Scotland Small?

 In the midst of a very protracted 'Gab of May'. Grey Granite and Rufus snatched a short walk between hail showers over a wild windy Wastart, loud with the sound of waves.

The iconic flowers of the Wastart are starting to appear, recalling  MacDairmid's wonderful poem 'Scotland Small?'

'...amongst the sage green leaves
of the bog myrtle the golden flowers of the tormentil shinning;
and on the small bare places, where the little blackface sheep
 Found grazing, milkworts blue as Summer skies....

The marsh below Pitheughie,  is studded with lousewort, masquerading as orchids, perhaps false orchid would be an appropriate name for this plant which annually lures grey Granite into thinking that the orchids have appeared. There are also milkworts in a range of hues, palest blue to a strong reddish mauve, the first bright yellow flowers of  tormentil and birds' foot trefoil are in the drier grass. The clefts in the rocks have suddenly filled with sea campion (Devil's hatties) and thrift, so prolific that it is known locally as Wastart daisies. Again there is an enormous range of colours, every conceivable pink, which will soon form a great thick patchwork quilt in favoured places.

The rare and beautiful Spring Squill (Scilla verna)grows in several drier locations on the cliff tops and is just starting to open its delicate stars.