← Back✦ Historic site

Mill Pond

BirdsWildlifeSeasonal

Dogs welcome

Getting here

58.93420, -3.27578

Open directionsv

Google Maps↗Driving directions Apple Maps↗Driving directions Waze↗Live driving navigation Google Transit↗Bus, rail or tram Apple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🐦86+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Shag and Red-throated Diver
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🐦86+ species recorded in this area — summer evenings are best for activity; watch for Shag and Red-throated Diver
✦Historic character is a year-round quality here — summer brings its own atmosphere to the setting
🐕Dogs welcome — bring water in summer; the site has enough space to find shade on hot days

Good to know

🐕Dogs welcome

Best for

6 activities

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Shag, Red-throated Diver, Oystercatcher +83 more · last seen 2025; Birds — Shag, Red-throated Diver, Oystercatcher +83 more · last seen 2025

Free

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — Campylium stellatum, Frizzled Crisp-moss, Fallacious Beard-moss +114 more · last seen 2025; Plants — Campylium stellatum, Frizzled Crisp-moss, Fallacious Beard-moss +114 more · last seen 2025

Free

Heritage

Strong match

Historic site

Free

Insect spotting

Good match

Insects — Common Carder Bee, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Hawker +3 more · last seen 2024; Insects — Common Carder Bee, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Common Hawker +3 more · last seen 2024

Free

Foraging

Good match

Plants — Two-horned Pincerwort, Raspberry Bryum, Common Threadwort +1 more foraging species

Varies

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚴

Cycling

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

EuroVelo 12 - North Sea Cycle Route - part United Kingdom 9Cycling route

Named routeRef EV12International cycle route

Wildlife to spot

6,026 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

6,026 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds88 species

springsummer

2025

Shag · Hen Harrier · Red-throated Diver · Oystercatcher · Herring Gull +83

ShagGulosus aristotelis
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneus
Red-throated DiverGavia stellata
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2024
EiderSomateria mollissima
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
RedshankTringa totanus
Common GullLarus canus
CurlewNumenius arquata
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2024
FulmarFulmarus glacialis
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula
Arctic SkuaStercorarius parasiticus
TurnstoneArenaria interpres
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
GannetMorus bassanus
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
Great SkuaStercorarius skua2024
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix
Arctic TernSterna paradisaea
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Greylag GooseAnser anser
Common GuillemotUria aalge
Black GuillemotCepphus grylle
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2023
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
Rock PipitAnthus petrosus
StonechatSaxicola rubicola
RavenCorvus corax2024
BlackbirdTurdus merula2024
DunlinCalidris alpina2024
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus
RazorbillAlca torda2024
PeregrineFalco peregrinus2024
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2024
House SparrowPasser domesticus2023
WigeonMareca penelope
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2024
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2024
RookCorvus frugilegus
KittiwakeRissa tridactyla
Great Northern DiverGavia immer
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2024
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2024
ShelduckTadorna tadorna
Rock DoveColumba livia
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2024
CuckooCuculus canorus2024
MerlinFalco columbarius2024
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2023
Common RedpollAcanthis flammea flammea/rostrata2024
GreenfinchChloris chloris2023
JackdawColoeus monedula2023
RobinErithacus rubecula2023
SnipeGallinago gallinago2023
SanderlingCalidris alba2023
HoopoeUpupa epops2023
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2023
Common TernSterna hirundo2023
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2023
Mute SwanCygnus olor
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos2024
TwiteLinaria flavirostris2024
WhitethroatCurruca communis2024
RedwingTurdus iliacus2024
Black-throated DiverGavia arctica2024
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2024
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarola2023
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2023
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria2023
BuzzardButeo buteo2023
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2023
BramblingFringilla montifringilla2023
LinnetLinaria cannabina2022
Asio flammeus flammeusAsio flammeus flammeus2022
Common ScoterMelanitta nigra2022
Iceland GullLarus glaucoides2022
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2022
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2022
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2022
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe2022

🦌

Mammals8 species

springsummerautumn

2025

Grey Seal · Common Porpoise · Risso's Dolphin · Common Dolphin · Harbour Seal +3

Grey SealHalichoerus grypus2024
Common PorpoisePhocoena phocoena2024
Risso's DolphinGrampus griseus
Common DolphinDelphinus delphis2024
Harbour SealPhoca vitulina2024
OtterLutra lutra
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2023
Brown HareLepus europaeus2023

