Milkhall Pond
Milkhall Pond, a small disused industrial reservoir, is an important breeding ground for insects and amphibians. The reserve also includes the surrounding rough grassland, marsh and an old beech shelterbelt
Ben Mor Coigach
Ben Mor Coigach dominates the landscape north of Ullapool. SWT
Lawthorn Wood
Lawthorn Wood is a small strip of mature deciduous woodland on the edge of Irvine. The tall canopy is made up of mainly ash, with some beech and sycamore. Elms were once prominent and a few standing dead trunks provide nesting sites for bats and birds, including the Great spotted woodpecker. A water logged hollow adds to the species diversity, including the local rarity, water figwort.
Woodhall Dean
Woodhall Dean is long and narrow and encompasses three burns joining to form Woodhall Burn. It is dominated by sessile oak and is one of the few surviving remnants of the oak forests that covered much of southern Scotland 5,000 years ago. Woodhall Dean is designated a SSSI for its native oak woodland.
Talich
Talich is the largest remainig area of alder wood in the eastern part of Easter Ross. Outwith the woodland a rich grassland flora can be found in clusters around calcareous springs. Woodland birds and a diverse range of invertebrates thrive along with an abundance of orchids
Luggiebank Wood
Luggiebank Wood is a strip of semi-natural ancient woodland running along the banks of the Luggie Water to the south of Cumbernauld. The reserve has a quiet and secluded atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre. The woodland has a rich array of wildflowers, particularly in the spring, and the river meanders through steep banks and shallow pools where kingfisher, dipper and grey wagtail can be seen. The grassland area is great for spotting butterflies and rare orchids, and the woodlands are home to a population of badgers.
Grey Hill Grassland
Grey Hill Grasslands is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation because of its unusual geology and associated flora. Serpentinite, an ultra-basic rock type, is only found in four other localities in the British Isles; the Lizard in Cornwall being the most famous. At Grey Hill, large areas of the south-facing slopes have species-rich grassland with colourful herbs such as thyme and common rock-rose. The locally uncommon juniper and the nationally scarce spring sandwort occur where the serpentinite outcrops.
Linhouse Glen
Linhouse Glen has river flood plains and steep, narrow wooded slopes with rocky outcrops.The reserve is part of the Linhouse Valley SSSI which is designated for its acid and neutral grasslands, woodland and valley fen. Melancholy thistle, spearmint and a number of sedges can be seen in the woodland as can an abundance of the attractive common spotted orchid. Roe deer, skylarks and brown hares are regulars.
Longhaven Cliffs
Longhaven Cliffs are magnificent pink-red granite cliffs that rise 60 metres above sea level. They have been pounded by the North Sea to form curious inlets, stacks, caves and arches that attracts large noisy seabird colonies. The cliffs and grassy slopes provide a riot of colour in the spring with a carpet of wildflowers.
Carsegowan Moss
Carsegowan Moss SSSI, with the characteristic dome of a lowland raised bog, is one of a number of remaining sites which once formed an extensive area of peatlands along the Solway. Cranberry and yellow flowered bog asphodel grow within the sphagnum carpet. Hen harriers, merlins, short eared and barn owls may be seen hunting. In summer look for dragonflies and adders.
