BEINN BHAN Anancaun Site of Special Scientific Interest Kinlochewe Ross-shire IV22 2PA SITE MANAGEMENT STATEMENT Tel. 01445 760254 Site code: 164 Fax. 01445 760301

Purpose This is a public statement prepared by SNH for owners and occupiers of the SSSI. It outlines the reasons it is designated as an SSSI and provides guidance on how its special natural features should be conserved or enhanced. This Statement does not affect or form part of the statutory notification and does not remove the need to apply for consent for operations requiring consent. We welcome your views on this statement. This statement is available in Gaelic on request.

Natural features of Condition of feature Other relevant Beinn Bhan SSSI (and date monitored) designations Upland assemblage Favourable SAC (November 2006) Tall herb ledge Favourable SAC (November 2006)

Features of overlapping Natura sites Condition of Feature SPA or SAC that are not notified as SSSI natural (and date monitored) features Acidic scree* Favourable SAC (November 2006) Alpine and subalpine heaths* Favourable SAC (November 2006) Dry heaths* Favourable SAC (November 2006) Montane acid grasslands* Favourable SAC (November 2006) Plants in crevices on acid rocks* Favourable SAC (November 2006) Wet heathland with cross-leaved heath* Favourable SAC (November 2006)

* indicates an SAC feature which is a component of the SSSI feature upland assemblage

Description of the site Beinn Bhan Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located in the south of the peninsula overlooking Loch Kishorn.

The massif of Beinn Bhan and its outlier Sgurr a’ Chaorachain form a spectacular Torridonian sandstone mountain where high cliffs and deep corries are well represented. It has a larger summit area compared to most of the sharp-ridged Torridonian hills and supports a greater representation of vegetation communities characteristic of exposed ground. A range of upland plant communities are present, including alpine and sub-alpine heaths, corrie ledge vegetation dominated by tall herbs and types adapted to surviving amongst the acidic scree.

The summit plateaux are dominated by alpine and subalpine heaths but on rocky ground close to the top of the main ridge there are examples of dwarf juniper heath. This community forms a mat, generally less than 10cm thick, where dwarf juniper and heather are especially frequent along with a distinctive oceanic moss and liverwort flora and the rare alpine bearberry. The Beinn Bhan juniper heath is particularly significant as one of mainland ’s most southerly and highest altitude examples, as well as one of the few examples on sandstone.

The corries and cliffs of Beinn Bhan are notable for their inaccessible tall herb and fern ledges where remnants of the area’s original vegetation survive, unmodified by grazing. One of the most impressive ledges is Ratcliffe’s Ledge in Coire na Poite. This huge, sloping ledge is over 200m long and around 45m wide and supports a dense and luxuriant growth of ferns and tall herbs which includes locally notable species such as alpine saw-wort and dwarf cornel.

At the base of the corries acidic screes are common and these support a range of specialised plant communities, in particular examples of fern-dominated snow beds and extensive and well developed Atlantic liverwort mats. The Atlantic hepatic mat is an assemblage of large, leafy liverworts which thrive in the wet climate of western Scotland. At Beinn Bhan they occur on steep rocky slopes and amongst shady block screes with a north to east facing aspect. The largest and most continuous patch, in Coire nan Arr, contains all the species which are characteristic of the community.

When monitored for SNH’s site condition monitoring programme both the SSSI and SAC features were found to be in an overall favourable condition but the surveyors noted that there were some very localised negative impacts caused by the intensity of the deer gazing.

Past and present management Woodland and Grazing The summit area is above the natural tree line and has probably changed little since the end of the last glaciation. However, native woodland would once have covered much of the lower slopes and it is believed that this disappeared largely due to human activities. Nearby crofting townships have planted a number of native woodlands to enhance and expand the woodland resource within the north of the Applecross peninsula. This has entailed the erection of a deer proof fence across the peninsula’s north end. The impact of the fence on the vegetation within Beinn Bhan SSSI is being monitored to see whether it will affect grazing pressure within the site.

Applecross is managed as a sporting estate with full regard to environmental impacts and a wish to enhance the natural environment. It is the most western estate within the South West Deer Management Group Area. In 2002 the group produced a Deer Management Plan and in 2007 undertook a review of its effectiveness. Following the development of the North Applecross woodlands and the associated large, compensatory culls undertaken in 1998 and 1999 it was agreed as part of the 2002 plan that there should be no major changes to deer management. Rather, the estate entered a period of stable management and close monitoring to assess the effects of the changes on deer numbers and distribution. The 2007 review highlighted that the fence had effectively isolated the population to the south; some deer still crossed the march to the south of Loch Lundie during the rut but movements were small. It also indicated that under current management the overall numbers of grazing animals appeared to be remaining relatively constant with perhaps a moderate expansion but that there was no evidence that they were at capacity or that any of the montane communities were being affected by over-grazing. The review recommended that existing management was appropriate and should be maintained. The Applecross Trust will be seeking support from SRDP to achieve the recommendations. It will be particularly important that this situation is kept under review since montane habitats are susceptible to grazing and trampling pressure and the slow growth rate of upland plants means that these communities take a long time to recover.

