The Peatlands of &

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY  

The Peatlands of Caithness & Sutherland

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   Contents

# Foreword $  INTRODUCTION   WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE PEATLANDS? $ # SO MANY TITLES % $ MANAGEMENT OF THE OPEN PEATLANDS AND ASSOCIATED LAND $  MANAGEMENT OF WOODLANDS IN AND AROUND THE PEATLANDS #$ % COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT #( ' SPREADING THE MESSAGE ABOUT THE PEATLANDS $ ( WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? $# Bibliography $$ Annex  Caithness and Sutherland peatlands SAC and SPA descriptions $% Annex Conservation objectives for Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SAC and SPA $' Acknowledgements $( Membership of LIFE Peatlands Project Steering Group $( Contact details for LIFE Peatlands Project funding partners $( Acronyms and abbreviations

Bog asphodel Foreword

As a boy I had the great privilege of spending my summers at Dalnawillan= our family home= deep in what is now called the “” Growing up there it was impossible not to absorb its beauty= observe the wildlife= and develop a deep love for this fascinating and unique landscape Today we know far more about the peatlands and their importance and we continue to learn all the time As a land manager I work with others to try to preserve for future generations that which I have been able to enjoy The importance of the peatlands is now widely recognised and there are many stakeholders and agencies involved The development of this strategy is therefore both timely and welcome

The peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland are a special place= a vast and ancient landscape on a scale scarcely matched in the UK They are a place for wildlife= supporting a wide array of distinctive and often rare plants= birds and animals But they are also a place for people For more than half of their existence people have been an integral part of the peatland story They are a place of work= a place of quiet reflection= of recreation and inspiration= a place that heightens the senses More recently the importance of other roles= for example as a water source and a carbon store= has also been recognised

Despite these important qualities= the peatlands have suffered over the last decades from policy shifts= varied standards of stewardship= and uncertainties This Strategy is the first time that a clear= shared vision for the future has been attempted It is a vision for a future where land uses complement rather than compete with each other

The Strategy has been shaped through a process of wide consultation and discussion= and has the support of many organisations and individuals It is however very much a beginning rather than the last word= as we do not yet have all the answers to many of the issues it raises My hope is that implementation of the Strategy will continue the way of working that has created it= with more inclusive= coordinated planning and action

There will be opportunities for everyone who lives in= works in= or visits the peatlands to get involved in developing and putting the Strategy into practice Please take those opportunities= to ensure that the peatlands remain as special for future generations as they are for us

LORD MP

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   # 1

Introduction

‘Nowhere else Why the peatlands? Why a strategy? in Britain= and The peatlands of Caithness and Within the Caithness and Sutherland Sutherland are a special place= of national Peatlands Natura site= the UK possibly the and international importance Nowhere government is committed under EU else in Britain= and possibly the world= is legislation to avoiding the deterioration world= is there there such an extensive area of this type of qualifying habitats and the habitats of of peatland (c$ = ha) Together with qualifying species= and the disturbance of such an associated areas of and open species It must also ensure the site’s water= large areas of the peatlands are integrity and maintenance in the future extensive area designated as Sites of Special Scientific Outside the designated site is a still Interest (SSSI) They are recognised to be bigger area of peatland= which is also of of this type of of national importance for conservation importance for nature conservation and both as a habitat in their own right and to which the UK government has peatland’ because of the diverse range of rare and commitments under the UK Biodiversity unusual breeding birds they support The Action Plan (see below) There is designated peatlands are also part of the currently however no clear plan or vision Natura series of sites (Special for the area to ensure that these Protection Areas and Special Areas of obligations are met Rather there is a Conservation)= which seeks to maintain diverse range of regulations= incentives representative examples of the range of and policies This strategy= and the habitats and species across the European process that has led to its production= is Union (EU) the beginning of a more coordinated approach Pool system at Halsary= Caithness

In some places the legacy of past land use policies for forestry and agriculture is having a detrimental impact on the peatlands= in particular through agricultural drainage= and forest planting on or adjacent to peatland Where this is the case these impacts now need to be addressed urgently to ensure the future wellbeing of the peatlands  To support this= the balance between peatlands and woodlands in the area needs to be managed in line with the current national forestry policy objectives These objectives promote the enhancement of the environment by enriching and extending important woodland areas= whilst integrating with and complementing work to maintain and restore peatland habitats and species

$ The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   Although this is primarily a strategy to promote the natural heritage interest of the peatlands= there are many ways in which this can go hand in hand with supporting the needs of local communities and the economy The Strath Halladale= Sutherland strategy recognises that the peatlands As an action plan which can be used are a place where people live and work= for prioritising work and that the support of local As a reference document for land communities is key to the survival of the ‘The peatlands managers considering future land peatlands management options cannot be What area does it cover? As a source document when policies or plans that affect the area are being considered in prepared The starting point for this strategy is all isolation’ those areas of Caithness and Sutherland As a means of advocating additional with soils Many are aware of the funding for the area “Flow Country”= the name now often used for the central part of the counties= How has it been prepared? but in fact peatland is much more extensive= stretching from the west coast The strategy has been prepared by a of Sutherland across to the far east of project officer and overseen by the Caithness Much of this peatland Steering Group for the LIFE Peatlands supports blanket and wet heath Project A wide range of people and vegetation= some of which is designated organisations has shaped the content= for its nature conservation interest through invaluable contributions to Elsewhere agriculture= peat extraction or meetings= workshops and the forestry have significantly altered the consultation process The strategy has character of the peatlands Within this been developed in the context of EU wide area= the highest priority peatland is policy on biodiversity= and relevant that carrying UK and European national and local biodiversity and land designations use policies The peatlands cannot be considered in isolation however= as they are intimately How to find your way linked through hydrology= land around the strategy management= bird and animal movements to a much wider area The The strategy starts with a vision= aim= strategy therefore looks at the whole and four overarching objectives Then landscape in which the peatlands sit comes an introduction to why the peatlands are special and to the various Who is it for and what will accolades they carry There are then four it be used for? topic sections= each related to one of the objectives Each section describes relevant issues= and a list of actions that This strategy is for everyone with a are needed to achieve the objective and direct interest in the peatlands= for address the issues There is inevitably example whether running a = some overlap between the sections as owning a sporting estate or as a public some themes= such as economic agency with statutory duties development= underlie the whole strategy Its uses will include the following:

As a statement of a shared vision and Otter objectives for the peatlands

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   The vision of the strategy

Our vision for the peatlands is one of a revitalised landscape= with extensive sweeps of hill and bog intersected by fertile straths These straths and coastal strips support a mosaic of productive crofts and farms= = forestry and woodland Above and between the straths lie the worldrenowned peatlands= which= together with their lochs and lochans= support a spectacular assemblage of birds= plants and other wildlife= including internationally important numbers of raptors= waders and waterfowl The straths= = hills= lochs= rivers= woodlands and forestry are managed together for the wide range of services they provide and interests they support No one land use dominates to the detriment of others Rather there is mutual support= with everything underpinned by a healthy environment= at the centre of which is the great peatland of the north Everyone who lives= works in or visits the area values the peatlands

Overall aim for the strategy

To enhance and promote the special values of the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland= through the promotion of sustainable land management= the encouragement of sustainable community and economic development= and through coordinated action

Strategy objectives

OBJECTIVE  To promote and carry out land management that benefits nationally and internationally important areas of peatland= and associated habitats and species

OBJECTIVE To promote and undertake sustainable woodland management= with an appropriate balance between woodlands and peatlands

OBJECTIVE # To encourage community and economic development that is compatible with safeguarding those features that make the peatlands important

OBJECTIVE $ To promote greater awareness= understanding and enjoyment of the special wildlife= landscape= historical and cultural values of the peatlands

% The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   ' Multipurpose native and exotic coniferous woodlands on mineral soils and shallow peat Fencing use minimised

Rivers support healthy fisheries and other wildlife Water quality good

Rough ground supports peatland birds and other wildlife

( The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   SOME OF THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE FUTURE PEATLANDS LANDSCAPE ENVISAGED BY THIS STRATEGY

Heather well managed through good muirburn practice

Condition of and wet heath enhanced through drain blocking= avoidance of muirburn on wet areas and careful use of ATVs

Sustainable deer and stock numbers= supporting local employment

Inbye managed to encourage use by peatland birds

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   G 2 What’s so special about the peatlands?

The habitat For blanket bog to form= water levels need to be near the surface Where the Caithness and Sutherland are home to ground is not so waterlogged= other the largest and most intact area of habitats occur Wet heath is found on blanket bog in and possibly the thinner= better drained peat or where world= with $H of the world’s resource management has caused the peat to dry Blanket bog develops where a cool wet out This community has many of the climate allows the growth of vegetation same plants as blanket bog= but the bog dominated by Sphagnum bog mosses mosses are less dominant= cotton grass is over extensive areas of sloping ground= absent and heather is more widespread hollows and flat areas Where rainfall Dry heath and acid grassland are found levels are high it can on drier ground with mineral soils or develop on slopes up to occasionally very shallow peat # o It typically overlies deep peat and To the nonspecialist= the diversity of the receives all its nutrients bogs of Caithness and Sutherland may through rainfall In not be immediately apparent There is addition to bog mosses= however great variation in form and other widespread vegetation= thanks to the differences in plants of blanket bogs climate= geology and underlying are heather= cross landform from west to east and north to leaved heath= deer south Water is a critical ingredient of grass and cotton grass the bogs and a particularly special feature is the patterning of pools often found on level and gently sloping ground Lochs of all sizes and with a The terms peatland and blanket bog may appear to diversity of chemical makeup are be used interchangeably in this document= but there are abundant throughout the area The clean waters of the peatlands also feed into some differences between them which can be important many rivers and streams= which sustain Peatland is a general term for any area with a peat soil= internationally important populations of otter= Atlantic salmon and freshwater regardless of the vegetation or land use Blanket bog is pearl mussel These watercourses also one type of peatland When drained= it will normally still support important fisheries and provide be called blanket bog= although it may no longer be peat water supplies forming= or ‘active’ Peat formation can only take place The wildlife where waterlogging slows the decomposition of dead material= which then accumulates as peat Once the key Within any given area of bog= the lochs and dubh lochans= hummocks= hollows species are no longer present= or only very rare= such as and smaller pools provide niches for a under closed canopy forestry= it ceases to be blanket bog wide range of plants and invertebrates The rich insect life in turn helps to but remains a peatland support many bird species The most

 The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   The peatlands are home to a high proportion

($(H) of the UK’s breeding population of

common scoters= with the UK population

having declined by H over the last

years This duck nests on moorland around

peatland lochs and lochans Reasons for the

duck’s decline have not been established= but

may relate to water quality changes in lochs

in afforested catchments and changes in

predators present around the lochs

Left to right: Sphagnum bog mosses= Greenshank= Cotton grass

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY    Strath Halladale= Sutherland

notable breeding birds are redthroated Whilst some of the peatland birds spend diver= blackthroated diver= wigeon= teal= all of the breeding season on the common scoter= golden plover= peatlands= others make use of areas greenshank= dunlin= wood sandpiper= either close by or further afield for greylag goose= shorteared owl= golden feeding Close by= the enclosed pasture or eagle= hen harrier= merlin and peregrine inbye ground in some parts of the Many of the birds are typically northern straths provides important feeding for species that are at the southern limit of peatland wading birds= particularly the their range here (see Annex ) Peatland golden plover and dunlin On the north mammals include the native red deer= coast= the calmer sandy bays provide otters and water voles feeding for red throated divers= and greenshank make use of the bays= rivers As is the case with bird populations and areas of saltmarsh Once the all elsewhere= the bird numbers on the important breeding season is over= many peatlands are not static Unfortunately of the birds disperse to other parts of some species such as dunlin= golden Caithness and Sutherland= the UK or plover= snipe and curlew are declining in beyond number The reasons for this are not fully known= although in the case of golden Climate changethe plover there are indications that forest carbon store plantations may be having an impact on the peatland breeding sites In contrast More recently= with growing concerns some species such as greenshank and regarding climate change= the value of stonechat are stable or increasing peatland as a massive carbon store has Marked differences in population change begun to be recognised As peat is largely have occurred between the western and made up of the remains of plants= which the eastern parts of the peatlands= with are themselves made of carbon= it locks most species faring better in the west up large stores of carbon for thousands of than the east This may be due to years This carbon would otherwise be differential changes in land use and/ or released to the atmosphere and climate change contribute to global warming By contrast Stonechat

