Caithness is a land of open, rolling farmland and moor studded with lochs and dissected by rivers, roads and scattered settlements. Covering an area of approximately 1,800 km2, the county is fringed to the north and east by dramatic coastal scenery and is home to large, internationally important colonies of seabirds. The surrounding waters of the Pentland Firth and the North Sea hold a great diversity of marine life. Away from the coast, the landscape is dominated by open moor and blanket bog, divided up by more fertile farm and croft land along the straths or river valleys. The blanket bogs of Caithness and Sutherland are internationally important, and together make up approximately 4% of the World’s resource of maritime, treeless blanket bogs. The underlying geology, harsh climate and long history of human occupation have shaped this rich and distinctive natural heritage. Today we see a diverse landscape incorporating both common and rare habitats and species. Caithness provides a stronghold for many species that have undergone serious decline elsewhere in the UK.

Information on key species and habitats can be found in the LBAP.

The Caithness Biodiversity Group (CBG) is a body of interested individuals, representing a number of public sector agencies, NGOs, businesses and community interests, initiated at the time of writing of the original area BAP. The group includes members with special environmental knowledge, HC Rangers, RSPB, SNH, SEPA, NFU, and other interested individuals.

The group is involved in a variety of projects to enhance and promote the biodiversity of Caithness:

Meetings/agendas: meetings are held regularly, please contact CBG for information.

Contact: David Glass, Chairman david.glass@fsmail.net