Dollar Glen NTS

04/05/2026

Water’s Edge: Yellow Iris
Also known as Yellow Flag or Water Flag, this bright water loving plant is thought to be the inspiration for the fleur-de-lis symbol. Flowering late spring to early summer it's happiest in damp soil and wetlands; you can find it on the margins of our pond near Castle Campbell. Our pond can dry out in long spells of dry weather, and fortunately the plant can survive prolonged dry periods. It is one of only two native Irises in the UK.

27/04/2026

Hidden Neighbours: Common Toothwort
This rare parasitic plant appears for a few weeks in late spring at the base of hazel and elm trees in Dollar Glen. It draws nutrition from these tree roots along the east path, between Mill Green and the stone viewpoint.
Despite how widespread its host plants are (most commonly hazel, elm, beech and lime) toothwort is rare!
All parts of the 10-20cm tall flowering spike are white, tinged with pink. The clustered flowers look like an orchid, but it is named 'toothwort' because it resembles a stack of teeth.
It has zero chlorophyll and gets its nutrients by sinking suckers into the roots of the host plant. Bumblebees and ants are attracted to the flowers, but it is mostly self-pollinating, and sometimes does not need to flower above ground at all to persist.

20/04/2026

Water’s Edge: Marsh-Marigold
Commonly known as 'kingcup' this bright wet loving plant with shiny golden flowers like giant, waxy buttercups grows in shallow ponds, marshes, damp meadows, ditches and wet woodland.... no wonder we have it at Dollar Glen!
It's great to add to a wildlife-friendly pond, providing shelter for frogs and early nectar for insects.
shiny golden flowers like giant, waxy buttercups

14/04/2026

you may remember there has been hedgehog surveying in Dollar. There is an online update on Teams from TCV Scotland next Monday, see poster for details.

Monday 20th April from 1-2pm on Microsoft Teams

Hear the latest updates about the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme findings across the Dollar, Hogganfield and Edinburgh Easter Bush Campus sites and find out how you can get involved in the 2026 survey activities!

Contact [email protected] for more information

British Hedgehog Preservation Society People's Trust for Endangered Species

13/04/2026

Invasive Beauty: American Skunk Cabbage
This imported, bold, ornamental plant likes wet ground and has been planted around ponds and in boggy areas. Each plant can become very large; leathery leaves between 40cm – 1.5m in size and bright yellow ‘flowers’ up to 45cm tall! It is thought to have been introduced to the UK in 1901. *Note the photos included are not taken in Dollar Glen!
In Dollar Glen it is present around the pond near Castle Campbell. It is prone to 'escape' as the berries are carried by water and it can regrow from its underground rhizome roots. It can spread quickly shading out other plants which can reduce our native flora. Each spring, we repeatedly cut the leaves and flower spike of each plant to weaken it reducing its growth and spread.

09/04/2026

Fluffy squirrel kits!
When building steps yesterday with volunteers, these red squirrels ran around us whilst an adult looked on from a distance. The youngsters appeared to have no fear! Thanks to volunteer Pete for the images.

06/04/2026

Ancient Wonders : Wood Sorrel
At night the leaves and flowers of this plant close and open up again when the day breaks. The flowers bow their heads when it rains!
Not to be confused with Lesser Trefoil, the leaves of Wood Sorrel are heart shaped. Some people like the taste of the leaves said to be tangy and lemony. *Only consume small amounts as oxalic acid can be toxic if too much is ingested*. Its Latin name is 'Oxalis Acetosella'; Oxalis stems from the Greek word for 'acid' and acetosella comes from the Latin for 'vinegary' or 'sour'.
It's particularly associated with ancient woodland as it relies on undisturbed soil. It loves cool, damp spaces so there is no surprise it grows in Dollar Glen!

30/03/2026

Just a w**d? : Cleavers
A plant present in Dollar Glen, aka sticky w***y, sticky willow, stickybud, stickyw**d, kisses, clivers, goosegrass and bedstraw (it was used in the past for bedding material).
You'll likely have had this plant accidently (or purposefully!) stuck to you, or your dog! They attach themselves to everything and anything with small, hooked hairs that grow out of it. As they can't support themselves, they use the hooks to climb up and along other plants and structures. Its seeds are carried away to other areas on your clothes and animals to distribute the plant, could this have been an inspiration for Velcro?
They thrive in disturbed habitats and help stabilise soil, prevent erosion, and restore ecological balance.
No straight lines in nature? This plant bucks the trend with a perfectly formed square stem.

23/03/2026

Grass or flower? Sweet Vernal Grass
How about a grass... that flowers!
Sweet Vernal Grass flowers between April and July. When the plant is cut or dried, the scent it gives off is THE smell of a hay meadow and could be described as somewhere between vanilla and almond. Its used to be a favourite 'chewing' grass for its stem has a vanilla-like taste. Another nectar producing plant for our pollinators, it grows in meadows and grassland and we do have a small meadow near the castle which gets lots of sun... not all of Dollar Glen is damp!
Unfortunately it is particularly aggravating to hayfever sufferers.

20/03/2026

A reminder that we are hosting a free workshop to learn how to identify and record butterflies :
Tues 24th March : 10am - 3pm : Dollar
In partnership with Butterfly Conservation Scotland we are setting up a butterfly survey in Dollar Glen which we'd love you to get involved in. This workshop is for anyone interested in learning how to identify and record butterflies, from complete beginner to those with much experience.
For details, and to book your place, visit www.butterfly-conservation.org/events/scotland
See you there!

18/03/2026

A less strenuous and nice sunny day today with the volunteers cleaning more bridges at Dollar Glen.
2 frogs popped up to check on us too, also lots of newts in the pond today.

16/03/2026

Ancient Wonders: Dog's Mercury
The presence of the plant Dog's Mercury at Dollar Glen indicates that the woodland has existed continuously for several centuries. They flower in spring, often growing alongside bluebells which are also ancient woodland indicators. It prefers living under oak, ash and elm (we have plenty of these) and beech. It can spread very quickly in very shaded woodland floors, and out competes more delicate plants.
The name Dog’s Mercury has nothing to do with the pet though it is toxic to many animals and to humans, and all parts of the plant are poisonous. It can induce jaundice, diarrhoea, vomiting, coma and death.