Achnahaird
| Country | Scotland |
| Unitary Authority | Highlands and Islands |
| Centroid* | NC016135 |
| Latitude | 58.06666667 |
| Longitude | -5.363888889 |
| SAC EU Code | UK0030073 |
| Status | Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) |
| Area (ha) | 21.55 |
| * 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. | |
General site character
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Salt marshes, Salt pastures, Salt steppes (9%)
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Coastal sand dunes, Sand beaches, Machair (89%)
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Dry grassland, Steppes (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
- Not Applicable
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
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1395 Petalwort Petalophyllum ralfsii
This sand dune site in north-west Scotland hosts the largest population of petalwort Petalophyllum ralfsii in Britain. It is the only known Scottish site and the most northerly location recorded for this species in the world. The characteristic habitat of P. ralfsii at Achnahaird is moist dune slacks and the banks of small burns and drainage lines which run through the site. It also occurs in areas of bare, stable sand. Some of the largest colonies occur on areas of open sand which are kept damp by diffuse flushing from above. A number of other notable bryophyte species have been recorded from the site, often growing in close proximity to P. ralfsii.
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.