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Grey Cairn

0 ha

WildlifeBirdsFungi

Dogs welcome0 ha

Getting here

57.54017, -4.40624

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles; Multi-group wildlife — Amphibians, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Swallow, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon +53 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Swallow, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon +53 more · last seen 2025

Free

Mushroom foraging

Strong match

Fungi — Deadly Webcap, Scarlet Caterpillarclub, Hollow Bolete +36 more · last seen 2023; Fungi — Deadly Webcap, Scarlet Caterpillarclub, Hollow Bolete +36 more · last seen 2023

Varies

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Large Red Damselfly, House-fly, Speckled Wood +167 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Large Red Damselfly, House-fly, Speckled Wood +167 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Broom, Gorse, Cow Parsley +120 more · last seen 2026; Plants — Broom, Gorse, Cow Parsley +120 more · last seen 2026

Free

Foraging

Strong match

Plants — Bilberry, Raspberry, Common Nettle +21 more foraging species

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Muir to Clash CircuitWalking route

Named routeRef MOO R4Local walking route

🚴

Cycling

22 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

NCN 1 Dundee to TainCycling route

Named routeRef 1Point-to-pointNational Cycle Network

Muir of Ord to North Kessock via BlairdhuCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 8Cycling route

Named routeRef EV12International cycle route

Alternative RouteCycling route204 m

Named routeRef 1Length 204 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Alternative RouteCycling route461 m

Named routeRef 1Length 461 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Alternative RouteCycling route51 m

Named routeRef 1Length 51 mNational Cycle NetworkTraffic-freeSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

5,799 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

5,799 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds27 species

summer

2025

Woodpigeon · Magpie · Swallow · Rook · Jackdaw +22

WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
MagpiePica pica
SwallowHirundo rustica
RookCorvus frugilegus
JackdawColoeus monedula
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
SwiftApus apus
House MartinDelichon urbicum
Rock DoveColumba livia
DunnockPrunella modularis
GreenfinchChloris chloris
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
House SparrowPasser domesticus
BlackbirdTurdus merula
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Common GullLarus canus
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
SiskinSpinus spinus
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2023

🦌

Mammals4 species

summerautumn

2025

Red Squirrel · Badger · Roe Deer · Wild Cat Hybrid

Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
BadgerMeles meles
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
Wild Cat HybridFelis silvestris x catus

🐸

Amphibians3 species

summer

2024

Palmate Newt · Common Frog · Common Toad

Palmate NewtLissotriton helveticus
Common FrogRana temporaria2023
Common ToadBufo bufo

🐝

Insects49 species

summer

2025

Large Red Damselfly · House-fly · Black Darter · Southern Hawker · Comma +44

Large Red DamselflyPyrrhosoma nymphula
House-flyMusca domestica
Black DarterSympetrum danae2024
Southern HawkerAeshna cyanea2023
CommaPolygonia c-album
Tree BumblebeeBombus hypnorum
Birch Leaf RollerDeporaus betulae2024
Azure DamselflyCoenagrion puella2024
Common HawkerAeshna juncea2024
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2023
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum
Phylidorea squalensPhylidorea squalens
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major
Chilenocaecilius ornatipennisChilenocaecilius ornatipennis2024
Agromyza albitarsisAgromyza albitarsis2024
Dark Giant HorseflyTabanus sudeticus2024
Solomon's-seal SawflyPhymatocera aterrima2024
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2023
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2023
Culiseta annulataCuliseta annulata
Birch ClubhornCimbex femoratus
MolophilusMolophilus
Tipula variicornisTipula variicornis
Pilaria meridianaPilaria meridiana
Austrolimnophila ochraceaAustrolimnophila ochracea
Nut Leaf WeevilStrophosoma melanogrammum
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria
Conops quadrifasciatusConops quadrifasciatus2024
Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus2024
Silver FishLepisma saccharinum2024
Bridgman’s Bean-gallerEuura bridgmanii2024
Fannia canicularisFannia canicularis2024
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2024
BibioBibio2024
Scathophaga furcataScathophaga furcata2024
TenthredinidaeTenthredinidae2024
Bibio varipesBibio varipes2024
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2024
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius2024
Pantilius (Pantilius) tunicatusPantilius (Pantilius) tunicatus2023
Liriomyza amoenaLiriomyza amoena2023
Chirosia betuletiChirosia betuleti2023
Nut Bud MothEpinotia tenerana2023
Hypericum DotFomoria septembrella2023
Beech DotStigmella hemargyrella2023
PegomyaPegomya2023
Chromatomyia aprilinaChromatomyia aprilina2023
LychnisHadena bicruris2023
Tachina feraTachina fera2023

