Blood Moss

Downs, Moorland in Ayrshire

Scotland

Blood Moss

Sheepfold by the Cleuch Burn
Sheepfold by the Cleuch Burn Credit: Leslie Barrie

Blood Moss, Ayrshire, is a unique and picturesque region located in southwestern Scotland. Known for its diverse landscape, it encompasses a combination of downs, moorland, and marshes. The area is named after the distinctive red hue of the moss that covers the terrain, giving it a captivating and somewhat eerie appearance.

The downs in Blood Moss offer vast expanses of rolling hills, covered in lush green grass and scattered with wildflowers during the summer months. These gentle slopes provide breathtaking panoramic views, attracting hikers, nature enthusiasts, and photographers alike. The downs are also home to a variety of wildlife, including red deer, rabbits, and various bird species.

In contrast, the moorland of Blood Moss is characterized by its rugged and wild nature. Here, one can find vast stretches of heather, interspersed with patches of gorse and bracken. The moorland is crisscrossed by narrow paths, offering opportunities for exploration and discovery. Explorers may come across hidden waterfalls, ancient stone circles, and remnants of old farmsteads, adding a touch of mystery to the landscape.

The marshes of Blood Moss are a paradise for birdwatchers, as they provide a haven for a wide array of wetland species. These wetlands are teeming with life, from wading birds like curlews and herons to waterfowl such as ducks and grebes. Rare species, such as the Eurasian bittern, can also be spotted in these wet habitats.

Overall, Blood Moss, Ayrshire, with its combination of downs, moorland, and marshes, offers a captivating and diverse natural environment, providing a paradise for nature enthusiasts seeking beauty and tranquility.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Blood Moss Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.526686/-4.2544116 or Grid Reference NS5728. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Sheepfold by the Cleuch Burn
Sheepfold by the Cleuch Burn
Sheepfold by the Cleuch Burn A view to the slopes of Mid Hill & Blacksidend
Sheepfold by the Cleuch Burn
A view to the slopes of Mid Hill & Blacksidend
Tincorn Hill Quarry from the air An aggregates quarry near Sorn, operated by Breedon <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.breedongroup.com/location-finder/sorn?utm_source=googlemybusiness&utm_medium=organic&utm_term=sorn" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.breedongroup.com/location-finder/sorn?utm_source=googlemybusiness&utm_medium=organic&utm_term=sorn">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> .
Tincorn Hill Quarry from the air
An aggregates quarry near Sorn, operated by Breedon LinkExternal link .
Blacksidend Cairn The cairn on top of Blacksidend hill.
This photo was taken on the 14th September 2022.
Blacksidend Cairn
The cairn on top of Blacksidend hill. This photo was taken on the 14th September 2022.
Blacksidend farm Front view of Blacksidend farm.
This photo was taken on the 14th September 2022.
Blacksidend farm
Front view of Blacksidend farm. This photo was taken on the 14th September 2022.
Nethershield farm road end
Nethershield farm road end
Trig and cairn on Blacksidend Someone has erected a steel mast, well guyed, in the cairn.  Looks derelict but a bit of co-ax cable lies beside.  Radio ham looking for high ground?
Trig and cairn on Blacksidend
Someone has erected a steel mast, well guyed, in the cairn. Looks derelict but a bit of co-ax cable lies beside. Radio ham looking for high ground?
Looking SW from Pepper Knowe Tincorn Hill in the distance.
Looking SW from Pepper Knowe
Tincorn Hill in the distance.
Auchenlongford farm
Auchenlongford farm
Boundary wall near Auchenlongford
Boundary wall near Auchenlongford
Blairmulloch Farm An Ayrshire dairy farm located on slope above the Cleuch Burn. Conifer shelter belt has been planted at right angles to the SW prevailing winds. A further photo of the farm from the minor road has also been included.
Blairmulloch Farm
An Ayrshire dairy farm located on slope above the Cleuch Burn. Conifer shelter belt has been planted at right angles to the SW prevailing winds. A further photo of the farm from the minor road has also been included.
Laigh Brocklar The outbuildings suggest a livestock farm. Additional information clarified that this was a beef fattening farm. It is located at the junction of two minor roads providing access to the B743 from Sorn to Muirkirk.There are well tended beech hedges and very old deciduous trees along the roadside. The Cleuch Burn drains the low land below the farm and along its banks deciduous trees and bushes, such as hawthorn, have become established.
Laigh Brocklar
The outbuildings suggest a livestock farm. Additional information clarified that this was a beef fattening farm. It is located at the junction of two minor roads providing access to the B743 from Sorn to Muirkirk.There are well tended beech hedges and very old deciduous trees along the roadside. The Cleuch Burn drains the low land below the farm and along its banks deciduous trees and bushes, such as hawthorn, have become established.
Valley of Cleuch Burn The Cleuch Burn drains from the western slope of the Blacksidend ridge to Sorn where it joins the R. Ayr. The farms along the minor road mark the dividing line between the improved grassland and the rough grazing of the higher hill land. The need to use trees and bushes to provide some shelter in a very exposed area is evident in the case of Laigh Brocklar Farm.
Valley of Cleuch Burn
The Cleuch Burn drains from the western slope of the Blacksidend ridge to Sorn where it joins the R. Ayr. The farms along the minor road mark the dividing line between the improved grassland and the rough grazing of the higher hill land. The need to use trees and bushes to provide some shelter in a very exposed area is evident in the case of Laigh Brocklar Farm.
High Brocklar Renovated farm house and steading with a garage/workshop located on the farm track leading to Blacksidend Farm and Blackside. There is a mixed plantation of conifers and deciduous trees behind the property and old gnarled deciduous trees provide a boundary between the well tended grass in front of the house and the rough grazing running down to the Cleuch Burn grazed by sheep. A line of relatively new trees to the right of the house has been planted to provide additional shelter from the SW winds.
High Brocklar
Renovated farm house and steading with a garage/workshop located on the farm track leading to Blacksidend Farm and Blackside. There is a mixed plantation of conifers and deciduous trees behind the property and old gnarled deciduous trees provide a boundary between the well tended grass in front of the house and the rough grazing running down to the Cleuch Burn grazed by sheep. A line of relatively new trees to the right of the house has been planted to provide additional shelter from the SW winds.
Blackside Ridge Blackside is a prominent local landmark with a cairn and a trig point on the summit area. On the edge of the flatter area to the right of the summit there is a communications mast. The hill sheep farm of Blacksidend is visible on the junction of the improved grassland and the higher moorland.
Blackside Ridge
Blackside is a prominent local landmark with a cairn and a trig point on the summit area. On the edge of the flatter area to the right of the summit there is a communications mast. The hill sheep farm of Blacksidend is visible on the junction of the improved grassland and the higher moorland.
Weitshaw Muir The unimproved and wet, boggy nature of the land of Weitshaw Muir in the foreground, contrasts with the improved grassland around the farms of Blackside and Blacksidend sloping to the Cleuch Burn visible in the distance.
Weitshaw Muir
The unimproved and wet, boggy nature of the land of Weitshaw Muir in the foreground, contrasts with the improved grassland around the farms of Blackside and Blacksidend sloping to the Cleuch Burn visible in the distance.
Road Junction A minor road links Blackside farm which lies on the south western end of the Blackside ridge to this point where it joins the B743 from Sorn to Muirkirk.
Road Junction
A minor road links Blackside farm which lies on the south western end of the Blackside ridge to this point where it joins the B743 from Sorn to Muirkirk.
Access road to Tincornhill Quarry Junction of the quarry access road with the B743 from Muirkirk to Sorn. Tincornhill quarry has recently been reopened to make use of a tough igneous rock used as road metal.
Access road to Tincornhill Quarry
Junction of the quarry access road with the B743 from Muirkirk to Sorn. Tincornhill quarry has recently been reopened to make use of a tough igneous rock used as road metal.
Show me another place!

