the Tame Wood

Orkney isn't exactly known for its woodlands but dotted around the county are small fragments of ancient scrub woodland and also what Tim has titled the 'tame wood' (as oppposed to the 'wild wood').  These vary considerably and each have their own character.  My particular favourites include Happy Valley in Orphir and a real hidden gem is Olav's wood in South Ronaldsay.  These places might not be for woodland purists - they have a really eclectic collection of species with everything from native willows to Monkey Puzzle.  However, I find them magical places, they have a real sense of eccentricity and Olav's wood in particular is a magnet for migrant birds, eagerly looking for shelter.

The Tame Wood plates in our book were particularly enjoyable to paint.  The habitat plate is taken from Binscarth Wood in Finstown - shown during late wiinter and very early spring with the large Sycamores and Wych Elms covered in moss. In the foreground are Lesser Celandines while across the burn are Snowdrops and Wood Anenomes.

There are two species plates for the 'Tame Wood' portraying 12 species in total.

Anne's plate features Binscarth's Wood Anenome in the top left, False Salmonberry in Trumland top right, Pink Purslane and Daffodil in Balfour Woods bottom left, Few-flowered Garlic in Binscarth bottom right and in the middle Ground Elder also in Binscarth.

Anne's other 'tame wood' plate depicts  Lesser Celandine, Bluebell, Snowdrop, Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage, Ground Ivy and Polypody