🐝

Insects6 species

summer

2024

Common Carder Bee · Blue-tailed Damselfly · Common Hawker · Buff-tailed Bumblebee · Gypsy Cuckoo Bee +1

Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2023
Blue-tailed DamselflyIschnura elegans2023
Common HawkerAeshna juncea
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2023
Gypsy Cuckoo BeeBombus bohemicus2023
Common Blue DamselflyEnallagma cyathigerum2022

🌿

Plants117 species

summer

2025

Campylium stellatum · Intermediate Hook-moss · Dune Thread-moss · Palustriella falcata · Red Bog-moss +112

Campylium stellatumCampylium stellatum
Intermediate Hook-mossScorpidium cossonii
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum
Palustriella falcataPalustriella falcata
Red Bog-mossSphagnum capillifolium
Rusty Swan-neck MossCampylopus flexuosus
Common PottiaTortula truncata
Rusty Hook-mossScorpidium revolvens
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus
Endive PelliaPellia endiviifolia
Heath Plait-mossHypnum jutlandicum
Fern-leaved Hook-mossCratoneuron filicinum
Blunt PincerwortCephalozia pleniceps
Seaside GrimmiaSchistidium maritimum
Marsh BryumBryum pseudotriquetrum
Hooked Scorpion-mossScorpidium scorpioides
Two-horned PincerwortCephalozia bicuspidata
Delicate GermanderwortRiccardia multifida
Glittering Wood-mossHylocomium splendens
Chalk Comb-mossCtenidium molluscum
Common PouchwortCalypogeia fissa
Lustrous Bog-mossSphagnum subnitens
Trichostomum brachydontiumTrichostomum brachydontium
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata
Cylindric Beard-mossDidymodon insulanus
Fallacious Beard-mossDidymodon fallax
Cow-horn Bog-mossSphagnum auriculatum
Ladder FlapwortNardia scalaris
Broom Fork-mossDicranum scoparium
Neat Feather-mossPseudoscleropodium purum
Woolly Fringe-mossRacomitrium lanuginosum
White EarwortDiplophyllum albicans
GreasewortAneura pinguis
Compact Swan-neck MossCampylopus brevipilus
Compact Bog-mossSphagnum compactum
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata
Golden-head MossBreutelia chrysocoma
Frizzled Crisp-mossTortella tortuosa
Common ThreadwortCephaloziella divaricata
Dicranella variaDicranella varia
Isothecium interludensIsothecium interludens
Bristly Swan-neck MossCampylopus atrovirens
Pearl PouncewortLejeunea patens
Maidenhair Pocket-mossFissidens adianthoides
Wall Screw-mossTortula muralis
Tamarisk ScalewortFrullania tamarisci
Raspberry BryumBryum klinggraeffii
Bristly HaircapPolytrichum piliferum
Arisaig Crisp-mossTortella flavovirens
Polytrichum commune s.str.Polytrichum commune s.str.
Red Beard-mossBryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum
Long-beaked Thyme-mossPlagiomnium rostratum
Schreber's Forklet-mossDicranella schreberiana
Even ScalewortRadula complanata
Mueller's PouchwortCalypogeia muelleriana
Fountain Apple-mossPhilonotis fontana
Jagged GermanderwortRiccardia chamedryfolia
RedshankCeratodon purpureus
Jagged NotchwortSchistochilopsis incisa
Bruch's PincushionUlota bruchii
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata
Transparent Fork-mossDichodontium pellucidum
Common SmoothcapAtrichum undulatum
Nees' PelliaPellia neesiana
Swartz's Feather-mossOxyrrhynchium hians
Autumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalis
Campylium protensumCampylium protensum
Papillose Bog-mossSphagnum papillosum
Schistidium maritimum subsp. maritimumSchistidium maritimum subsp. maritimum
Cuspidate Earth-mossTortula acaulon
Dark-green FlapwortJungermannia atrovirens
Shining HookeriaHookeria lucens
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare
Heart-leaved Spear-mossCalliergon cordifolium
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum
Hooker's FlapwortHaplomitrium hookeri
Verdigris Tufa-mossGymnostomum aeruginosum
Whitish Feather-mossBrachythecium albicans
Heath Star MossCampylopus introflexus
Sickle-leaved Hook-mossSanionia uncinata
Dotted Thyme-mossRhizomnium punctatum
Rock Pocket-mossFissidens dubius
Clay Earth-mossArchidium alternifolium
Common Pocket-mossFissidens taxifolius
Notched RustwortMarsupella emarginata
Sphagnum capillifoliumSphagnum capillifolium
Pale Thread-mossBryum pallens
Hornschuch's Beard-mossPseudocrossidium hornschuchianum
Red-stemmed Feather-mossPleurozium schreberi
Slender DitrichumFlexitrichum gracile
Big Shaggy-mossHylocomiadelphus triquetrus
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum
Common Cord-mossFunaria hygrometrica
Inflated NotchwortGymnocolea inflata subsp. inflata
Spiky Bog-mossSphagnum squarrosum
Heath EarwortScapania irrigua
Juicy Silk-mossPlagiothecium succulentum
Lesser Cow-horn Bog-mossSphagnum inundatum
Straw Spear-mossStraminergon stramineum
Bog Groove-mossAulacomnium palustre
Perthshire Beard-mossDidymodon rigidulus
Pohlia wahlenbergii var. wahlenbergiiPohlia wahlenbergii var. wahlenbergii
Blunt-leaved Bog-mossSphagnum palustre
Field Forklet-mossDicranella staphylina
Thin Cord-mossEntosthodon attenuatus
Silky Wall Feather-mossHomalothecium sericeum
Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifolia
Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-mossStreblotrichum convolutum var. convolutum
Western EarwortScapania gracilis
Crescent-cup LiverwortLunularia cruciata
Yellow Fringe-mossRacomitrium aciculare
Frizzled PincushionPlenogemma phyllantha
Juniper HaircapPolytrichum juniperinum
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

