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Special Areas of Conservation

River Oykel

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NH494999
Latitude 57.97222222
Longitude -4.733333333
SAC EU Code UK0030261
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 921.46
* 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 Oykel SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (80%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (3%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (2%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (5%)
  • Inland rocks, Screes, Sands, Permanent Snow and ice (10%)

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

    The Oykel is a long, meandering river in the northern Highlands of Scotland that flows into the Kyle of Sutherland on the east coast. The river supports an excellent, high-quality freshwater pearl mussel Margaritifera margaritifera population with high densities recorded at some locations, including a bed numbering several thousand individuals. Surveys have also recorded high percentages of juveniles within the population, indicating that there has been recent successful recruitment. There is also evidence of unsurveyed pearl mussel populations in deep water that may increase the conservation importance of the river.

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

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