A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis - Scottish Natural Heritage

COMMISSIONED REPORT 

This report should be quoted as: 

Commissioned Report No. 090 

A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis 

Site of Special Scientific Interest and 

Special Area of Conservation, Scotland, 

2003–2004: Volume 1 

(ROAME No. F02LD01) 

For further information on this report please contact: 

Dominic Sargent 

Scottish Natural Heritage 

The Governor’s House 

The Parade 

FORT WILLIAM 

PH33 6BA 

Telephone: 01397 704716 

E-mail: dominic.sargent@snh.gov.uk 

Averis, A.B.G. and Averis, A.M. A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis Site of Special 

Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation, 2003–2004: Volume 1. Scottish Natural 

Heritage Commissioned Report No. 090 (ROAME No. F02LD01). 

This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. 

This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should 

not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. 

© Scottish Natural Heritage 2005.

Background 

COMMISSIONED REPORT 

Summary 

A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis 

Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of 

Conservation, Scotland, 2003–2004: Volume 1 

Commissioned Report No. 090 (ROAME No. F02LD01) 

Contractor: Ben and Alison Averis 

Year of publication: 2005 

This project was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage in order to collate existing information on the 

vegetation and flora of the Ben Nevis Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation 

(SAC), to survey and map the vegetation and to assess the populations of rare vascular plant species. This site of 

about 90km 2 is situated to the east-south-east of Fort William in the western Highlands of Scotland, has an 

altitudinal range of 30–1334m a.s.l. and is varied geologically. This report begins with a background study 

of previous work on the vegetation and flora of this site, followed by the results of our survey. The fieldwork was 

completed in the periods 10–26 June, 11–27 July and 4–18 August 2003, and 13–20 June, 7–20 July and 

27 July–4 August 2004. The vegetation was mapped at the scale of 1:10,000 and classified according to the 

National Vegetation Classification (NVC). Representative quadrats measuring 2m x 2m were recorded in most 

vegetation types. NVC types were related to EC Habitats Directive Annex I habitats. A list of all plant species 

found during the survey was made, indicating the approximate quantity of each species as ‘rare’, ‘uncommon’, 

‘common’ or ‘abundant’. The locations of species of special interest were mapped and described. 

Main findings 

● A rich diversity of habitats, with a total of 154 vegetation and habitat types. 

● A rich flora (292 vascular plant species and 263 bryophytes found in this survey; additional records from other 

people giving totals of 331 vascular plants and 321 bryophytes) including several rare species. 

● Some of the finest British examples of snow-bed vegetation (U11, U12, U14, U18 and Pohlia ludwigii, 

Racomitrium heterostichum and UX types) and associated montane springs (M31, M32 and M33), with rare 

species in both of these habitats. 

● A very good range of vegetation types of exposed windblown summits (U8, U9, U10, Fell-field, Luzula spicata 

swards and Lichen heath). 

● Basic rocks and soils with herb-rich woodland (W7 and W9), Salix lapponum scrub (W20), tall herb 

vegetation (U15 and U17), grassland (U4F, U5c, CG10, CG11 and CG12), Dryas heath (CG14) and 

flushes (M11/12), and nationally important populations of rare montane plants. 

● Bryophyte-rich heaths (H20c and H21b) and woods (W17a) with internationally important assemblages of 

northern, sub-montane and montane oceanic liverworts. 

The Ben Nevis hills are grazed by sheep and red deer, and also some roe deer, wild goats, cattle and mountain 

hares. Different animal species graze in different parts of the site, and the intensity of grazing also varies. The effects 

of grazing on the vegetation and flora are discussed in this report. This report ends with appendices containing: 

(1) quadrat data from representative 2m x 2m quadrats in different vegetation types; (2) a list of all plant species 

which we found during the survey; (3) ‘Target Notes’ for locations which we found to be of special botanical interest; 

(4) maps; (5) photographs of a selection of vegetation types and individual plant species. 

For further information on this project contact: 

Dominic Sargent, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Governor’s House, The Parade, Fort William PH33 6BA. 

Tel: 01397 704716 

For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact: 

The Advisory Services Co-ordination Group, Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. 