6,026 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds88 species

springsummer

2025

Shag · Hen Harrier · Red-throated Diver · Oystercatcher · Herring Gull +83

ShagGulosus aristotelis
Hen HarrierCircus cyaneus
Red-throated DiverGavia stellata
OystercatcherHaematopus ostralegus
Herring GullLarus argentatus
Great Black-backed GullLarus marinus2024
EiderSomateria mollissima
StarlingSturnus vulgaris
RedshankTringa totanus
Common GullLarus canus
CurlewNumenius arquata
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2024
FulmarFulmarus glacialis
Ringed PloverCharadrius hiaticula
Arctic SkuaStercorarius parasiticus
TurnstoneArenaria interpres
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii
GannetMorus bassanus
Meadow PipitAnthus pratensis
Great SkuaStercorarius skua2024
Hooded CrowCorvus cornix
Arctic TernSterna paradisaea
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
Greylag GooseAnser anser
Common GuillemotUria aalge
Black GuillemotCepphus grylle
SwallowHirundo rustica2024
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Red-breasted MerganserMergus serrator2023
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
Rock PipitAnthus petrosus
StonechatSaxicola rubicola
RavenCorvus corax2024
BlackbirdTurdus merula2024
DunlinCalidris alpina2024
Short-eared OwlAsio flammeus
RazorbillAlca torda2024
PeregrineFalco peregrinus2024
Carrion CrowCorvus corone2024
House SparrowPasser domesticus2023
WigeonMareca penelope
Willow WarblerPhylloscopus trochilus2024
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2024
RookCorvus frugilegus
KittiwakeRissa tridactyla
Great Northern DiverGavia immer
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2024
Sandwich TernThalasseus sandvicensis2024
ShelduckTadorna tadorna
Rock DoveColumba livia
LapwingVanellus vanellus
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2024
CuckooCuculus canorus2024
MerlinFalco columbarius2024
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2023
Common RedpollAcanthis flammea flammea/rostrata2024
GreenfinchChloris chloris2023
JackdawColoeus monedula2023
RobinErithacus rubecula2023
SnipeGallinago gallinago2023
SanderlingCalidris alba2023
HoopoeUpupa epops2023
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2023
Common TernSterna hirundo2023
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2023
Mute SwanCygnus olor
Common SandpiperActitis hypoleucos2024
TwiteLinaria flavirostris2024
WhitethroatCurruca communis2024
RedwingTurdus iliacus2024
Black-throated DiverGavia arctica2024
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2024
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2023
Grey PloverPluvialis squatarola2023
MoorhenGallinula chloropus2023
Golden PloverPluvialis apricaria2023
BuzzardButeo buteo2023
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula2023
BramblingFringilla montifringilla2023
LinnetLinaria cannabina2022
Asio flammeus flammeusAsio flammeus flammeus2022
Common ScoterMelanitta nigra2022
Iceland GullLarus glaucoides2022
Sedge WarblerAcrocephalus schoenobaenus2022
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2022
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2022
WheatearOenanthe oenanthe2022

