RSPB Forsinard Flows Nature Reserve

It is early July, July 9th 2024 to be exact. The skies are an intense cobalt blue with some bright white puffy clouds floating through, tinged at the base with a grey red tone. It is cool, well, by Australian summer standards anyway. I’m really excited about this landscape in Scotland, the RSPB Forsinard Flows. I have never known much about “bogs” and peat but I was so excited to find out!

Before our arrival in the north Sutherland and Caithness regions of Scotland, I had become fascinated by the flowering Bog cotton! Insisting that we stop the car so that I could touch this plant to see if it felt as it appeared, I had no idea what it was and how amazing the environment was in which it lived. It was the loveliest moment finding that it was as soft as it looked. Anyone reading this from Scotland or Ireland might be smiling at the thought. How on earth could she not know what that is? From this moment I was hooked, and you will have to pardon my ignorance and enthusiasm in equal measure! I became the child again, finding a place with an amazingly huge biodiversity to research that I knew absolutely nothing about. In writing this, I hope to convey something of the preciousness of this landscape and by extension, all peat landscapes worldwide. They play a crucial role in the capture and storage of carbon and are so important for our world environment looking forward into the future.

The Visitor Centre:

This is found at the railway station. A brilliant piece of planning so that both those who arrive by car or train, can begin the walk from here. It was unmanned the day that we visited BUT it was hugely informative. The history of this area, the formation of peat and information about the plants, birds and animals are all presented in an attractive, visually informative way. Reading this information is a must to get the most out of your visit. Not wanting to spoil the discovery of this for yourself, I’ll add just a few photos of my biggest take aways from the visitor centre.

The boardwalk:

The boardwalk is superb! Places along the way are marked with signage to describe the plants and animals. The viewing tower and the surrounding are are great places to see the layout and to be able to sit and draw. An easy place to observe the variety of plants without touching and disturbing them. I loved it that we could help with research by taking a photo in a designated spot for mobile phone cameras, resting it so that every photo is of the same landscape. Sending the photo in an email with the date and time allows researchers to watch the changes over the seasons.

UNESCO site:

Much to my excitement, a little over 2 weeks later, on the 26th July, I saw on the local news while we were travelling along the beautiful coastline of Devon near Lynton, that RSPB Forsinard Flows had been made UNESCO site. I cannot imagine how thrilled all of those who had fought for the conservation and the restoration of these areas felt! An amazing achievement and a positive example of how good things are happening for the environment. The Flows region is testimony to how good people can work towards the protection of an area and have a positive result!

https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/forsinard-flows

https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/the-flow-country-recognised-as-world-heritage-site-in-a-first-for-unesco

My biggest recommendation is to visit if you can, and encourage and support the restoration of peatlands wherever you are. Interestingly, I read a book before we travelled by Annie Proulx called Fen, Bog and Swamp, 4thestate.co.uk 2022. While primarily set in the USA, it contains a wealth of information about how important these places are, and how throughout history little regard was paid to their importance and the dire effects that drainage had on the environment. Thankfully, we are beginning to understand how every ecosystem is important. My resolution; to research and visit bogs within Australia and to support their survival. I truly have become a bog lover and I am wondering what interesting adventures this will lead me on in the future!

Till next time, thank you for being here and reading,

Susan x

The Flow Country, Scotland.