Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area |
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Ben Nevis from Banavie.
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| Location | Scotland (Highland, Argyll and Bute and Perth and Kinross) |
| Area | 922.7 km2 (356.3 sq mi) |
| Established | 1981 |
| Governing body | NatureScot |
Ben Nevis and Glen Coe is a very special outdoor area in the Highlands of Scotland. It's known as a National Scenic Area (NSA). This means it's a place with amazing natural beauty that needs to be protected.
The Ben Nevis and Glen Coe NSA covers a huge area, about 903 square kilometers (349 square miles) of land. It also includes 19 square kilometers (7 square miles) of water, like the sea loch called Loch Leven. This area is so important that certain types of building and development are limited here.
While NSAs are mainly about beautiful views, they often have other cool features. These can include interesting history, old buildings, unique rocks, or special wildlife. Other protections, like National Nature Reserves or Special Areas of Conservation, might also cover parts of an NSA.
Contents
Why Protect Ben Nevis and Glen Coe?
People have wanted to protect wild places like Ben Nevis and Glen Coe for a long time. Back in the 1930s, there was an idea to create "national parks" in Scotland. After World War II, a group suggested that five areas, including Glen Coe and Ben Nevis, should be specially protected.
These areas were called "national park direction areas." This meant that the government could check on building plans to make sure the beautiful scenery was not harmed.
In 1981, these special areas were officially named "National Scenic Areas." Ben Nevis and Glen Coe became one of 40 such areas across Scotland. This helped make sure these stunning landscapes would be kept safe for everyone to enjoy.
Some people still think Ben Nevis and Glen Coe should become a full national park. This would give it even more protection and a special team to manage it. So far, only two areas in Scotland have become national parks.
Amazing Landscapes and Views
The Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area is much bigger than just Ben Nevis and Glen Coe. It includes many different types of landscapes.
Glen Nevis: Scotland's Tallest Peaks
Glen Nevis is in the northern part of this special area, near Fort William. It's surrounded by some of the highest mountains in the British Isles. These include Ben Nevis, which is Scotland's tallest mountain!
Glen Nevis is also home to Steall Falls, the second-highest waterfall in Scotland. Below the waterfall, there's a deep and impressive gorge. It's a great place for hiking and exploring.
Mamores: A Range of Mountains
The Mamores are a long line of mountains, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) long. They sit between Glen Nevis to the north and Loch Leven to the south. Ten of these mountains are called Munros, which are Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet (914 meters) high. You can start your climb from Glen Nevis or the town of Kinlochleven.
Glen Coe: A Dramatic Valley
Glen Coe is a famous valley right in the middle of the National Scenic Area. It was formed by ancient volcanoes. People describe Glen Coe as having "soaring, dramatic splendor." The drive through the glen on the A82 road is considered one of the best in the Highlands.
The village of Glencoe is at the bottom of the glen. This area is very popular for mountaineering and hillwalking. Many climbers come here to test their skills on the steep mountains.
Glen Etive: A Movie Star Valley
Glen Etive is located south of Glen Coe. The River Etive starts high up in the mountains and flows for about 18 kilometers (11 miles) to Loch Etive, a sea loch.
The river is a favorite spot for kayakers, especially when the water levels are high. Glen Etive is also famous because it has been used as a filming location for many movies. You might recognize it from films like Braveheart and Skyfall!
The Black Mount: Wild Deer Country
The Black Mount is a group of mountains located between Glen Orchy and Glen Coe. It's the southernmost part of the National Scenic Area. It has four Munros, including Stob Ghabhar.
The Black Mount is also home to a large "Deer Forest." This area includes open moorland, mountains, rivers, and small lakes. It's a wild and beautiful place where deer roam freely.
Rannoch Moor: A Vast Boggy Landscape
Rannoch Moor is a huge, boggy area covering about 130 square kilometers (50 square miles). Much of its western part is included in the National Scenic Area.
The A82 road and the West Highland Line railway both cross this moorland. When the railway was built, engineers had to float the tracks on a special base of tree roots and earth because the ground was so soft! Corrour railway station, the highest and most remote train station in the UK, is located here. It's 10 miles from the nearest public road!
Protecting Wildlife and Nature
Several parts of the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe area have extra protection for their wildlife and habitats:
- Glen Coe is a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This is because it has many different types of mountain plants and animals.
- Glen Etive and the Black Mount are part of a Special Protection Area (SPA). This designation helps protect the golden eagles that live and breed here.
- Rannoch Moor is also an SAC. It's famous for a rare plant called the Rannoch-rush, which is only found here in Britain. You can also find otters and freshwater pearl mussels in its waters.
- The River Tay, which starts on Rannoch Moor, is an SAC along its entire length.
- The Ben Nevis mountain itself is an SAC, protecting its unique mountain environment.
- Some woodlands in the western part of the area, like those at North Ballachulish and on the western side of Loch Etive, are also protected as SACs.
These different protections work together to keep this incredible part of Scotland safe for future generations.
