One of the Highlands’ most iconic landscapes has been given National Nature Reserve status, recognising its outstanding wildlife, habitats and natural beauty.
NatureScot has approved an application from the National Trust for Scotland to designate Torridon in Wester Ross as Scotland’s newest National Nature Reserve, the first to be created since 2017.
The new reserve covers around 5,100 hectares, stretching from the shores of Loch Torridon to the summits of the celebrated Munros Beinn Alligin and Liathach.
The designation recognises an area renowned for its spectacular scenery and rich biodiversity, with native woodlands, rare plants, mosses and lichens, alongside wildlife including ptarmigan and golden eagles.
The reserve also sits alongside NatureScot’s neighbouring Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve, creating one of Scotland’s finest landscapes for walking, mountaineering and nature conservation.
Together, the two reserves attract tens of thousands of visitors every year across 18 miles of well maintained mountain and low level paths.
The National Trust for Scotland has cared for Torridon since the late 1960s and has developed a 200 year vision to help nature thrive in partnership with local communities, neighbouring landowners and conservation organisations.
The new designation also strengthens wider habitat restoration work already underway through the Glen Torridon Partnership, which brings together public bodies, charities and private estates across more than 30,000 hectares within the Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve.
Philip Long OBE, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, said:
“Torridon’s designation as a National Nature Reserve is a proud moment for the Trust and our dedicated team of conservation staff, and it becomes the ninth NNR within our charity’s care.
“An NNR designation reflects the significance of the location on both a national and international level, and there’s no question that the sublime beauty, ancient history and rich natural heritage of Torridon warrants this accolade.
“The designation of NNR is also about encouraging people to explore and discover these natural wonders for themselves.
“Those that don’t yet know Torridon will find it to be one of the most beautiful places in the world, with five dramatic Munros on the Trust’s part of the estate, important native woodland habitats, and breathtaking views out to the isles, all watched over by the majestic golden eagle.
“Our purpose as an organisation is to share Scotland’s nature, beauty, and heritage with everyone, and I do hope that Torridon’s new designation as an NNR encourages many more people to explore responsibly this precious landscape and learn about the vital nature conservation work taking place to protect its future.”
NatureScot Chief Executive Nick Halfhide said:
“Torridon is one of our finest natural landscapes, a place of outstanding biodiversity and wildlife with boundless opportunities for people to enjoy and connect with nature.
“It is an extremely worthy recipient of the National Nature Reserve accolade, and we look forward to seeing the area continue to flourish.
“Protecting and restoring nature at a landscape scale is vital if we are to meet Scotland’s targets to halt the decline in biodiversity by 2030, and see nature recover by 2045.
“Torridon is a great example of where NNRs can act as crucial building blocks, linking up large areas of land where nature can thrive, and working alongside private landowners, NGOs and local communities towards this common goal.
“We are therefore keen to see more nominations for NNRs now come forward from across Scotland for the benefit of nature and communities.”
Torridon is the first National Nature Reserve to be designated in Scotland since Glencoe and Mar Lodge Estate received the status in 2017.
To find out more about Scotland’s National Nature reserves, visit: https://www.nnr.scot/