 The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   forests only store carbon for the lifetime populated= often supporting forestry= of the trees= although the use of timber fragments of native woodland= and ‘The scale of the products can extend this until they too farming and crofting activity By are destroyed or decay Disturbance of contrast the peatlands in the east of landscape is vast the peat surface= for example through Caithness are surrounded by a more drainage= burning or erosion= allows the intimate landscape of mixed agriculture in UK terms’ peat to break down and carbon dioxide= a and forestry “greenhouse gas”= is given off to the atmosphere Social and economic uses Restoration of damaged peatland may Despite this strong wild land character= reduce carbon dioxide emissions= as every the peatlands support and are shaped by hectare of intact bog is reckoned to store agriculture= sporting management and around kg of carbon every year= conservation These activities provide whereas every cubic metre of peat valuable local employment and income removed releases kg of carbon It is The peatlands also contribute to the local possible that global warming could have tourism industry= with many visitors a negative impact on the extent of coming to enjoy the wildlife= landscape peatland Good land management= and and archaeology Use of the area for activities such as drain blocking= may be recreation is at a relatively low intensity= valuable in buffering them against the although increasing as it is elsewhere in potential reduction in extent 

The landscape The archaeology Aside from its nature conservation The activities of the past inhabitants of interest= the landscape value of the area the peatlands are often visible= and the is much appreciated both nationally and good state of preservation of many sites in a context Much of the makes them an important archive landscape of the interior of Sutherland Examples are important prehistoric sites and west Caithness is made up of such as Camster Cairns and the sweeping moorland= slopes and hills= and widespread remains of the pre clearances flatter areas of peatland The scale of the communities= for example along Strath landscape is vast in UK terms and much Naver of the area is remote Although the peatlands have a long history of The peat itself can also hold important management= this has been mostly low information on the past activities of man intensity grazing of livestock and deer and about past environments Whilst stalking= neither of which has left much most areas of peat are likely to have evidence in the way of built formed in response to a wet climate and development poor drainage= there is evidence that in some areas peat formation has been Such “wild land” is a diminishing resource influenced by man’s activities Research in Scotland= but is very much part of the on the peat deposit suggests that regional character of Caithness and extensive areas of the Caithness and Sutherland and the national identity of Sutherland landscape have been treeless Scotland It provides opportunities for for at least the last $ years More people to experience solitude and research still needs to be done on the closeness to nature and attracts people relative significance of the influence of to the area man and the changing climate on peat extent The straths of Kildonan= Halladale and Naver= that cut through to the interior of Sutherland and west Caithness= are more Camster Cairns

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   # 3

So many titles...

In January G(( the then Secretary of The UK Biodiversity Action Plan identifies State for Scotland supported the a series of habitats and species for which protection of a large area (up to priority action is required= as part of the ' = ha) of the peatlands through a government’s contribution to the substantial expansion of the SSSI International Convention on Biological network During the GG s= following Diversity Those present in and around detailed survey and assessment= almost the peatlands include blanket bog= upland  = hectares of blanket bog and heathland= upland birch woodland= water associated habitats were subsequently vole and common scoter Local designated as Sites of Special Scientific Biodiversity Action Plans (LBAPs) have Interest (SSSI) under the Wildlife and recently been prepared for both Caithness Countryside Act (G() and Sutherland and outline how the UK BAP will be implemented at a local level In GGG all or part of #G peatland SSSI ($ =#' ha)= were classified as a Special Several of the rivers in the peatlands are Protection Area (SPA) under the EU’s SACs= namely the Rivers = Naver Birds Directive ('G/$ G/EEC)= on account and Thurso= on account of the of the populations of breeding waders= populations of freshwater pearl mussels= wildfowl and raptors (see Annex ) The Atlantic salmon or otters Although the same area was also designated in the main focus of this strategy is the same year as a of International peatlands= there is an intimate link Importance= a worldwide accolade under between the management of the the Ramsar Convention peatlands and the health of the rivers

Active blanket bog is a priority habitat The is a National Scenic under the EU’s Habitats Directive Area (a national landscape designation) (G /$#/EEC) An area encompassed by= A number of other coastal and upland but slightly smaller than the SPA ($#= ' areas have either been identified or are ha)= was designated on ' March as under consideration for local landscape a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) designations through the Local Plan under this Directive The SAC qualifies for process Parts of the peatlands are designation on the basis of various included in areas of search for “wild land”= habitats including blanket bog= wet identified by SNH in its policy statement heath= and certain types of lochs and also on ‘Wildness in the Scottish Countryside’ its otter populations (see Annex  for full list) Conservation objectives for the SAC In GGG the Caithness and Sutherland and SPA are given at Annex  peatlands were placed on the UK government’s “tentative list” of sites for Outside the area covered by the nomination as World Heritage Sites (see European designations is a considerable section ' below) If nominated= it would area of undesignated blanket bog= much be in recognition of the peatlands of which is still of high nature outstanding natural importance as one on conservation interest These areas make the largest and most intact areas of an important contribution to the UK blanket bog in the world There are Government’s wider responsibilities under currently only three sites in Scotland with the Habitats Directive= Birds Directive= this prestigious title= and of these only Ramsar Convention and UK Biodiversity one (St Kilda) holds the title in respect of Action Plan (UKBAP) and should be its natural rather than its cultural Pool system managed sympathetically attributes

$ The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   Pool system near = Sutherland 4 Management of the open peatlands and associated land

A high proportion of the peatlands is in Agriculture excellent condition= but the area has been and is still affected by a number of Away from the more fertile land in the land use impacts This section reviews east of Caithness= the majority of the current land management of the open agricultural land in the peatlands is given peatlands= summarises the impacts it is over to rough grazing= with improved in having on the nature conservation bye ground being restricted to parts of interest= and then identifies actions to the coast and the straths Very little land address these impacts and support is under crops= with sheep dominating Objective  The proposed actions reflect and only limited cattle numbers Crofting recent and ongoing shifts in policies and tenure predominates in the north and support mechanisms for agriculture= west= coexisting with large sporting sporting management and the natural estates Recent years have seen a heritage= including A Forward Strategy reduction in the number of active for Scottish Agriculture and the Scottish crofters= with a few crofters running a Biodiversity Strategy These seek a large number of holdings in some areas greater synergy between the environment and our activities Inbye ground can play an important role in supporting many of the birds that live on the peatlands Species making use of Objective 1: farmland close to the peatlands include dunlin= golden plover= snipe= curlew= hen To promote and harrier= shorteared owl= merlin= greylag goose and lapwing Active management is needed to ensure the conditions are Red deer carry out land right to provide plenty of food and= for some species= nesting sites Some fields management that are known to be particularly important for golden plover and dunlin= with birds benefits nationally travelling considerable distances over seemingly similar fields to reach favoured and internationally fields to feed= although knowledge of the reasons for this is incomplete Mechanisms such as machinery sharing important areas of rings may be required in future to promote continued management of in peatland and bye ground

associated habitats Major Common Agricultural Policy reforms came into force on  January and species. = with the introduction of the Land Management Contract Menu Scheme

% The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   = Caithness

Management of inbye fields for peatland birds

large= open= old= damp pasture fields are preferred by golden plover and dunlin short sward height of under ( mm from February to July preferred for golden plover and dunlin avoid rolling and grass harrowing between mid March and midJuly avoid using herbicides and pesticides encourage earthworm and leatherjacket (cranefly larvae) population create or retain wet patches= and spread farmyard manure Farmers and crofters now claim a Single scheme does not encompass non control rushes by regular Farm Payment (SFP) under “Tier one” of agricultural holdings In order to address cutting and grazing= as birds the scheme= which is subject to the conservation needs of the peatlands like to be able to see around compliance with a number of standards more effectively= the prescriptions them and with the framework of Good available under Tier three will need to be areas of arable crops provide Agricultural and Environmental more locally targeted than is currently nesting= feeing and roosting areas Condition The SFP is not a headage the case under RSS payment and so many anticipate that tussocky sward created by cattle is more beneficial than there will be a reduction in stock Deer and Game that created by sheep numbers in more marginal areas management avoid planting trees= shrubs or hedges within at least “Tier two” of the new payments is a Much of the open ground in the m of farmland wader “Menu Scheme” which is noncompetitive nesting and feeding areas peatlands is managed for sport= with a and seeks to deliver additional significant proportion being in the environment= social and economic ownership of a small number of large benefits A number of the management estates Deer management is undertaken options are relevant to the peatlands= by individual landowners= and co including “Management of moorland ordination is provided by Deer grazing”= although the payments are Management Groups (DMGs) There currently less attractive than SNH’s were dramatic rises in deer numbers Peatland Management Scheme (see from the G% s to the G( s= but some below) “Tier three” will be launched estates have made significant efforts to from ' and will involve more detailed reverse these trends Densities vary management prescriptions= incorporating considerably across the area The existing agrienvironment schemes= traditional deer range was reduced with including the Rural Stewardship Scheme the widespread afforestation of the G' s and G( s and deer movements have A limited number of farmers and crofters been affected in the area are in the Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS)= which promotes A recent development is the erection of management to improve the biodiversity fences to prevent deer movement onto and landscape value of a holding Entry is agricultural and crofting ground This has more difficult however for those holdings happened to the east of and with a restricted number of habitats= as is Shurrery= along Strath Naver and around often the case here Furthermore the Strath Halladale It is not yet known

Golden plover whether these fences are likely to increase deer grazing and trampling pressure on the adjacent peatlands= or whether more fencing of this type is likely to be erected elsewhere

Grouse management occurs in the drier moorland areas in the east= but is restricted in extent In recent years it has been hampered by reductions in grouse numbers These may be due to a range of factors including loss of heather ground= land use changes= changes in burning practice= poor weather in June in recent productivity of the rivers= resulting from years (which has affected breeding)= the underlying geology In contrast heather beetle attacks= changes in keeper populations have declined on the west activity and the presence of a significant coast= where natural productivity levels tick problem in some areas There is no of the shorter systems are lower evidence from the limited study to date and marine mortality higher that ticks have a significant effect on other moorland birds= although they The Rivers Borgie= Naver and Thurso are frequently carry obvious tick loadings all SACs for nature conservation interests that include Atlantic salmon= and have a Many land managers are concerned regular monitoring programme A about loss of heather cover across the conservation strategy has also been area= as heather provides feeding for prepared for the River Borgie SNH is both deer and grouse The causes of this currently undertaking a number of demonstration projects on rivers Top: Red grouse= are not known= but contributory factors Bottom: Freshwater pearl mussel can be inappropriate grazing and elsewhere in Scotland= with a view to trampling levels by deer and sheep= and extending its programme of positive poor burning practice Recent attacks of management agreements (Natural Care heather beetle have exacerbated the programme) to cover river management problem Current management guidance Obligations under the Water Framework to combat heather beetle is to continue Directive will involve additional river and to carry out muirburn in accordance with loch monitoring in the future the Muirburn Code= as heather that is well managed and not degenerate is Brown trout are found in lochs and rivers more likely to recover fully across the area and include the unique Ice Age relict Crocach Trout in lochs Fisheries management above Loch Hope Brown Trout populations are generally good and Atlantic salmon= sea trout and brown reflect the productivity of the waters  trout fisheries make an important high in those areas with limestone contribution to the economy of the area featuring in the geology= and low where Atlantic salmon and sea trout peat predominates in dubh lochans populations have declined markedly Angling pressure remains light to through most of their ranges over recent moderate in the most part decades= due to a combination of factors including higher mortality at sea and There is an intimate link between changes in land and river management management of the peatlands and Populations have however remained fisheries Fish spawning areas and healthy over much of north and east juvenile habitats are often found in the Caithness and Sutherland This is perhaps peatlands= miles from any main river or in part due to the naturally high burn= and care needs to be taken to ensure their protection The quality of

