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Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve

Creag Meagaidh is a land of transitions is so many ways. It rises from the shores of Loch Laggan, 250m above sea level, to the summit of Creag Meagaidh itself at 1130m. Its plant and animal communities range from lochshore vegetation to the alpine heaths of the summit ridge. 

The reserve encompasses almost 4000 hectares of mountain, moorland and woodland and was declared in 1986. Since then the main management aim has been to restore the remnants of native birch woodland on the site. The Nature Conservancy Council and then Scottish Natural Heritage set out to achieve this by reducing deer numbers rather than through the use of fencing.

Wildlife highlights: The wood is rich in flowers like wood cranesbill, grass of Parnassus, globeflower and chickweed wintergreen. There are diverse woodland mosses and lichens, including seven lichens regarded as ancient woodland indicators. Chaffinches, willow warblers and tree pipits nest in the wood, and black grouse find shelter. Around 10 pairs of dotterel, one of Britain's rarest birds, breed on plateau heaths within the reserve.

Location: Creag Meagaidh lies on the north shore of Loch Laggan, half way along the A86 road between Fort William and Newtonmore. 

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