East Highland

Natural Heritage

Enduring yet fragile

The landscape of East Highland Area is highly diverse, yet in its rich mix of mountain, lowland and woodland, there is a paradox.  While these wonderful places have stood the test of time, they are vulnerable to increasing demands and have been recognised nationally for their exceptional natural heritage importance.  Others still, have been awarded protection in recognition of particular birds or plants under European law.  Places of outstanding natural beauty, are also acknowledged.

Looking after this land

Links with private, public and voluntary sectors, local government and wider communities are central to our aims.  The issues are varied and challenging.   Ultimately, the thread that unites the differing interests rests on agreeing actions that meet everyone's needs for a place that is good in which to live, work and to visit.  Throughout the area, opportunities for co-operation and consultation have been successfully developed through groups like the Moray Firth Partnership and the Cairngorms Partnership which aim to protect the natural heritage within working communities.

The coast and coastal waters

The inshore waters of the Area are as rich in wildlife as they are economically important.  The inner most part of the Moray Firth is internationally recognised for wintering and migrating waders and wildfowl.  Bottlenose dolphins, one of only two resident populations in Britain, can be readily seen from many points along the shore.   A group has recently formed to ensure that the well being of the dolphins can be guaranteed alongside economic and social decisions.

Lochs, rivers and more

Two important physical features slice the East Highland landscape into three:   Loch Ness, the volume of which exceeds that of the inland waters of England and Wales combined and, the River Spey.  Second in length only to the Tay, the river cuts a path from Loch Spey, north of Creag Meagaidh, through Badenoch and Strathspey before crossing SNH's Area boundary downstream of Grantown.  The journey continues through SNH's Grampian Area to Spey Bay and the sea, 94 miles from its source.  The high quality of the Spey water supports internationally important wildlife:  freshwater pearl mussel, otter and the little-known sea-lamprey among them.  Spey-caught Atlantic salmon are of world renown.  So too are the whiskies malted and distilled from fresh river water and local barley from Easter Ross and the fields beside the Moray Firth.

The lower reaches of the river plain benefit from rich soils, a benign climate and a long history of farming.  This is arable and stock land.  Its fields, woods, rivers, marshes and lochs, provide habitats for many animals and plants.

The trees, the trees

Among the most evocative of landscapes important in the Area are the ancient Caledonian pine forests of Strathspey and East Ross. They include some of the most important woods in Scotland: Abernethy, Rothiemurchus, Glen Affric and Strathfarrar. Some of Scotland's most well-known wildlife is here: red deer, red squirrel, pine marten, capercaillie among them.

At Creag Fhiaclach in the Cairngorms, the dwarfed 'Krumholtz' (German: bent/twisted) pines, growing to 640 metres above sea level, are regarded as Britain's highest natural tree line.  In some areas, bog woods develop.  Stunted pines, sedges and mosses are common in these places, now rare in Europe.  SNH is encouraging natural regeneration through its 'Wet Woodlands' project.

On SNH-owned land at Creag Meagaidh and Inshriach in the Cairngorms, deer control is being used to help speed woodland revival.  The work is proving successful with considerable tree regrowth and reduced damage from deer browsing.   SNH, through its links with other land managers, encourages sustainable management of red and roe deer.

Stepping up to the hills

The extensive massifs of the Cairngorms, Creag Meagaidh, Strathglass and Ben Wyvis are among the highest wildest and coldest in Britain.  These are harsh places, some over 1,000 metres above sea level and home to Britain's most acutely adapted wildlife.  The best known are snow buntings, ptarmigan and the elusive dotterel.  Plants are few with only mosses and ground hugging sedges and lichens at all common.

Management of the extensive moorland, principally through burning, has produced a lattice of uneven age heather: ideally suited to a classic Scottish bird, the red grouse.

Come and see us

People visit the East Highlands for many reasons.  This can put pressure on vulnerable animals and plants as well as fragile environments: wetlands and mountains especially.  There is a difficult balance to achieve between ensuring the well-being of the natural heritage and peoples' enjoyment.  It highlights the challenge of reconciling our responsibilities for conservation while encouraging access to and enjoyment of the outdoors.  We are working with partners to develop facilities such as the Great Glen Way and the Speyside Way, providing cyclists and walkers easy access to outstanding scenery.

Countryside on your doorstep

Through our 'Access for All' and 'Countryside Around Towns' projects, we help communities to manage and interpret their surroundings.  Where there are Tourism Management Programmes and local interpretive schemes, such as in Nairn and Nethybridge, we contribute practical and financial help to weave the natural, historical and cultural surroundings into the same story.  We support rangers to provide information, guided walks and educational opportunities for the public.  These include visitor services at the Moray Firth, Cawdor Estate, Nethybridge and Rothiemurchus.

Into the future

Inverness, one of Europe's fastest growing towns, continues to expand; coastal enterprises are developing and tourism is a successful industry.  All this demands careful planning.  SNH plays a statutory, advisory role in this process.  The economic success story of attracting work and people to the East Highland Area has presented SNH and others with continuing challenges.  Community development is underlined by the fundamental importance of the natural heritage.

We see the expansion of communities as an opportunity.   We shall continue to work alongside people to develop the area and help ensure a safe future for its irreplaceable habitats and wildlife.

 

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