Trunk Road Biodiversity Action Plan: Review for Discussion

natural heritage zone 13

LOCHABER

A82 Fort William - Inverarnan / A85 Clifton - Oban / A828 Whole Route

Dominated by spectacular mountain massifs, one of which includes the highest summit in Britain, Ben Nevis, the Zone stretches from the west coast at Loch Linnhe to near the centre of mainland Scotland at Loch Ericht. The small amount of low lying, flat ground occurs mostly in the west near the coast and it is here that the population of around 4,000 is concentrated.

Three sea lochs penetrate these mountains from Loch Linnhe and the mountains are also dissected by many steep sided glens, some cradling freshwater lochs. The best known and most spectacular is Glen Coe which continues to prove a magnet for climbers, walkers and other tourists. At the top of this glen is found the one contrasting area within the zone, Rannoch Moor. This high level, undulating plateau, studded with innumerable lochs and lochans, adds another impressive piece to a rich jigsaw of natural heritage features.

Forestry is an increasingly widespread land use, while agriculture has diminished in economic terms. It is tourism which is the most important income generator, with other service sectors contributing significantly in employment terms. As a mecca for climbing and hill walking, with outstanding scenery and diverse geology and wildlife, the Zone's natural heritage underpins much of the tourist interest.

(Zone description supplied courtesy of SNH)

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