Flanders Moss, Carse of Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Welcome to the beautiful Flanders Moss, the largest raised bog in the United Kingdom. It lies in the flatlands just south of Callander, east of Aberfoyle and west of Stirling. It used to be even bigger but much of the bog was stripped in the 18th century for agricultural re-purposing and to be tenanted by Highlanders – the so-called Moss Lairds – including some from Balquhidder.

Flanders Moss has been as it is for thousands of years. It is a large carbon store and is now protected as a nature reserve. It has unusual mosses, bird and aqua life. I fell into the bog today and can confirm it is hard to cross and nearly swallowed me whole (ok not quite but it could easily have stuck me fast). It is said that, in times gone by, the locals made quick their escape from pursuers over Flanders Moss which was considered absolutely treacherous to those who did not know the routes through.

The photo with the lone Scots Pine looks directly towards Tar of Ruskie, between Thornhill and Port of Menteith. https://www.chuckspeed.com/…/The%20Moss%20Lairds.htm