Sites of Special Scientific Interest -
Creag nan Gamhainn - GR NJ 151 197

Grassland and semi-natural woodland
This site is an area of calcareous woodland and grassland with limestone outcrops. It is an uncommon habitat type in north-east Scotland and supports an outstanding variety of local and some nationally rare plant species. It is situated on a SW facing slope between 275-325m in altitude adjacent to the River Avon. The calcareous influence is due to bands of limestone contained in the underlying Old Red Sandstone and Dalradian Schists.

Wildcat

The woodland is a good example of a mixed broadleaved wood with downy birch, silver birch, hazel, rowan, willows, bird cherry, aspen and wych elm, which support a characteristic community of woodland birds of the area including redstart, spotter flycatcher and tree creeper.

One of the best examples of tall herb plant communities in north-east Scotland can be found here with over 141 vascular plants having been recorded. Several of these are either locally or nationally rare and include dark red helleborine, hoary whitlow grass and a bedstaw species.  Many of these important herb communities occur along the road verges. The site also includes many insects associated with the calcicole plants and in particular the Northern Brown Argus and the Scotch Argus both of which are notable northern species.

Glenlivet welcomes you to explore its tracks and byways.