Mountain heaths and bogs

Mountains and moorlands dominate our landscape and are an important part of our national identity. They cover around 60% of our land area and form the largest extent of undeveloped wildlife habitat remaining in Britain.

The main habitats on our hills and moors are heaths, grasslands and peat bogs. These upland habitats stretch from the mountain tops down to the limits of enclosed agricultural land and onwards to sea-level in the far north and west.

From the ubiquitous heather to the rare mountain willows and from the mountain hare to the golden eagle, the plants and animals that live here are adapted to cope with the cool, windy climate and extremes of wet and dry.

Heaths

Discover why Scotland's mountains and moorlands are an important part of what makes our country special

Peat bogs

Discover why Scotland's mountains and moorlands are an important part of what makes our country special.

Grasslands

The fragrant thyme and the buzzing of the insects is an indication of the richness of our upland grasslands.

Mountain heaths & willow scrub

Discover the plants of Scotland's windswept mountain heaths and willow scrub. They support a range of species, blueberry & heather to birds, ptarmigan & dotterel.

Inland rock

Rocky outcrops occur as part of a mosaic of other habitats. It represents a limited, but distinctive habitat.

Moorland birds and mammals

Red deer, golden eagles, the mountain hare and grouse can all be found on Scotland's moors.

Related Links

Mountain plants

Mountain flowers add a huge amount of colour and interest to the Scottish uplands.