Gordon Moss

Many of the title deeds of these plots came with a variety of rights from the lands of Greenknowe such as catching rabbits, gathering firewood and cutting divots (turf to fireproof thatching).

This caused various conflicts with farming practices on the Greenknowe estate so in the 1800s part of the land of the Gordon Moss was given in exchange for these rights.

By leaping out from behind bushes they lured the enemy into rushing forwards at them into very dangerous boggy areas and saved their village.

The Gordon Moss is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – these are controlled and monitored by Scottish Natural Heritage.

The water levels in the moss are lower than they were historically and it is a pleasant and very quiet place to explore with strong footwear, but beware of adders.