🦌

Mammals8 species

springsummerautumn

2025

Grey Seal · Common Porpoise · Risso's Dolphin · Common Dolphin · Harbour Seal +3

Grey SealHalichoerus grypus2024
Common PorpoisePhocoena phocoena2024
Risso's DolphinGrampus griseus
Common DolphinDelphinus delphis2024
Harbour SealPhoca vitulina2024
OtterLutra lutra
RabbitOryctolagus cuniculus2023
Brown HareLepus europaeus2023

🐝

Insects6 species

summer

2024

Common Carder Bee · Blue-tailed Damselfly · Common Hawker · Buff-tailed Bumblebee · Gypsy Cuckoo Bee +1

Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum2023
Blue-tailed DamselflyIschnura elegans2023
Common HawkerAeshna juncea
Buff-tailed BumblebeeBombus terrestris2023
Gypsy Cuckoo BeeBombus bohemicus2023
Common Blue DamselflyEnallagma cyathigerum2022

🌿

Plants117 species

summer

2025

Campylium stellatum · Intermediate Hook-moss · Dune Thread-moss · Palustriella falcata · Red Bog-moss +112

Campylium stellatumCampylium stellatum
Intermediate Hook-mossScorpidium cossonii
Dune Thread-mossBryum dichotomum
Palustriella falcataPalustriella falcata
Red Bog-mossSphagnum capillifolium
Rusty Swan-neck MossCampylopus flexuosus
Common PottiaTortula truncata
Rusty Hook-mossScorpidium revolvens
Springy Turf-mossRhytidiadelphus squarrosus
Endive PelliaPellia endiviifolia
Heath Plait-mossHypnum jutlandicum
Fern-leaved Hook-mossCratoneuron filicinum
Blunt PincerwortCephalozia pleniceps
Seaside GrimmiaSchistidium maritimum
Marsh BryumBryum pseudotriquetrum
Hooked Scorpion-mossScorpidium scorpioides
Two-horned PincerwortCephalozia bicuspidata
Delicate GermanderwortRiccardia multifida
Glittering Wood-mossHylocomium splendens
Chalk Comb-mossCtenidium molluscum
Common PouchwortCalypogeia fissa
Lustrous Bog-mossSphagnum subnitens
Trichostomum brachydontiumTrichostomum brachydontium
Bird's-claw Beard-mossBarbula unguiculata
Cylindric Beard-mossDidymodon insulanus
Fallacious Beard-mossDidymodon fallax
Cow-horn Bog-mossSphagnum auriculatum
Ladder FlapwortNardia scalaris
Broom Fork-mossDicranum scoparium
Neat Feather-mossPseudoscleropodium purum
Woolly Fringe-mossRacomitrium lanuginosum
White EarwortDiplophyllum albicans
GreasewortAneura pinguis
Compact Swan-neck MossCampylopus brevipilus
Compact Bog-mossSphagnum compactum
Pointed Spear-mossCalliergonella cuspidata
Golden-head MossBreutelia chrysocoma
Frizzled Crisp-mossTortella tortuosa
Common ThreadwortCephaloziella divaricata
Dicranella variaDicranella varia
Isothecium interludensIsothecium interludens
Bristly Swan-neck MossCampylopus atrovirens
Pearl PouncewortLejeunea patens
Maidenhair Pocket-mossFissidens adianthoides
Wall Screw-mossTortula muralis
Tamarisk ScalewortFrullania tamarisci
Raspberry BryumBryum klinggraeffii
Bristly HaircapPolytrichum piliferum
Arisaig Crisp-mossTortella flavovirens
Polytrichum commune s.str.Polytrichum commune s.str.
Red Beard-mossBryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum
Common Feather-mossKindbergia praelonga
Swan's-neck Thyme-mossMnium hornum
Long-beaked Thyme-mossPlagiomnium rostratum
Schreber's Forklet-mossDicranella schreberiana
Even ScalewortRadula complanata
Mueller's PouchwortCalypogeia muelleriana
Fountain Apple-mossPhilonotis fontana
