Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area
Looking across Loch Rannoch towards Schiehallion
Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area Location in Perth and Kinross
Location	Perth and Kinross and Stirling (council area), Scotland
Area	486 km2 (188 sq mi)
Established	1981
Governing body	NatureScot

The Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area is a very special place in Scotland. It's like a protected natural park, but it's called a "National Scenic Area" (NSA). This area covers the beautiful lands around Loch Rannoch, Glen Lyon, and the Ben Lawers mountains.

Scotland has 40 such areas. They are chosen because their scenery is amazing. This helps protect them from buildings or changes that might spoil their natural beauty. The Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon NSA is very large, covering about 48,625 hectares. Most of it is in Perth and Kinross, with a small part in Stirling.

Even though NSAs are mainly about beautiful views, they also have other cool features. These can include important cultural sites, historical spots, amazing geology, or special wildlife. For example, the Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon area includes a National Nature Reserve at Ben Lawers. There are also three Special Areas of Conservation and one Special Protection Area inside this NSA.

Why This Area Is Protected

This special area was first protected after the Second World War. People wanted to make sure Scotland's beautiful landscapes would be kept safe. In 1945, a report suggested that five areas should get extra protection. These were places like Loch Lomond and the Cairngorms.

Later, in 1978, more areas were found to be worth protecting. This included the hills and glens east of Rannoch Moor. So, in 1981, these special places became "National Scenic Areas." The Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon area was one of them. The boundaries of the area are still the same as they were in 1978.

Protecting these areas helps control new buildings or developments. This makes sure the amazing views and natural habitats stay safe for everyone to enjoy.

Exploring the Geography

The Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon National Scenic Area covers a large part of what was once the historical province of Breadalbane. Here, you can find many different types of landscapes. There are flat, green farmlands and tall, exposed mountain tops.

Ben Lawers is the highest point in this area, standing at 1,214 meters tall. It's part of the largest mountain range in the southern Scottish Highlands. Schiehallion is another famous mountain here. It's an isolated peak in the east of the NSA and is one of Scotland's most noticeable mountains.

Two main rivers flow through this area: the River Tummel and the River Lyon. The River Tummel drains Loch Rannoch, and the River Lyon flows through Glen Lyon. Both rivers eventually join the River Tay. Most people and activities have been focused along these two rivers for a long time. You can still see signs of old settlements, like small huts called "shielings," in the smaller glens.

This area also has parts of the ancient Caledonian pinewood. These are very old forests with special pine trees. You can also find areas with native birch trees.

Other Protected Areas Within the NSA

The National Scenic Area overlaps with several other protected areas. These extra protections help keep the nature and wildlife even safer.

• Ben Lawers has been a National Nature Reserve since 1964. It's protected because it has many rare and endangered arctic–alpine plants. These plants usually grow in very cold, high places. The National Trust for Scotland has owned Ben Lawers since 1950. Ben Lawers is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) because of these unique plants.

• The River Lyon and River Tummel are part of the River Tay SAC. This means the river system is very important for certain animals. These include salmon, otters, brook lampreys, river lampreys, and sea lampreys. These fish and mammals rely on the clean waters of these rivers.

• The Black Wood of Rannoch is another part of the ancient Caledonian Forest. It's located on the southern shore of Loch Rannoch and is also a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

• Loch Finnart is a loch south of Loch Rannoch. It's part of the Rannoch Lochs SPA. This area is important for breeding black-throated divers. These birds are special and need quiet, protected places to raise their young.