New; 16th Jun' 09 Sponsored Walk; one of our group is taking part in a sponsored walk in August,
the WolfTrek! There were two options, a 45 mile walk in 24 hours (no way),
or a 17 mile Midnight March. Both walks start at the Dallas Duh Distillery, Forres,
with the 45 mile going to Cairgorm and the 17 mile to Lochindorb.
Due to the unique conservational and ecological sensitivities of the area,
the event can only be held on one particular weekend a year.
Please click here for details ...
and if anyone wants to do some online sponsoring, that would be fantastic!
The team name (within Weatherford Wolves) is "Schist happens" - I suppose that's what happens when you go walking with a bunch of Geologists!!
New; 12th Jun' 09
Email contact; a recent email from visitors to the Moss
Please click here for the info supplied.
New; 11th Jun' 09
Portlethen Primary School, Family Health Walk!
Please click here for pictures taken on the walk to, and around, the Moss.
New; 9th Jun' 09
Winner of the Design a Badge competition
Article in the Press and Journal, Please click here for pic (250kb JPG).
Article in the Mearns Leader, Please click here for pic (250kb JPG).
New; 2nd Jun' 09
Mosses Past and Present
An event was held on Portlethen Moss, 31st May'09
As part of the annual Local Nature Reserve celebrations,
Aberdeenshire Council Ranger Service organised a workshop to
look at the ecology, history and culture of Portlethen Moss.
Botanist and environmental consultant Dr. Andy McMullen led the event.
Please click here for details (1.2Mb PDF).
Please click for five JPG images (90 - 130Kb);
1 /
2 /
3 /
4 /
5
The above images are through a microscope,
looking at cored material from the silt layer,
depth around 3 metres / approx 10,000 years old!
New; 27th May'09
OPITO Trainee Challenge
Just heard that the work done has won an award!
Skills Development Scotland has awarded the Academy the 2008 Modern Apprenticeship Community Challenge (East Region)
accolade in light of work carried out at Portlethen Moss
by apprentices on the industry's upstream technician training course.
Please click here for details (200kb PDF).
17th Mar'09
Visit to the Moss
Kenny MacAskill, Justice Secretary for Scotland, visited the Moss
to have a look at the work of the Criminal Justice Service.
Please click here and here for pix (180kb jpeg's)
We are very fortunate to have this extra work done on the Moss for us
and we are lucky to have had the Moss chosen as a suitable site for his visit.
Please click here (1.5Mb PDF) for a little bit of info'
regarding the Community Services efforts on the Moss.
Revised; 3rd Jun'09
Monitoring Gorse regrowth
An area of the Moss was cleared of Gorse, early 2008.
We are now monitoring any regrowth to see how effective the clearance was.
Please click here for the pix that have been taken so far (680kb pdf)
2nd Mar'09
OPITO Trainee Challenge
The new noticeboard/seat makes the newspapers (Mearns Leader, 27th Feb'09).
Please click on thumbnail below for a 200Kb jpeg;
18th Feb'09
OPITO Trainee Challenge
A new noticeboard/seat has been designed, built and erected by a group of
OPITO Modern Apprentice Trainees (from Aberdeen College / ASET) !
Please click here for a 580Kb pdf with all the information.
An even bigger Interpretive Notice Board for the
Portlethen Moss is to be erected (complete with roof!).
Please click here for the original design that was presented to the Council (3.8Mb pdf)
Please click here for the design that the Council Graphics Dept. created (1.3Mb pdf)
This notice board should be installed Spring/Summer '09.
The existing board is to be relocated, further into the Moss.
Tree Planting on the Moss
On Sunday 16th Nov'08, a new Hedgerow was planted to enhance the entrance area.
Please click here for some pix
Please click here for a list of All Recorded Species on the Moss (13Kb pdf)
Thanks to Nesbrec (North East Scotland Biological Records Centre) for this info.
MOTHS ON THE MOSS
Please click here for the Poster about the event (100Kb pdf)
Friday 30th May 9.00 p.m. 'til late - MOTHS ON THE MOSS - As part of Local Nature Reserve Celebrations fortnight we will be looking at the moth life of Portlethen Moss (proposed Local Nature Reserve) with Helen Rowe (Grampian Moth Group). Discover the wonderful world of moths and learn to identify some of this invertebrate group which is attracting a rapidly growing number of enthusiasts. We will also have bat detectors so that we can look out for any of these nocturnal visitors on the Moss. Bring a torch and wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses if you have them (to shield eyes from moth-trap light). Organised in partnership with Butterfly Conservation. Booking essential & children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet : South-east entrance to the Moss on Bruntland Road Contact : Kincardine and Mearns Ranger 01569 768292
Tree Planting on the Moss
Please click here for some pix
Tuesday 11th to Sunday 16th March, Tree Planting on the Moss.
