Creca Moss

Downs, Moorland in Dumfriesshire

Scotland

Creca Moss

Road at Kirtlebridge Looking north-eastward. The bridge in the foreground carries the road over Bonshaw Burn whilst the bridge in the far distance allows the road to pass under the main West Coast Railway line.
Road at Kirtlebridge Credit: Peter Wood

Creca Moss is a vast expanse of scenic moorland located in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. It stretches across an area of approximately 2,000 acres and is characterized by its unique landscape and diverse flora and fauna. The moss is situated in an undulating terrain with numerous small hills and valleys.

The vegetation of Creca Moss is primarily composed of heather, grasses, and mosses, which give the area its distinct appearance. The moorland is also home to a variety of plant species, including sundews, cotton grass, and bog myrtle, which thrive in the damp and acidic soil. This rich ecosystem supports a wide range of wildlife, including birds such as curlews, lapwings, and skylarks, which nest and forage in the area.

The moss has a rich history, with evidence of human activity dating back thousands of years. Archaeological findings include Bronze Age burial cairns and Iron Age hill forts, indicating the long-standing connection between people and the land. Today, Creca Moss is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts, walkers, and birdwatchers who come to appreciate its natural beauty and tranquility.

In addition to its ecological and historical significance, Creca Moss also plays a vital role in carbon sequestration and water regulation. Its peatland acts as a natural carbon sink, helping to mitigate climate change by storing carbon dioxide. The moss also helps regulate water flow by absorbing rainfall and reducing the risk of flooding downstream.

Overall, Creca Moss is a captivating landscape that showcases the beauty and importance of moorland ecosystems in Dumfriesshire.

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

Creca Moss Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.029027/-3.211513 or Grid Reference NY2271. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Road at Kirtlebridge Looking north-eastward. The bridge in the foreground carries the road over Bonshaw Burn whilst the bridge in the far distance allows the road to pass under the main West Coast Railway line.
Road at Kirtlebridge
Looking north-eastward. The bridge in the foreground carries the road over Bonshaw Burn whilst the bridge in the far distance allows the road to pass under the main West Coast Railway line.
Minor road and bridge crossing Old Caul Burn near to Kilnknowe Looking south-eastward.
Minor road and bridge crossing Old Caul Burn near to Kilnknowe
Looking south-eastward.
Minor road towards Eaglesfield
Minor road towards Eaglesfield
Bonshaw Tower Glimpse of a historic Borders tower house, a peel tower and seat of the Irvings, standing by the Kirtle Water.
<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.bonshaw.org/" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.bonshaw.org/">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>
Bonshaw Tower
Glimpse of a historic Borders tower house, a peel tower and seat of the Irvings, standing by the Kirtle Water. LinkExternal link
By Bonshaw Tower Grassy field above the historic peel, Bonshaw Tower, Kirtlebridge.
By Bonshaw Tower
Grassy field above the historic peel, Bonshaw Tower, Kirtlebridge.
RAF Annan - Machine Gun Range/Test Butt Some remaining structures at the north of the former airfield site, outwith the perimeter of the Chapelcross Power Station complex.  The area surrounding this structure is waterlogged and too dangerous to cross.
RAF Annan - Machine Gun Range/Test Butt
Some remaining structures at the north of the former airfield site, outwith the perimeter of the Chapelcross Power Station complex. The area surrounding this structure is waterlogged and too dangerous to cross.
B722 At West Bretton A busy B-class road to Eaglesfield, viewed here from the entrance to West Bretton.
B722 At West Bretton
A busy B-class road to Eaglesfield, viewed here from the entrance to West Bretton.
Signs Of Former Use Just outside the perimeter of the Chapelcross complex, the remnant of perimeter roads and taxiways of the old RAF Annan can be seen.
Signs Of Former Use
Just outside the perimeter of the Chapelcross complex, the remnant of perimeter roads and taxiways of the old RAF Annan can be seen.
RAF Annan - Access To Dispersed Site No7 Albeit with a modern gate, this is the access point to Dispersed Site No7.
RAF Annan - Access To Dispersed Site No7
Albeit with a modern gate, this is the access point to Dispersed Site No7.
Creca Moss View across field towards Creca Moss where extensive peat harvesting is currently taking place.
Creca Moss
View across field towards Creca Moss where extensive peat harvesting is currently taking place.
Breconbeds School Photo taken of Breconbeds School (now a private residence) from the entrance to Breconbeds farm.
Breconbeds School
Photo taken of Breconbeds School (now a private residence) from the entrance to Breconbeds farm.
West Bretton Entrance to West Bretton Farm.
West Bretton
Entrance to West Bretton Farm.
Road junction on B722 Road junction on B722 with Bonshawside Farm in the background.
Road junction on B722
Road junction on B722 with Bonshawside Farm in the background.
Kirtlebridge Church Kirtlebridge Church - now closed.
Kirtlebridge Church
Kirtlebridge Church - now closed.
Breconbeds Schoolhouse Image of Breconbeds Schoolhouse, now a privately owned residence.
Breconbeds Schoolhouse
Image of Breconbeds Schoolhouse, now a privately owned residence.
Breconbeds School Breconbeds School, a former three teacher school now a private residence.
Breconbeds School
Breconbeds School, a former three teacher school now a private residence.
Remains of the Solway Junction Railway As originally built this old railway ran from Kirtlebridge on the West Coast Main Line to Kirkbride Junction in Cumberland via the Solway Viaduct. It was opened in 1869 and provided a direct route to transport Cumbrian iron ore to the Lanarkshire furnaces. The viaduct was never very successful, however, suffering repeatedly from storm and ice damage and was finally closed for good in 1921. The line here continued for a while as a branch to Annan but closed in 1931.
Remains of the Solway Junction Railway
As originally built this old railway ran from Kirtlebridge on the West Coast Main Line to Kirkbride Junction in Cumberland via the Solway Viaduct. It was opened in 1869 and provided a direct route to transport Cumbrian iron ore to the Lanarkshire furnaces. The viaduct was never very successful, however, suffering repeatedly from storm and ice damage and was finally closed for good in 1921. The line here continued for a while as a branch to Annan but closed in 1931.
Remains of the Solway Junction Railway Looking towards the junction with the West Coast Main Line at Kirtlebridge. The line closed in 1931.
Remains of the Solway Junction Railway
Looking towards the junction with the West Coast Main Line at Kirtlebridge. The line closed in 1931.
Show me another place!

