An expanse of bog straddling 200,000 hectares of the Highlands has been awarded with world heritage status. After almost 40 years of campaigning, the Flow Country, which stretches across Caithness and Sutherland, has won the award from Unesco. Advertisement Advertisement Sign up to our daily newsletter , get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more.
The area joins Scotland’s six existing world heritage sites - the Neolithic Heart of Orkney, New Lanark, The Antonine Wall, the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh and the Forth Bridge, which were all awarded the designation for their cultural heritage, and St Kilda, recognised for both its cultural and natural importance. The amorphous expanse of peatland is one of the most intact and extensive blanket bog systems in the world. The beauty spot is dotted with pools, hummocks and ridges, and nests an abundance of rare wildlife.
The site forms part of a larger 400,000 hectares of blanket bog, making it the biggest type of habitat of its kind in Europe. World heritage status is an internationally recognised designation awarded to places of outstanding cultural, historical, or scientific significance. It is rare such status is given to landscape.
Acting net zero secretary Gillian Martin said: “This is a truly momentous day for Caithness and Sutherland, and indeed Scotland as a whole. “The Flow Country is an area of truly outstanding natural beauty and its diverse ecosystems and peatlands are a vital part of in our efforts to combat climate change and nature loss. This new global prominence will help preserve the area for many generations to come.
“I want to congratulate the Flow Country Partnership and everyone who has worked so hard towards this tremendous achievement. Their passion and determination has not only elevated the Flow Country to Unesco World Heritage Status, but has ensured its protection far into the future.” Comments Want to join the conversation? Please register or log in to comment on this article.
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