Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve
An oasis of open windswept moors hidden in the lowlands, Blawhorn is a site full of secrets. Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve (NNR) is the largest and least disturbed lowland raised mire or bog in the Lothians. It is situated in the hills northwest of Blackridge, west of Armadale. Peatland was once common in Central Scotland but very little remains today, most bogs being cut for peat, drained for farming or planted for forestry. This makes remaining areas, such as Blawhorn Moss, very important.
There is a boardwalk across the bogs.
Wildlife highlights: Red grouse, roe deer and short-eared owls. A variety of species have been found to breed on the Moss including red grouse, snipe, curlew and redshank. On the pond, at the south-west corner of the site, mallard and teal breed. Stonechat, skylark and meadow pipit are regularly seen on the open Moss in spring and summer. Hen harriers have been seen feeding on the open Moss, suggesting that the Reserve may be important as a winter-feeding area. Short-eared owls are regularly seen hunting across the Moss.
Butterflies recorded on the Moss include small tortoiseshell, green-veined white, meadow brown and dark green fritillary.
Dragon and damselflies utilising the areas of open water include common hawker, common blue and large red damselfly.
How to get there: Leave the M8 Edinburgh -Glasgow at Junction 4 onto the A801 then head west for 3 miles on the A89 to Blackridge. Continue west out of the village and take the first minor road on the right to the car park. From Bathgate, head 5.6 miles east on the A89 towards Blackridge and take the last minor road on the left before the village to the car park.
These maps are intended as a guideline only; you must check the exact location of the reserve yourself. Wildlife Extra assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or usefulness of the information on this website.
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