Skip to Content

Special Areas of Conservation

North Rona

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Extra-Regio, Highlands and Islands
Centroid* HW811327
Latitude 59.125
Longitude -5.825
SAC EU Code UK0012696
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 628.53
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of North Rona SAC

General site character

  • Marine areas, Sea inlets (80%)
  • Salt marshes, Salt pastures, Salt steppes (3%)
  • Shingle, Sea cliffs, Islets (9%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (2%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (6%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 1364 Grey seal Halichoerus grypus

    North Rona is a remote and very exposed island in the North Atlantic off the north-west tip of mainland Scotland. The islands are rarely disturbed by human activities in the breeding season. Grey seal Halichoerus grypus are found over much of the island and use many of the submerged sea caves that are found around the coast. North Rona supports the third-largest breeding colony in the UK, representing some 5% of annual UK pup production.

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

  • Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.