Cowslips at the Waters of Philorth

In the dunes at the Waters of Philorth there is a large sprawling patch of cowslips, (Primula veris) one of only two locations in the Fraserburgh area of which Grey Granite is aware. The other is the Rosehearty Manse garden where originally the plants were probably cultivated. Closely related to primroses cowslips have a basal rosette of crinkled leaves. A single sturdy stem bearing clusters of flowers is produced by cowslips whereas primroses throw up many shorter flowering stems from the base. Primroses prefer heavy soils to the dry calcareous areas favoured by cowslips. Grey Granite is always surprised by the intensity of the cowslips' citrus yellow petals, quite unlike the gentler pale yellow of primroses.