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Special Areas of Conservation

Urquhart Bay Wood

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NH530296
Latitude 57.33333333
Longitude -4.441666667
SAC EU Code UK0030298
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 46.39
* 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 Urquhart Bay Wood SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (4%)
  • Bogs, Marshes, Water fringed vegetation, Fens (2%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (94%)

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

  • Urquhart Bay Wood has developed on an alluvial delta at the confluence of the Rivers Enrick and Coiltie as they flow into Loch Ness. There are extensive stands of alluvial forests on the wetter ground associated with the river channels, with transitions on gradually rising land to stands of lowland broad-leaved woodland containing ash Fraxinus excelsior, alder Alnus glutinosa, wild cherry Prunus avium, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, wych elm Ulmus glabra, white willow Salix alba and bird cherry Prunus padus. There are also characteristic transitions to swamp and open freshwater.

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.