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Special Areas of Conservation

Loch a' Phuill

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NL957418
Latitude 56.46944444
Longitude -6.941666667
SAC EU Code UK0030188
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 152.44
* 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 Loch a' Phuill SAC

General site character

  • Coastal sand dunes, Sand beaches, Machair (8.5%)
  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (59%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (22%)
  • Improved grassland (10.5%)

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

  • 3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition - type vegetation

    Loch a’ Phuill is a large (96 ha) high-quality naturally eutrophic loch situated behind an extensive machair complex of windblown sand and is backed by a raised beach, forming its northern shore. It is located in the south-west corner of the island of Tiree. Loch a’ Phuill is one of the best examples of a coastal eutrophic loch, with a catchment including acid grassland/heathland on peaty soils and machair landforms protecting it from any serious modifications. The loch supports a particularly diverse aquatic plant flora with several species indicative of the sandy substrate and maritime influence on this eutrophic waterbody, particularly in its south-west area that is dominated by stoneworts Chara spp. The loch also supports several species of pondweed including the nationally scarce fen pondweed Potamogeton coloratus, and slender-leaved pondweed P. filiformis. Of further interest is the loch’s very high pH level, indicating the liming influence of windblown shell-sand, and high conductivity reflecting sea-water spray affecting the site.

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.