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BEN A’AN & BRENACHOILE WOODS SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Key Features:Upland Oak Woodland (Western Acidic)Exceptionally extensive area of semi-natural deciduous woodland, largely of ancient origin.Special LichenRepresent both the character of wet western oceanic woods & more continental woods of east

What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these

Notable Species:Above ground: Sessile oak with downy birch, ash, alder, hazel & juniperGround flora: blaeberry, heather, bracken, grasses, dog’s mercury, broad bucker-fern, marsh violet, yellow pimpernel, wood sedge & wild garlicFauna: notable beetles, moths, hoverflies, pied flycatcher, tree pipit & redstart

Feature Condition:Unfavourable, recovering

POLLOCHRO WOODS SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Key Features:Extensive area of semi-natural woodland, mostly ancient in originOne of largest areas of wet woodland in local areaWoodlands are characteristic of western highlandsRich moss and lichen flora, several of which are associated with ancient woodlandsRich ground flora containing several species of note Notable Species:Above ground: Alder, oak, birch, hazel, ash, hawthorn & hollyGround flora: smooth-stalked sedge, wood speedwell, slender false-broome grass, green spleenwortFauna: Otters, pied flycatcher, redstart, wood warbler, tree pipit, deer & feral goats

Feature Condition: Unfavourable declining (Wet woodland)/ Favourable maintained (Bryophytes) & Favourable declining (Lichen)

What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these

BRIG O’TURK MIRES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Key Features:Fen, marsh, swamp (wetland)Relatively undisturbed & extensive valley mire system with adjacent fens and groundwater flushesRare & unusual feature: Next to this nutrient poor fen are nutrient enriched flushesHistorically was the Brig o’Turk curling pond

Notable Species:Mire surface: bog moss forming lawns & carpets throughout the systemTall bog-sedge, fairy flax, marsh orchidDrier slopes: grasses and birch woods dominateFauna: renowned locally for dragonflies

Feature Condition: Favourable, maintained

What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these

BLACK WATER MARSHES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Key Features:-Fen, marsh, swamp (wetland) - flood plain fen & Open water transition fen-Standing open water & canals - Oligotrophic lochComplex mosaic of wetland habitats with open water habitat fringed by open water transition fen

Notable Species:Ground flora: bog sedge, small-fruited yellow sedge, melancholy thistle, globe flower, marsh orchid, juniper, aspen, purple moor grassland & soft rushFauna: Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey, river lamprey, brook lamprey

Feature Condition: Unfavourable declining (flood-plain fen & open water transition fen). Favourable maintained (oligotrophic loch)

What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these

PASS OF LENY FLUSHES SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

Key Features:Broad leaved, mixed & yew woodland - Upland oak woodlandFen, marsh & swamp - Springs (including flushes)Series of nutrient-rich upland calcareous flushes.Upland oak woodland is of ancient & long-established origin. Wet birch woodland also important site characteristic.Notable Species:Above ground: sessile oak, downy birchGround flora: blaeberry, broad-leaved cotton grass, fragrant orchid, butterwort, sharp-flowered rush, globeflower & marsh violetFauna: Atlantic salmon, sea lamprey, river lamprey, brook lamprey

Feature Condition: Unfavourable, no change (upland oak woodland). Unfavourable, declining (springs- including flushes)

What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):A SSSI is an area of land considered to best represent our natural heritage- by its diversity of plants, animals and habitats, rocks and landforms or a combination of all of these

THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL SCENIC AREA

Special Qualities: - A traditional ‘Gateway to the Highlands’ - A harmonious concentration of lochs, woods & hills - Rugged Ben Venue, the centrepiece of the Trossachs - Loch Katrine, the ‘Queen of the Trossachs’ - A landscape of beautiful lochs - The romance of the Trossachs

What is a National Scenic Area (NSA):NSA’s are defined as an area of ‘of outstanding scenic value in a national context’. The designation both identifies and protects Scotland’s finest landscapes. There are 40 NSA’s in Scotland.

General Qualities of the Wider Area:- A world-renowned landscape famed for its rural beauty-Wild & rugged highlands contrasting with pastoral lowlands- Water in its many forms-The rich variety of woodlands- Settlements nestled within a vast natural backdrop- Famous through-routes- Tranquillity- The easily accessible landscape splendour

Ben A’an

LOCH LOMOND NATIONAL SCENIC AREA

Special Qualities: - Immensity of loch & landscape - Two lochs in one - A multitude of beautiful islands - Distinctive mountain groups - Ben Lomond, widely known, popularly frequented - Banks of broad-leaved woodland - Peaceful side glens

What is a National Scenic Area (NSA):NSA’s are defined as an area of ‘of outstanding scenic value in a national context’. The designation both identifies and protects Scotland’s finest landscapes. There are 40 NSA’s in Scotland.

General Qualities of the Wider Area:- A world-renowned landscape famed for its rural beauty-Wild & rugged highlands contrasting with pastoral lowlands- Water in its many forms-The rich variety of woodlands- Settlements nestled within a vast natural backdrop- Famous through-routes- Tranquillity- The easily accessible landscape splendourInversnaid

SPECIAL AREAS OF CONSERVATION

Trossachs WoodQualifying habitat:Western acidic oak woodland

Loch Lomond WoodsQualifying habitat:Western acidic oak woodlandOtter

River Teith

Qualifying habitat:Atlantic salmonBrook lampreyRiver lamprey Sea lamprey

What is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC):Special areas of conservation are internationally important for threatened habitats and species

Trossachs WoodSite condition:Unfavourable recovering

Loch Lomond WoodsSite condition:Favourable maintained (otter)Unfavourable declining (woodland)

River Teith

Site condition:Unfavourable recovering (salmon)Favourable maintained (lamprey)