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Moss of Birnie

Downs, Moorland in Morayshire

Scotland

Moss of Birnie

Burn of Corries This is a headwater of the Burn of Corries, the gap alongside it offering a view of one of the turbines in the Rothes I wind farm.
Burn of Corries Credit: Anne Burgess

Moss of Birnie is a picturesque area located in Morayshire, Scotland. Known for its stunning downs and moorland, it offers visitors a unique blend of natural beauty and tranquility.

Situated in the heart of Morayshire, Moss of Birnie boasts vast stretches of open downs, covered in a lush carpet of vibrant green moss. This moss creates a soft and inviting landscape, ideal for leisurely walks and picnics. The downs are dotted with pockets of heather and wildflowers, adding pops of color to the already stunning scenery.

The moorland of Moss of Birnie is equally captivating, with its wild and rugged terrain. Here, visitors can explore the untamed beauty of the Scottish countryside, as they wander through the rolling hills and rocky outcrops. The moorland is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including various bird species, making it a haven for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The area surrounding Moss of Birnie is steeped in history, with several ancient sites nearby. Visitors can explore the remnants of old settlements and stone circles, gaining insight into the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Moss of Birnie is a haven for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. With its stunning downs and moorland, it offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you are seeking a scenic walk, birdwatching opportunities, or simply a place to relax and soak in the beauty of nature, Moss of Birnie is a must-visit destination in Morayshire.

