Parkin’s Moss Trail

Parkin’s Moss Trail is a 2-mile (3.3 km) loop from Burn O’Vat Visitor Centre, crossing the B9119 to wind through the reserve’s raised bog. A boardwalk carries you over the wettest ground; firm gravel and earth, narrow rooted stretches and several short, fairly steep slopes make up the rest. NatureScot allows about 1½ hours and describes the path as strenuous, a fair reflection of the uneven footing despite the short distance.

Start from the visitor-centre car park, cross the B9119 to reach the purple-marked circuit, and cross back after the loop. The short approach is included in the stored route in both directions. Take care where the boards give way to earth and gravel: roots and uneven patches break up the otherwise firm path, and the short climbs add effort.

Parkin’s Moss is a raised peat bog, with Sphagnum mosses and sundew growing in its saturated ground. The boardwalk keeps your feet on a durable path while bringing the bog close; keep to it to avoid trampling the soft peat. The site is also habitat for Northern Damselfly and Tree Pipit, and dragonflies are more likely to be active on warm days. For a photo, include a bend in the boardwalk with the wet peat beside it so the image shows how the path crosses the bog.

NatureScot’s review of the reserve plan for 2014–24 reports that scrub removal and dams made Parkin’s Moss wetter and improved its raised-bog condition. The plan identifies 6 hectares to maintain free of scrub encroachment. The boardwalk crosses a peatland NatureScot is actively managing.

The visitor-centre toilets are open year-round, and two wheelchair-accessible picnic benches sit nearby on a surfaced track; neither is on the loop. Dogs are allowed, with the reserve asking for a short lead or close control from April through July while birds breed and raise young on the lochs.