🍄

Fungi1 species

autumn

2023

Scarlet Caterpillarclub

Scarlet CaterpillarclubCordyceps militaris

🌿

Plants59 species

spring

2026

Red Campion · Garden Grape-hyacinth · Heath Bedstraw · Cow Parsley · Groundsel +54

Red CampionSilene dioica2025
Garden Grape-hyacinthMuscari armeniacum
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile2025
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2025
GroundselSenecio vulgaris2024
Greater PlantainPlantago major2024
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium2024
Fox-and-cubsPilosella aurantiaca2025
Heath SpeedwellVeronica officinalis2025
AspenPopulus tremula2025
Water MintMentha aquatica2024
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa2024
Bitter-vetchLathyrus linifolius2024
Sea PlantainPlantago maritima2024
Danish ScurvygrassCochlearia danica2024
TormentilPotentilla erecta2024
BrambleRubus fruticosus2024
CleaversGalium aparine2024
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2024
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata2024
Hedera helixHedera helix2024
Sticky Mouse-earCerastium glomeratum2024
Downy BirchBetula pubescens2024
Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius2024
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus2024
Common ChickweedStellaria media2024
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2024
Thale CressArabidopsis thaliana2024
RowanSorbus aucuparia2024
Common NettleUrtica dioica2024
Great Wood-rushLuzula sylvatica2024
HeatherCalluna vulgaris2024
Field Wood-rushLuzula campestris2024
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2024
DaisyBellis perennis2024
SilverweedPotentilla anserina2024
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2024
HoneysuckleLonicera periclymenum2024
SycamoreAcer pseudoplatanus2024
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2024
Common Dog-violetViola riviniana2024
GorseUlex europaeus2024
European LarchLarix decidua2024
DandelionTaraxacum2024
Hairy Wood-rushLuzula pilosa2024
RaspberryRubus idaeus2024
Sheep's SorrelRumex acetosella2024
White CloverTrifolium repens2024
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2024
BroomCytisus scoparius2024
Greater StitchwortStellaria holostea2024
Ground-elderAegopodium podagraria2024
HonestyLunaria annua2024
Polygonum avicularePolygonum aviculare2023
HarebellCampanula rotundifolia2023
Japanese RoseRosa rugosa2023
YarrowAchillea millefolium2023
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea2023
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum2023

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

5,799 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds27 species

summer

2025

Woodpigeon · Magpie · Swallow · Rook · Jackdaw +22

WoodpigeonColumba palumbus
MagpiePica pica
SwallowHirundo rustica
RookCorvus frugilegus
JackdawColoeus monedula
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
SwiftApus apus
House MartinDelichon urbicum
Rock DoveColumba livia
DunnockPrunella modularis
GreenfinchChloris chloris
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
House SparrowPasser domesticus
BlackbirdTurdus merula
YellowhammerEmberiza citrinella
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Common GullLarus canus
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
SkylarkAlauda arvensis
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes
SiskinSpinus spinus
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Spotted FlycatcherMuscicapa striata2023

🦌

Mammals4 species

summerautumn

2025

Red Squirrel · Badger · Roe Deer · Wild Cat Hybrid

Red SquirrelSciurus vulgaris
BadgerMeles meles
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
Wild Cat HybridFelis silvestris x catus

🐸

Amphibians3 species

summer

2024

Palmate Newt · Common Frog · Common Toad

Palmate NewtLissotriton helveticus
Common FrogRana temporaria2023
Common ToadBufo bufo

