48. Tailend Moss by Bathgate
Tailend Moss, between Bathgate and Livingston, is one of the few remaining raised peat bogs in West Lothian, though it has suffered drainage from earlier peat cutting and subsidence from mining.
The importance of this site is reflected in the fact that it is both a Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve and a SSSI, as it has one of the few remaining populations of water voles in West Lothian; additional wildlife includes damselflies and dragonflies. Peatland plants, such as bog asphodel, cranberry and sundew, have also been recorded in the area.
A signed path guides you to the area from the Starlaw industrial area of west Livingston. You can also reach the site from the old barricaded road near Starlaw Roundabout on the A799. Nearby geodiversity sites are Seafield Law (6), Almond Valley Heritage Centre (8) and Easter Inch Moss (50).