Jagged GermanderwortRiccardia chamedryfolia
RedshankCeratodon purpureus
Jagged NotchwortSchistochilopsis incisa
Bruch's PincushionUlota bruchii
Bifid CrestwortLophocolea bidentata
Transparent Fork-mossDichodontium pellucidum
Common SmoothcapAtrichum undulatum
Nees' PelliaPellia neesiana
Swartz's Feather-mossOxyrrhynchium hians
Autumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalis
Campylium protensumCampylium protensum
Papillose Bog-mossSphagnum papillosum
Schistidium maritimum subsp. maritimumSchistidium maritimum subsp. maritimum
Cuspidate Earth-mossTortula acaulon
Dark-green FlapwortJungermannia atrovirens
Shining HookeriaHookeria lucens
Capillary Thread-mossBryum capillare
Heart-leaved Spear-mossCalliergon cordifolium
Rough-stalked Feather-mossBrachythecium rutabulum
Hooker's FlapwortHaplomitrium hookeri
Verdigris Tufa-mossGymnostomum aeruginosum
Whitish Feather-mossBrachythecium albicans
Heath Star MossCampylopus introflexus
Sickle-leaved Hook-mossSanionia uncinata
Dotted Thyme-mossRhizomnium punctatum
Rock Pocket-mossFissidens dubius
Clay Earth-mossArchidium alternifolium
Common Pocket-mossFissidens taxifolius
Notched RustwortMarsupella emarginata
Sphagnum capillifoliumSphagnum capillifolium
Pale Thread-mossBryum pallens
Hornschuch's Beard-mossPseudocrossidium hornschuchianum
Red-stemmed Feather-mossPleurozium schreberi
Slender DitrichumFlexitrichum gracile
Big Shaggy-mossHylocomiadelphus triquetrus
Creeping Feather-mossAmblystegium serpens
Supine Plait-mossHypnum cupressiforme var. resupinatum
Common Cord-mossFunaria hygrometrica
Inflated NotchwortGymnocolea inflata subsp. inflata
Spiky Bog-mossSphagnum squarrosum
Heath EarwortScapania irrigua
Juicy Silk-mossPlagiothecium succulentum
Lesser Cow-horn Bog-mossSphagnum inundatum
Straw Spear-mossStraminergon stramineum
Bog Groove-mossAulacomnium palustre
Perthshire Beard-mossDidymodon rigidulus
Pohlia wahlenbergii var. wahlenbergiiPohlia wahlenbergii var. wahlenbergii
Blunt-leaved Bog-mossSphagnum palustre
Field Forklet-mossDicranella staphylina
Thin Cord-mossEntosthodon attenuatus
Silky Wall Feather-mossHomalothecium sericeum
Round-leaved SundewDrosera rotundifolia
Lesser Bird's-claw Beard-mossStreblotrichum convolutum var. convolutum
Western EarwortScapania gracilis
Crescent-cup LiverwortLunularia cruciata
Yellow Fringe-mossRacomitrium aciculare
Frizzled PincushionPlenogemma phyllantha
Juniper HaircapPolytrichum juniperinum
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Wikipedia · Mill pond · CC BY-SA 3.0

Mill pond

1 / 22

Events & activities nearby

Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.

Bookable tours

Weather for this location

Next 14 days

Loading local forecast…

Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱Stromness Golf ClubUrban park2.5 km→🌱Guardhouse ParkUrban park2.7 km→🌱Guardhouse ParkUrban park2.7 km→🌱Marwick Playing FieldUrban park3.7 km→🌱Stromness Golf ClubUrban park2.8 km→🌱Market GreenUrban park4.1 km→

Own or manage this place?

Claim this listing to keep details accurate, add photos, and highlight what makes it special — free.

Claim this page

How was your visit?

How useful was the information on this page?

id: 77cb45f6-b0a5-42b1-ab0b-7c03fe7a5b24