( The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   water emanating from the peatlands into Since GG$ two tranches of funding from the rivers is also a key issue= and the EU LIFE Programme have supported ‘there has been potential impacts need to be assessed a partnership project carrying out a when planning any landuse change range of management and restoration a growth in the work= largely on RSPB and Forestry management of Management for nature Commission Scotland land= but also to a conservation more limited extent on private ground Large scale drain blocking is ongoing land specifically within the European designated Until the G( s the national and peatland Targeted tree removal and for nature international importance of the peatland restoration is also taking place peatlands was not widely recognised on adjacent areas= with a view to conservation’ Since then however= there has been a protecting the Natura site features growth in the management of land specifically for nature conservation In Plantlife International= a charity focusing GG SNH introduced its Peatland on plant conservation= also has a reserve Management Scheme (PMS) that in the peatlands at Munsary in Caithness= encourages environmentally friendly land and this too has benefited from drain management on both agricultural ground blocking and other work under the LIFE and sporting estates It is a voluntary Project The Management Group for the scheme open to people managing reserve is drawn largely from the local peatland SSSI in Caithness and community Sutherland Those who participate receive annual payments for the five year agreement term Payment levels Drains reflect the extra costs of carrying out best practice management that is Through the G s and G% s= financial additional to the requirements of any incentives were provided for the draining agricultural funding of agricultural land= as part of a postwar policy to promote food production In Uptake and support of the scheme has reality these drains did little to improve been good= with about % H of the SAC agricultural output in most areas of the being covered by PMS agreements Some peatlands= and are now often detrimental land managers would like to see the to the nature conservation interest scheme put greater emphasis on more Drains affect over half of the SAC= with positive work such as drain blocking= but H of the area seriously affected resource constraints are an issue To date the PMS has also not covered the whole Agricultural drains= Cross Lochs= Forsinard gamut of deer related management issues= but relevant ongoing demonstration projects elsewhere in Scotland and the development of best practice guidance will inform any future amendments to cover this

The RSPB has become very active in the area since the mid GG s= and is now a major landowner ( = ha)= with management agreements in place to promote their objectives over a still larger area They are also a significant employer= with seven fulltime staff equivalents involved directly in the peatlands

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   G Typically the water table is lowered for a by legislation and guided by a code of distance of up to four metres either side practice known as the Muirburn Code of a drain= with other less obvious effects When practised in accordance with the potentially extending further Gradual Muirburn Code= muirburn is compatible slumping of the peat occurs towards the with maintaining the nature drain and in older drains deep lateral conservation interest of the peatlands cracking and collapse are observable The The Code recommends that blanket bogs drier conditions allow better heather should not be burnt= and so the focus of growth and halt peat formation This activity should be on the steeper drier drying out may also reduce the number heather areas Extensive less well of invertebrates= which will have a knock controlled burns sometimes encroach on on effect on birds areas of blanket bog= particularly when fires are set in drier or windier conditions Where drains were dug on the most using limited manpower On SSSIs gentle of gradients and where muirburn practice is subject to maintenance has not taken place= consultation= and under the PMS a infilling is gradually taking place By muirburn plan is required RSS schemes contrast on steeper slopes= the impact of can also cover muirburn activities the drains has increased over time= as scouring by rock and debris from further In many areas muirburn is carried out up the hill has increased the size and more sporadically than in the past= as erosive power of the drains The silt numbers of people with available time carried into streams and rivers by these and knowledge have fallen This can drains may have negative effects on mean that when burning does take place= game fisheries Periods of high rainfall there is a higher chance of fires spreading exaggerate the problems of erosion and quickly over large areas that have lead to high flows in adjacent accumulated tall leggy heather and watercourses In recent years there has purple moor grass litter The presence of been an increasing tendency towards dry dead heather damaged by heather flash floods in rivers locally beetle can also add to the risk of fire spreading Over the last  years some localised drain blocking has been undertaken= Some habitats are extremely sensitive to largely by the RSPB Not all are keen on burning= and many of the rare and the idea however; some livestock sensitive plants found in peatlands managers have concerns that stock may cannot survive fires Although the become attracted to the sweeter growth vegetation of an area burnt in the past in blocked drains and then become stuck may superficially appear unchanged= Drain blocking may be beneficial to regular or severe burning reduces the Top: Muirburn fisheries interests= as it could help to variety of plants found and removes Middle: Eroded peatland= Knockfin Bottom: Drain blocking moderate river flows and reduce silt some sensitive peat forming species inputs Ongoing research suggests that Erosion can also result from severe drain blocking might also reduce carbon burns= and once established on these emissions from peatland and so sensitive peat soils it can be very difficult contribute to efforts to abate global or impossible to reverse warming Grazing and trampling Muirburn Due to slow vegetation growth and poor Muirburn is a traditional land nutritional quality= blanket bogs can only management practice= carried out to support low densities of grazing animals promote new vegetation growth and so Sheep and/or red deer graze most of the increase the amount of feeding available designated peatlands= with the impacts for stock= deer or grouse It is regulated of the two being difficult to distinguish

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   Over much of the area= grazing levels are vegetation and cool wet climate slowing considered to be appropriate for or preventing vegetation recovery maintaining the nature conservation interest= but there are areas with Deer numbers are counted regularly overgrazing and= less frequently= across the area= but further survey work undergrazing There is also localised is required to assess the impact of both evidence of trampling damage= generally deer and sheep on the vegetation SNH where animals are constrained by fencing and DCS are currently developing survey Where pools and wetter areas lie adjacent methods Repeat surveys will then be to fences= trampling damage can be more able to detect any changes that may need extensive to be addressed by modifications to management Close joint working= Trampling can have a more significant training and guidance would be beneficial Localised ATV damage impact than grazing= particularly in the to develop a common understanding of wetter “flows”= as grazing is only the impacts of management on attractive in these areas for a short period vegetation= what constitutes good in the early winter and spring Trampling vegetation condition= and how this can be can kill off bog mosses and other plants= achieved to support all interests Inset: Eroding hill drain on deep peat near leaving bare peat= and can be exacerbated Main photo: The same drain several by fencing= which can channel deer Vehicle use days after blocking through narrow areas Overgrazing and excessive trampling can both lead to Allterrain vehicles (ATVs) and quad bikes erosion= with the slow growth of are now seen as an essential tool for both

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY    sporting and agricultural work The damage= they have their own direct and cumulative effects of the last forty years indirect effects on the vegetation and on of use are however now evident in some water movement In terms of vehicle places When used in softer and wetter technology= ATVs with front wheel areas of peatland they can cause steering are likely to cause less damage significant damage to the fragile plant than those that rely on skid steering communities= with recovery either being very slow or bare ground becoming Peat cutting Cut for domestic use eroded Use of vehicles can be controlled on SSSI= and some practical work to No commercial peat cutting takes place minimise damage can be funded through within the Natura site= and elsewhere in PMS agreements the peatlands there is just one site where there is ongoing extraction No future It is likely that in the future more expansion is anticipated Domestic peat constructed tracks will be proposed as cutting still takes place= but is much less informal ATV routes become more widespread than it used to be Where it damaged by greater use It is also possible still occurs= it has become increasingly that fishing activity may increase in some mechanised On designated peatland it is areas and may result in the desire for subject to discussion under both SSSI increased vehicle use Whilst constructed procedures and the PMS to minimise any tracks can limit the incremental spread of impacts

Summary of key open peatland management issues that may affect the nature conservation interest of the peatlands

To be suitable for peatland waders= inbye Drains are often detrimental to the nature fields in key areas need to be actively managed conservation interest and may impact on fisheries interests and river flow rates RSS is a positive tool= but uptake here is low= perhaps because entry is more difficult for Poor muirburn practice can damage sensitive those holdings with a restricted number of peatland habitats habitats= as is often the case here More guidance and training are needed on New fences to restrict deer movements may vegetation assessment and what constitutes affect grazing and trampling levels of adjacent good condition areas Regular monitoring is needed to identify any There is concern that heather cover has changes in vegetation and their causes reduced in the area ATVs and quad bikes can cause damage to The Peatland Management Scheme is valuable sensitive peatland habitats and should be continued= but could be more proactive in addressing positive management works

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   OBJECTIVE : To promote and carry out land management that benefits nationally and internationally important areas of peatland and associated habitats and species

ACTION REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE PARTNERS PRIORITY TIMESCALE OBJECTIVE  AND ADDRESS ISSUES *Indicates lead partner Ongoing RELATING TO MANAGEMENT OF Short # years OPEN PEATLAND Medium # years Long  years

 Promote changes to Rural Stewardship SEERAD*= CC= SNH= SAC= High Short Scheme to ensure applicability and availability RSPB= SEPA= Land in the peatlands and associated habitats management interest groups including inbye

 Promote easily accessible land use support SEERAD= CC= SNH= SAC= High Ongoing systems through ongoing CAP reform that RSPB= SEPA= Land maximise the opportunities for the sustainable management interest groups management of the peatlands

# Promote continued management of in bye Land managers= SNH= RSPB= High Short ground CC= SEERAD= SAC

$ Seek to reduce and reverse trends of loss Land managers= Land Medium Medium of heather from areas of heath and management interest bog groups= SEERAD= SNH

 Promote continued funding for and SNH* High Short development of the Peatland Management Scheme

% Facilitate the blocking of agricultural drains SEERAD= SNH* Medium Medium and consider the introduction of additional funding for this through PMS or RSS

' Promote best practice and training in the SEERAD= SNH= SAC= CC= DCS= Low Ongoing sustainable management of the peatlands= North Highland College= including on muirburn and habitat assessment RSPB= Fire Brigade= Northern eg through RSS= PMS= DMGs= North Highland Constabulary= Land College management interest groups= SEPA

( Maintain deer and stock numbers at levels Land managers= DCS= High Short that sustain the natural heritage interest of the SEERAD= SNH peatlands= and are compatible with other land uses

G Undertake regular assessment of deer and DCS= SNH= SEERAD= High Ongoing sheep numbers and the habitat to identify any Land managers= North impacts that might be occurring Highland College

 Support Deer Management Groups as a Land managers= DCS= FCS= High Ongoing forum for collaborative deer management= with RSPB= SNH= SEERAD a view to balancing private and public objectives in relation to deer

 Embed habitat impact assessments into Land managers= DCS= SNH= High Short Deer Management Plans and use to inform cull Land management interest targets groups

 Promote DCS Best Practice Guidance and DCS*= SNH= RSPB High Ongoing consider implementation of accreditation scheme

# Investigate management and engineering SEERAD= SNH= DCS= SEPA Low Medium solutions to impacts of ATVs on peatland

$ Facilitate implementation of Local THC*= FCS= SNH= RSPB= CC= Medium Short Medium Biodiversity Action Plans for Caithness and Land managers= Community Sutherland and the Scottish Biodiversity groups and interest groups= Strategy CASE= SEPA= Scottish Water

TABLE 

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   # 5 Management of woodlands in and around the peatlands

