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Special Areas of Conservation

Loch Achnacloich

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NH665737
Latitude 57.73333333
Longitude -4.241666667
SAC EU Code UK0030189
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 20.64
* 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 Loch Achnacloich SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (23%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (42.5%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (1%)
  • Improved grassland (3%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (30.5%)

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

  • Loch Achnacloich is an example of a high quality naturally eutrophic loch with a profuse and diverse growth of aquatic plants, particularly on its southern and western edges. It is found towards the top of a small catchment which drains into the Balnagowan River, and then into the Cromarty Firth. Many of the species found in Loch Achnacloich are more commonly associated with more southern and lowland parts of the UK. The loch supports six pondweed Potamogeton species as well as the nationally scarce least water-lily Nuphar pumila.

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.