Airds Moss is a large area of moor in East Ayrshire, the site is a protected area because of the extensive blanket bogs. In 1680 it was the location of a clash between troops loyal to King Charles II and the covenanters under Richard Cameron in which Cameron was killed.
thumb|The Edge of Airds Moss
General description
Airds Moss lies between the towns of Cumnock and Muirkirk and situated between the rivers Ayr and Lugar. Aird Moss is long and wide and it is the largest area of blanket bog in the southern part of the old Strathclyde Region which has not been subjected to afforestation. The battle is commemorated by a memorial in the shape of a squat obelisk with an inscription which was erected by the Scottish Covenanters Memorial Association. The famous Scottish infantry regiment, The Cameronians, took their name in honour of Richard Cameron.
Conservation Interest
Airds Moss is one of the few areas of comparatively low-altitude blanket bog left in south-western Scotland, elsewherein this region conversion to agricultural use and afforestation have reduced the original extent of blanket bog. In some parts of Airds Moss the vegetation has been altered by historical drainage and quarrying for hematite and these areas are dominated by purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea). Other parts of the site, where there is surface patterning and extensive area of more typical bog vegetation are dominated by heather (Calluna vulgaris), deergrass (Trichophorum cespitosum) and cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) while white beak-sedge (Rhynchospora alba), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos) and carpets of the moss Sphagnum magellanicum can be locally abundant. The SAC has an area of around , of which roughly consists of a mosaic of mire vegetation communities.