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Special Areas of Conservation

Mointeach Scadabhaigh

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NF849686
Latitude 57.59722222
Longitude -7.275
SAC EU Code UK0019816
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 3317.65
* 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 Mointeach Scadabhaigh SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (20%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (78%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (2%)

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

    Mointeach Scadabhaigh in the Outer Hebrides represents the largest expanse in the UK of Blanket bogs containing ombrotrophic vegetation with black bog-rush Schoenus nigricans, a species which is normally dependent upon mineral-enriched groundwater. Bogs of this type have a very limited distribution in the UK and represent the extreme western fringe of Blanket bogs in Europe. There are only three known examples of this type, the others being on Islay and in Sutherland, and the surface at this site is the most clearly ombrotrophic of the three. The undamaged nature of this site is indicated by the widespread occurrence of Sphagnum imbricatum, S. magellanicum and S. fuscum.

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.