The overall aim of this strategy is to been a detrimental impact on underlying maintain and enhance the special values and adjacent blanket bog and associated of the peatlands This cannot be done habitats and species In considering the effectively without consideration of the future of these areas of forest= there is an management of forests and woodlands in opportunity to restore areas of blanket and around the peatlands Since the early bog and associated habitats= helping to GG s more than $= hectares of new achieve a better balance between native forest have been established woodland and peatlands In seeking this across Caithness and Sutherland= balance= there is also an opportunity to benefiting both biodiversity and review the scope for new woodlands in landscape By contrast most of the trees the area= to benefit biodiversity= local planted in the G' s and G( s were economies and landscape This section of exotic conifers the strategy looks at issues in relation to woodlands and identifies actions to In some cases= where coniferous trees support Objective  were planted on or near peat= there has

$ The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   northern limit in the southern part of the Objective 2: peatlands= occurring only infrequently on better mineral soils The nearest To promote and extensive pinewoods are at Amat= but Caledonian pine would have been a undertake significant component of many woodlands in the past in the southern sustainable part of Sutherland= decreasing northwards as conditions became less favourable Juniper occurs locally= mainly woodland in gorges but also on some exposed hillsides Dwarf birch (Betula nana) also management, with deserves a mention= as this nationally scarce plant occurs in the peatlands= an appropriate albeit with a restricted range Scattered riverside trees near balance between The plant and animal species supported by the native woodlands in this area are considered to be typical of birch woodlands and dominated woodlands= with plant species being more diverse in gorges or ledges peatlands. out of the reach of grazing animals The species present are those that survive well in woodland edge conditions= rather Native woodlands than those that require large blocks of unbroken woodland The more western Mature broadleaved woodlands are now woodlands have richer= more oceanic scarce around the peatlands= being moss= liverwort and fern communities mostly restricted to a few of the more sheltered straths and gorges The Scottish In the north of Scandinavia= there is Seminatural Woodland Inventory commonly a transitional zone of tree identifies  #'( ha of seminatural growth of decreasing size on the edge of woodland in Caithness and Sutherland= bogs It is used by a number of peatland with the majority of this being around birds that also occur or have occurred in and the  It is Caithness and Sutherland= namely wood likely that broadleaved woods were once sandpiper= ruff= Temminck’s stint and red more extensive= particularly in the south necked phalarope Although there are a and west= but clearance by man= burning few places in Caithness and Sutherland and grazing have reduced their extent where native woodlands border the edge significantly Those fragments that of bogs= there is no transitional woodland remain tend to be heavily grazed both by of this type Research could determine domestic stock and deer This not only whether this habitat ever existed here restricts regeneration= but may also and if so= its extent This would help with reduce the diversity of species that are planning future management ‘Mature present The forestry resource broadleaved Birch is the dominant tree species= with other key species including rowan= alder= A significant proportion of the forests in woodlands are aspen= grey willow= eared willow= and Caithness and Sutherland form part of bird cherry Hazel is locally common the National Forest Estate managed by now scarce where conditions are slightly richer= and Forest Enterprise Scotland These forests goat willow and wych elm occur locally are managed within the framework of around the in gorges= again favoured by slightly the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme richer conditions Oak reaches its with the aim of providing a balance of peatlands’

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   environmental= economic and social Haulage costs can be significantly benefits Many of the forests are still reduced where local markets are relatively young but as they mature available Wood as a fuel is now opportunities are being sought to recognised as an important source of develop a more diverse structure and to renewable energy and government introduce a wider range of tree species agencies and the EU are encouraging the This restructuring also provides development of woodfuel “clusters” opportunities to ensure peatland (users and suppliers) in various parts of interests are protected and native Scotland In addition to local community woodland habitats enhanced and interest in Caithness and Sutherland= a extended woodfuel district heating scheme is currently under consideration for Wick= In many of the privately owned as is the development of a “cluster” of plantations however the focus is on the businesses using locally sourced wood as production of commercial timber The fuel Although woodfuel is a low value nature conservation value of these product= it does provide the additional woodlands is currently limited in most potential benefits of local employment= cases= but there is the opportunity over the opportunity to thin woodlands at an time to improve this through early stage= a use for “waste” timber= and restructuring The presence of forest an end use for smaller timber felled for blocks in open landscapes may benefit peatbog restoration that is currently small numbers of some rare bird species being left on site such as merlin and hen harrier= and also more common woodland species As the forests mature and new local markets for timber develop= the The quality of the timber being produced opportunities for enhancing their varies with species= provenance and site economic= social and environmental conditions= with those plantations on value are increasing This= combined with shallower peats and mineral soil often the creation of new well planned forests= producing the best timber Windthrow is integrated with native woodland= also an issue in more exposed areas= with peatland and other land use interests= the majority of plantations being will form a key part of the sustainable managed on a clearfell system= to avoid management of trees throughout the risk of windthrow With appropriate Caithness and Sutherland design and in some cases early thinnings= the impact of windthrow can be reduced In locations where extraction is unlikely to bring an economic return= through Forest recreation and interpretation Forestry now competes in a global poor quality= distance from markets or market and decisions about harvesting difficulty of extraction= some owners are affected by timber prices and the now anticipate that replanting with costs of harvesting and transportation similar species will not be worthwhile or Haulage costs are often the key factor in appropriate Replacement with native determining viability= along with timber species is already under consideration in quality Extraction by road is restricted in some areas= but there are difficulties with many areas to agreed routes= set by financing clearance of the existing crop bridge weight restrictions and the poor Whilst Christmas tree growing was once condition of some singletrack roads The a profitable option in the area= the railway is seen as providing a potential margins for this have now shrunk alternative in the future and loading facilities have already been developed at In such a rural area= forestry represents a  Similar facilities are currently significant employer The jobs provided being considered for the in forest management (including forest Junction in Caithness rangers)= timber extraction and haulage= particularly in the more mature Forest

% The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   ' Enterprise woodlands= can have a big as SSSI= leading to a direct loss of blanket ‘Restoration of impact in an area with such low bog and associated habitats In some population numbers and limited cases forestry is now having a afforested areas employment opportunities Over # detrimental impact not only on people have been involved in contract underlying but also adjacent peatland to bog and wet forestry work for the current EU LIFE habitat An audit of damage and threat Peatlands Project to the Natura site has identified forestry heath habitat as one of the most significant activities A considerable investment has been having a detrimental impact on the has already been made in forest recreation and Natura site interpretation in the area= by Forest happening in Enterprise in particular= and this will Where forests are on peat= the water have knockon benefits for employment level in the peat is lowered through Caithness and in tourism Private forest owners have drainage works and through the taking established recreational facilities up and interception of water by growing Sutherland as throughout Caithness and Sutherland= trees This can cause the peat to dry out including the opening up of a continuous and crack Research has also identified part of the LIFE horse= cycle and walking route through hydrological impacts on peatland up to the peatland forests from Loch More to m beyond the edge of a forest= Peatlands Forsinain= with a circular route from including changes in surface water flow Loch More via Altnabreac and surface shape Road building and the Project’ use of fertilisers and herbicides can also There may also be future employment affect both underlying and adjacent opportunities from nontimber forest peatland products= such as berries and fungi Trial areas for berry growing already exist at Areas of peatland available for breeding = Borgie and = peatland birds may also be reduced by under the auspices of the Highland Berry forestry Studies have shown reduced use Growers Group of peatland near to forest edges by species including golden plover= curlew The impacts of forests on and red grouse This may be due to the peatlands increased predation= avoidance by birds of tall structures (visual avoidance)= and changes to habitat management near In the G' s and G( s some plantations forests (eg reduced burning leading to were established on peatland of similar taller vegetation) Research is ongoing= quality to that subsequently designated but suggests that impacts may extend up to  m in some circumstances There is incomplete knowledge of predator numbers and impact

Seeding of nonnative tree species onto bogs from adjacent forests may be an issue in the longer term Seeds can be carried up to about  m= although birch seed can carry further in certain climatic conditions Climate change may exacerbate this impact= if bogs become drier in the summer as some models predict

Since G(( forestry activity has been governed by the “Forest and Water Guidelines” and adherence to these has

( The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   Restoration of afforested blanket bog= Altnabreac area= $

avoided a number of the problems associated with earlier forestry practices Afforestation proposals undergo wide consultation and are also now appraised under the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations GGG before the Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) determine whether to give approval

The future management of forests in Caithness and Sutherland Restoration of afforested There will be cases where replanting of areas to blanket bog and forestry will not be required by FCS and wet heath habitats where restoration to bog or wet heath will be appropriate Incentives will be Restoration of afforested areas to bog considered to promote restoration= which and wet heath habitat has already been may involve early felling The highest happening in Caithness and Sutherland as priority cases will be those areas of part of the LIFE Peatlands Project The forestry which are affecting the interests first phase of this work ran from GG$G( of the Natura site (see Annex ) Where when a number of techniques were trees are causing or likely to cause tested on a range of high priority sites deterioration of the interests of the The trials clearly demonstrated the Natura site (SPA/ SAC) or of the peatland restorability of such areas= showing the interest of SSSI not within the Natura recovery of key peatland species within site= replanting will not be required after # years of felling The second phase of Hen harrier nest= recently felling In most cases the Natura interests the Project (from  to %) is felled area= Forsinard are contained within the boundary of the carrying out much more extensive Natura site= but in a few cases species restoration= with a target of  ha by may also be dependent on ground % To date= approximately % ha outside the boundary FCS will take this have been restored into account in any assessment This is relevant on both private and public land The time taken for deforested sites to and FCS may request an Environment recover to blanket bog or wet heath Impact Assessment to consider the vegetation will vary greatly= depending impacts of deforestation on site history= site conditions and techniques used The longer that a tree Outside the designated peatlands is a crop has been on the land= the more considerable area of undesignated likely that more of the original bog peatland= much of which is still of high vegetation will have been lost and that nature conservation interest Under the the peat will have been more damaged= UK Biodiversity Action Plan= the Blanket such that recovery will take longer Costs Bog Habitat Action Plan seeks to of restoration also vary depending on the introduce management regimes to age of the trees= with costs rising steeply restore ' H of blanket bog which is as the trees mature and so become more currently degraded= such that it is in or difficult to handle In priority areas there approaching favourable condition by is therefore an urgent need to undertake   This target will not be reached restoration in the near future= so as to unless both designated and undesignated reduce both recovery times and costs blanket bog is restored= and decisions on forestry affecting undesignated peatland Site characteristics that are likely to will need to take this into account indicate and promote a more speedy

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   G Mechanical ‘tree shear’ developed locally for clearing forestry off peatland

vegetation together Whilst ideally trees would be removed from site and put to some end use= this is currently prohibitively expensive The creation of local markets for timber may change this position in the future Removal of trees would have to be done in a way that minimised damage to the bog surface

There are potential water quality implications from the clearance of significant areas of forestry The key issue is phosphate input to water courses= but this is only likely to become a problem if recovery include the presence of a more than H of a catchment is shallow water table (within  cm in deforested in any given  month period winter)= the presence of pools and damp hollows= and a drainage layout Forests and deer favourable to rewetting Flatter areas or with a slope of less than º are also more Forests can have an impact on deer in the Restoration by hand felling near likely to recover more quickly as peatlands as they reduce the deer range= Forsinard restoration of water levels is likely to be and forest fences restrict and channel easier Where the peat has already dried deer movements This in turn can lead to out to the extent that it is cracking= it higher densities of deer on the peatlands= will be much more difficult to promote cause localised tracking and erosion along recovery Over time= cracks in the peat fence lines Where fences are not form an underground network This can maintained the forests also provide hinder attempts to rewet the surface= as shelter= thus enabling deer condition to the network of cracks can carry water improve and numbers of both red and roe around dams that are put in to block deer to increase In some areas deer are forestry drains causing significant damage to broadleaved trees Where the tree canopy closure is incomplete= there is more likely to be There is incomplete information on forest remnant bog vegetation surviving This deer populations= but densities vary will ensure a faster recovery as the greatly between different areas It is also surviving bog vegetation can spread out not yet known whether the rise in forest once the conditions become favourable deer populations is likely to have for it= as drains are blocked and the water implications for the condition of the level rises It is not anticipated that any surrounding peatlands With the seeding of plants will be required= as the downturn in the economic outlook for wetter conditions following restoration forestry= some forest blocks have now will favour peatland plants and suppress been purchased by owners whose primary other species objective is to manage the deer for sport

