Moss & Height Spring Wood

Moss and Height Spring Wood is an area of ancient woodland near Bouth in Cumbria. The 48 acre wood is believed to be at least 350 years old and the wide track that dissects it is thought to be a former coffin route used by the people of Bouth to reach the nearby church at Colton. 

 

The area is dominated by oak, yew and birch. Much of Moss Wood was traditionally coppiced until the 1950s. Since then it has been managed to form mature woodland. 

Traditional coppicing was reintroduced at Height Spring to the south of the central track, in1993. The predominant species being sessile oak with other species including birch, alder and hazel.

Coppice material is used in traditional crafts and for hurdles, bean poles and in the tanning industry where oak bark is used. Charcoal is also kilned on site. Old veteran trees of yew, oak and crab apple are dotted throughout the woodland with the latter often being found close to old charcoal pitsteads.

Almost as soon as we entered the wood we saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker foraging for insects. He didn't seem too bothered by our prescence and carried on with his food search. We saw several other woodpeckers also and there was a lot of evidence of their drilling!

The woods were absolutely full of birdsong as we walked along the path. We spent a good while trying to identify individual birds by their song; we could have done with Bill Oddie really! We did hear a Tawny Owl calling and a pair of Buzzards nearby.

The woodland contains a rich and varied ground flora including species such as dog's mercury,bilberry,wild garlic, primrose, honeysuckle, violets and wild strawberry. 

 

Several small streams meander through the wood creating boggy and mossy areas.

  

Ferns were just beginning to unfurl underneath moss laden trees, studded here and there with the pale flowers of Wild Sorrel.

 

We found a lovely place amongst the Bluebells to eat our picnic.

As we enjoyed our lunch we watched a pair of Orange Tip butterflies perform their mating ritual.

As we made our way back to the entrance to the wood, we spotted a couple of roe deer watching us from an adjacent field. The appearance of two very boisterous dogs behind us on the path sent them bounding away out of sight before we had a chance to take a photo, unfortunately. Nevertheless, just seeing them for a few brief moments was a lovely end to a lovely walk.

As always, thanks for visiting & I hope you've enjoyed the photos!
 
 

Water of Leith and other Edinburgh delights

From its source in the Pentland Hills, the Water of Leith flows for 24 miles until it reaches the Firth of Forth, at Leith docks. The Water of Leith Walkway is a green corridor and designated Urban Wildlife Site, which accompanies the waterway through the city of Edinburgh. Once Edinburgh’s industrial heartland, the valley was host to over 70 mills harnessing the power of the water to produce paper, fabric, and flour. Some of the mill buildings can still be found along the walkway, now redeveloped and converted to offices and accommodation.
From Picardy Place, birthplace of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, we headed down Queen Street towards the Scottish Museum of Modern Art, where we would join the walkway.

 

St. Paul's and St. George's Church

 There are many impressive sandstone buildings and monuments along the route.

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Catherine Sinclair monument

Rich men, poor men. Castles and cash converters.



 
 Drumsheugh Baths Club; the oldest private swimming club in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is chock full of ornate architecture, hidden gardens, balconied windows and wrought ironwork.

 As we approached the village of Dean, we began to see obvious signs of the former mill village with steep cobbled streets lined with terraced cottages.

 Our first glimpse of the Water of Leith...

 

Before descending to the river we decided to have a quick walk in grounds of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. 

 Landform Ueda, created by landscape architect Charles Jencks, can be found here.

At the entrance to the grounds is one of six Antony Gormley sculptures, which can be found along the walkway.
 

Master of the Universe - Eduardo Paolozzi

A reassuring promise from artist Martin Creed ...... and a not quite so reassuring one from Nathan Coley.

Finally, after a brief  but very interesting detour through Dean Cemetery, we found ourselves on a shady green footpath by the Water of Leith. To describe it as a peaceful oasis in the heart of a very busy city is no exaggeration.

Reminders of the mill history of the area can be seen along the route.

One of the most impressive buildings in Dean Village is Well Court, recently restored with the help of Edinburgh World Heritage. It was originally built in the 1880s as model housing for local mill workers.

As always seems to happen when we visit Scotland, the heavens opened. We sheltered for a few minutes under Dean Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford.

Kingfishers are regularly spotted here apparently; no luck for us though. Maybe next time.
A natural spring was discovered near the village in 1760, and was soon a visitor attraction as at that time ‘taking the waters’ was thought to be very good for the health.
The building was designed by the painter Alexander Nasmyth in 1789, and the statue inside represents Hygeia the Greek goddess of health. 

As the rain became heavier we decided to end our walk at Canonmills. A return visit to complete the entire walkway is on the to-do list!

Thanks for visiting, I hope you've enjoyed the photos!