Flanders Moss NNR - About the reserve

Flanders Moss is a huge expanse of raised bog habitat, home to a range of important species.

 

 

 

Managing habitats and inspiring people

Lying 15 kilometres west of Stirling, Flanders Moss NNR is one of the largest lowland raised bogs in Britain. It is also one of the most intact raised bogs in Europe and has many of the classic raised bog features. An active raised bog is an important carbon and water store – and contributes to natural flood management.

Bog habitats

Our priority at Flanders Moss is to restore a healthy peatland system that has recovered its natural structure and function. Through active management, we aim to restore the water table so that it’s stable and close to the surface. This will allow sphagnum mosses to carpet the surface and lay down new peatland layers.

Our management focuses on raising the water table by holding water within the peatland, through ditch blocking and damming. We also want to improve the lagg fen – the wetland buffer – around the edge of the peatland. Finally, we want to reduce shrub and tree cover to a level where they’re not drying out the surface.

Recent success at deer control by working with neighbours will further help protect the reserves plant species from damage. Read about the successful deer management partnership. 

Engaging people with nature

We want visiting the reserve to be a memorable experience for everyone. We provide access and information to give visitors a better understanding of the role of peatlands. We also emphasise the importance of peatlands in managing climate change.

We will continue to maintain the parking, the boardwalk and the viewing tower. The tower is a key part of visitors’ experience because it provides such a different view of the reserve. We will share our experience of practical management through demonstration events.

We will also encourage schools to make full use of the learning opportunities at Flanders Moss NNR.

Management planning

We plan our management carefully to make sure that the special qualities of the reserve thrive. In this way it will always give visitors an enjoyable experience and engage people with nature.

We produce 10-year management plans for our reserves. Find out more about how we manage Flanders Moss NNR:

  • The Management Plan – sets out our priorities and tasks for managing the reserve between 2018 and 2028.
  • The Reserve Story – an introduction to the natural heritage, historical interest, past management and designations which protect the reserve.

Protected areas

Flanders Moss NNR overlaps with several protected areas, including:

Find out more about these protected areas and their designated features by searching the map:

Find out more

Learn more about Scotland’s National Nature Reserves. 

Discover how protected areas safeguard our natural heritage.         

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