Blood Moss is located at Grid Ref: NS5728 (Lat: 55.526686, Lng: -4.2544116)

Unitary Authority: East Ayrshire

Police Authority: Ayrshire

What 3 Words

///qualify.handover.dialects. Near Catrine, East Ayrshire

Related Wikis

Sorn, East Ayrshire

Sorn (Scottish Gaelic: Sorn, meaning a kiln) is a small village in East Ayrshire, Scotland. It is situated on the River Ayr. It has a population of roughly...

Sorn Castle

Sorn Castle is located by the River Ayr just outside the village of Sorn in East Ayrshire, Scotland. The castle comprises a medieval tower house, which...

East Ayrshire

East Ayrshire (Scots: Aest Ayrshire; Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Àir an Ear) is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. It shares borders with Dumfries...

Kyle, Ayrshire

Kyle (or Coila poetically; Scottish Gaelic: Cuil) is a former comital district of Scotland which stretched across parts of modern-day East Ayrshire and...

Garpel Linn

Garpel Linn is a waterfall of Scotland. == See also == Waterfalls of Scotland == References ==

Lady's Well, Auchmannoch

The Lady's Well is a natural spring surmounted by a large cross that stands beside the Stra Burn Ford (NS254630) near Auchmannoch House in the Parish of...

Airds Moss

Airds Moss is a large area of moor in East Ayrshire, the site is a protected area because of the extensive blanket bogs. In 1680 it was the location of...

Catrine railway station

Catrine railway station served the village of Catrine in East Ayrshire, Scotland. Open 1903–1943, except for a temporary closure, the station was the only...

Have you been to Blood Moss?

Leave your review of Blood Moss below (or comments, questions and feedback).