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Special Areas of Conservation

Shingle Islands

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Eastern Scotland
Centroid* NN980512
Latitude 56.64166667
Longitude -3.663888889
SAC EU Code UK0030274
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 77.88
* 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 Shingle Islands SAC

General site character

  • Shingle, Sea cliffs, Islets (4%)
  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (1.4%)
  • Dry grassland, Steppes (1.6%)
  • Humid grassland, Mesophile grassland (17.1%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (76%)

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

  • 91E0 Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae)  * Priority feature

    This site, on the Rivers Tay and Tummel in the eastern Highlands, comprises a series of extensive riverine shingle areas in various stages of colonisation from bare shingle to mixed woodland, and including old abandoned river channels. The woodland canopy is varied but dominated by alder Alnus glutinosa, with frequent willows Salix spp., ash Fraxinus excelsior, downy birch Betula pubescens and occasional wych elm Ulmus glabra. Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, bird cherry Prunus padus and hazel Corylus avellana all occur in the understorey. The ground flora is also very diverse with many fen species in the wetter areas and more typical woodland herbs elsewhere. Small areas of drier woodland, dominated by ash Fraxinus excelsior with occasional pedunculate oak Quercus robur, and transitions to other shingle, scrub and grassland communities, further enhance the site’s diversity.

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.