Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands

The Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands is a large area of blanket bog and peatland, covering a number of disconnected regions across the historic counties of Caithness and Sutherland in the far north of Scotland, across an area known as the Flow Country. With a total area of 143,503 hectares, it is one of the largest recognised conservation sites in the UK, and is the largest Ramsar Site in Scotland.[2]

Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands
A view of peatlands to the west of Loch Shin.
A view of peatlands to the west of Loch Shin.
Map showing the location of Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands
Map showing the location of Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands
location of Forsinard, roughly in the centre of the peatlands. Shown within Highland.
LocationHighland, Scotland
Coordinates58.356824°N 3.897081°W / 58.356824; -3.897081
Area1,453 km2 (561 sq mi)[1]
Established1999
Governing bodyNatureScot

The area includes a wide variety of vegetation, and supports a diverse range of breeding waterfowl, including internationally important populations of greylag goose and dunlin, and nationally important populations of ten other waterfowl species. It is also important for several rare and scarce species of moss.[3]

Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands has been recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention,[2] and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of Conservation.[4][1][5] 154 km2 of the area is also designated as the Forsinard Flows national nature reserve.[6]

References
  1. "Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SPA". NatureScot. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  2. "Caithness & Sutherland Peatlands". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  3. "UK Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands 13003 RIS 2005" (PDF). Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  4. "Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands" (PDF). Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  5. "Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SAC". NatureScot. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  6. "Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve". NatureScot. Retrieved 14 October 2020.


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