We walked the other day, between ancient trees, draped in fine clothes of moss and lichen. The air was as pure in the mouth as spring water, and the sounds of the outside world were muffled and absorbed by the soft green cloaks of moss. Only birdsong and the gentle breeze moved the air, and the beauty of stillness filled our souls. In dappled pools of sunlight, the moist air softened our skin, and the perfect co-operative balance of life unfolded around us. We were walking in the magic of a Celtic Rainforest, unchanged for thousands of years.
The lichen drapes itself in generous layers over branches and trunks, the perfect partnership between the form and shape of a fungus, and the photosynthetic energy production of an algae. This partnership produces a wild array of shapes and colours, all living examples of successful co-operation between species. And what a beautiful display is produced by this symbiosis. In Spring , long before the fresh leaves of the season open to cover the branches, the trees proudly display their winter coats of lichen. These Celtic Rainforests stay green right through the heart of winter, with their beautifully textured and coloured lichen leaves.
With names like old mans beard, gold dust, great shield, moonglow, silverskin, sunburst, greater whip wort, witches hair and lungwort their fairytale enchantment casts a timeless spell. When examined closely they become little forests of trees within large forests of trees, weaving a greening spell across the earth. The lichen draw their food, nutrients and water, from the air itself. This magic is supported by the carpets of moss and liverwort which absorb and release the mist and rain, in just the right amounts to sustain a wonderfully moist air. This soft green velvet sponge is the climate control of these rainforests, and it coats every stone, climbing up around the bases of the trees, and perhaps if we stood still long enough it would flow over our feet too.
The mosses and liverworts grows in thick lush mounds as soft as a sponge, and covering the whole landscape. It gives the feeling of eternity, as though nothing has disturbed this ancient landscape for millennia. Among the native hazels, oaks and birch a whole unseen layer of life is rolling on unaided, and untouched by human hand. Some of the Atlantic hazelwoods around Skye, Lochalsh, Argyll and the Western Isles are thought to be over 9,000 years old, which is pretty close to eternal in my mind. Nothing needs to be done here, life just needs to be left to carry on as it has in the ever-rolling seasonal cycles.
Forests of lichen and moss filter the air to produce the freshest sweetest breath of green air I have ever breathed. Silence rings like tiny silver bells in my ears, and I am transported somewhere far from everyday jangles and tangles, into the soft green lichen woods of Scotland’s West Coast, and the land of fairy enchantments. There is nothing to do but rest and breathe and listen, and let your imagination run wild and free.
You can read more about the incredible nature of Scottish lichens here.
Look here to learn more about the rare Atlantic Hazelwoods of Scotland
And this is a lovely link to information and a map of sites of the Celtic Rainforests of Scotland.
Lichens, mosses and liverworts have long been used for dye and for medicinal properties. Many have antibacterial and antiseptic properties, and were used for centuries for packing the sword wounds of clan warriors.
breathofgreenair 
❤
Thank you💕
wonderful blog!
Thank you. Don’t we live in a wonderful world💕
The names of those fairyland plants stir the imagination, “old mans beard, gold dust, great shield, moonglow, silverskin, sunburst, greater whip wort, witches hair and lungwort.” Ahhh. What a lyrical glen of poetry you have in your land.
I’ve suspected for a while now that magic and poetry seep up between the cracks in rocks all across this land😜💕
You must be right.
What fairyland was modelled on.
Lol😆indeed, and the fairies are still lurking close 💕
This is like walking into a fairy wonderforest. Lovely captures of lichens and moss, Seonaid.
Many thanks, it is such a magical place….I know you would love it💕😊
Magical, Seonaid. I love lichen and moss. Your photos are enchanting.
I thought you might Tina💕
I do love moss and lichen. What gorgeous shots.
Isn’t it magical stuff Fi….and full of old stories😊
Walking with you through the magical forest was the perfect way to start the day. Thank you :-).
