National nature reserve (Scotland) facts for kids

St Abb's Head NNR in Berwickshire, seen from the south near the village of St Abbs.

The national nature reserves (NNRs) of Scotland are areas of land or water designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as containing habitats and species of national importance. National nature reserves can be owned by public, private, community or voluntary organisations but must be managed to conserve their important habitats and species, as well as providing opportunities for the public to enjoy and engage with nature. There are currently 43 NNRs in Scotland, which cover 154,250 hectares (1,542.5 km²), or less than 1.5% of the land area of Scotland. They range in size from Corrieshalloch Gorge at 7 ha to Mar Lodge Estate, which covers 29,324 ha.

National nature reserve status is an accolade awarded to the best nature reserves in Scotland, and the selected sites provide examples of nationally or internationally important species and habitats. NNRs are intended to showcase Scotland's nature, and as well as being well managed for wildlife they must be managed to provide opportunities for the public to visit and enjoy them. NNRs therefore generally have facilities such as visitor centres and trails to allow visitors to explore and understand the habitats or wildlife they contain.

Most NNRs in Scotland are also designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Many also form part of the Natura 2000 network, which covers Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation. Additionally, some of the NNRs are designated as Ramsar sites.

List of national nature reserves in Scotland

Northern Isles

• Hermaness
• Noss

Western Isles

• Monach Islands
• Rona and Sula Sgeir
• St Kilda

Highlands and Skye

• Abernethy Forest
• Beinn Eighe including Loch Maree Islands
• Ben Wyvis
• Corrieshalloch Gorge
• Craigellachie
• Creag Meagaidh
• Glen Affric
• Glen Roy
• Insh Marshes
• Knockan Crag (part of the former Inverpolly NNR)
• Loch Fleet
• Rum
• Ariundle Oakwood
• Inchnadamph delisted as a national nature reserve in 2009
• Loch a' Mhuilinn
• Rassal Ashwood

Grampian Highlands

• Forvie
• Glen Tanar
• Muir of Dinnet
• St Cyrus

Tayside and Fife

• Ben Lawers
• Corrie Fee (part of the former Caenlochan NNR)
• Isle of May
• Loch Leven
• Tentsmuir

West Highlands

• Ben Lui
• Glasdrum Wood
• Glen Nant
• Loch Lomond
• Moine Mhor
• Staffa
• Taynish
• The Great Trossachs Forest

Central Belt

• Blawhorn Moss
• Clyde Valley Woodlands
• Flanders Moss

South of Scotland

• Caerlaverock
• Cairnsmore of Fleet
• Kirkconnell Flow
• St Abb's Head
• Silver Flowe
• Whitlaw Mosses

Former NNRs, de-declared since 2004

• Braehead Moss De-declared on 9 December 2011
• Claish Moss De-declared on 1 March 2012
• Cragbank Woods De-declared on 20 December 2012
• Den of Airlie De-declared on 20 December 2012
• Eilean Na Muice Duibhe, Islay
• Glencripesdale De-declared on 1 March 2012
• Inverpolly
• Keen of Hamar De-declared on 13 July 2012
• Loch Druidibeg De-declared on 1 March 2012
• Mealdarroch De-declared on 9 December 2011
• Morrone Birkwood
• Morton Lochs Now part of Tentsmuir NNR
• Nigg and Udale Bays De-declared on 9 December 2011
• Rannoch Moor De-declared on 1 March 2012
• Silver Flowe
• Tynron Juniper Wood

Images for kids

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  The logo used for Scotland's national nature reserves.