Inchnadamph delisted as a National Nature Reserve

July 2009. Wildlife interests and responsible public access will remain unchanged following the de-declaration of a national nature reserve according to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

Inchnadamph in the north west of Scotland will no longer be designated as a national nature reserve (NNR) following the ending of a previous agreement between the landowners and SNH. Last September the landowners and SNH were unable to agree terms to enter into a new nature reserve agreement covering the land in Sutherland. The move followed extensive talks about the condition of the land and the requirements of SNH's national nature reserves policy.

Deer stalking
The landowners took the view that a commitment to manage the land in which nature conservation was the overriding factor did not fit with their broader objectives which included retaining a sustainable deer herd for a sporting cull programme.

SNH has paid tribute to the landowner and acknowledged that meeting primacy of nature requirements can be challenging for private landowners.

"The first thing to say is that we have shared close cooperation and goodwill with the estate over a number of years and it has reduced the deer population significantly in this area specifically to improve the condition of the designated areas," Lesley Cranna, SNH's North Highland Area manager, confirmed.

Internationally important for its habitats and geology
"However, the decision not to continue as a national nature reserve was the estate's and was then taken after careful consideration. We recognise that it is a challenge to manage the land to the standard required for a national nature reserve and we are naturally disappointed that in this case it cannot be met. However, the site will remain nationally and internationally important for its habitats and geology.

Access rights are unchanged
"It is important also to remember that access rights remain unchanged.
People will still have the opportunity to visit this part of the North West Highlands Geopark under the terms of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code as long as they exercise their rights responsibly.

"There is much to see here - the famous Bone Caves, from which human remains dating back at least 4500 years have been found, along with bones of animals now extinct in Scotland, as well as special limestone plants. People should continue to get out there and enjoy the area responsibly."

George Vestey
George Vestey, the owner of Inchadamph, commented: "We have all worked hard to find a way whereby we could accommodate the needs of a national nature reserve with our own objectives of owning the land, but unfortunately this was not possible.

"It has been reassuring to see the plants and landscape respond to the rigorous deer management that we have implemented over the past few years, and we will continue to work closely with SNH to sustain this level of response.

"It is our intention as owners of the land to ensure the deer herd and the environment are managed in a sustainable way for future generations. As a landowner, I welcome responsible access to this superb landscape and I intend to further work with SNH to manage the land to meet the requirements of the continuing important designations."