Scotlands threatened mires and mosses: Policies to protect the peatlands of caithness and sutherland

Abstract

Summary Scottish peatlands have suffered loss and damage for centuries through cutting for fuel and agricultural and forestry practices. The ombrogenous blanket mires of Caithness and Sutherland (the ‘Flow Country’) are of international importance for the range and quality of their peatland types and vegetation, and their breeding bird populations. Loss of this habitat in the last decade, due to rapid expansion of forestry, caused great concern which was expressed by voluntary and statutory nature conservation organizations and the national media. Government at both national and local levels responded with changes in forestry policies, protection of large areas of peatland and by a land-use strategy which divides the area into four forestry policy zones.