Clunas Moss

Wood, Forest in Nairnshire

Scotland

Clunas Moss

Glengeoullie Bridge The bridge spans the Riereach Burn — Glengeoullie Bridge Credit: Douglas Nelson

Clunas Moss is a wooded area located in Nairnshire, a county in the Highland region of Scotland. This picturesque moss is situated near the village of Clunas and covers a vast expanse of land, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The moss is predominantly composed of dense forest and woodlands, characterized by a variety of tree species such as oak, birch, and pine. The lush greenery and towering trees create a serene and tranquil ambiance that attracts visitors seeking a peaceful retreat.

As an integral part of the Nairnshire landscape, Clunas Moss serves as a vital habitat for numerous wildlife species. It provides shelter and sustenance to a diverse range of animals, including red squirrels, roe deer, and various bird species. The moss is particularly renowned for its population of red kites, which can often be seen soaring gracefully through the skies.

Visitors to Clunas Moss can enjoy a range of outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, and birdwatching. There are well-maintained trails that wind through the moss, allowing visitors to explore its natural beauty at their own pace. The moss also features several viewpoints, providing breathtaking vistas of the surrounding countryside.

Clunas Moss is not only a haven for wildlife and nature enthusiasts but also serves as an important ecological site. Its preservation and conservation efforts ensure the longevity of the moss and its inhabitants, making it a valuable asset to the local community and the wider region of Nairnshire.

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Clunas Moss Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.50188/-3.8775648 or Grid Reference NH8747. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Glengeoullie Bridge

The bridge spans the Riereach Burn

Douglas Nelson

Track in Cawdor Wood

It is always hard to be definite about these things when named woods merge into one another, but in area, Cawdor Wood - named after the village and/or castle at its Northern end - covers about two and a half grid-squares and parts of it appear in seven. Some of the wood is a protected area, and some of it is not. The trees on the left side of the track are unprotected, whereas those on the right are. Confusingly, the protected part of this 'ancient' mixed wood is also just named Cawdor Wood by the relevant official organisations. It is officially designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), one of 200-odd in Scotland. In the hierarchy of these things, this really means that it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with greater protection. The big oak trees further North, along with the rare lichens that grow on some of their trunks, are the main reasons for this. The thing I remember the most about this wood, though, is the unbelievable amount of slugs that were very slowly wriggling their way along the many tracks and paths. The SAC is, very roughly, in the shape of a letter 'q', the land on the right of the track here being part of the tail of the letter, which straddles Riereach Burn. I put 'ancient' within quotation marks above because, although the wood is definitely old, nobody really seems to know exactly how old, tree felling and replanting having taken place throughout the years. There is actually a mention of cows grazing amongst the trees as recently as the 1950s in a report somewhere online.

Ian Dodds