South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area
South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area | |
---|---|
Western Isles, Scotland | |
Coordinates | 57°40′34″N 7°03′58″W / 57.676°N 7.066°W |
Area | 2,024 km2 (781 sq mi)[1] |
Established | 1981 |
Governing body | NatureScot |
South Lewis, Harris and North Uist is a large
National scenic areas are primarily designated due to the scenic qualities of an area, however NSAs may well have other special qualities, for example related to culture, history, archaeology, geology or wildlife. Areas with such qualities may be protected via other national and international designations that overlap with the NSA designation.[4] There are several Natura 2000 sites within the designated area of the NSA.[5]
Although the national scenic area designation provides a degree of additional protection via the planning process, there are no bodies equivalent to a national park authority,[6] and whilst local authorities (in this case Comhairle nan Eilean Siar) can produce a management strategy for each one, only the three national scenic areas within Dumfries and Galloway have current management strategies.[7]
Creation of the national scenic area
Following the
Description
North Harris contains
On North Uist the spectacular deep
Conservations designations
There are four Special Protection Areas (SPA) and five Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), within or overlapping with the NSA. The areas protected by these two Natura 2000 designations overlap, with four sites sharing both designations (although the precise borders differ to some extent).[5]
- The Grimersta river and loch system at Langavat in south Lewis is regarded as the best red-throated divers.[16]
- Much of North Harris is protected as a SAC due to the variety of montane and heathland habitats.[17] The area is also protected as an SPA due to the presence of breeding pairs of golden eagles.[18]
- The
- Mointeach Scadabhaigh is an area of blanket bog in South Uist. It is the UK's largest example of a type of blanket bog that is rare in Britain, occurring at only two other sites. It is also home to a productive breeding population of red- and black-throated divers, with the area hosting one of the highest-density populations of red-throated divers in the UK. It is protected as both an SAC and an SPA.[24][25]
References
- ^ a b "National Scenic Areas - Maps". SNH. 20 December 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
- ^ "National Scenic Areas". NatureScot. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "South Lewis, Harris and North Uist NSA" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
- ^ "The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2010. p. 2. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- ^ a b "Sitelink - Map Search". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "Development management and National Scenic Areas". SNH. 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2018.
- ^ "National Scenic Areas (NSAs)". Dumfries and Galloway council. 8 December 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
- ^ "History Leading to the Cairngorms National Park". Cairngorms National Park Authority. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "National Scenic Areas Review" (PDF). SNH. 1997. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ "National Scenic Areas: background, guidance and policy". SNH. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ "National Park status for Harris rejected but locals vow to fight on - News". Scotsman.com. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
- ^ "Unfinished Business a national parks strategy for scotland" (PDF). Scottish Campaign for National Parks. March 2013. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ "Scottish Government "short sighted" over snub to national park for Galloway". Dumfries and Galloway - What's Going On. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ "The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2010. pp. 251–265. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
- ^ "Langavat SAC". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "Lewis Peatlands SPA". NatureScot. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "North Harris SAC". NatureScot. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "North Harris Mountains SPA". NatureScot. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "North Uist Machair SAC". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "North Uist Machair and Islands SPA". NatureScot. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "North Uist Machair SAC". NatureScot. Retrieved 7 September 2020.
- ^ "Loch nam Madadh SAC". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "Western Isles: Natural Heritage". Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 30 August 2009.
- ^ "Mointeach Scadabhaigh SPA". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "Mointeach Scadabhaigh SAC". Joint Nature Conservation Committee. Retrieved 7 June 2018.