The LIFE Peatlands Project has looked at Deer numbers which may be appropriate various techniques of tree felling and for management of the open peatlands drain blocking= and established that bog may be higher than those that would recovery is quicker where tree trunks are enable the development of more natural cut up and then laid into the forestry woodlands Determining and then ditches This helps to block the ditches maintaining populations to achieve these and so slows any water flow= reducing varying objectives is a significant the risk of erosion and runoff It also challenge still to be addressed provides a structure to knit the

# The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   Planning for new To be part of a network= woods do not woodlands need to be continuous but some species will find it easier to move between There would be nature conservation and woods than others= depending on both potentially socioeconomic benefits from the distances and also on the type of land Rowan improving the condition of the existing to be crossed Riparian or riverside native woodlands and where possible woodlands are of particular value in a expanding them Benefits could include network= as rivers form natural corridors recreational use= landscape enhancement= There are also additional benefits to timber for local use and stock shelter water quality= flow regulation= and in once any woodland is fully established some case to fisheries= from riverside Given the current low level of native planting woodland cover however= it is also a priority to encourage new native Consideration should also be given to woodlands= preferably by natural promoting some areas of native scrub or regeneration= or by planting where that more open woodland of appropriate is unlikely to be successful Changes in species on the edge of peatlands on incentives in recent years have already mineral or shallow peat The potential encouraged a significant number of impact on peatland interests would need native woodland schemes in the area on to be assessed mineral soil or shallow peat Some of these have been carried out by crofters Deer impacts are generally too high over taking advantage of changes in most of the area to allow any new legislation The North Highland Forest planting or regeneration schemes Trust is a useful support organisation for without fencing Deer fencing adds this work considerably to the costs and brings other disadvantages such as landscape There may also be areas on mineral impacts= tracking by deer and constraints ground or shallow peat where it is on access It can also lead to a less appropriate to plant new areas of non natural woodland structure= as grazing native woodlands= particularly where animals are part of a natural woodland these bring multiple benefits such as system Deer fences need to be timber for local use and habitat network considered in the light of the Joint links (see below) The establishment of agency statement and guidance on deer both native and nonnative woodland on fencing Any woodland proposals should appropriate mineral and shallow peat can take into account the existing use of an also bring the benefit of locking up area by deer (for example for wintering) carbon= and so support efforts to slow and plan for future deer management climate change Map based computermodelling can help The nature conservation value of new plan where new woodland might best woodland can vary depending both on contribute to a woodland habitat the species used and on its location network Modelling has to take into Where new woodlands (either natives or account the nature of woodlands in an nonnatives) are positioned near existing area and the species they support woodlands= as part of a network= it is easier for species to colonise the new woods from the existing woodland habitat The new woods can also become a steppingstone= a link in a woodland habitat network that allows animals and plants to move according to their needs

Native tree planting= Altnaharra Estate

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   # Guidelines for new woodlands (native and nonnative species)

Woodland establishment should be on mineral ground or shallow peat

Where planting is proposed near peatland= consider any possible impacts on peatland interest= for example through harbouring of predators and through peatland birds avoiding nesting near woodland edge More open woodland with a higher proportion of scrub species is likely to be more appropriate

Inbye ground which is used by feeding peatland waders should be avoided

Prioritise watercourse planting= in consultation with fisheries interests

Prioritise establishment of new native woodlands close to existing native woodland

Consider deer movements and use of the area

For native woodlands birch will be the dominant species Other appropriate species are rowan= alder= aspen= grey willow= eared willow= bird cherry and in some areas Scots pine Hazel= goat willow and wych elm will be suitable in slightly richer conditions Juniper may also be appropriate in small amounts

Locate woodland so as to maximise the habitat network benefits

Prioritise woodlands that can bring multiple benefits to the area

Consider impacts on the NSA= any local landscape designations= the settings of designated cultural and historic sites= wild land search area= landscape character

Consider opportunities to improve public access

Summary of key forestry and woodland management issues in and around the peatlands

Native woodlands are scarce and often heavily The restructuring of existing forests= along grazed with appropriate enhancement and extension of native woodland areas= has the potential to No transitional zone of native scrub/ open contribute significantly to the environmental= woodland is present on edge of bogs economic and social value of the peatlands

In some cases forestry is having a detrimental The development of local markets for timber impact on underlying and adjacent peatland= would benefit the local economy and restructuring and clearance may be needed Forest deer are increasing in numbers and may have impacts on woodlands and peatlands The balance between woodlands and peatlands needs to be carefully planned and managed

# The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   OBJECTIVE : To promote and undertake sustainable woodland management= with an appropriate balance between woodlands and peatlands

ACTION REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE PARTNERS PRIORITY TIMESCALE OBJECTIVE AND ADDRESS ISSUES *Indicates lead partner Ongoing RELATING TO FORESTS AND Short # years WOODLANDS IN AND AROUND Medium # years PEATLANDS Long  years

 Promote incentives that support the FCS*= SNH= RSPB= THC= SEPA= High Short sustainable management of woodlands and the CC expansion of woodland habitat networks= including riparian woodlands

 Provide clear guidance on the location and FCS*= SNH= SEERAD= THC= High Short type of woodland that might be appropriate in RSPB and around the peatlands

# Develop guidelines on appropriate forestry FCS*= SNH= THC= RSPB High Short restructuring and clearance= and develop incentives and mechanisms to enable these to be implemented

$ Maximise the local economic and FCS= THC= RSPB= CASE= High Short community benefits from any forest NHFT= CC restructuring or clearance work

 Support the preparation of Forest Plans for FCS* Medium Medium individual land ownerships

% Determine the appropriateness of FCS= SNH= SEERAD= RSPB Medium Medium promoting scrub/ open woodland at the edge of blanket bog

' Develop modelling to identify areas where FCS*= SNH= THC= SEERAD= High Short creation of new woodland would have RSPB maximum natural heritage benefits

( Promote the development of wood fuel FCS= THC= CASE= NHFT High Short and other local timber markets

G Develop economic methods of extracting FCS= CASE= RSPB= NHFT High Short trees off peat bogs whilst minimising damage to bogs

 Ensure forest and woodland planning and DCS= FCS= THC High Ongoing design take account of deer and future deer management

 Undertake bird modelling to assist RSPB*= SNH Medium Medium prioritisation of clearance of forestry areas not currently affecting the Natura site but where restoration to bog should be a priority

 Promote and implement national guidance Land managers= Land High Ongoing on fencing for deer management management interest groups= DCS= SEERAD= FCS= SNH

# Encourage cooperation between deer and Land managers= Land Medium Short forestry managers to address forest deer issues management interest groups= DCS*= FCS= SNH

TABLE

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   ## 6 Community and economic development

The future longterm health of the peatlands depends very much on Objective 3: decisions that are made regarding community and economic development To encourage in the area It is likely that to be successful= the future economy of the community and area will be a mixed one= with less of an emphasis on commercial timber economic production than has been the case in the past New opportunities for estates and communities are likely to come through development that is new native woodlands= management of existing woodlands for more mixed compatible with objectives including wood fuel= management for nature conservation= safeguarding those and “green” or wildlife tourism ventures Smallscale renewable energy schemes features that make may be appropriate in some places where this is compatible with other interests the peatlands The following section looks at development issues that already impact important. on the peatlands or may do so in the future and identifies actions to address Objective # Some aspects of socio economic development are dealt with in Infrastructure and other other parts of the strategy= in particular economic developments woodlands (section )= and tourism and interpretation (section ') Developments likely to occur in the area Drain blocking near are infrastructure projects such as renewable energy schemes (see below)= road and track repair or creation= water supply provision and house building Community and economic benefits will need to be assessed against potential environmental impacts= including impacts on the peatlands Potential impacts for wind turbines are described below= and the principles of many of these would also apply to other infrastructure developments= albeit the scale will vary Major developments located in peatland areas should also demonstrate that mitigation measures are in place to minimise the potential

#$ The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   impact on the carbon balance and so on global warming This includes minimising peat removal= drying and exposure

There may be scope in the future to develop the economic benefits arising from the peatlands= through additional marketing or branding of products from the area This could have the dual benefit of bringing additional income and also raising the profile of the area Other possible future economic developments are covered in sections and '

Renewable Energy Development

In GG' at the Kyoto summit meeting= the UK government signed up to targets for reductions in the emissions of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming The promotion of renewable energy technologies is one element of the government’s programme to meet these targets= and is supported by financial incentives Wind turbines= Causeymire Islands Enterprise’s Community Energy Along with other areas with consistently Company has been set up to promote high average wind speeds= open such schemes landscapes and relatively low population densities= Caithness and Sutherland have Particular issues in relation to the seen a rapid rise in interest from would peatlands include the possible loss of be developers encouraged by these habitats and wildlife The impact on birds incentives; particularly those looking at will depend on the numbers and species onshore wind technologies There are of birds present= their flight patterns in currently over $ wind turbine schemes relation to the wind turbines= the proposed in Caithness and Sutherland At number= size and characteristics of the present there is no national strategic wind turbines= and ancillary framework to guide potential developers= developments including transmission although is now lines Potential consequences include bird embarking on a regional strategy collision and disturbance

The development of renewable energy Other issues are the potential damage to generation capacity is an important part peat soils= bog structure= hydrological of efforts to tackle global warming= but integrity= creation of access tracks into environmental standards should also be the peatlands= associated changes in land maintained to ensure that environmental use= grazing= and disturbance to deer in losses do not outweigh gains With the construction phase Consideration is adequate planning it should be possible also needed of the impact on open to enable some schemes to progress in landscapes= where wind turbines can be appropriate locations and at the correct very visible= the potential attrition of the scale Smaller scale schemes that bring wild land resource and the cumulative community benefit are likely to be more impact of successive developments appropriate in this area Highland and Building on peat in the uplands= on a

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   # slope or where previously disturbed by encouraging greater community ‘Community forestry are all very technically involvement in planning= as a result of demanding situations= which can which the Sutherland Partnership is engagement in potentially cause difficulties currently preparing a Community Plan A similar exercise is anticipated for the peatlands Whilst proposals may not themselves be Caithness under the Caithness located on peatland= they may impact on Partnership has the potential the flight lines of peatland birds and the feeding range of eagles Many of the Community engagement in the peatlands to ensure that breeding birds fly daily to the north coast has the potential to ensure that to feed= passing over large areas of community priorities are addressed= that community undesignated land Migration routes also more economic benefits are retained take birds across undesignated land locally= and that a sense of ownership is priorities are Information on bird flight lines is maintained or developed On a local currently incomplete There is a risk that scale= Forest Enterprise and RSPB already addressed= that developers will seek to fit proposals seek community involvement in the between the designated peatland sites= management planning for their holdings more economic and consideration will need to be given to in the area There is also wide the impact this might have not only on consultation on both public and private benefits are the peatlands= but also on any potential forestry proposals World Heritage Site nomination retained locally= The various crofting Grazing Committees The technology for harnessing tidal and are an existing mechanism for collective and that a sense wave energy is perhaps twenty years management= which has been used behind that for wind energy widely in recent years= with some now of ownership is Nevertheless consideration is already planning and carrying out drain blocking being given to the north coast= given its for example A number of Grazing maintained or potential suitability A particular issue Committees have taken advantage of here will be the use of the coast by changes in legislation and have carried developed’ peatland breeding birds Red throated out woodland regeneration or planting divers feed in the calmer sandy bays schemes Several have used income from during the breeding season for example= the Peatland Management Scheme to and common scoters winter on the sea support wider community initiatives such lochs as village halls (for example West Halladale)= rather than retaining the The development of the infrastructure benefit solely for the crofting land and markets for wood fuel is considered in Section  There are likely to be The only peatland within the Natura site potential benefits for the peatlands= if in community ownership at present is on wood fuel development can be linked to the Crofters Estate The Assynt forest restructuring Crofters Trust= Crofters Trust and Culag Community Woodland Trust also Community management own areas of peatland In addition the and ownership North Sutherland Community Forest Trust (NSCFT) owns several large sheds at Forsinain= to be used for wood Over recent years there has been an processing The NSCFT is currently increasing interest in community looking at ways of developing local involvement in land management and economic benefits from forestry= which ownership= spurred on by the creation of may involve land ownership They are the Scottish Land Fund and the already involved as contractors in some provisions of the Land Reform Act There of the forest clearance work being are various ongoing local initiatives to undertaken at Forsinard as part of the support community development LIFE Peatlands Project Scottish Executive policy is also

