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One of Scotland’s most beautiful places is now a National Nature Reserve
One of Scotland’s most beautiful places is now a National Nature Reserve
One of Scotland’s most majestic landscapes has been declared as a new National Nature Reserve (NNR). Torridon in Wester Ross has been granted NNR status by NatureScot after an application was lodged by the National Trust for Scotland who deemed it “an accolade reserved for the very best of Scotland’s landscapes, habitats and species.” One of the most popular locations for walking and mountaineering in the country, Torridon boasts 18 miles of mountain and low-level paths attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. The new NNR will stretch from the seashore of Loch Torridon to the Munro summits of the celebrated mountains Beinn Alligin and
One of Scotland’s most majestic landscapes has been declared as a new National Nature Reserve (NNR).
Torridon in Wester Ross has been granted NNR status by NatureScot after an application was lodged by the National Trust for Scotland who deemed it “an accolade reserved for the very best of Scotland’s landscapes, habitats and species.”
One of the most popular locations for walking and mountaineering in the country, Torridon boasts 18 miles of mountain and low-level paths attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.
The new NNR will stretch from the seashore of Loch Torridon to the Munro summits of the celebrated mountains Beinn Alligin and
The mountains of Torridon contain some of the most spectacular scenery in Scotland. They are made from ancient Lewisian Gneiss rocks, over two billion years old, with the youthful Cambrian quartzites topping the peaks and sandwiching the massive layer of Torridonian rocks that make up the bulk of the landscape.
These are composed of a mix of reddish sandstones, conglomerates and mud stones, deposited around 700 million years ago in massive rivers and lake. The strata they form can clearly be seen along the hillsides.
NatureScot says the area is home to a rich tapestry of habitats and species of national and international importance – from native woodlands to rare plants, mosses and lichens and upland birds such as the golden eagle.
Philip Long OBE, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, said: “Torridon’s designation as a National Nature Reserve is a proud moment for the Trust and our dedicated team of conservation staff, and it becomes the ninth NNR within our charity’s care. An NNR designation reflects the significance of the location on both a national and international level, and there’s no question that the sublime beauty, ancient history and rich natural heritage of Torridon warrants this accolade.
“The designation of NNR is also about encouraging people to explore and discover these natural wonders for themselves. Those that don’t yet know Torridon will find it to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, with five dramatic Munros on the Trust’s part of the estate, important native woodland habitats, and breathtaking views out to the isles, all watched over by the majestic golden eagle.
“Our purpose as an organisation is to share Scotland’s nature, beauty, and heritage with everyone, and I do hope that Torridon’s new designation as an NNR encourages many more people to explore responsibly this precious landscape and learn about the vital nature conservation work taking place to protect its future.”
NatureScot Chief Executive Nick Halfhide said: “Torridon is one of our finest natural landscapes, a place of outstanding biodiversity and wildlife with boundless opportunities for people to enjoy and connect with nature. It is an extremely worthy recipient of the National Nature Reserve accolade, and we look forward to seeing the area continue to flourish.”