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Special Areas of Conservation

Glac na Criche

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NR224709
Latitude 55.85166667
Longitude -6.436111111
SAC EU Code UK0019775
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 263.36
* 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 Glac na Criche SAC

General site character

  • Coastal sand dunes, Sand beaches, Machair (4%)
  • Shingle, Sea cliffs, Islets (18%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (40%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (20%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (18%)

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

  • 7130 Blanket bogs (* if active bog)  * Priority feature

    Glac na Criche, in Islay, Inner Hebrides, contrasts with the other Islay Blanket bogs in having a much more complex topography, giving rise to watershed, valleyside and valley mires. Areas of mineral flushing on this site are more species-rich than at neighbouring Feur Lochain, while truly ombrotrophic areas also support significant amounts of black bog-rush Schoenus nigricans, presumably in response to salt spray from the sea cliffs below.

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

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