Tel: 0131–446 2400 or ascg@snh.gov.uk

Acknowledgements 

Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 090 (ROAME No. F02LD01) 

Dominic Sargent and Debbie Greene of Scottish Natural Heritage organised the contract, provided 

background information and made comments on an earlier draft of this report. We are grateful to the 

John Muir Trust, Alcan and Forest Enterprise for giving permission for us to work on their land. We thank 

Helen McLean of Earendil, Mucomir, by Spean Bridge, for her excellent hospitality and kindness at her bed 

and breakfast establishment.


Summary 

Acknowledgments 

Contents 

1 INTRODUCTION 1 

1.1 The study area 1 

1.2 Geology and geomorphology 1 

1.3 Climate 2 

1.4 Nomenclature 3 

2 BACKGROUND STUDY 4 

2.1 Vegetation 4 

2.2 Flora 6 

2.2.1 Vascular plants 6 

2.2.2 Bryophytes and lichens 6 

3 SURVEY METHODS 10 


3.2 Flora 11 

4 DESCRIPTIONS OF VEGETATION TYPES 12 

5 EVALUATION 66 

5.1 General description of the site 66 


5.2.1 General patterns of vegetation 67 

5.2.2 Wider British and European distributions of vegetation types 68 

5.2.3 Vegetation types of special interest 80 

5.2.3.1 Qualifying EC Habitats Directive Annex I Habitats 86 

5.2.3.2 Non-qualifying EC Annex I Habitats 92 

5.2.3.3 Notable vegetation types which are not EC 

Annex I Habitats 93 

5.3 Flora 94 

5.3.1 Phytogeography of the flora 94 

5.3.2 Uncommon plant species 98 

5.3.2.1 Nationally Scarce and Nationally Rare 

vascular plants 98 

5.3.2.2 Uncommon bryophyte species 105 

5.4 Summary of the total botanical interest 105 

5.5 Relationships between vegetation and environment 106 

5.5.1 Geology and geomorphology 106 

5.5.2 Climate 109


5.6 Land-use and management 111 

5.6.1 History of vegetation, land use and management 111 

5.6.2 Grazing 112 

5.6.3 Burning 115 

5.6.4 Atmospheric pollution 115 

5.6.5 Human views and recreation 116 

5.7 Assessment of the Upland Vegetation Survey vegetation map of 

Ben Nevis 116 

5.8 Extra note on birds and animals seen during this survey 119 

References 120 

Appendix 1 Quadrat data 123 

Appendix 2 Species lists 273 

Appendix 3 Target notes 288 

Appendix 4 Photographs 323 

Appendix 5 Maps Volume 2 

Please note that because of the quantity of material contained in Volume 2 (Maps), that volume does not accompany 

this report (Volume 1). However, Volume 2 can, by prior arrangement, be viewed at SNH’s headquarters library 

or at its office in Fort William. The contact is: Dominic Sargent, Scottish Natural Heritage, The Governor’s House, 

The Parade, Fort William PH33 6BA; Tel: 01397 704716; e-mail: dominic.sargent@snh.gov.uk


1 INTRODUCTION 

1.1 The study area 

This project was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage. The purpose of the project was to collate 

existing information on the vegetation and flora of the Ben Nevis Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and 

Special Area of Conservation (SAC), to survey and map the vegetation and to assess the populations of rare 

vascular plant species. The SAC is within the SSSI boundary; for the most part the boundaries of the two 

are coincident. 

The survey area is over 90km2 in area. It includes Ben Nevis (1344m) and its outliers Meall an t-Suidhe 

(711m) and the two hills called Carn Dearg (the northern one is 1214m; the southern one is 1020m); the 

ridge of Carn Beag Dearg (1010m), Carn Dearg Meadhonach (1179m) and Carn Mór Dearg (1220m); 

Aonach Mór (1221m), Aonach Beag (1234m) Sgurr a’ Bhuic (963m), Meall Cumhann (698m), Tom na 

Sròine (918m), Stob a’ Chùl Choire (1068m) and the ridge known as the Grey Corries. This ridge rises to 

the distinct peaks of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag (963m), Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór (1094m), Stob Coire Easain 

(1080m) and its northern outlier Beinn na Socaich (1007m), Stob Coire an Laoigh (1116m), Caisteal 

(1106m), Stob Coire Cath na Sìne (1079m), Stob a’ Choire Lèith (1105m), Stob Choire Claurigh (the 

highest point on the ridge at 1177m), Stob Coire na Ceannain (1123m) and its northern outliers Stob Coire 

Gaibhre (958m) and Beinn Bhàn (843m). The study area is bounded to the west and south by Glen Nevis 

and Coire Rath, to the north by the Leanachan Forest, and to the east by the Lairig Leachach. The lowest 

part of the site is at the extreme north-western boundary where it descends to 30m above sea level. 