🐝

Insects49 species

summer

2025

Large Red Damselfly · House-fly · Black Darter · Southern Hawker · Comma +44

Large Red DamselflyPyrrhosoma nymphula
House-flyMusca domestica
Black DarterSympetrum danae2024
Southern HawkerAeshna cyanea2023
CommaPolygonia c-album
Tree BumblebeeBombus hypnorum
Birch Leaf RollerDeporaus betulae2024
Azure DamselflyCoenagrion puella2024
Common HawkerAeshna juncea2024
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes2023
Common DarterSympetrum striolatum
Phylidorea squalensPhylidorea squalens
Dark-edged Bee-flyBombylius major
Chilenocaecilius ornatipennisChilenocaecilius ornatipennis2024
Agromyza albitarsisAgromyza albitarsis2024
Dark Giant HorseflyTabanus sudeticus2024
Solomon's-seal SawflyPhymatocera aterrima2024
Red AdmiralVanessa atalanta2023
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale2023
Culiseta annulataCuliseta annulata
Birch ClubhornCimbex femoratus
MolophilusMolophilus
Tipula variicornisTipula variicornis
Pilaria meridianaPilaria meridiana
Austrolimnophila ochraceaAustrolimnophila ochracea
Nut Leaf WeevilStrophosoma melanogrammum
Speckled WoodPararge aegeria
Conops quadrifasciatusConops quadrifasciatus2024
Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus2024
Silver FishLepisma saccharinum2024
Bridgman’s Bean-gallerEuura bridgmanii2024
Fannia canicularisFannia canicularis2024
Eristalis pertinaxEristalis pertinax2024
BibioBibio2024
Scathophaga furcataScathophaga furcata2024
TenthredinidaeTenthredinidae2024
Bibio varipesBibio varipes2024
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2024
Red-tailed BumblebeeBombus lapidarius2024
Pantilius (Pantilius) tunicatusPantilius (Pantilius) tunicatus2023
Liriomyza amoenaLiriomyza amoena2023
Chirosia betuletiChirosia betuleti2023
Nut Bud MothEpinotia tenerana2023
Hypericum DotFomoria septembrella2023
Beech DotStigmella hemargyrella2023
PegomyaPegomya2023
Chromatomyia aprilinaChromatomyia aprilina2023
LychnisHadena bicruris2023
Tachina feraTachina fera2023

🍄

Fungi1 species

autumn

2023

Scarlet Caterpillarclub

Scarlet CaterpillarclubCordyceps militaris

🌿

Plants59 species

spring

2026

Red Campion · Garden Grape-hyacinth · Heath Bedstraw · Cow Parsley · Groundsel +54

Red CampionSilene dioica2025
Garden Grape-hyacinthMuscari armeniacum
Heath BedstrawGalium saxatile2025
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2025
GroundselSenecio vulgaris2024
Greater PlantainPlantago major2024
Rosebay WillowherbChamaenerion angustifolium2024
Fox-and-cubsPilosella aurantiaca2025
Heath SpeedwellVeronica officinalis2025
AspenPopulus tremula2025
Water MintMentha aquatica2024
Wavy Bitter-cressCardamine flexuosa2024
Bitter-vetchLathyrus linifolius2024
Sea PlantainPlantago maritima2024
Danish ScurvygrassCochlearia danica2024
TormentilPotentilla erecta2024
BrambleRubus fruticosus2024
CleaversGalium aparine2024
HogweedHeracleum sphondylium2024
Cock's-footDactylis glomerata2024
Hedera helixHedera helix2024
Sticky Mouse-earCerastium glomeratum2024
Downy BirchBetula pubescens2024
Broad-leaved DockRumex obtusifolius2024
BilberryVaccinium myrtillus2024
Common ChickweedStellaria media2024
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2024
Thale CressArabidopsis thaliana2024
RowanSorbus aucuparia2024
Common NettleUrtica dioica2024
Great Wood-rushLuzula sylvatica2024
HeatherCalluna vulgaris2024
Field Wood-rushLuzula campestris2024
Yorkshire-fogHolcus lanatus2024
DaisyBellis perennis2024
SilverweedPotentilla anserina2024
Creeping ButtercupRanunculus repens2024
HoneysuckleLonicera periclymenum2024
SycamoreAcer pseudoplatanus2024
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2024
Common Dog-violetViola riviniana2024
GorseUlex europaeus2024
European LarchLarix decidua2024
DandelionTaraxacum2024
Hairy Wood-rushLuzula pilosa2024
RaspberryRubus idaeus2024
Sheep's SorrelRumex acetosella2024
White CloverTrifolium repens2024
Common Mouse-earCerastium fontanum2024
BroomCytisus scoparius2024
Greater StitchwortStellaria holostea2024
Ground-elderAegopodium podagraria2024
HonestyLunaria annua2024
Polygonum avicularePolygonum aviculare2023
HarebellCampanula rotundifolia2023
Japanese RoseRosa rugosa2023
YarrowAchillea millefolium2023
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea2023
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum2023

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 valenta · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Cairn Irenan

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Muir of Ord Community OrchardUrban park3.9 km→🌱Muir of Ord Community OrchardUrban park3.9 km→⛪Conon ChurchReligious grounds3.5 km→✦Conon Bridge HengeHistoric site3.1 km→⛪Killearnan Parish ChurchReligious grounds3.5 km→⛪Urray East ChurchReligious grounds3.9 km→

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