Hermand Birchwood
Hermand Birchwood consists primarily of birch woodland over peat, a relict raised bog. There are also smaller areas of open heath, beech and a fenced grassland to the north of the site. The site is designated a SSSI for its birch woodland a rare habitat in West Lothian.
Feoch Meadows
Shian Wood
Shian Wood is a fine example of the ancient semi-natural woodlands typical of the Atlantic coast of Scotland. The wood stands above the surrounding land on a low, flattened ridge of land which juts out from the southern shore of Loch Creran. Dominated by fine mature oaks festooned in mosses and lichens the canopy in spring covers a carpet of primrose, wood sorrel and bluebell and is home to many species of woodland bird. The wood also contains many glades and damp flushes where purple moor-grass and devil
Garnock Floods
Garnock Floods is low lying water-logged pasture with shallow seasonal pools and a large permanent pond. This is an excellent reserve for birdwatching, especially during the winter months when large numbers of ducks and waders are can be seen. Grazing by cattle keeps the banks open for wigeon and waders such as snipe to feed. The River Irvine, forming one boundary of the reserve, is tidal here and visitors have been surprised to see a seal when looking for the otter, water vole and kingfisher known to occur along its banks.
Yetholm Loch
Yetholm Loch lies in a small crescent shaped valley at the edge of the Cheviots. At the southern end of the loch the floating swamp gradually gives way to fen and willow scrub. Some of the plants found here are nationally or locally rare. Yetholm Loch is designated a SSSI for its open water, fen, swamp and marsh habitats.
Upper Nethan Gorge
Upper Nethan Gorge is one of 12 semi-natural woodland SSSIs within the Clyde Valley woodlands SAC. A diverse woodland flora includes locally uncommon species such as the broadleaved helleborine, wood melick and pendulous sedge. Extensive areas of herb rich grassland both on the perimeter and within the woodland feed the invertebrate life.
Pepper Wood
Pepper Wood is an oasis of broadleaved woodland, predominantly ash, wych elm and sycamore, surrounded by agricultural land. There is an amazing variety of native and non-native flowering plants.
Wallacebank Wood
Wallacebank Wood is an ancient semi-natural woodland with oak, Scots pine, beech, Norway spruce and larch. The ground beneath the trees is covered with woodland flowers and woodland birds are often seen. Growing in the more open areas are smaller trees and shrubs, such as alder, hazel, holly and rowan.In places the ground beneath the trees is covered with woodland flowers, among them wood anemone and dog
Loch Fleet
Loch Fleet is a large tidal basin with sand dunes, coastal heath and pinewoods. The pine woodland supports species such as Scottish crossbill, crested tit and pine marten. Orchids and butterflies thrive in the heathland.
Forest Wood
Forest Wood is to the south-east of Cumbernauld, next to Palacerigg Country Park. It consists mainly of plantation woodland with smaller areas of lowland acid peat bog, heath and grassland. Over 120 species of flowering plants have been recorded on site, together with many species of fungi, mosses and liverworts. The old fire ponds on the peatland edge provide an ideal habitat for dragonflies like the common hawker and the black darter, as well as the palmate newt.
