Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve

Blawhorn Moss National Nature Reserve covers 629 hectares of peatland with raised and blanket bogs, crossed by pathways through changing wetland habitats. A surfaced track and wooden boardwalk guide visitors through the different sections of the reserve.

Peat layers in this place accumulated over 8000 years, recording ecological shifts in Scottish landscapes across different time periods. The bog preserves botanical remains that show how vegetation patterns changed through these millennia.

Interpretive panels and sculptures placed throughout the boardwalk tell stories about why peatlands matter to local communities. Visitors experience firsthand how these wetlands connect to the lives of people living nearby.

Entry to the reserve is via a surfaced path about 1 kilometer long, followed by a 700-meter wooden boardwalk that keeps visitors dry while crossing wet ground. Free parking is available near Blackridge village, making the location straightforward to reach.

In winter the bog surface freezes solid and turns white, making animal tracks stand out clearly against the ice. This frozen landscape offers visitors a rare chance to read the movement patterns of wildlife crossing the reserve.

Location: West Lothian

GPS coordinates: 55.89402,-3.78545

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:47