River Moriston

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

Country	Scotland
Unitary Authority	Highlands and Islands
Centroid^*	NH297125
Latitude	57.17222222
Longitude	-4.816666667
SAC EU Code	UK0030259
Status	Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha)	194.38
* 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.

General site character

Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (89%)
Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (4%)
Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (5%)
Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (1%)
Coniferous woodland (1%)

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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

Not Applicable

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

1029 Freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera

The River Moriston flows into the northern side of Loch Ness, and supports a functional freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera population. Pearl mussels are present from downstream of a hydro-electric dam to the confluence with Loch Ness. Due to illegal pearl-fishing the population is not abundant but survey results show that 40% of the population is composed of juveniles. This is the highest percentage recorded in any Scottish pearl mussel population and indicates that recent successful recruitment has taken place.

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

1106 Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.