Explore The Back of Beyond! - Munsary Peatlands

2nd June 2015

Photo Gallery

Explore The Back of Beyond!
Munsary Peatlands
nr Achavanich, Caithness.

Friday 12th June 10.30am - 3pm.

Take a walk out to the Back of Beyond where you'll find miles of untracked moorland, speckled with bog pools - the dubh lochans. Species such as bogbean, sundews and bog-cotton grow among the colourful mounds and hollows of the sphagnum mosses, which flourish in a rainbow of burgundy to orange to bright green.

This is Plantlife's Munsary Peatlands Nature Reserve where the reserve manager and the Highland Council Countryside Ranger will lead a 10km (6mile) walk along a farm track to the edge of the wild peatlands beyond, and back again.

Davie Black, Plantlife Scotland's Conservation Co-ordinator said: "this is a marvellous walk out to an internationally important place; a wild landscape nestling in the heart of Caithness.

"Not only miles of wild moor will be seen, add to this the soundtrack of peeping and trilling birdlife: meadow pipits, skylarks, Golden Plover and dunlin that feed on the reserve's inbye pasture, which is sensitively grazed by a neighbouring farmer to maintain the habitat's natural balance. Herds of red deer can also often been seen by the burns."

This free event will take in the wild plants and birdlife along the way and those walking the trail will find out about the management of the area, and some local history too. Booking is essential, and to find out more telephone 01786 478509 or e-mail scotland[AT]plantlife.org.uk

More about Munsary at -
http://www.caithness.org/atoz/munsarypeatlandreserve/index.htm