Introduction to Inverness and Nairn (excerpt from Local Biodiversity Action Plan)

We are privileged to live on of the most beautiful, dramatic and diverse area of Scotland. There are many different habitats to enjoy – from the southern waters and shores of the Moray Firth with its coastal dunes, mudflats and shingle beaches to the crofts and farms on the steep slopes of the Great Glen. There are small peaty burns and glacial lochans nestling high in the hills, larger lochs lower down rich in plant and animal life and, largest of all, the vast inland waterway of Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal. Beautiful rivers like the Ness, the Beauly and the Nairn pass through our main towns on their way to the sea, bringing wildlife and a ‘green lung’ into the heart of our urban communities.

We have vast, open stretches of moorland and heathland, and there are many areas of semi-natural woodland including the ancient Caledonian pinewoods of Glen Affric and Strathfarrar. All of this is set against the scenic backdrop of the Monadhliath mountains and of Munro grandeur such as Sgurr na Lapaich and Tom a Choinich, ‘the hill of the moss’ near Glen Cannich. These habitats support an amazing diversity of wildlife. We have many internationally important species including bottlenose dolphins, great-crested newts, Slavonian grebes and pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies. Plants such as twinflower, juniper, green shield moss and rare lichens grow in our woodlands and glens, whilst hardy perennials like purple saxifrage cling to rocks high up in the mountains.

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

Inverness and Nairn Biodiversity Group

Current Projects

• 2011. Inverness Non-native Plants Species (Scottish Native Woods)

Past Projects

• 2009. Biodiversity Counts (Highland Council)
• 2009. South Loch Ness Woodland Survey (Scottish Native Woods)
• 2006. Biological Training and Recording (Boleskine Environment Network)
• 2006. Bat Recording Equipment (Inverness Bat Group)
• 2006. Scrub Woodland planting at Ardersier (Highland Council Rangers)

Meetings

Inverness and Nairn Biodiversity Forum. 25th October 2011. 7-9pm. Inverness, venue TBC. This will give all those involved with Biodiversity in Inverness and Nairn the opportunity to hear and find out about some of the projects underway in the area and also a great opportunity for information excjhneg and networking.

Events

Inverness Apple Day. 22nd October 2011. 1-4pm. The Floral Hall, Bught Park. The Floral Hall will host the first Apple Day ever to be held in Inverness on Saturday the 22nd of October. There will be an apple expert on hand to identify apples, apple games, recepies and apple trees for sale. The event will also look to create an apple map of the orchards and apple trees all over the Highlands.

Contact

For further information contact Jonathan Willet jonthan.willet@highland.gov.uk