Summer 2024 will go down in history as one of the wettest in Scotland, particularly in the West Highlands. Achnagart in Glen Shiel received a record-breaking 785.44mm (30.9in) of rain, making it the wettest summer recorded there, with 165% of its usual rainfall. Other areas like Kinlochewe, Stornoway, and Aultbea also experienced their wettest summers, driven largely by an exceptionally rainy August, and Glasgow recorded double its average summer rainfall.
The east of Scotland however, including Edinburgh and Fife, saw much drier conditions, with some areas recording as little as 62% of their average summer rainfall.
Weather extremes impacting Scotland's diverse landscapes underscores the importance of adaptable gardening practices in an era of climate variability.
Strathpeffer’s very first open garden event held in June raised an amazing £4,400 and won widespread praise for the fun atmosphere it created in the Highland village. The proceeds, raised from £5 tickets to see all 25 open gardens, together with plant sales and donations were divided between the British Red Cross and village projects.
One of the organisers Alison Munro said, “We had some wonderful comments from visitors and participants about how much they enjoyed the event, so we're delighted to be planning to do it again slightly later in the summer of 2025."
This summer saw the lowest average number of butterflies per 15-minute count in the 14-year history of Butterfly Conservation’s annual Big Butterfly Count. A third of species had their worst summer on record, while more than 9,000 counts reported no butterflies at all. The charity behind the world’s largest butterfly survey has declared a national emergency.
A low number of butterflies in 2024 makes it likely that fewer eggs will have been laid with the result that we can expect fewer butterflies in the next generation. Butterflies are however, capable of impressive recoveries so do remember to plant for butterflies in your garden.
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