#% The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   OBJECTIVE #: To encourage community and economic development that is compatible with safeguarding those features that make the peatlands important

ACTION REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE PARTNERS PRIORITY TIMESCALE OBJECTIVE # AND ADDRESS ISSUES *Indicates lead partner Ongoing RELATING TO COMMUNITY AND Short # years ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Medium # years Long  years

# Support community involvement in THC= SNH= CC= FCS= CASE= SP High Ongoing planning and management of the peatlands area

# Ensure any development planning= Community groups= THC= High Ongoing community planning or community CASE= SNH= FCS= SP development initiatives take into account the need for sustainable management of the peatlands

## Promote a more strategic approach to the SNH= THC= RSPB= FCS= SEPA= High Ongoing development of renewable energy CC developments in the area

#$ Support renewable energy developments SNH= RSPB= FCS= CEC= SEPA High Ongoing where these are compatible with the natural heritage

# Ensure infrastructure developments are THC= SNH= CC= FCS= CASE= High Ongoing compatible with natural heritage interests Land managers

#% Promote development of sustainable THC= CASE Medium Medium  Long peatland and nontimber forest products and product branding

#' Review economic and community benefits SNH= CASE Medium Long arising from the peatlands

TABLE #

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   #' 7 Spreading the message about the peatlands

Despite the acknowledged importance of Tourism= recreation= the peatlands= opportunities to find out awareness and more are very limited= as are places interpretation where you can access and enjoy the peatlands Our understanding of the Levels of awareness of the value of the peatlands is also far from complete This peatlands amongst local people have section looks at issues surrounding the grown considerably in local years= but still promotion of better understanding and remain variable Local support for and enjoyment of the peatlands and pride in the peatlands is key to ensuring identifies actions to address Objective $ the objectives of this strategy are met= and is likely to come not only from increased awareness= but also from Objective 4: demonstrable economic benefit Tourism is the most likely source for this= but in To promote greater itself is more likely to be successful where there is a pride in the local area

awareness, At present the infrastructure of interpretation facilities (both for locals understanding and and visitors)= and backup support for locals involved in tourism is limited= with enjoyment of the the notable exception of the RSPB visitor centre at Forsinard A recent positive wildlife, landscape, development is the creation of a new countryside ranger post for North Sutherland= which is likely to enable a historical and greater emphasis to be put on the cultural values of the peatlands by the Council’s Ranger Service Given that visitor numbers are unlikely to peatlands. be large= there is currently no justification for major capital spend (for example on an additional visitor centre)= and a Guided walk number of small items of infrastructure (such as interpretation boards) spread geographically is likely to be more successful= with some perhaps being linked through a trail Marketing of the area should be carried out in tandem with this proposed smallscale development= and should include actions at both a local and national level This would not only bring potential tourism benefits= but also could engender wider support for any policy change or funding support that

#( The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   School visit= Forsinard RSPB visitor centre might be required Other activities that highlighting why it is special= the have been suggested include a “Peatfest”= international importance of the area= its viewing platforms= art competitions= and fragility and that people live and work ‘Local support for hot air balloon rides here An overall identity also needs to be developed for the area and pride in the Planning for fixed interpretation and events will need to take into account the From a tourism perspective= increased peatlands is key fragile nature of the peatlands= as opportunities in the peatlands should be peatland cannot withstand the pressure linked to the promotion of other themes to ensuring the of many trampling feet or the possible and opportunities across the whole of disturbance to nesting birds Caithness and Sutherland= including for objectives of this Nevertheless the Dubh Lochan trail at example the coast and archaeology In Forsinard demonstrates that access can this way a wider market can be appealed strategy are met’ be compatible with maintaining the to and the whole experience on offer is nature conservation interest Limitations likely to be greater than the sum of the are also presented by the remoteness of constituent parts much of the area= with access often being only by singletrack roads and in There are currently very few walking= some cases a long walk cycling or horse riding routes= other than in the forests The identification of more Interpretation of the peatlands is most peatland routes would be beneficial= likely to engage people if it is linked to particularly short walks in interesting man’s activities in the peatlands= both places Route marking= alongside today= through land management such as promotion of the recently published crofting= and historically Interpretation “Outdoor Access Code”= could also reduce of peatland restoration work should also any potential conflicts with sporting and be provided As visitors may not initially agricultural management Despite the be aware of the peatlands= interpretation recent changes in legislation clarifying should be made available at places where rights in relation to public access= no people are going anyway such as at significant increase in the public’s use of accommodation providers= tourist open land in this area is anticipated= attractions= on the train and at visitor given the difficulty of much of the centres (for example the proposed terrain Caithness Horizons centre in Thurso) Opportunities should also be taken to Following on from the recently interpret the peatlands at existing sites completed Highland Access Project= the such as Camster Cairns and Yarrows Highland Access Officers are identifying and facilitating path networks around Any interpretation should be provided as settlements in the counties Further work part of an overall agreed approach to the is needed to identify any appropriate area and should carry the same clear routes in more remote areas messages= which are likely to include

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   #G World Heritage Site Research nomination Despite the international importance of In GGG the Flow Country was added to the peatlands= research efforts have been the “Tentative List” held by the UK sporadic= hampered by a lack of funding government of sites that might be put and the remoteness of the area from forward for nomination as World most universities and colleges RSPB are Heritage Sites UNESCO bestows this currently carrying out research to look at international accolade on either natural the impact of forest blocks and their or cultural properties of outstanding removal on bird populations on adjacent universal value The Flow Country would peatlands They are also examining be submitted in the natural heritage whether drain blocking has a beneficial category= but to date no action has been impact on the carbon balance= by taken to progress the nomination reducing the breakdown of peat FCS has Nominations are made through the carried out extensive research on the Research on Munsary Plantlife Reserve Scottish Executive and then through the impacts of forestry on peatlands and the UK government= and are more likely to potential for peatland restoration be taken forward where there is a clear Research is also underway at the Plantlife demonstration of support from local reserve at Munsary A survey of historic communities= land managers and other landuse has recently been completed for interest groups Any submission would Caithness and will shortly be need to be accompanied by a complemented by a survey for management strategy for the area Sutherland

If a nomination were to be successful it There is currently no agreed strategy on would not bring with it any additional what research and monitoring is required planning procedures or burdens for land to increase our overall understanding of managers in the area As an accolade the development of and current however= this international designation condition of the peatlands and to guide could make a significant contribution to land management decisions raising the profile of the peatlands= both nationally and internationally It might A key issue on which little research has also stimulate additional funding to been carried out is the potential impact develop aspects of this strategy of climate change on the peatlands Increasingly drier summers and heavier There is strong support from a large rainfall events in autumn/ winter are number of local and national anticipated= with overall rainfall amounts organisations for the proposed increasing This is likely to cause nomination of the peatlands as a World increasing erosion in peatland areas By Heritage Site At present many the s the temperature is likely to be Munsary Plantlife Reserve open day landowners and  o C above the temperature at the end managers support of the last century These increasing the nomination in temperatures and drier summers are principle= but would likely to have negative impacts on peat like further formation information on the implications of any Obligations under the Water Framework designation and Directive (WFD) may result in additional reassurance as to monitoring and research requirements in the possible the area The principle objective of the impacts on their WFD is to achieve “Good Ecological land management Status” in all of Scotland’s waterbodies by  

$ The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   OBJECTIVE $: T promote greater awareness= understanding and enjoyment of the special wildlife= landscape= historical and cultural values of the peatlands

ACTION REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE PARTNERS PRIORITY TIMESCALE OBJECTIVE $ RELATING TO *Indicates lead partner Ongoing SPREADING THE MESSAGE ABOUT Short # years THE PEATLANDS Medium # years Long  years

$ Establish a forum of those involved in the SNH= FCS= VisitScotland= High Short management of the peatlands to oversee co RSPB= CC= Plantlife= THC= ordination and monitoring of this strategy Land managers= Land management interest groups= Community and other interest groups

$ Prepare an interpretive strategy for the SNH*= VisitScotland= FCS= High Short peatlands= seek funding for and promote its THC= CASE= Plantlife= implementation= including both local and Community and tourism national actions interest groups

$# Review existing interpretation facilities/ SNH= VisitScotland= All Medium Short materials and revise as required interpretation providers

$$ Undertake and support interpretation VisitScotland= SNH= FCS= High Ongoing projects that encourage community CASE= THC involvement and bring local benefit

$ Encourage all interpretation providers All interpretation providers Medium Short within the peatlands to promote peatland messages where appropriate eg Scottish Executive= Historic Scotland= FCS= RSPB

$% Provide training on interpretation of the CASE= FCS= SNH= UHI Medium Short peatlands for those who work with visitors and VisitScotland interest groups

$' Encourage and provide appropriate CASE= SNH= FCS= THC= Medium Short  medium recreation and access facilities VisitScotland= Community= tourism and recreation interest groups

$( Develop and market the peatlands as a CASE= VisitScotland Medium Medium green tourism destination and support appropriate ventures that bring local benefit

$G Undertake initial preparatory work for a THC= SNH High Short future WHS bid

$ Hold workshop to promote research in SNH*= FCS= RSPB= Education Medium Short the peatlands and identify a research and and research bodies= HS monitoring programme

$ Support and undertake research and SNH= FCS= SEPA= RSPB= Various Ongoing monitoring that enhances understanding of the Education and research development and current status of the bodies= HS peatlands and associated habitats and species and the impact of management on them

$ Foster links between those engaged in HS= SNH= RSPB= FCS= SEPA= Medium Medium research on both present environments and Education and research palaeoenvironments bodies

TABLE $

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   $ 8

What happens next?