My pleasure Sharon….it’s always lovely to share💕
How beautiful that you have highlighted a feature of woodlands that many of us ignore in favour of the trees, wildlife and low-growing plants. All of those poetic and descriptive names! I will be sure to pay more attention the next time I am having a ramble in our nearby woods. 🙂
I do love those names Kellie…full of fairytale magic💕
I am always utterly enchanted in these mossy rainforests😊
Such a pity that the land barons denuded Scotland and took away so much of this rich habitat. These woodlands are uniquely Scottish, I think, and beautifully described, Seonaid.
Many thanks Frederick….and yes unfortunately lots of this ancient rainforest was lost to the greed of a few men😞We really must love and appreciate the bits left to us💞
What a lovely post … with such beautiful imagery
Thanks Julie….a miniature landscape 😊
Oh that third photo down is lovely. Captures the softness.
And your description of looking closely and seeing the little forests of trees is so apt. Tiny, little forests.
I took a photo of lichen a few months ago, and I was not sure of the outcome. I loved it, but I wasn’t sure others would. I’m glad you see the beauty, too
I love that third photo too Laura…those are some of my favourite lichens….the colour, the textures😆💕just so yummy
Amazing captures of some incredible beauty Seonaid. I saw a great deal of this when I visited Scotland and found it enchanting. One expects a fairy or gnome to jump out from behind the trees at any moment!
Absolutely Tina😊And if you’re very lucky you might just catch one💕
I thought so too, almost expecting Siri and Selma’s friends to appear. 🙂
Thanks so much, delighted you enjoyed these woods, and I’m sure their friends are just behind those trees😆💕
So enjoyed my wonderful walk through this magical place.. 🙂 Enjoy your week 🙂
I will Sue…..and delighted you enjoyed the lichen woods😊
Beautiful
A fine appreciation. A beautiful, and satisfying, blend of technical correctness and poetic verse. You’d better watch out Seonaid … or you might morph into a biologist if you don’t be more careful! Wonderfully done. Nice.
Many thanks David….and from you that is a great compliment💕I did of course love biology as a subject…and took it on deeper into human biology and anatomy with my first degree….but I also share a deep love and fascination of the plant life of our planet with you😊
A mystical, pristine treescape, full of miniature worlds!
It is Gilly, and the more you look, the mini worlds you find😆💕
Stunning photos and so lovely writing! Enjoyed this a lot
Many thanks Wendy. Delighted to have you along💕😊
I marvel at the history of your land and chuckle at the names of the lichen. I do expect a leprechaun to pop out any minute. Your pictures depict the serenity of your land. It is so beautiful and restful! Your photography is amazing.
The lichen do have some wonderfully magical names Gwynn😆 These ancient woodlands and forests do have a very special atmosphere, and Spring is one of the best times to visit……by midsummer the midges have arrived and will chew you half to death on a still airless day!
Incredible photos – I imagined myself sitting somewhere in the top photograph and listening to my music (Vivaldi) playing. I know our title said “Stillness…..” but, ……….
Yes, I think that music would work very well here😊…..perhaps with some little pauses to appreciate the silence💕
Beautiful! You have a wonderful observation. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Sharing is always such a pleasure on WP….it’s all the lovely comments like yours which make it so much fun Amy😊
Love those little forests within a forest, Seonaid. Your words and images paint such magical picture of peace and stillness. I would love to breathe in that air “as pure as spring water.” Stunning post. ❤
If I could bottle it and end you some I would Sylvia😊I love taking images in amongst the textures of the lichen….so much to see in the details💕
Yes, I’m sure it would be a best seller on Amazon. 😃
am liking your lichens very much 🙂 miniature landscapes in bark
Ooooh, goodness! This is gorgeous!! 💖💖
It’s such a magical place….and so quiet😊
Oh, yes! I can imagine! 😊😊
Beautiful country… ‘air as pure as wine’. Thanks for the images and links. 🙂
My pleasure….delighted you enjoyed the links as well😊
Gorgeous and magical!
Thanks Brenda…..I think you would love it in these old woods💕
I’m sure I would! 😀
They may be low in stature but they are high in beauty. 🙂
They really are Judy😊