heather

Only decades ago many of the cottages in Scotland’s Highlands were roofed in heather, bracken and marram grass.

"We had a search recently and underneath a load of heather where you couldn't see a thing from the surface, Henry recovered a tiny bird's skull."

While the main purpose is to encourage new heather growth for grouse and other animals to feed on, it also gets rid of excess vegetation which can fuel wildfires.

The wild, flat landscapes dotted with gorse and heather are known for their wildlife, including rare species like the sand lizard, woodlark and silver-studded blue butterfly.

Upland heathland is characterised by the presence of low-growing shrubs, such as heather.