Most of the site is owned by ALCAN Smelting & Power UK. A large area in the south-west, including the 

summits of Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag, is owned by the John Muir Trust. A small area in the north is owned 

by Forestry Commission Scotland. Ownership boundaries are shown in Map D in Appendix 5. 

The land is now uninhabited, though there is a bothy at Steall in upper Glen Nevis and another at the fords 

of the Allt a’ Cùl Choirean in the Lairig Leacach. There is a hut for the use of climbers in Coire Leis. It is 

known as the Charles Inglis Clark or C.I.C. hut, in memory of a climber who was killed in the First World 

War. The study area is grazed by sheep, red deer and roe deer as well as by small mammals including 

mountain hare and field vole. These hills are popular with walkers and climbers. The ‘Tourist Path’, originally 

the pack-pony route, to the top of Ben Nevis ascends from Achintee, in the far west of the study area, to the 

summit of Ben Nevis. There are well-used paths along upper Glen Nevis and the Allt a’ Mhuillin glen, and 

a bulldozed track along the Lairig Leacach as far as the bothy. There are many bulldozed tracks in 

Leanachan Forest to the north, and a few of these continue a short distance out of the forest into the lower 

northern parts of the site. 

1.2 Geology and geomorphology 

The geology in this part of Scotland is complex, with igneous intrusions through a mixture of sedimentary 

and metamorphic rocks of both Moine and Dalradian age (British Geological Survey 1979). Most of the 

study area consists of Moine and Dalradian schist, slate, phyllite and mica-schist. Some of the schist, notably 

on Aonach Beag and Beinn na Socaich, is remarkably base-rich. The summit and the northern cliffs of 

Ben Nevis are made of andesite and basaltic lavas and tuffs. A granite intrusion forms the southern slopes 

of Ben Nevis and also the ridge of the Carn Dearg peaks. A thin band of Dalradian limestone runs through 

1

Meall Cumhann and the eastern slopes of Coire Giubhsachan. There are also intrusive dykes of porphyritic 

rocks, lamprophyre and allied types. The upper slopes and summits of the Grey Corries are made of 

Dalradian quartzite. 

The study area encompasses a great variety of geomorphology, including wide, level straths and glens, 

smooth, peat-clad terrain, steep and rocky slopes, cliffs, screes, boulder-fields, plateaux, pyramidal peaks, 

steep-sided corries and knife-edged ridges or arêtes. There is only one large body of open water – Lochan 

Meall an t-Suidhe on the col between Ben Nevis and Meall a t-Suidhe – but there are small lochans in many 

of the corries. There are an extraordinary number of springs and flushes; so many that the resultant rivulets 

have grown into substantial rivers within a few hundred metres of the heads of the glens. 

1.3 Climate 


The climate is cool and oceanic, with cool summers and winters, heavy and frequent rain, and frequent wind 

and low cloud. The following climate data were compiled in the 20th century. 

Average annual rainfall is over 250cm, and over 400cm on the high ground (Meteorological Office 1952), 

making this one of the wettest parts of Britain. There are on average at least 220 wet-days (1mm or more 

of rain) a year (Ratcliffe 1968). 

Winters are cool, with a January-February mean daily temperature at sea-level of about 0–1.0°C 

(Meteorological Office 1975). Summers are fairly cool, with a July-August mean daily temperature at sealevel 

of about 17.5°C (Meteorological Office 1975). 

The annual temperature range is small by general British standards. 

Snow falls on low ground on an average of 20–25 days a year (Meteorological Office 1952) and lies for 

an average of 20–60 days a year (Page 1982). Obviously there is more snow at higher altitudes, and 

snow showers can occur in any month. Although there is little high plateau to gather snow, the precipitation 

is so great and the hills so high that considerable drifts of snow – snow-beds – accumulate each winter on 

the cliffs, in the high corries and in hollows on the ridges and summits. These snow-beds persist well into 

summer in most years, and there are one or two patches on the north-facing cliffs of Ben Nevis and Aonach 

Beag which are near-permanent and melt out only in exceptional years. 

