This fabulous Musk beetle (Aromia moschata) was lurking in the willow scrub that lines the Loch Gruinart Moorland Trail earlier this week. At nearly an inch long, with antennae the same length again, it stood out a mile, so it was a surprise to find this is only the second time this longhorn beetle has been recorded on Islay, with the first record being back in 1981. There appear to be only a handful of Scottish records ever, so I guess my luck was in that day.
Some folks whose luck definitely hasn't been in this week are Eion, Stuart and Neil, all currently engaged in a grim battle with the elements to try and get this year's silage mown and lifted before it all turns to mush. I felt bad and so rushed down to tell them the good news about my rare beetle to cheer them up. It didn't work.