2026 - Bike for Borderlands
Along the Kirkpatrick Way in southern Scotland
Along the Kirkpatrick Way in southern Scotland
Just Giving site www.justgiving.com/campaign/bikeforbutterflies2026
Route - from Balmangan (Kirkcudbright) to St Abbs Head
This route starts at Balmangan near Kirkcudbright and follows the Kirkpatrick Way to St. Abbs Head near Eyemouth on the east coast. - around 220 miles, over 8 days.
The ride is in support of the Butterfly Conservation project to save the Northern Brown Argus in the Scottish Borders, working closely with farmers.
This is my fifth Bike For Butterflies, raising money for Butterfly Conservation. Thanks to the generosity of donors, and with the help of many supporters, we have raised over £50,000 for Butterfly Conservation in this way.
Just Giving site www.justgiving.com/campaign/bikeforbutterflies2026
Common Rock Rose, Belted Galloways, species-rich grassland, and Northern Brown Argus butterflies
The Scottish Borders is a key region for the Northern Brown Argus in the UK
Changing agricultural practices and widespread new tree-planting schemes, mean that habitat for the butterfly is under threat
Many sites are being invaded by bracken and gorse following removal of grazing stock, and good-quality unimproved grassland has been lost to tree plantations
The 6-year project builds on volunteer-gathered survey data to target areas for providing landowner advice
By working closely with farmers, landowners and local contractors, the project will trial innovative, costed methods to restore degraded grasslands
BC is raising awareness of the loss of species-rich grassland habitats and highlighting the area’s importance for the Northern Brown Argus
Lady's bedstraw and thyme - soon to be sitka spruce plantation
Day 1 - Balmangan to Mabie Forest - Northern Brown Argus event at Balmangan
Day 2 - Visit Mabie Forest BC Reserve; cycle to Lockerbie
Day 3 - Lockerbie to Langholm
Day 4 - Langholm to Hawick
Day 5 - Hawick to Dryburgh - Northern Brown Argus event at Selkirk Deer Park
Day 6 - Dryburgh to Coldstream - Northern Brown Argus event at Dryburgh Abbey
Day 7 - Coldstream to Eyemouth
Day 8 - Eyemouth to St Abbs Head - Northern Brown Argus event at St Abbs Head
Species rich acid grassland at Linn Dean SWT Nature Reserve
ID workshop at Linn Dean NR, 2025
Common Spotted Orchid at Fleecefaulds Meadow NR
Common Rock-rose and Wild Thyme
Northern Brown Argus at Linn Dean NR, 2025
Northern Brown Argus at Kirkton Hill Fort, 2025