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Special Areas of Conservation

Kinveachy Forest

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NH853179
Latitude 57.2375
Longitude -3.9
SAC EU Code UK0012759
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 2849.8
* 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 Kinveachy Forest SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (0.5%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (0.5%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (40%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (1%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (9%)
  • Coniferous woodland (49%)

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

  • 91C0 Caledonian forest  * Priority feature

    The pinewood of Kinveachy is one of the major tracts of remnant Caledonian forest in Strathspey and is the third-largest pinewood in the region. Although genetically part of the North East biochemical region, ecologically it may be considered part of the adjacent Cairngorms complex. The range of forest habitat present is important for several bird species, including capercaillie Tetrao urogallus, Scottish crossbill Loxia scotica and crested tit Parus cristatus. The site is characterised by dense stands of pine with extensive juniper Juniperus communis scrub and birch Betula and alder Alnus woodland, within a matrix of open moorland, providing an opportunity for the woodland to function naturally through regeneration onto open areas.

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

  • Not Applicable

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.