50. Easter Inch Moss, between Blackburn and Seafield
Peat cutting once drained this bog, but it has now partially back to its original condition and is a wildlife sanctuary with a large variety of plants, abundant bird life and the common local amphibians.
This 143 hectare drained bog was once worked for peat. Attempts at pastoral farming in the 1960's were abandoned as nature took over, drains became blocked and the area became boggy. This is now a wildlife sanctuary with over 140 different plants, 11 of them rare in West Lothian. In addition there is a wide variety of bird life and the damp ground provides favourable habitats for frogs, toads and newts. Easter Inch Moss, together with the adjacent Seafield Law (see 6), was designated as West Lothian's first Local Nature Reserve in 2007. It is between Blackburn and Seafield village. Easter Inch Moss and Seafield Law are also a SSSI.
This semi-natural expanse of land is ideal for a range of leisure activities, such as walking, running and cycling. National Cycle Route 75 provides easy access through the whole reserve and connects the communities together. Nearby geodiversity sites are Five Sisters Shale Bings (5), Seafield Law (6) and Tailend Moss (48).
