Skip to Content

Special Areas of Conservation

Morven and Mullachdubh

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority North Eastern Scotland
Centroid* NJ349043
Latitude 57.125
Longitude -3.075
SAC EU Code UK0019958
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 916.69
* 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 Morven and Mullachdubh SAC

General site character

  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (1%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (62%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (28%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (7%)
  • Coniferous woodland (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

  • 5130 Juniperus communis formations on heaths or calcareous grasslands

    Morven and Mullachdubh is one of several sites representing Juniperus communis formations in north-east Scotland. It has the largest known area of juniper scrub in the UK, about double the extent occurring at any other site. The juniper is developed amongst dry heath and acidic grasslands. The ground flora beneath the juniper is locally rich in ferns, including oak fern Gymnocarpium dryopteris and hard-fern Blechnum spicant. Common woodland herbs, such as wood-sorrel Oxalis acetosella and hairy woodrush Luzula pilosa are widespread. Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa and moschatel Adoxa moschatellina also occur. Of particular interest is the extensive development of juniper up to high altitude, where there is a transition to lichen-rich alpine heaths.

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

  • Not Applicable

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.