This strategy offers a new beginning for implementation of the strategy and those managing and looking after the spread the word about progress with it peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland A wide range of organisations and Additional funding will be required for individuals have already expressed their many of the proposed actions In some support for the strategy= through their cases this can be addressed through enthusiastic participation in its reprioritisation of existing funds= but in development Ongoing support is now other cases additional sources of funding essential if the strategy is to be will need to be sought translated into action on the ground and policy change Although the strategy is the result of much deliberation= it should still be The next step is to develop the action considered very much as a working tables into detailed work programmes document and not the “last word” on the with costings For each of the actions in subject There is still much that is not the strategy= a lead partner or group of fully known about the peatlands and Bogbean partners will be identified to lead on about the impacts of both former land implementation Numerous other use policies and restoration techniques organisations and individuals will also Future revisions of the strategy will be need and wish to be involved in the informed by experience= changes in implementation process A key proposal community= economic and Pool system= in this strategy is to establish a forum of environmental conditions= and the results Halsary= Caithness those involved in the management of the of monitoring and research peatlands This forum will oversee Bibliography and sources of further information

Aigas Associates  Land use review: Final report for LIFE Peatlands Project  Anderson= R Forestry Commission  Deforesting and restoring peat bogs: a review : Forestry Commission (Technical paper # ) Bainbridge= IP et al G(' Forestry in the Flows of Caithness and Sutherland Edinburgh: RSPB (Conservation Topic Paper No () Birkeland= K # The River Borgie cSAC Conservation Strategy Peterborough: English Nature (Conserving Natura Rivers series) Available at: http://wwwenglishnatureorguk/lifeinukrivers/indexhtml Brooks= S and Stoneman= R GG' Practical Examples of Bog Conservation In: S Brooks and R Stoneman Conserving bogs: The management handbook Edinburgh: The Stationery Office= pp $ ' DCS  Deer Commission for Scotland: Long term strategy Inverness Available at http://wwwdcsgovuk/downloads/strategy textpdf DCS et al $ Joint agency statement and guidance on deer fencing Available at: http://wwwdcsgovuk/downloads/final fencing policypdf Forestry CommissionGG$ Forest landscape design guidelines Edinburgh Forestry Commission GG( The UK Forestry Standard the Government’s approach to sustainable forestry Edinburgh Available at http://wwwforestrygovuk/website/PDFnsf/pdf/ukfspdf/FILE/ukfspdf Forestry Commission  Forests and peatland habitats Edinburgh (Guideline note) Available at http://wwwforestrygovuk/pdf/fcgnpdf/FILE/fcgnpdf Forestry Commission # Forests and Water Guidelines Fourth Edition Edinburgh Available at http://wwwforestrygovuk/pdf/fcgl pdf/FILE/fcgl pdf Forestry Commission and Crofters Commission Undated Crofter Forestry: Guidance notes Inverness Forestry Commission Scotland and SNH # Habitat networks for wildlife and people: the creation of sustainable forest habitats Edinburgh Heather Trust Undated Heather Beetle Outbreaks Available at http://wwwheathertrustcouk/moorland/BeetleGuidancepdf Highland Biodiversity Project # The Caithness Biodiversity Action Plan Inverness: The Highland Council Available at: http://wwwhighlandbiodiversitycom/htm/counties/caithness/caithnessphp Highland Biodiversity Project # The Sutherland Biodiversity Action Plan Inverness: The Highland Council Available at: http://wwwhighlandbiodiversitycom/htm/counties/sutherland/sutherlandphp Lindsay= RA et al G(( The Flow Country: The peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland Peterborough: Nature Conservancy Council Macpherson= C and MacLeod= D A survey of the attitudes and awareness of local people and communities to the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland Matheson= C= Keatinge= T= Coupar= A # Audit of damage and threat to the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands cSAC/ SPA Edinburgh (SNH Commissioned report F AC ) Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act $ Available at:http://wwwhmsogovuk/cgibin/htm_hlpl?DBQhmso new&STEMMERQen&WORDSQnaturSconservS&COLOURQRed&STYLEQs&URLQhttp://wwwhmsogovuk/legislation/sco tland/acts $/ $ %htm RSPB $ Farming and crofting for birds: Inbye field management for peatland birds Edinburgh Scottish Executive Undated The Muirburn Code Edinburgh Available at: http://wwwscotlandgovuk/library#/environment/mbcd asp Scottish Executive  Forests for Scotland: The Scottish forestry strategy Edinburgh Available at: http://wwwforestrygovuk/website/pdfnsf/pdf/intropdf/FILE/intropdf Scottish Executive  A forward strategy for Scottish agriculture Edinburgh Available at: http://wwwscotlandgovuk/library#/agri/fssapdf Scottish Executive $ Scotland’s Biodiversity: It’s in your hands Edinburgh Available at: http://wwwscotlandgovuk/library /environment/sbiiyhpdf Scottish Executive and Forestry Commission # Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme Applicants Booklet Edinburgh SEERAD  Prescribed burning on moorland Supplement to the Muirburn Code: A guide to best practice Edinburgh SEERAD $ Single Farm payment Scheme Information leaflet ': Cross compliance Edinburgh: Scottish Executive Available at: http://wwwscotlandgovuk/library /agri/sfpsl 'pdf Sim= IMW et al In press Recent changes in the abundance of British upland breeding birds Bird Study SNH  SNH’s policy on renewable energy Perth (Policy Statement no  ) Available at: http://wwwsnhorguk/pdfs/polstat/renewenergypdf SNH  Guidelines on the environmental impacts of windfarms and mall scale hydroelectric schemes Perth (Natural Heritage Management Series) SNH  The peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland Perth (Natural Heritage Futures series) SNH  Wildness in Scotland’s countryside: A policy statement Perth SNH  The Scottish Outdoor Access Code Perth Available at: http://wwwoutdooraccessscotlandcom/defaultasp Trees for life Undated Dwarf birch information resource Available at: http://wwwtreesforlifeorguk/tfldwarf_birch_info_resourcehtml Stanton= C GG( Caithness and Sutherland landscape character assessment Edinburgh:SNH (Scottish Natural Heritage review no  #) UK Biodiversity Steering Group GG  Blanket bog habitat action plan In: Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report Vol : Action Plans HMSO=  Available at: http://wwwukbaporguk/UKPlansaspx?IDQ  UNESCO World Heritage homepage http://whcunescoorg/pgcfm?cidQ#

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   $# Annex  SAC and SPA descriptions

Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SAC

Site details

Country Scotland Highland Grid Ref* NC(%%$ Latitude (  N Longitude # %  W SAC EU code UK #% Area (ha) $# #('

* This is the approximate central point of the SAC

General site character

Inland water bodies (standing water= running water) (#H) Bogs Marshes Water fringed vegetation Fens ('( H) Heath Scrub Maquis and garrigue Phygrana ((H) Dry grassland Steppes (  H)

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for '# Blanket bogs selection of this site The scale and diversity of the Caithness and Sutherland peatlands in northern Scotland make them unique in Europe They form the ## Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with largest peat mass in the UK and are three times larger than any vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of other peatland area in either Britain or  The site is important because of the considerable abundance of large (several the IsoëtoNanojuncetea square kilometres) continuous areas of Sphagnum carpets and Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands supports a range of high hummocks= including Sphagnum fuscum= S imbricatum and S quality freshwater loch habitats that include Oligotrophic to pulchrum= and for its numerous intact pool systems Not only are mesotrophic standing waters The lochs are part of large= generally these features usually rare and localised on other bog systems in nutrientpoor= drainage systems which characterise this part of the the UK= but a very high proportion of this ground remains northern Highlands The site covers an area greater than $ = undisturbed The vegetation is mainly crossleaved heath Erica ha and includes several hundred freshwater lochs of which the tetralix with Sphagnum papillosum as well as deergrass larger are oligotrophic The lochs are generally located within '# Trichophorum cespitosum and hare’stail cottongrass Eriophorum blanket bog and peatlands that sit on nutrientpoor rocks The vaginatum blanket mire Freshwater pools and lochans are an aquatic vegetation is dominated by a very narrow range of species integral component of the mire expanse typical of northern= upland= lochs but there is much local variation in their abundance The most characteristic species are shoreweed Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature= Littorella uniflora= water lobelia Lobelia dortmanna= bulbous rush Juncus bulbosus= bog pondweed Potamogeton polygonifolius and but not a primary reason for selection of this site alternate watermilfoil Myriophyllum alterniflorum More mesotrophic lochs support a wider range of pondweed $  Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix Potamogeton species; other species present include stoneworts Chara spp and Nitella spp and least burreed Sparganium natans '$ Transition mires and quaking bogs The margins of a few lochs support two nationally scarce plants; bog hairgrass Deschampsia setacea and marsh clubmoss ' Depressions on peat substrates of the Lycopodiella inundata Other notable species include awlwort Subularia aquatica and water sedge Carex aquatilis The range of Rhynchosporion aquatic invertebrates includes the nationally rare water beetle Oreodytes alpinus Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site #% Natural dystrophic lakes and ponds This site represents Natural dystrophic lakes and ponds on '# # Otter Lutra lutra Blanket bogs in northern Scotland The scale and diversity of the This extensive site contains numerous lochs= lochans and extensive peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland make them unique in areas of headwaters of burns and rivers There is extensive habitat Europe They are three times larger than any other peat mass in suitable for otters Lutra lutra and this is reflected in the presence the UK Dystrophic waters are especially common in the Peatlands of a good population= representative of the northern mainland of Compared to most other blanket bog systems= at this site Scotland waterbodies account for a high proportion of the bog surface Dystrophic water bodies here range in size from pools to medium Annex II species present as a qualifying feature= sized lochans Surface patterns and pool complexes occur in a variety of forms= reflecting different climatic and hydrological but not a primary reason for site selection conditions within the site Not applicable

$$ The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   SPA description (information as published ) Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands

Country Scotland Unitary Authority Highland SPA status Classified / /GGG Latitude (  N Qualifying species Longitude # %  W SPA EU code UKG   This site qualifies under Article $ of the Directive ('G/$ G/EEC) by supporting Area (ha) $ %' populations of European importance of the A’Mhoine following species listed on Annex I of the Directive: Bad na Gallaig Badanloch Bogs During the breeding season; Ben Griams Ben Hutig Blackthroated Diver Gavia arctica= % pairs representing at least %#H of the breeding population in ( year mean= G(%GG%) Blar nam Faoileag Cnoc an Alaskie Aquila chrysaetos= pairs representing Coir an Eoin at least #H of the breeding population in Great Britain (Count= as at GG ) Coire na Beinne Mires Druim na Coibe Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria= = %$ pairs Druim nam Bad representing at least $'H of the breeding population in Great Britain (Count= as at midGG s) Peatlands East Halladale Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus= $ pairs representing at Forsinard Bogs least (H of the breeding population in Great Britain ( year mean= GG#GG') Grudie Peatlands Knockfin Heights Merlin Falco columbarius= $ pairs representing at Loch Caluim Flows least $ H of the breeding population in Great Britain (Count= as at early GG s) Component SSSIs Loch Meadie Peatlands Lochan Buidhe Mires Redthroated Diver Gavia stellata= (G pairs Lon a’Chuil representing at least G H of the breeding population in Great Britain (Two year mean= GG#GG$) Mallart Moss of Killiminster Shorteared Owl Asio flammeus= # pairs representing at least # H of the breeding population in Great Oliclett Britain (Count= as at midGG s) Rumsdale Peatlands Shielton Peatlands Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola= pairs representing up to  H of the breeding population in Great Peatlands Britain (Two year mean= GG$GG ) Skinsdale Peatlands Sletill Peatlands Strath an Loin This site also qualifies under Article $ of the Strath Duchally Directive ('G/$ G/EEC) by supporting populations of European importance of the following migratory Strathmore Peatlands species: Bogs Stroupster Peatlands During the breeding season; Syre Peatlands Truderscaig Common Scoter Melanitta nigra= ' pairs representing U H of the breeding Western Siberia/Western & West Borgie Northern Europe/Northwestern Africa population West Halladale (GG%) West Dunlin Calidris alpina schinzii= =(% pairs representing at least %GH of the breeding Baltic/UK/Ireland The Caithness & Sutherland Peatlands are located across the population (Count= as at GG$) northernmost parts of mainland Scotland The SPA contains a large proportion of these peatlands= which form one of the largest and Greenshank Tringa nebularia= % pairs representing at most intact areas of blanket bog in the world The peatlands include least $H of the breeding Europe/Western Africa an exceptionally wide range of vegetation and surface pattern types population (GG$/G ) (pool systems)= some of which are unknown elsewhere This range of Wigeon Anas penelope= $# pairs representing U H structurally diverse peatland and freshwater habitats supports a wide of the breeding Western variety of breeding birds including internationally important Siberia/Northwestern/Northeastern Europe populations of raptors= wildfowl and waders population (GG$)

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   $ Annex Conservation Objectives for Caithness Conservation Objectives for Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Area and Sutherland Peatlands Special of Conservation Protection Area & Ramsar Site

