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Special Areas of Conservation

River Teith

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Eastern Scotland
Centroid* NN584126
Latitude 56.28333333
Longitude -4.2875
SAC EU Code UK0030263
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 1289.33
* 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 Teith SAC

General site character

  • Tidal rivers, Estuaries, Mud flats, Sand flats, Lagoons (including saltwork basins) (0.5%)
  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (95%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (1.5%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (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

  • 1095 Sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus

    The River Teith in eastern Scotland represents part of the east coast range of the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus in the UK. The River Teith is the most significant tributary of the River Forth and young sea lampreys have been recorded throughout the lower reaches of the main river. The conservation importance of the River Teith is increased by the fact that, unlike many British rivers, it supports populations of all three lamprey species.

  • 1096 Brook lamprey Lampetra planeri

    The River Teith rises and flows through upland areas before crossing the Highland Boundary Fault, a major geological feature in Scotland, at the Falls of Leny and meandering through the central lowlands to the east coast. The river system supports a strong brook lamprey Lampetra planeri population. Brook lampreys have been recorded from the headwaters downstream to the lower reaches. The river provides excellent habitat with usually pristine water quality, well-vegetated banks and a substantially unaltered river channel. The River Teith supports high densities of brook/river lamprey ammocoetes and also supports a healthy population of sea lamprey.

  • 1099 River lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis

    The River Teith is a large river that flows eastwards through central Scotland and supports a strong population of river lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis. The river lacks any significant artificial barriers to migration, has good water quality and the necessary habitat types (extensive gravel beds and marginal silt beds) to support the river lamprey’s full life-cycle. All three British lamprey species are supported within 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.