Flanders Moss Nature Reserve

10/9/2020

Exploring Flanders Moss Nature Reserve from Appletree Luxury self-catering lodge for eight in Stirling

Day out from Appletree Self catering cottage Loch Lomond

Viewing Platform at Flanders Moss Nature Reserve

About a twenty-minute drive from Appletree Cottage along the A811 towards Stirling takes you to Kippen roundabout. Turn left here and a couple of miles down the B road takes you to the entrance of Flanders Moss Nature Reserve

Flanders Moss Nature Reserve from Appletree Self-Catering Cottage Loch Lomond

The entrance for Flanders Moss Nature Reserve from the main road

After turning off the main road at the sign a single-track road takes you down to the free car park. Here, in this peaceful setting are a couple of picnic tables. Thoughtfully the tables have a block on which to place a portable barbecue.

Day out from Appletree Self catering lodge Loch Lomond

Picnic table with portable BBQ block

From the car park a path takes you over a small bridge and along a woodland path which winds its way between the birch trees...

Flanders Moss from Appletree Holiday Rental Loch Lomond

Bridge leading into the Nature Reserve

After a short walk along the pretty woodland path you emerge at quite a substantial viewing platform.
This is a great place to bring the kids or bring the dog for a walk - no traffic and on the occasions we have visited the Nature Reserve there have only been one or two people.
The reserve was created to protect one of the last sections of landform which used to be typical before the carse of the Forth Valley was drained in the eighteen and nineteen hundreds. During this period fertile land was much in demand and the farmers drained the bogs and removed the peat to get at the fertile clay below. This particular section had been dug for peat and some of the diggings are still in evidence.
The ends of the rows were dammed to prevent the loss of water enabling birds, butterflies and other wildlife to thrive in this peaceful sanctuary.
The Nature reserve is open throughout the year but the best times to visit are spring and summer when the wild flowers and wildlife are present.

Nature reserve from Appletree luxury holiday cottage Loch Lomond

We chose to climb to the top of the viewing platform before going any further. A couple of stories high and timber built the platform is a substantial structure giving fantastic views across the Forth Valley

Day out to Flanders Moss from Appletree Self Catering Cottage Loch Lomond

Looking up inside the viewing platform

From the top of the platform one can see Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, the village of Thornhill and the mountains from Ben Ledi in the north across to Ben Lomond in the west.

Flanders Moss from Appletree Holiday Cottage Loch Lomond

Panoramic view from the tower looking north west. Ben Ledi is prominent in the centre of the image.

The reserve has a long circular path running around it so once back on ground level we began to explore, keeping an eye out for birds, butterflies and bees...

Flanders Moss Nature Reserve near Appletree Cottage

Part of the circular path around the site

The paths are all decking built above the bog to prevent visitors' feet getting wet. A great place for kids to run about.

Flanders moss from Appletree Luxury Accommodation Loch Lomond

A giant Curlew sculpture provides an element of surprise

All over the reserve there are information boards to tell you about the flora and fauna dan history of the site. For more information you can visit this website: www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/scotlands-national-nature-reserves/flanders-moss-national-nature-reserve
Flanders Moss Nature Reserve is a great place to visit for nature lovers and walkers alike.. We'll be back again.