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Special Areas of Conservation

Isle of May

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Eastern Scotland, Extra-Regio
Centroid* NT644999
Latitude 56.19027778
Longitude -2.573611111
SAC EU Code UK0030172
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 356.64
* 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 Isle of May SAC

General site character

  • Marine areas, Sea inlets (87%)
  • Salt marshes, Salt pastures, Salt steppes (11.3%)
  • Shingle, Sea cliffs, Islets (1.7%)

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

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • 1364 Grey seal Halichoerus grypus

    The Isle of May, lying at the entrance to the Firth of Forth on the east coast of Scotland, supports a breeding colony of grey seals Halichoerus grypus. The site is the largest east coast breeding colony of grey seals in Scotland and the fourth-largest breeding colony in the UK, contributing approximately 4.5% of annual UK pup production.

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.