it appeared imposingly distant and elevated. However, the approach was not too bad and we were soon at the planting site on the flanks of 'Great hill' at around 600m elevation. It was noon by the time we reached the site so lunch was the first order of business on arrival.

The conditions were fantastic on day 1. The skies were clear and from our site we could see right up the remainder of Gameshope burn including Gameshope loch off to the east and beyond. The planting conditions too were favourable, with decent soil and wood rush all about the place. The planting rate was accelerated by the fact we weren't required to add vole guards. I managed to sink 12 bundles across the afternoon (6x15 + 6x10). We finished up around 4pm and headed down to basecamp, thereafter a dip in the burn and dinner awaited...

Day 2

The first day had been highly successful and by day 2 we only had around 700 plants plus 120 mountain birch to get planted (between ~20 people!). This was just as well as the weather turned overnight and the planting experience was significantly less pleasant! The main highlight was to find an Emperor moth clinging to a grass stalk right next to our base camp. We battered through the remaining stock and headed back to pack up and head off home.

wildlife highlights

• Emperor moth