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Special Areas of Conservation

Moine Mhor

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NR812934
Latitude 56.08055556
Longitude -5.518055556
SAC EU Code UK0019839
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 1149.02
* 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 Moine Mhor SAC

General site character

  • Tidal rivers, Estuaries, Mud flats, Sand flats, Lagoons (including saltwork basins) (12%)
  • Salt marshes, Salt pastures, Salt steppes (8%)
  • Shingle, Sea cliffs, Islets (0.5%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (68%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (10%)
  • Mixed woodland (1%)
  • Other land (including Towns, Villages, Roads, Waste places, Mines, Industrial sites) (0.5%)

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

  • 7110 Active raised bogs  * Priority feature

    This extensive raised bog was subjected to considerable damage and peat extraction in the past, but nevertheless a substantial part of it, particularly in the northern section, supports active bog habitat and there is evidence of continuing regeneration of the habitat. The bog is very close to sea level and has maritime affinities, grading into saltmarsh. It is the most extensive westerly raised bog in Scotland. The bog-moss Sphagnum magellanicum is abundant around the highest part of the bog and cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccos is also common.

  • 7120 Degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration

    Most peat on the west coast of Scotland is classified as 7130 Blanket bogs. The small amount of raised bog present in this area has suffered significant human impact. Mòine Mhór is the largest area of raised bog in this part of Scotland and represents the hyper-oceanic zone within the raised bog SAC series. It has been subjected to a number of damaging management activities in the past, including extensive drainage, commercial and domestic peat extraction and some afforestation, but now shows strong evidence of regeneration. A transition to saltmarsh is an unusual ecological feature of this site.

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.