Portlethen and Fishermoss Primaries and Portlethen Academy
will be involved (Tuesday to Thursday), followed by a Community Day
on Sunday; 10am to 3:30pm. Please book a place to ensure enough
Tools are available on the day; Aberdeenshire Ranger Service (01569 768292)
Please click here for the Press Release about the Tree Planting (40Kb pdf)
Please click here for a piece that appeared in "the green diary" (44Kb pdf)
New; 9th May 08 The Notice Board has now been erected!
It has been installed at the Bruntland Road entrance.
Some pix of this new feature will be placed on the website shortly.
20th Feb'08 An Interpretive Notice Board for the Portlethen Moss is to be erected.
Please click here for the original design that was presented to the Council (235Kb pdf)
Please click here for the design that the Council Graphics Dept. created (808Kb pdf)
This notice board should be installed by mid-March. New; 17th Jan'08 Help us Improve Biodiversity at Portlethen Moss;
Activity days in January and February - click here for a new flyer (pdf)
Click here for a link to the BTCV website
Although the new path laid this year (Mar/Apr'07) is suitable for all types of user,
cyclists, wheelchairs, prams etc (but NOT Mini-Moto-Bikes), the rest of the path system is really only suitable for walkers.
Much of these other paths are just on peat or grass and can be quite narrow (and wet, depending on time of year) - so it may be
possible that a lot of damage could be done by "wheeled" users.
We thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Over the years, Portlethen Moss has considerably declined in size.
This is mainly due to the pressures of housebuilders requiring more area
to build even more homes. Whilst increasing the size of Portlethen
is desired, for further justification of our "Towns" status, the loss
of such an excellent local amenity (the Moss) has become
increasingly worrying!
It is therefore desired to achieve Local Nature Reserve status for this area
and thus maintain it for posterity.
By making good what were previously unofficial paths, the site
will be open for everyone to enjoy. However, the dumping of
household waste must be strongly discouraged, especially as there
are steps being taken to create a local waste site in Portlethen.
Dogwalkers will require educating too, so as to clean up after their pets!
By taking a look at the 1868 image, you will see that the area
North of Bruntland Road and West of Muirend Road, and much more,
used to be the extents of the Moss.
If anyone in the Community knows anything about the history
of the Moss, please get in touch - and likewise with photos,
please send them in - we will give full credit !
Thanks to Denise Martin for her continuing persistence with
trying to get Local Nature Reserve status for "our" Moss !
Videos;Three WebPages with Videos uploaded to YouTube (eight videos in total) Page 1, - Page 2, - Page 3, <= New 9th May
"Tekky" bit about the Pix; Images from March 2007 onwards have been taken with an Olympus Mju750; 7.1 MegaPixel, 5x Optical Zoom and 3cm Macro. Pix are all cropped and reduced in size with PaintShop Pro. Top of Page
OtherPix;
A variety of other pictures from around Portlethen and Aberdeenshire; Set 01.
Contributors to this section include; Stephen Hammond, Ken Watson .....
Please send in your pix for possible inclusion!
A bit of background about The Moss; Clochandighter Magazine articles detailing the efforts to get LNR status A smallPosterplaced at the local Library (after the clean-up event) RecentArticle in the Mearns Leader4th May'07 about the Clean-up-the-Moss event on 29th Apr'07 Video showing some of the rubbish (1Mb - WMV) prior to clean-up Personal account
of a visit to the Moss (200kB PDF) Top of Page
Visitors Information; Layout/Aerial view of paths (including entrances etc) Layout of paths (Drawing) Aerial photo (215Kb) - courtesy of Scottish Natural Heritage, from the early 1990's - spot all the changes! And an approximation of the area taken by the Boswell Estate (115Kb) Location within Portlethen (Aerial image) and Closer view 1868 comparison of The Moss (Ye Olde Mappe) Comparison between 1868 and what is left today (and another) Aerial image from 1997 PDF of an article at www.wikipedia.org
and a Link to the WebPage PDF of an article at www.snh.org.uk and a Link to the WebPage Top of Page
2007 Events;
New; 18th Nov'07 Help us Improve Biodiversity at Portlethen Moss;
Activity days in November and December - click here for a flyer (pdf)
Click here for a link to the BTCV website
"Fruits of the Faith, Portlethen Church Hall" -
As part of a local Exhibition and Fayre, the
Portlethen Moss Group provided some "Past, Present and Future" information
boards, as well as numerous photgraphs of items that can be
found on the Moss. This exhibition provided an extra opportunity
to provide information to the local community.
