Bankhead Moss

Downs, Moorland in Ayrshire

Scotland

Bankhead Moss

West Middlebank from the air With Barkip biogas power station in the background. — West Middlebank from the air Credit: Thomas Nugent

Bankhead Moss is a vast expanse of downs and moorland located in Ayrshire, Scotland. Spanning approximately 500 acres, it is a prominent feature of the local landscape. The moss is situated in the southern part of the region, near the village of Bankhead.

The terrain of Bankhead Moss consists mainly of gently rolling hills covered in heather, grasses, and moss. The area is characterized by its wet and boggy conditions, with numerous small streams and pools interspersed throughout. These wetlands provide a habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna, including various species of birds, insects, and plant life.

The moss is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its ecological importance. It serves as a vital breeding and feeding ground for several rare bird species, such as the curlew and lapwing. Additionally, the moss supports a variety of plant species, including sphagnum moss and cotton grass, which thrive in the moist conditions.

Bankhead Moss is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. Its tranquil and unspoiled surroundings offer a peaceful retreat for those seeking a break from urban life. The moss also provides opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, and photography.

In summary, Bankhead Moss is a significant downs and moorland area in Ayrshire, Scotland. Its wet and boggy conditions, diverse flora and fauna, and status as an SSSI make it a valuable natural asset in the region.

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Bankhead Moss Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.72062/-4.6312898 or Grid Reference NS3450. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

West Middlebank from the air

With Barkip biogas power station in the background.

Thomas Nugent

West Middlebank from the air

With Barkip biogas power station in the background and West Giffen Cottage in the right foreground.

Thomas Nugent

Bridge, Waterside

A minor road crosses the remains of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway between Kilwinning and Lugton.

Richard Webb

Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway

The remains of the trackbed between Lugton and Kilwinning.

Richard Webb

Woodland, Bankhead

Blue tarpaulins cover firewood.

Richard Webb

Middlebank pasture

Better looking grass than some fields around DM Beith. There is roll of old fencing wire in the foreground.

Richard Webb

Wet depression

A waterlogged hollow at East Middlebank.

Richard Webb

DM Beith from the air

The north corner of the vast site at the B706 road can be seen in this view.

Thomas Nugent

DM Beith from the air

Part of the sprawling complex can be seen in the foreground, where the B706 road at Bellcraig Bridge can also be seen.

Thomas Nugent

Barkip Anaerobic Digestion Plant from the air

A grand name for the biogas power station which is operated by SSE in the shadow of DM Beith. See also NS3350 : Barkip Anaerobic Digestion Plant from the air. The following text is quoted from the SSE web site Link

. "SSE Barkip anaerobic digestion plant is the largest combined organic waste treatment and energy generating facility in Scotland. This innovatively designed plant can process up to 75,000 tonnes of organic and food waste annually and produce 2.2MW of renewable electricity 24/7 from the biogas produced. Bacteria break down the waste to produce methane rich biogas, combusted in gas engines to generate electricity. All the heat used in the process is recovered from the engines. The plant produces a low cost PAS110 fertiliser to support local agriculture. The facility is a zero-waste solution and has a major role to play in meeting Scotland's renewable energy production and waste recycling targets".

Thomas Nugent

DM Beith from the air

The following was taken largely from the wikimappia article about the depot Link

. Beith was established in 1943, as an MoD Munitions Depot during World War II. The site has facilities to store, maintain, modify, refurbish, produce and test weapons for all the armed services. As a result of the range of services it offers, the site has grown over the years, occupying almost 1,000 acres of rural land, and employing over 400 non-military staff. Now known as DM Beith (Defence Munitions), the name of the site has changed over the years, most recently known as DSDA Beith (Defence Storage and Distribution Agency), and before that as RNAD Beith (Royal Naval Armament Depot). The site is reputed to have some 21 miles of internal roads, and almost seven miles of perimeter fence. The depot's storage capacity is some 18,000 cubic metres, with the buildings designed to implode in the event of an accident; the walls are intended to collapse inwards, while the roofs are intended to blow off, directing the main effects of any blast upwards, rather than sideways towards neighbouring stores. The site also includes not one but two Integrated Weapons Complex (IWC) buildings, which are capable of the most sophisticated sensitive weapons assembly and refit tasks. Munitions handled at Beith include the ALARM (air launched anti-radiation missile), Tomahawk, Storm Shadow, and Brimstone missiles, and the Spearfish torpedo.

Thomas Nugent