Scotland
Flanders Moss
Size/type
This is one of the largest remaining bogs in the United Kingdom and possibly the biggest and best surviving bog of its kind in Western Europe. It covers river-valley ground in the Carse of Stirling, close to the villages of Thornhill and Kippen and east of the hamlets of Port of Menteith and Arnprior. You can download a leaflet about this National Nature Reserve (or read it online).
Distinctive features
There are many rare or uncommon geomorphological and biological features at Flanders Moss. These include endotelmic streams, intact lagg fen vegetation and stretches of relatively undisturbed vegetation communities on undegraded, primary peat. You can read further inventory details of the features of the reserve here.
Key wildlife
The extent of bog habitat is so large at Flanders Moss that it is home to rare bog specialist plants such as bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) and 3 rare sphagnum mosses S. austinii, molle and fuscum. In turn the bog plant life supports rare insects such as the large heath butterfly and the moths the argent and sable and the Rannoch brindled beauty.
Previous use/cultural relevance
Flanders Moss has influenced the lives of local people for centuries and has strong cultural links with the surrounding area. Farmland around the bog was reclaimed by the individual efforts of small farmers (eventually known as 'Moss Lairds') in the 1700s and 1800s. Stories link the bog to the famous cattle dealer and outlaw, Rob Roy Macgregor. Link to A Historical Background to Flanders Moss.
Visitor use before the project
Few visitors (200-300 per year), all in groups guided by Scottish Natural Heritage staff. Almost all of these were special interest (e.g. botany) and student groups. Most came to see bog restoration work or to look at plants and wildlife.
Aim of LEADER+ work
To get visitors onto a peatland bog and have a positive experience there without them damaging the site. As part of this, an access facility was developed and experiments done on developing interpretation aimed at specific audiences.
A site visit to Flanders Moss formed part of the Connecting People with our Peatland Heritage project's Scottish workshop.
Details of work in LEADER+ project (links)
Use of recycled plastic in boardwalks
Illustrations: Click on pictures for larger images.
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