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Special Areas of Conservation

Loch Ussie

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NH505566
Latitude 57.575
Longitude -4.5
SAC EU Code UK0030196
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 102.29
* 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 Ussie SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (66%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (16%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (0.5%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (12.5%)
  • Coniferous woodland (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

  • 3130 Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the Isoëto-Nanojuncetea

    Loch Ussie in the north-east Highlands lies in a shallow basin of Old Red Sandstone rocks and is one of the best mesotrophic lochs in Scotland. The distribution of natural mesotrophic lochs in Scotland is restricted, occurring most commonly at the junction of upland and lowland areas where the geochemical characteristics of these areas are manifested in the one waterbody. This gives rise to water quality conditions which allows the flora and fauna of upland and lowland areas to thrive. Water quality data show that Loch Ussie has a neutral pH and is moderately rich in nutrients, and a comparison with historical conditions show that it has changed little in the last 100 years. The assemblage of water plants is very diverse with nine pondweed Potamogeton species present, including the rare Shetland pondweed Potamogeton rutilus. The fringing sedge beds and shore support such species as bladder-sedge Carex vesicaria and pillwort Pilularia globulifera.

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.