Britain has some stunning nature reserves, and we’d argue they’re all in Scotland.
Still, not everyone would, and only two of Scotland’s nature reserves made it to the list of the best in Britain. Caerlaverock Wetland Centre in Dumfries and Galloway and Red Moss of Balerno Nature Reserve near Edinburgh were named among the best in a recent The Times post. And you know, if a nature reserve makes it into the list of the best in a country, they’ll be good ones.
Below, we’ll walk you through these incredible nature reserves, why they got voted two of the best in Britain, and the areas surrounding the parks.
The Best Wetlands and Reserves to Visit—The Times
As always, we put importance on the Times as other people do. It was no different when the Times released its ranking of the best nature reserves in Britain. It also included the parts of England and Wales with the most stunning locations.
Caerlaverock Wetland Centre and Red Moss of Balerno Nature Reserve are two completely disparate experiences. One is a bird-filled, sprawling wetland (Caerlaverock); the other is a boggy paradise hiding right outside the capital of Scotland (Red Moss).
Barnacle geese coming in from Svalbard form vast flocks in winter on Caerlaverock’s 1400-acre stretch along the Solway Firth—it’s stunningly captivating. Red Moss is an ancient peat bog where snipe dragonflies and sphagnum moss live in perfect harmony.
As Emily Sargent (writer) noted in The Times, wetlands and nature reserves are essential, especially during the winter season, when they become homes for wildlife migrants. In Britain, most wetlands are being preserved and renovated into better ecosystems designed to counteract climate changes.
You can easily get to these incredible nature reserves with one of our luxury Scottish motorhomes!
The Caerlaverock Wetland Centre and Red Moss of Balerno Nature Reserve
Caerlaverock Wetland Centre
It is not only a nature reserve; it is wildlife on display.
The Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is located on the Solway Firth, and this 1400-acre reserve is one of Scotland’s most important wetlands. Caerlaverock Wetland Centre has over 30,000 barnacle geese from Svalbard during winter. The sounds of these birds arriving and squawking fill the atmosphere—it’s one of the most visually stunning phenomena in Britain. When they reach the wetlands, their song turns the wetlands into a mass of movement.
The wetlands provide a sanctuary for a variety of other birds as well. The gathering of pink-footed geese, whooper swans, and waders into massive flocks makes it a dream site for birdwatchers. Birds are not the only wildlife. You’ll see roe deer, otters, and hares, adding to the magic of the experience.
Caerlaverock looks the best in spring. The bold colours of wildflower meadows are accentuated by the presence of dragonflies gliding across pools, and the view is completed by the curlew’s call in the distance. Nature lovers can thank the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT), whose preservation campaign makes Caerlaverock a globally renowned site for nature lovers.
Red Moss of Balerno Nature Reserve
The Red Moss of Balerno Nature Reserve is a small yet essential reserve and is one of Scotland’s few remaining raised bogs, hidden at the edge of the Pentland Hills. Internally, its rich biodiversity mirrors the thousands of years worth of the peat layer.
The bog is draped with a shimmering cloak of red and gold sphagnum moss. The water’s surface is alive with dragonflies skimming in summer, and delicate round-leaved sundews—carnivorous plants—lie in wait to snap up unsuspecting prey.
Birdlife also flourishes in this region. Snipe drums with their distinctive calls, and brown hares dash across the meadows. It is where you can simply retreat from the bustle of daily life and appreciate the little wonders of nature.
The best part is that it’s a stroll from Edinburgh.
Other Incredible Nature Reserves in Scotland
Scotland has quite a few astounding nature reserves and national parks. Here are some of our favourites:
- Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve— An incredible array of mountains, woodlands, and even wetlands is here. It is also home to red squirrels, fallow deer, and even ospreys.
- Abernethy National Nature Reserve—A massive area within the Cairngorms that includes ancient Caledonian pine woods, which are home to capercaillies and wildcats.
- St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve—An outstanding coastal reserve where cliffs drop into the sea, along with thousands of seabirds that make it their nesting haven.
- Montrose Basin—An estuary with an abundance of birds, which includes the famous pink-footed geese during autumn.
- Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve—Britain’s first National Nature Reserve. It has breathtaking views of mountains and is home to rare alpine flowers.
Scotland might have only secured two spots on The Times’ list, but it secures every spot in ours. When it comes to nature, quality trumps quantity. Do you have a nature reserve or wetland you’d like to visit in Scotland?