With respect to sheep grazing, the peninsula fence prevents stock roaming onto and impacting on the SSSI. In addition, the numbers of sheep within the crofting townships to the south have been reduced significantly and sheep presence on the estate hill ground is now extremely rare.

Fire Prostrate juniper heath and Atlantic hepatic liverwort communities are susceptible to fire damage, from which recovery is very slow. The development of the fire-sensitive communities suggests that there has been little or no burning in the montane zone in recent times. Although the risk of fire is low since accidental fire is unlikely and muirburn is not practiced or proposed, the potential consequences are severe and warrant production of a fire plan.

Public access Because Beinn Bhan is not a Munro relatively few walkers visit it. However, the mountain road crossing Bealach na Ba and the access track to the radio mast facilitate easy access to the summit and it is a popular walk with tourists. The footpath running along the eastern boundary of the site (from Kishorn to Loch Gaineamhach) has been upgraded by The Footpath Trust. Both the mountain road and the paths require regular maintenance. There is the opportunity to consider appropriate interpretation at these main access points.

Road repairs Repair works carried out to the road at Bealach na Ba, on the edge of the SSSI, have in the past resulted in damage to the SSSI. In particular, the removal of boulders and tracking of vehicles across fragile vegetation have caused localised damage and the importing of topsoil and peat and application of seed to the verges runs the risk of creating localised changes to the natural vegetation. These practices should be avoided.

Radio mast The radio masts on Sgurr a’ Chaorachain (NG 785424) are owned by Scottish and Southern Energy PLC. In 2006 a new 11kv underground cable was installed to supply a new transformer. The mast site is serviced by a track from the top of the Applecross-Kishorn road.

Loch Coire nan Arr and Fish farm Loch Coire nan Arr was one of the freshwater sites which formed the UK Acid Waters Network - a series of lakes and rivers where chemical and biological parameters are monitored at least annually in order to assess long term changes in water chemistry and any impacts this might have on aquatic plants and animals. However, in light of changes to the operation of the loch for water supply and fish farming purposes the loch was withdrawn from the network.

During the winter, when Loch Coire nan Arr ices over, a fish farm outwith the SSSI pumps water directly from it. In 1991 the loch’s water level was raised by c20cm to improve the flow regime of the outflow stream and a Landrover track was built to service the pump at the loch. Various upgrades of the dam have taken place since but an inspection in 2008 highlighted that the existing structure was no longer fit for purpose. In 2009 works were instigated to replace the dam and improve the landscaping of the track. With careful reinstatement it is not considered that this will have an adverse impact on the site’s features of interest.

Hydro Electric Scheme Construction of a small run-of-river hydro electric scheme on Russel Burn is likely to start in Spring 2009. Part of the intake pipeline will pass close to the south of the SSSI where Scottish Water has previously laid pipes associated with water supply. With careful reinstatement it is not considered that this will have an adverse impact on the site’s features of interest.

Wayleaves At the SW corner of the SSSI there are wayleaves to maintain the 11kv power line (which is underground within the SSSI but above ground outside it). There are also 33kv and 11kv power lines which follow the SSSI boundary at its SE corner.

Applecross Landscape Partnership The Applecross Trust in partnership with the Applecross community has secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the development of a Landscape Partnership Project. Entitled the Sanctuary the project aims to enhance the landscape character and heritage resource of the area and provide ways of making it more accessible to people. Part of the proposal includes projects to deliver positive management of Beinn Bhan SSSI.

Objectives for Management (and key factors influencing the condition of natural features) We wish to work with the owners to protect the site and to maintain and where necessary enhance its features of special interest. SNH will carry out site survey, monitoring and research as appropriate to increase our knowledge and understanding of the site and its natural features and monitor the effectiveness of any management.

The EU Habitats and Birds Directives oblige Government to avoid, in SACs and SPAs, the deterioration of natural habitats and the habitats of species, as well as disturbance of the species for which the areas have been designated, in so far as such disturbance could be significant in relation to the objectives of these Directives. The objectives below have been assessed against these requirements. All authorities proposing to carry out or permit to be carried out operations likely to have a significant effect on the European interests of this SSSI must assess those operations against the relevant Natura conservation objectives (which are listed on our website through the SNHi – SiteLink facility). 1. To maintain and enhance the extent, condition and diversity of the upland habitats by:

• Maintaining deer numbers in accordance with the South West Ross Deer Management Plan.Keeping the Deer Management Plan under review and adjusting objectives in line with habitat condition.Liaising with the owners/forestry manager to ensure a fire plan is in place.Liaising with Council and producing a protocol for future road repairs.Investigating opportunities for interpretation at key parking and viewing locations.

Date last reviewed: 30 April 2009