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A new map showing the main areas of wild land in Scotland has been published today (Tuesday) by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). It is the first time this has been done in the UK. The areas include the part of the Monadhliath mountains south of the Findhorn – an area where applications for windfarms are currently going through the planning system. The map is shown on the right (click to enlarge) or can be downloaded here.
The map shows 43 areas with the strongest wild land character, totalling approximately 20% of the country’s land mass. It incorporates the previously identified search areas for wild land, which amounted to 13% of Scotland, plus some additional areas beyond those.
The map is a result of SNH’s ongoing work to advise Scottish Government and others on the extent and location of the wild land resource in Scotland. It takes a systematic and robust approach to analysing how people experience wildness in the landscape. The map will help government and local authorities to take account of wild land in development planning, and eventually replace the map of search areas for wild land produced in 2002.
Andrew Bachell, SNH director of operations, said:
“Wild land is an incredibly valuable asset for Scotland. It makes an important contribution to our tourism industry and images of wild places also help support Scotland’s world wide reputation as a beautiful and impressive country. It makes a crucial contribution to our quality of life and we know that most Scots consider wild places to be important to them. Wild land also supports biodiversity and is often associated with our most impressive wildlife.
“Like all natural assets this resource must be managed sensitively if it is to be sustained. Our new map will enable planners and developers to take account of wild land, particularly in planning future windfarm and any other large scale developments. We wish to share this map as widely as possible with stakeholders, particularly in the context of the Scottish Government’s consultation on its third National Planning Framework and Scottish Planning Policy.”
The 43 areas, and their size in hectares, are:
1 Merrick 7,858.06
2 Talla – Hart Fells 9,170.58
3 Broad – Dollar – Black Laws 9,883.32
4 North Arran 11,751.05
5 Waterhead Moor – Muirshiel 4,670.10
6 Jura, Scarba Lunga and Garvellachs 28,420.57
7 Ben Lui – Beinn Ime 16,050.60
8 Ben More – Ben Ledi 24,247.20
9 Upper Almond 26,772.37
10 Loch Etive mountains 51,564.76
11 Breadalbane – Schiehallion 45,500.27
12 Lyon – Lochay 7,345.77
13 Ben Lawers 8,142.69
14 Rannoch – Nevis – Mamores – Alder 119,653.62
15 Cairngorms 157,996.16
16 Lochnagar – Mount Keen 57,211.78
17 Monadhliath 82,868.78
18 Moidart – Ardgour 39,918.13
19 Knoydart – Morar 81,231.17
20 Rum 4,229.91
21 Kinlochhourn – Glen Quoich 24,319.19
22 Cuillin 17,132.05
23 Duirinish 4,505.89
24 Central Highlands 129,020.10
25 Applecross 11,934.43
26 Coulin & Ledgowan Forest 20,549.98
27 Flowerdale – Shieldaig – Torridon 31,745.86
28 Fisherfield – Letterewe – Fannichs 81,250.29
29 Rhiddoroch – Beinn Dearg – Ben Wyvis 91,529.68
30 Inverpolly – Glencanisp 20,544.22
31 Quinag 10,534.50
32 Reay – Cassley 57,179.99
33 Foinaven – Ben Hee 56,201.17
34 Cape Wrath 22,635.36
35 Ben Hope – Ben Loyal 21,652.25
36 Ben Klibreck – Armine Forest 53,154.50
37 Causeymire -Knockfin Flows 53,313.86
38 East Halladale Flows 15,898.88
39 Hoy 5,481.52
40 Ronas Hill & North Roe 5,235.74
41 Harris – Uig hills 44,221.41
42 Eishken 16,335.80
43 South Uist hills 10,164.53