More than 1,100 alpine gentians were recorded during monitoring carried out by the Trust’s Seasonal Ecologist, Lewis Donaghy, last summer, with many more out of reach and uncounted on inaccessible cliffs. Although the population count can fluctuate from year to year, it is a remarkable increase for this rare mountain-dwelling flower. At 1,214 metres, Ben Lawers is the 10th highest peak in Britain and is home to the most diverse range of arctic-alpine plant species in the country.

The distinctive and exceptionally rare alpine gentian is adapted to growing in harsh mountain environments and is typically found across alpine regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. It emerges from winter dormancy, revealing its striking star-shaped blue flowers sprouting from its trumpet-shaped calyx. The discovery marks a significant recovery for the annual flower, which has declined since monitoring began on Ben Lawers in 1981.

Also known as the ‘snow gentian’, this species is only found in locations where snow usually lasts until late spring or early summer. But increasing temperatures caused by climate change, and the resulting less persistent snow cover at high altitudes, pose a major threat to this already incredibly rare species. More competitive species, including grasses, can take advantage of longer growing seasons, colonising patches of bare soil and sparse vegetation, which are essential for the germination of the alpine gentian seeds.