ANNEX I HABITATS (* indicates European priority habitat)  Conservation Objectives for Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands SPA To avoid deterioration of the qualifying habitats: To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the Blanket bogs* qualifying species: Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion Blackthroated Diver Gavia arctica Natural dystrophic lakes and ponds Common Scoter Melanitta nigra Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix Dunlin Calidris alpina schinzii Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or of the IsoëtoNanojuncetea Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Transition mires and quaking bogs Greenshank Tringa nebularia thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus maintained and the site makes an appropriate Merlin Falco columbarius contribution to achieving favourable conservation status for each of the qualifying features Redthroated Diver Gavia stellata Shorteared Owl Asio flammeus To ensure for the qualifying habitats that the Wigeon Anas penelope following are maintained in the long term: Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola

Extent of the habitats on site or significant disturbance to the qualifying species= Distribution of the habitats within site thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is Structure and function of the habitats maintained Processes supporting the habitats To ensure for the qualifying species that the Distribution of typical species of the habitats following are maintained in the long term: Viability of typical species as components of the habitats No significant disturbance of typical species of the habitats Population of the species as a viable component of the site Distribution of the species within site Distribution and extent of habitats supporting the species ANNEX II SPECIES Structure= function and supporting processes of habitats To avoid deterioration of the habitats of the supporting the species qualifying species: No significant disturbance of the species

Otter Lutra lutra  Conservation Objectives for Caithness and or significant disturbance to the qualifying species= Sutherland Peatlands Ramsar Site thus ensuring that the integrity of the site is maintained and the site makes an appropriate To promote the conservation of the wetland so as to contribution to achieving favourable conservation avoid deterioration of the wetland habitats of Ramsar status for each of the qualifying features interest and significant disturbance of associated species To ensure for the qualifying species that the following are maintained in the long term:

Population of the species as a viable component of the site Distribution of the species within site Distribution and extent of habitats supporting species Structure= function and supporting processes of habitats supporting the species No significant disturbance of the species

$% The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   Acknowledgements

The support and contributions made to the development of this strategy by the following individuals and organisations are gratefully acknowledged by the partners of the LIFE Peatlands Project

Cllr Duncan Allan; Russell Anderson= Forest Research; Robbie Bain= THC; David Barclay= THC; Dr Lisa R Belyea= University of Edinburgh; Edward Mountain= Bidwells; Neil Black= VisitScotland; Mick Broad= THC; Andrew Brown= THC; David Bryan= formerly Sutherland Partnership; Jenny Bryce= SNH; Duncan Bryden= on behalf of Plantlife; Graeme Buchanan= RSPB; Ken Butler= Thurso East; Joan Campbell= Chair Sutherland Partnership Tourism Forum; Rebecca Carr= Highland Wood fuel Development Officer; Paul Castle= THC; Joe Costley= Plantlife; Jan Cowan= Clerk= Armadale Common Grazings; Lesley Cranna= SNH; Lesley Crawford= Caithness and Sutherland Trout Angling Group; John Dargie= SNH; Mike Davidson= SEPA; Bill Dixon= Tilhill Forestry; Cllr Bill Fernie; Allan Finlay= Melness Grazing Committee; Ian Finlay= Melness Grazing Committee; Cllr Rita Finlayson; Jack Fleming= RSPB; Dr Noel Fojut= Historic Scotland; David Forbes= North West Area Secretary of SCF; Simon Foster= SNH; Colin Galbraith= SNH; David Glass= Clerk= Dunnethead and Brough Common Grazings; Kate Rogers= Scottish Rural Property and Business Association; Kenny Graham= RSPB; Cllr John Green; Mark Hancock= = RSPB; John Henderson= SNH North Areas Board; Sandy Hogg= James Jones and Sons; Jon Hollingdale; Robert Howden= Northern Deer Management Group/ The Welbeck Estates Co Ltd; Lewis Hudson= Dunroamin Caravan Park= ; Gordon Ireland= THC; Tina Irving= Head Educational Trust; Cllr Tom Jackson; Stewart Johnston= SEERAD; Cllr Francis Keith; Chester Kelly= Strathy; Robbie Kernehan= DCS; Derek Knowles= Loch Choire Estate; Doug Lamont= Nexfor Ltd; Mary Legg= THC; Elaine Lewis= Ben Loyal Hotel; Nick Lindsay= THC; Richard Lindsay= University of East London; The Hon George Lopes= Chair Northern Deer Management Group/ Skelpick and Rhifael Partnership; Brian Lyall= Scottish Gamekeepers Association/ Northern and East Sutherland DMG; Anna MacConnell= NSCFT; Alec MacDonald= SNH; Cllr Alastair MacDonald; Iain MacDonald= SNH; Ian MacDonald= Hope Estate; Murdo MacDonald= SNH North Areas Board; Karen MacGregor= SNH North Areas Board; Allan MacKay= Hope Estate/ Melness Grazing Committee/ ; Cllr Alexander Mackay; Cllr Donald MacKay; Dave Mackay= SNH; Mike MacKay= Clerk= Common Grazings; Tommy MacKay= Chair Bettyhill= Strathnaver and Altnaharra Community Council; Muir MacLaurin= Assynt Tourism Group; Donald MacLennan= Fountain Forestry Ltd; Archie MacNab= Crofters Commission; Richard MacNicol= North Highland College/ ADMG; Cllr Alison Magee= Convener= The Highland Council; Elizabeth Marshall= THC; Jonathan Mason= Clerk to Kyle of Sutherland= and Naver and Borgie District Salmon Fishery Boards/ Secretary East Sutherland Deer Management Group; John McGlade= Tilhill Forestry; Gillian McKnight= SAC; John McMorran= SCF; Ian Mitchell= SNH; Cllr Bill Mowat; Ian Muir= SNH North Areas Board; Sandy Murray= NFUS/ NSCFT; Belinda Oldfield= Scottish Water; Jack Orchel= Newton Stewart; WH Palmer= and Forse Estates; Robert Patton= THC; Dr James PearceHiggins= RSPB; David Polson= THC; Jon Priddy= HIE; Dorothy Pritchard= Chair Melness Grazing Committee; Peter Rawcliffe= SNH; Duncan Ray= Forest Research; Edward Reeves= Suisgill; Fiona Rice= SNH; Ian Richards= Chair Caithness Tourism Development Group; Nick Richards=THC; John Risby= FCS; Steve Robertson= NHFT; Geoff Robson= THC; Chris Ross= Altnabrec; Cllr Ian Ross; Claudia Rowse= SNH; AJ Sandels= Fountain Forestry Ltd; Cllr Roger Saxon; Eleanor Scott= MSP; Becky Shaw= SCF; David Shaw= SNH; Duncan Shaw= NWDMG; WH Shearer= Biologist to the Caithness District Salmon Fishery Board; Nicholas Shepherd= FCS; Colin Simpson= Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board; Eann Sinclair= CASE; Cllr Graeme Smith; Duncan Stone= SNH; = MSP; Lord Strathnaver= Sutherland Estates; Bob Stubbs= HIE; Graham Sullivan= SNH; Andy Summers= THC; Ruth Sutherland= THC; Marina Swanson= THC; Frances Thin= SNH; = MP; John Toal= Crofters Commission; Gordon Todd= formerly THC; Bob Tosh= SAC; Allan Tubb= LANDSCAPE Sutherland Campaign to Protect our Environment; Dr Jeff Watson= SNH; Stan Whitaker= SNH; Sir Michael Wigan= Borrobol Estate/ Manager Helmsdale River Board; Valerie Wilson= SNH

The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   $' LIFE Peatlands Project Steering Group membership during development of strategy

Peter Mayhew= Senior Conservation Manager= RSPB Scotland Neil Wilkie= Project Manager= LIFE Peatlands Project Katy Robinson= Project Officer= LIFE Peatlands Project Caroline Eccles= LIFE Peatlands Strategy Officer Norrie Russell= Peatland Reserves Manager= RSPB Scotland Chris Nixon= Forest District Manager= Forestry Commission Scotland Colin Leslie= Forest Officer= Forestry Commission Scotland Bob Dunsmore= Conservator= Forestry Commission Scotland Willie Beattie= Woodland Officer= Forestry Commission Scotland Michael Scott= Plantlife Advisory Board Andrew Coupar= Uplands and Peatlands Group Manager= SNH Terry Keatinge= Operations Manager North Highland= SNH Andrew Brown= Senior Planner= The Highland Council Eilidh Smith= Communications Manager= RSPB Scotland Liam Mathers= Scottish Executive

Contact details for LIFE Peatlands Project funding partners

LIFE Peatlands Project Manager c/o RSPB Scotland Alba House Acronyms and abbreviations Main Street ATVs All Terrain Vehicles Sutherland CASE Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise KW %TG CAP Common Agricultural Policy Tel: $ ( %#$ CEC Community Energy Company Email: lifepp@rspborguk CC Crofters Commission DCS Deer Commission for Scotland RSPB Scotland DMG Deer Management Group Etive House EU European Union Beechwood Park FCS Forestry Commission Scotland Inverness HS Historic Scotland IV #BW LBAP Local Biodiversity Action Plan Tel: $%# ' LIFE L’Instrument Financier pour l’Environnement / Email: nsro@rspborguk The Financial Instrument for the Environment LPP LIFE Peatlands Project Forestry Commission Scotland NCC Nature Conservancy Council Woodlands NHFT North Highland Forest Trust Fodderty Way NSA National Scenic Area Dingwall NSCFT North Sutherland Community Forest Trust IV GXB PMS Peatland Management Scheme Tel: #$G (% $$ RSPB Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Email: highlandcons@forestry gsigovuk RSS Rural Stewardship Scheme SAC Scottish Agricultural College Scottish Natural Heritage SAC Special Area of Conservation Main Street SEERAD Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Golspie Affairs Department Sutherland SEPA Scottish Environmental Protection Agency KW %TG SFP Single Farm Payment Tel: $ ( %##% SNH Scottish Natural Heritage SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest SP Sutherland Partnership SPA Special Protection Area THC The Highland Council UK BAP UK Biodiversity Action Plan UNESCO United Nations Educational= Scientific and Cultural Organisation WFD Water Framework Directive

$( The Peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland MANAGEMENT STRATEGY   Published by Scottish Natural Heritage= July wwwsnhorguk ISBN  ( #G' $$G ( NP  k '

Front cover photos= clockwise from top left: = Caithness; Pool system at Shielton; Blackthroated diver and Sundew

Photo credits:

Laurie Campbell: Front cover bottom left & bottom right= P = P( middle= P top Ken Crossan: P bottom left & bottom middle= P bottom= P' bottom= P( top= P$ top Caroline Eccles/SNH: Front cover top right= P = P# bottom Forestry Commission Picture Library: P % top= middle & bottom= P#G bottom Richard Lindsay/Jonathan Steer/Plantlife: P$ top Norrie Russell/RSPB: P top= P top= P%= PG= P middle= P = P (= P G both= P# top= P#(= P#G Iain Sarjeant: Front cover top left= P= P$ top & bottom= P bottom right= P#= P = P' top= P $= P# top= P# = P$ bottom Sue Scott: P( bottom Scottish Natural Heritage: P#= P bottom= P$ Graham Sullivan/SNH: P  top Marina Swanson/THC: P$ bottom David Whitaker: P top Neil Wilkie/LPP: P bottom= P  bottom left & bottom right= P# bottom= P#$

Design: Iain Sarjeant= #$G (% $#

Illustration (Pages (&G): Julian Smith= Designsmith= ($' (  (#

Cartography: Scottish Natural Heritage

Printed on environmentally friendly paper This strategy has been developed as part of the LIFE Peatlands Project= which is restoring active blanket bog of European importance in Caithness and Sutherland The Project is a partnership of RSPB= Forestry Commission Scotland= Scottish Natural Heritage= and Plantlife International= who all provide funding The Highland Council also sit on the Steering Group

It is supported by the LIFE Nature Programme= which provides funding to European Union countries to promote sustainable development and assist in developing positive management for key habitats and birds

Further information on the Project is available at wwwlifepeatlandsprojectcom