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Wildlife Hotspots in Moidart, Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Arisaig and Mallaig

Pine MartenMoidart and the surrounding areas of Morar, Morvern and Ardnamurchan form part of the larger region of Lochaber which includes the Ben Nevis range to the south.  Lochaber is one of the most geological and biological diverse regions in Scotland, supporting a rich fauna and flora, with many species and habitats of national and international importance. 

The complex geology of Lochaber (Tertiary igneous rocks and Caledonian metamorphic and igneous rocks) supports a myriad of habitats ranging from moorland and heathland, to altantic oakwood to pine and alluvial forest, to machair and complex sand dune systems, to salt marsh, mudflats and coastal shingle and exposed rocky shores, not to mention the open seas. 

Stone chatThe Lochaber area (including Moidart, Morar, Morvern and Ardnamurchan) is renowned for the diversity of it's wildlife, including many of  the iconic species of Scotland, such as red squirrel, pine marten, wild cat, red deer, badger, golden eagle, raven, ptarmigan, corncrake, hen harrier and peregrine falcon on land; otter, osprey, sea eagle, black-throated diver and common scoter associated with freshwater rivers and lochs; and bottlenose dolphin, Risso’ dolphin, harbour porpoise, basking shark, minke whale and orca in the seas.

An insight into the range of habitats and species assemblages, including character and rare species, can be found in the associated pages. 

Grab your binoculars and field guides and explore the lochs, mountains and coasts of one of the best wildlife destinations in the UK.  You will not be disappointed.

1

Treshnish Isles

 (Coastal Island)
The Treshnish Isles

The Treshnish Isles, off the South West Coast of Mull are a wildlife sanctuary. Cliff and burrow-nesting seabirds, and wintering wildfowl are particular highlights.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/wildlife-argyll/treshnish-isles

2

Ardnamurchan Point

 (Ardnamurchan)
Ardnamurchan Point

Ardnamurchan Point is the most westerly point on the British mainland and is a good place to spot cetaceans.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/ardnamurchan-point

3

Sanna Bay

 (Ardnamurchan)
Sanna Bay

The fabulous white sand beaches of Sanna and Portuairk on the Ardnamurchan peninsula provide amazing views of Adnamurchan Point and The Small Isles.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/sanna-bay

4

RSPB Glenborrodale

 (Ardnamurchan)
Looking towards Loch Sunart from Glenborrodale RSPB nature reserve

A RSPB reserve in the Ardnamurchan peninsula comprising of ancient oak woodland on the north shore of Loch Sunart

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/rspb-glenborrodale

5

Cul na Croise

 (Ardnamurchan)
The beach at Cul na Croise

Cul na Croise is a fine example of a rare acidic dune system with a range of dune grassland and good dune heath being particulary notable for its transition from dune to semi-natural woodland.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/cul-na-croise

6

Kentra Moss

 (Ardnamurchan)
Kentra Moss looking towards Ben Resipole

Kentra Moss SSSI is a fine example of blanket bog and together with Claish Moss forms a Special Area of Conservation.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/kentra-moss

7

Ardtornish Wildlife Hide

 (Morvern)
Ardtornish Wildlife Hide

The Ardtornish Wildlife Hide is situated in a magical spot at the top of Loch Aline; a great spot to watch for otters and a variety of coastal birds.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/ardtornish-wildlife-hide

8

Glen Beasdale SAC

 (Morar and Arisaig)
 Glen Beasdale - view of the coastal sessile oak wood

Glen Beasdale is a designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC) representing an coastal old sessile oak wood with holly on acid soils. The area also includes some open areas of acid heath, small areas of humid grassland and bog, and coastal cliffs with shingle and sandy beaches.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/mallaig-glenfinnan/wildlife/glen-beasdale-sac

9

Rahoy Hills

 (Morvern)
Loch Arienas, Rahoy Hills, Morvern

The Rahoy Hills is a Scottish Wildlife Trust Reserve and supports a range of habitat types including ancient woodland, mountain, heath and lochan.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/rahoy-hills

10

Claish Moss

 (Ardnamurchan)
Claish Moss

Claish Moss, a former National Nature Reserve, is one of Scotland’s finest and unusual raised bogs, with hummocks of the woolly hair moss and fourteen species of Sphagnum.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/claish-moss

11

Glencripesdale

 (Morvern)
Glencripesdale

Glencripesdale, former National Nature Reserve, on the shores of Loch Sunart in Ardnamurchan includes Atlantic oak woodland, shoreline, heaths and moorland.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/glencripesdale

12

Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide

 (Ardnamurchan)
A view from the Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide

The Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide provides an ideal spot to search for otters and common seals in the loch and on the shores of Loch Sunart. A range of waders, ducks and seabirds can also be seen from the hide, depending on season and, occasionally, golden and white-tailed eagles.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/garbh-eilean-wildlife-hide

13

Ariundle Oakwood

 (Sunart)
Ariundle Oakwoods

A fine example of Atlantic Oak woodland and a National Nature Reserve near Strontian, Sunart, Ardnamurchan.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/ardnamurchan/wildlife/ariundle-oakwood

14

Allt Mhuic Nature Reserve

 (Loch Arkaig)
The interpretation board at Allt Mhuic

A small reserve on the shores of Loch Arkaig managed for the rare Chequered Skipper butterfly.

Read more

Source: www.wildlochaber.com/loch-arkaig/wildlife/allt-mhuic-nature-reserve

Wildlife

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Willdife Sites

  • Allt Mhuic Nature Reserve
  • Aonach Mor
  • Ardnamurchan Point
  • Ardtornish Wildlife Hide
  • Ariundle Oakwood
  • Camusdarach Beaches
  • Claish Moss
  • Cul na Croise
  • Garbh Eilean Wildlife Hide
  • Glen Beasdale SAC
  • Glencripesdale
  • Isle of Eigg
  • Isle of Rum
  • Kentra Moss
  • Rahoy Hills
  • RSPB Glenborrodale
  • Sanna Bay
  • Treshnish Isles

Willdife Experiences

  • Crannog Cruise on Loch Linnhe
  • Isle of Eigg
  • Isle of Mull Sea Eagle Adventure
  • Isle of Rum
  • Loch Shiel Wildlife Cruise
  • Loch Sunart Wildlife Ferry to Tobermory
  • Mull Eagle Watch
  • RSPB Glenborrodale Wildlife Walk
  • Treshnish Isles and Fingal's Cave
  • Whale and Dolphin Wildlife Cruise from Mallaig
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