Muirkirk & North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area is an extensive area of moorland extending south from near Darvel in southern Ayrshire to near Kirkconnel in Dumfries and Galloway. The SPA is of outstanding interest for its variety of upland habitats and breeding birds.

There are large tracts of blanket bog, wet and dry heaths and upland grasslands which provide a diversity of habitats that supports a rich variety of moorland breeding birds.

External links about the Special Protection Area

• Muirkirk
• Birdlife Fact Sheet for Airds Moss and Muirkirk Uplands
• Joint Nature Conservation Committee
• RSPB and Powharnal Coal Mine
• Scottish Executive announcement of launch of SPA on 7th March 2003
• Scottish Natural Heritage
• UK Biodiversity Action Plan for Black Grouse