Trunk Road Biodiversity Action Plan: Review for Discussion

natural heritage zone 6

WESTERN SEABOARD

A87 Kyle of Lochalsh - Uig

The Western Seaboard Zone is an area of rugged topography and spectacular scenery. As its name suggests it is dominated by the sea and consists of a series of islands in the inner Hebrides, notably Mull, the Small Isles and most of Skye, together with two westernmost arms of the mainland. This configuration means that its coastline is very long, some 1250 km, and of great beauty and interest.

Land rises steeply from most stretches of coast and attains an altitude of more than 750 m on Skye, Rum and Mull. The Cuillins of Skye in particular are most akin to alpine ranges and attract innumerable tourists to gaze at their splendour or test climbing and hill walking abilities. As well as its coastal and upland habitats, the Zone retains some good examples of native woodland, grassland and peatland and has an impressive array of geological features such as the well known volcanic remains on Staffa, Eigg and Skye.

The human population of some 12,000 is mainly concentrated around the coast, particularly on the sheltered east side of the islands. Although the sea and its effect on the climate and land use is all-pervasive in the life of the Zone, fishing is only a minor contributor to the economy, though marine fish farms are numerous. On land, forestry is now widespread, and although agriculture is still in decline, it continues on a small scale through crofting which is a key cultural and social system. Tourism is the main economic generator relying heavily on the outstanding land and marine wildlife as well as the scenery. Indeed several areas are managed for their natural heritage interest.

(Zone description supplied courtesy of SNH)

Source: SNH - Natural Heritage Zones
Ordnance Survey Strategi Data 1997
Licence GD 03135G0001
© Crown Copyright 1999