Creca Moss is located at Grid Ref: NY2271 (Lat: 55.029027, Lng: -3.211513)

Unitary Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

Police Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

What 3 Words

///bunny.soggy.cucumber. Near Eastriggs, Dumfries & Galloway

Nearby Locations

Creca Moss

Related Wikis

Chapelcross nuclear power station

Chapelcross nuclear power station is a former Magnox nuclear power station undergoing decommissioning. It is located in Annan in Dumfries and Galloway...

Bonshaw Tower

Bonshaw Tower is an oblong tower house, probably dating from the mid-16th century, one mile south of Kirtlebridge, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, above...

Kirtlebridge

Kirtlebridge is a village in Dumfries and Galloway, southern Scotland. It is located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) north-east of Annan, 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north...

Robgill Tower

Robgill Tower is a tower house near Kirkpatrick Fleming on the banks of the river Kirtle. It was one of a number of towers built along the border as protection...

Kirtlebridge rail crash

The Kirtlebridge rail crash took place in 1872 at Kirtlebridge railway station in Dumfriesshire. An express passenger train ran into a goods train that...

Kirtlebridge railway station

Kirtlebridge railway station was a station which served the rural area around Kirtlebridge and Eaglesfield, north of Annan in Dumfriesshire, Scotland;...

Eaglesfield, Dumfries and Galloway

Eaglesfield is a village in south east Dumfriesshire in the local authority area of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. == History == Eaglesfield is of ancient...

Broadlea henge

Broadlea henge (grid reference NY 21946 74651) is a Neolithic or Bronze Age monument in the parish of Middlebie, Dumfries and Galloway. It is one of very...

Have you been to Creca Moss?

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