Some photos from the day are available here.
"Portlethen Moss Meeting" -
A meeting has been arranged to discuss the
ongoing implementation of the WIAT (Woodlands in and around Towns
Initiative) scheme on the Moss. The grant from the Forestry Commission
is
for various improvements and woodland planting on Portlethen Moss. We
have
already done some path improvements but must now consider how and when
to
undertake gorse clearance and new planting.
We will also be taking the opportunity to discuss progress on two other
community initiatives/aspirations namely the Designation of the Moss as
a
Local Nature Reserve and the creation of a Community Park on the east
side
of the railway in Portlethen.
The meeting is to be held at the Community Learning Centre at the new
Academy at 6pm on Wed'16th May. Regretfully there are no tea and coffee making
facilities.
It will be attended by members of the Portlethen Moss Conservation Group
and representatives of the Forestry Commission, SNH, my own Service and
Landscape Services.
You (Councillors) are very welcome to join us but if you can't manage we will keep you
updated on any actions and activities proposed.
"Portlethen Moss Day" -
As part of the Local Nature Reserve Fortnight come for a walk round
Portlethen Moss. Get up close and personal with the plants and
creatures of the moss, find out what makes this site special and,
if you are interested, how you can become involved with its future.
MEET: at the south east entrance to the moss on Bruntland Road.
CONTACT: the Kincardine and Mearns Ranger on 01569 768292
WHEN: Sunday 10th June 2007, 14:00 - 16:00
Some photos from the day are available here.
This year (2007) - extract from the Aberdeenshire Council Website "Looking after the Moss" -
As part of the Scottish Outdoor Access Festival a clean up of Portlethen Moss will take place. Gloves, bin bags and refreshments will be supplied. If you would like to volunteer, booking is required.
MEET: contact the Ranger for details.
Further Information
Contact the Kincardine and Mearns Ranger
Phone 01569 768292
When?
Sunday 29th April 2007, 14:00 - 17:00
Where?
Phone for Details Article in the Leader describing the successful event
and some photos from the day are available here.
In 2006 there were two special events held at the Moss, "Moths on the Moss" -
As part of the Local Nature Reserve celebrations we will be looking at the moth life of Portlethen Moss (proposed LNR). Discover the wonderful world of moths and learn to identify some of this invertebrate group which attracts a rapidly growing number of enthusiasts.
and
"Portlethen Moss Day" -
On International Bog Day come on a tour of proposed Local Nature Reserve Portlethen Moss. Get up close and personal with the plants and creatures of the moss, find out what makes the site special and, if you are interested, how you can become involved with its future.
Details of the two events listed above have been derived from the Aberdeenshire Council Website
and, in fact, this Website lists the Moss as a "recreational resource".
What becomes apparent, when you visit the Moss for the first time, is that this open "wilderness" is a fantastic area to get away from it all – well, for an hour or so anyway! But, what also becomes painfully apparent is that, at each entrance, there is a considerable amount of dumped household and garden waste. Whether it is strips of kitchen or bathroom linoleum, large lumps of concrete, ripped out tree roots, pruned tree branches, a roof mounted TV aerial (bizarre), down to flowering daffodils (whoever saw daffodils in the middle of a peat bog) – all this is totally unacceptable. It may only be a handful of people responsible, but hopefully this offensive behaviour will stop as there are more than adequate facilities at ASDA (each Saturday) for dumping this sort of waste. However, with current attitudes, it is all too easy for these offenders to walk a few yards and dump something (thereby spoiling it for the majority), rather than loading up in their car, driving for a short distance round to ASDA and then let someone else unload the rubbish (the workers there are very helpful). This cycle of ingrained activity (of dumping) has to somehow be broken. Hopefully, once the “clean-up” has occurred at the end of April, people may think twice before dumping – after all, no-one should want to be the first to spoil an immaculate landscape! The longer the Moss remains pristine, the more wildlife will be attracted to it and the better it will be for many years – we are, after all, only temporary guardians of this area; one would hope that the Moss will thrive long after all of us have gone. Ken Watson, 20th Mar'07
January; 2008
