Battle Moss

Downs, Moorland in Caithness

Scotland

Battle Moss

South Yarrows Very much a working croft with stock.
South Yarrows Credit: Glen Breaden

Battle Moss is a vast expanse of land located in Caithness, a historic county in the far north of Scotland. Covering an area of approximately 10 square kilometers, it is characterized by its unique combination of downs and moorland. The landscape is dominated by flat, open spaces interspersed with low-lying hills and heather-covered moors.

The name "Battle Moss" is believed to come from its historical significance. It is said to be the site of a fierce battle that took place centuries ago, although the details and exact date of the battle remain unclear. Despite this historical association, the area is now known more for its natural beauty and ecological importance.

Battle Moss boasts a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers. The heathland is home to a variety of plant species, including heather, gorse, and cotton grass, which create a stunning display of colors during the flowering season. The moss also provides a valuable habitat for numerous bird species, such as curlews, lapwings, and red grouse.

Visitors to Battle Moss can enjoy peaceful walks along the well-maintained trails that crisscross the area. The undulating terrain offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, including the nearby Dunnet Head, the northernmost point of mainland Britain.

Overall, Battle Moss is a captivating natural landscape that combines the rugged beauty of moorland with the tranquility of downs. Its rich biodiversity and scenic vistas make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a true Scottish wilderness experience.

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Battle Moss Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 58.374464/-3.1698167 or Grid Reference ND3143. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

South Yarrows Very much a working croft with stock.
South Yarrows
Very much a working croft with stock.
Loch of Yarrows The Head of the reservoir looking towards Battle Moss with its wealth of iron age features.
Loch of Yarrows
The Head of the reservoir looking towards Battle Moss with its wealth of iron age features.
Chambered Cairn Shows a chambered cairn known as Warehouse South, on the summit of Warehouse Hill, Yarrows, looking towards a large Bronze Age cairn, known as Warehouse West. The tall 'marker cairns' are modern.
Chambered Cairn
Shows a chambered cairn known as Warehouse South, on the summit of Warehouse Hill, Yarrows, looking towards a large Bronze Age cairn, known as Warehouse West. The tall 'marker cairns' are modern.
The Yarrows Archaeological Trail Looking north along the trail with Loch of Yarrows to the east and Loch Brickigoe to the west.
The Yarrows Archaeological Trail
Looking north along the trail with Loch of Yarrows to the east and Loch Brickigoe to the west.
Loch Brickigoe Reflections of the ruined croft buildings in the calm waters.
Loch Brickigoe
Reflections of the ruined croft buildings in the calm waters.
North Yarrows Three crofts with the name Yarrows - south, west and north but no east as there appears to be no buildings on that side of the loch.
North Yarrows
Three crofts with the name Yarrows - south, west and north but no east as there appears to be no buildings on that side of the loch.
Road Junction The road from South Yarrows joins the Thrumster to Haster road with a sign for the Yarrows Archaeological Trail.
Road Junction
The road from South Yarrows joins the Thrumster to Haster road with a sign for the Yarrows Archaeological Trail.
Hill of Ulbster It looks as if there are ex-military buildings on the top of the hill.
Hill of Ulbster
It looks as if there are ex-military buildings on the top of the hill.
South Yarrows
South Yarrows
Ruins by Loch Brickigoe
Ruins by Loch Brickigoe
Thrumster and the Loch of Yarrow Eastern Caithness. looking southwest from south of Wick [camera position estimated]. Comparison with Google Earth imagery suggests that there has been little change of land use in the intervening years.
Thrumster and the Loch of Yarrow
Eastern Caithness. looking southwest from south of Wick [camera position estimated]. Comparison with Google Earth imagery suggests that there has been little change of land use in the intervening years.
Shower over Loch Brickigoe
Shower over Loch Brickigoe
Road to Thrumster at Raggra
Road to Thrumster at Raggra
Battle Moss, Loch of Yarrows multiple stone rows Looking south along the Battle Moss, Loch of Yarrows stone alignment (Scale 1m).
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Battle Moss, Loch of Yarrows multiple stone rows
Looking south along the Battle Moss, Loch of Yarrows stone alignment (Scale 1m). LinkExternal link
Watenan, West multiple stone row One of five stone rows forming part of this stone row (Scale 1m).
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Watenan, West multiple stone row
One of five stone rows forming part of this stone row (Scale 1m). LinkExternal link
Watenan, East multiple stone row Small edge set stones still standing after thousands of years.
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Watenan, East multiple stone row
Small edge set stones still standing after thousands of years. LinkExternal link
The Fields, Ulbster
The Fields, Ulbster
McCole's Castle chambered cairn An Orkney-Cromarty type chambered round cairn. <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/9047/mccoles-castle" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/9047/mccoles-castle">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>
McCole's Castle chambered cairn
An Orkney-Cromarty type chambered round cairn. LinkExternal link
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Battle Moss is located at Grid Ref: ND3143 (Lat: 58.374464, Lng: -3.1698167)

Unitary Authority: Highland

Police Authority: Highlands and Islands

What 3 Words

///remain.kettles.shunning. Near Wick, Highland

Nearby Locations

Battle Moss

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