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Special Areas of Conservation

River Naver

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* ND629375
Latitude 58.30694444
Longitude -4.341666667
SAC EU Code UK0030260
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 1044.15
* 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 River Naver SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (85%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (3%)
  • Heath, Scrub, Maquis and Garrigue, Phygrana (3%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (2%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (4%)
  • Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (3%)

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

  • 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

    With the River Borgie, this site in Sutherland represents the northern extreme for freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera in the UK. The Mallart River is a tributary of the River Naver and they flow through a wide floodplain of moorland and conifer plantations. Both rivers support high quality pearl mussel populations that include many juveniles, indicating recent successful recruitment. Pearl mussels have been recorded throughout much of the length of both rivers, indicating that they can support good populations, despite a history of relatively intensive pearl-fishing.

  • 1106 Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

    The River Naver and its major tributary, the Mallart, flow from a large peatland catchment northwards to its mouth on the north coast of Scotland. The site supports a high-quality salmon Salmo salar population and, along with the Rivers Borgie and Thurso, is representative of the northerly part of the species’ range in the UK. The northern location of the River Naver and the cooler ambient water temperature results in the Atlantic salmon producing a higher proportion of slower-growing parr which smolt at an older age. These fish often return as multi sea-winter salmon (which have spent more than one year at sea). The full range of Atlantic salmon life-history types return to the system, with grilse, spring and summer salmon all being present. The site also scores highly for being relatively free from flow modifications, allowing unhindered migration.

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.