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Special Areas of Conservation

Mull of Galloway

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority South Western Scotland
Centroid* NX129313
Latitude 54.64166667
Longitude -4.9
SAC EU Code UK0030220
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 136.93
* 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 Mull of Galloway SAC

General site character

  • Shingle, Sea cliffs, Islets (75%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (10%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (15%)

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

  • 1230 Vegetated sea cliffs of the Atlantic and Baltic Coasts

    Mull of Galloway has considerable biogeographical importance, straddling the boundary between northern and southern biota. It is the northern limit in Britain for golden samphire Inula crithmoides and rock sea-lavender Limonium binervosum, and the southern limit for Scots lovage Ligusticum scoticum and purple oxytropis Oxytropis halleri. The Mull of Galloway has large areas of maritime heath and grassland with extensive areas of spring squill Scilla verna, bloody crane’s-bill Geranium sanguineum, thrift Armeria maritima and sea campion Silene uniflora; also base-rich flushes and rock-face vegetation, with semi-prostrate growth of juniper Juniperus communis fringing the cliff tops. As well as ledge and crevice vegetation, there is well-developed cliff scrub.

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.