Having travelled up by train from Golspie, 28 children accompanied by 11 adults enjoyed the rare treat of a warm, dry and midge-free guided walk around the Peatlands Trail.

Led by James Plowman, a former warden at the reserve, the group learned how the peat had been formed and that it provided a home to an unusual and interesting range of animals, plants, insects and birds.

James went on to explain that blanket bog is an internationally important ecosystem and that although there may seem to be a lot of it in the Highlands, on a world-wide scale it is a rare and diminishing habitat.

Following a picnic lunch in the visitor centre the group were intrigued and entertained by a fascinating range of magic tricks performed for them by local magician and photographer Clive Grewcock. This was followed by enthusiastic participation in an arts and crafts session organised for them by Jane Bregazzi, before catching the afternoon train home.

After a break of eight years the Golspie Wildlife Watch group was reformed last year and now holds regular monthly meetings for children aged between eight and 12 with an interest in wildlife and the environment. Over the past year, with help from Scottish Natural Heritage, the group have been able to organise a variety of indoor and outdoor activities such as pond dipping, tree planting and making bird feeders.

The Watch movement is the junior section of the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Anyone wishing to find out more about the Golspie group can contact Sally Nichols (01408 633660) or Tim Cockerill (01408 634161).

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