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Special Areas of Conservation

Moorfoot Hills

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Eastern Scotland
Centroid* NT361464
Latitude 55.693
Longitude -2.973
SAC EU Code UK0030215
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 8502.01
* 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 Moorfoot Hills SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (0.4%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (35%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (37%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (27%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (0.4%)
  • Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (0.2%)

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

  • 4030 European dry heaths

    This site has one of the largest extents of European dry heath and is the best example of extensive managed Calluna-dominated heath in the Southern Uplands. The main kind of heath represented is H12 Calluna vulgaris – Vaccinium myrtillus heath and there is a small representation of H18 Vaccinium myrtillus – Deschampsia flexuosa heath and H21 Calluna vulgaris – Vaccinium myrtillus – Sphagnum capillifolium heath. The heaths are mainly species-poor and typical of the acid but moderately base-rich rocks of the Southern Uplands. Along with the extensive 7130 Blanket bogs, the heaths form a good example of a southern Scottish grouse moor with Calluna-rich vegetation managed by small-patch burning. There are high numbers of red grouse Lagopus lagopus scoticus and other moorland birds, and mountain hares Lepus timidus are also well-represented, giving the best example of associated moorland fauna in southern Scotland.

  • 7130 Blanket bogs (* if active bog)  * Priority feature

    Most of the blanket bog in southern Scotland is in the wetter west, but the Moorfoot Hills represent the much drier, eastern aspect of the range of variation of the habitat. The site supports extensive areas of intact M19 Calluna vulgaris – Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire with numerous examples of surface-patterning, including pool systems together with erosion gullies, many of which have re-vegetated. The bog-moss Sphagnum capillifolium is particularly widespread and the abundance of cloudberry Rubus chamaemorus and occurrence of Cladonia spp. lichens reflects the relatively high altitude of 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.