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Moss of Birnie Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.542117/-3.3392149 or Grid Reference NJ1951. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Burn of Corries This is a headwater of the Burn of Corries, the gap alongside it offering a view of one of the turbines in the Rothes I wind farm.
Burn of Corries
This is a headwater of the Burn of Corries, the gap alongside it offering a view of one of the turbines in the Rothes I wind farm.
Looking towards the Glen of Rothes For some reason there's an unplanted area beside the track here, although the map show it as forest. The gap offers a fine view towards the distant Glen of Rothes.
Looking towards the Glen of Rothes
For some reason there's an unplanted area beside the track here, although the map show it as forest. The gap offers a fine view towards the distant Glen of Rothes.
An Open Area in the Forest For some unknown reason the foresters don't seem to have planted this area, with the result that there's a view through the gap towards the eastern edge of the Rothes II wind farm.
An Open Area in the Forest
For some unknown reason the foresters don't seem to have planted this area, with the result that there's a view through the gap towards the eastern edge of the Rothes II wind farm.
Track on Mannoch Hill This was the most enjoyable, and possibly most picturesque, part of our route today. It was dry but form underfoot, the sun was shining, and the trees provided shelter from the wind but were not too close to the track.
Track on Mannoch Hill
This was the most enjoyable, and possibly most picturesque, part of our route today. It was dry but form underfoot, the sun was shining, and the trees provided shelter from the wind but were not too close to the track.
Road Quarry A small quarry conveniently close to the Mannoch Road, and to the access to the Cairn Uish wind farm.
Road Quarry
A small quarry conveniently close to the Mannoch Road, and to the access to the Cairn Uish wind farm.
Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) I was surprised to see a few of these in full bloom today, because they are normally at their best in early summer; however the book does say they bloom until october.
Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix)
I was surprised to see a few of these in full bloom today, because they are normally at their best in early summer; however the book does say they bloom until october.
Bell Heather (Erica cinerea) The Bell Heather plants here are evidently unaware that the book says they flower from May to September. Despite the lateness of the season, there were several bright patches of flowers beside the track.
Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)
The Bell Heather plants here are evidently unaware that the book says they flower from May to September. Despite the lateness of the season, there were several bright patches of flowers beside the track.
Stripe of Loan The clear area around the Stripe of Loan was a welcome respite from wall-to-wall conifers on both sides of the track. 'Stripe' often occurs as the name of a small burn, and in the names of farms close to such burns. This is looking upstream from the bridge that carries the Mannoch Road across the stripe.
Stripe of Loan
The clear area around the Stripe of Loan was a welcome respite from wall-to-wall conifers on both sides of the track. 'Stripe' often occurs as the name of a small burn, and in the names of farms close to such burns. This is looking upstream from the bridge that carries the Mannoch Road across the stripe.
Stripe of Loan The clear area around the Stripe of Loan was a welcome respite from wall-to-wall conifers on both sides of the track. 'Stripe' often occurs as the name of a small burn, and in the names of farms close to such burns. This is looking downstream from the bridge that carries the Mannoch Road across the stripe, and offers a view towards the Cairn Uish wind farm.
Stripe of Loan
The clear area around the Stripe of Loan was a welcome respite from wall-to-wall conifers on both sides of the track. 'Stripe' often occurs as the name of a small burn, and in the names of farms close to such burns. This is looking downstream from the bridge that carries the Mannoch Road across the stripe, and offers a view towards the Cairn Uish wind farm.
Bridge over the Stripe of Loan This simple bridge carries the Mannoch Road over the Stripe of Loan.
Bridge over the Stripe of Loan
This simple bridge carries the Mannoch Road over the Stripe of Loan.
Mannoch Road From the bridge across the Stripe of Loan, the Mannoch Road climbs north towards Red Taingy, which is in the conifer plantation.
Mannoch Road
From the bridge across the Stripe of Loan, the Mannoch Road climbs north towards Red Taingy, which is in the conifer plantation.
Mannoch Road Fortunately, the plantations are set a few metres back from the road here, making this a very pleasant walk on a sunny day.
Mannoch Road
Fortunately, the plantations are set a few metres back from the road here, making this a very pleasant walk on a sunny day.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris) This has a much shorter flowering season than either <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2644586">NJ2151 : Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix)</a> or <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2644593">NJ2150 : Bell Heather (Erica cinerea)</a>, but there were still a few spikes with a touch of colour left.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
This has a much shorter flowering season than either NJ2151 : Cross-leaved Heath (Erica tetralix) or NJ2150 : Bell Heather (Erica cinerea), but there were still a few spikes with a touch of colour left.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris) Though most of the <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2644671">NJ2050 : Heather (Calluna vulgaris)</a> is over, I did find one or two spikes with flowers still in full bloom. Notice the fine strands of cobweb glinting in the sun. Each of these flowers is just three of four millimetres across, yet in the season these tiny flowers are so abundant that they can turn the whole landscape purple.
Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Though most of the NJ2050 : Heather (Calluna vulgaris) is over, I did find one or two spikes with flowers still in full bloom. Notice the fine strands of cobweb glinting in the sun. Each of these flowers is just three of four millimetres across, yet in the season these tiny flowers are so abundant that they can turn the whole landscape purple.
Fungi These two fungi, which I am unable to identify, are about two or three centimetres in diameter. I did not realise until I saw the image just how fragmented the caps are.
Fungi
These two fungi, which I am unable to identify, are about two or three centimetres in diameter. I did not realise until I saw the image just how fragmented the caps are.
Colourful lichen These were growing in a grass-free patch beside an old pallet lying by the track, and I wondered if the pallet had previously shaded this patch, so that the lichens and fungi were not outcompeted by coarse grass, though I have no idea who might have moved it and why. They are at most a couple of centimetres tall. My thanks to Val P who suggested that they might be Jelly-ear Fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae), and Lairich Rig who confirms that it is a lichen of the genus Peltigera, but doesn't think it can be identified from this image alone.
Colourful lichen
These were growing in a grass-free patch beside an old pallet lying by the track, and I wondered if the pallet had previously shaded this patch, so that the lichens and fungi were not outcompeted by coarse grass, though I have no idea who might have moved it and why. They are at most a couple of centimetres tall. My thanks to Val P who suggested that they might be Jelly-ear Fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae), and Lairich Rig who confirms that it is a lichen of the genus Peltigera, but doesn't think it can be identified from this image alone.
Withered Heather Unlike <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2644671">NJ2050 : Heather (Calluna vulgaris)</a>, which still retains some of its characteristic purple colour, this clump of Heather is well and truly over, and has turned pale brown. The dead flowers usually stay on the plants for a good part of the winter.
Withered Heather
Unlike NJ2050 : Heather (Calluna vulgaris), which still retains some of its characteristic purple colour, this clump of Heather is well and truly over, and has turned pale brown. The dead flowers usually stay on the plants for a good part of the winter.
Mannoch Road On this part of the track the ruts are full of water, probably from yesterday's heavy showers, and the centre and sides of the track are full of rushes rather than grass.
Mannoch Road
On this part of the track the ruts are full of water, probably from yesterday's heavy showers, and the centre and sides of the track are full of rushes rather than grass.
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Moss of Birnie is located at Grid Ref: NJ1951 (Lat: 57.542117, Lng: -3.3392149)

Unitary Authority: Moray

Police Authority: North East

What 3 Words

///estate.responds.sunblock. Near Rothes, Moray

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Glen Latterach Moss of Birnie

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