The mean annual windspeed is about 12–13m.p.h. (Meteorological Office 1952). 

Cloud obscures bright sunshine for an average of 75–80% or more of the day (Page 1982). 

Rain is moderately acidic by general Scottish standards (Fowler et al. 1982, Philips Modern School Atlas 

1992) and nitrate deposition has been found to be at a moderate concentration of about 0.6g N m2 (Pitcairn & Fowler 1989). Sulphur dioxide pollution in 1987 was estimated to be negligible (Hill et al. 1991). 

The Ben Nevis Meteorological Observatory, which was operated from 1883–1904, provided an 

invaluable series of records which showed just how severe the climate can be on the highest ground in 

Britain (Roy 1997). The mean annual temperature during this period was only –0.3°C. The mean maximum 

2

temperature was 1.6°C; the mean minimum temperature –2.2°C, showing that even on the summit the 

climate is oceanic, with a small annual range in temperature. Only in June, July, August and September was 

the mean monthly minimum temperature above freezing. The lowest recorded temperature at the observatory 

was –17.4°C on 6 January 1884. The summit of the Ben is so high that it may, on occasions, be above 

the level of temperature inversions. Low cloud is often trapped below the inversion layer, so there are days 

in which Fort William and the surrounding glens are clothed in heavy cloud while the summit of Ben Nevis 

is sunny and unusually dry. The total annual precipitation recorded for Ben Nevis in 1883–1904 was 

4084mm – twice that recorded on low ground in the same part of Scotland. The strongest winds recorded 

on Ben Nevis were estimated to exceed 113 knots and, interestingly, were from the south-east. This is 

probably because westerly winds are deflected round to the south, and increased in force, when they meet 

the high barrier of the western Highland hills. The annual total of sunshine in 1883–1904 was just 736m 

on Ben Nevis, and the percentage of the time that the observatory was in mist or low cloud varied from 

about 78% in winter to about 55% in early summer. 

1.4 Nomenclature 


Nomenclature in this report follows Stace (1997) for vascular plants, Blockeel & Long (1998) for bryophytes, 

and Purvis et al. (1992) for lichens. Place names are those on the Ordnance Survey 1:10,000 maps. 

Plant communities (eg U10) and sub-communities (eg U10c) are those of the National Vegetation Classification 

(NVC) (Rodwell 1991a, 1991b, 1992, 1995), supplemented by additional codes for vegetation not 

described by the NVC. 

3

2 BACKGROUND STUDY 

This section gives a summary of previous information about the vegetation and flora of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC 

before the time of our vegetation survey in 2003–2004. 

2.1 Vegetation 


Donald McVean and Derek Ratcliffe visited the Ben Nevis hills in the late 1950s as part of their work on 

the vegetation of the Scottish Highlands. Their quadrat samples from the site appear in McVean & Ratcliffe 

(1962), the resulting monograph. At this site, they recorded quadrat samples for vegetation which falls 

into the following NVC types: Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grassland CG11 and tall herb vegetation U17 on 

Meall Cumhann, and dwarf herb vegetation CG12, Deschampsia cespitosa grassland U13a, 

Deschampsia-Rhytidiadelphus snow-bed U13b, Carex-Polytrichum sedge heath U8 and Polytrichum-Kiaeria 

snow-bed U11 on Aonach Beag. 

Derek Ratcliffe wrote the following summary of the botanical interest of the site in the Nature Conservation 

Review (Ratcliffe 1977): 

This massif lies at the western edge of the Grampians, immediately south of the Great Glen. 

Ben Nevis, a mountain of granite and andesite, is the highest ground in Britain (1344m), 

has the tallest cliffs (600m in Coire Leis) and carries the only semi-permanent snow-beds 

outside the Cairngorms. It shows important glacial erosion features and the summit might be 

described as a site of climatological importance, in view of the unique series of recordings 

made by the former Meteorological Observatory. Ben Nevis and its eastern neighbours, 

Aonach Mór (1220m) and Aonach Beag (1236m), are also the only c.1220m peaks 

outside the Cairngorms. Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag are composed of rocks of the 

Moine Series, in which bands of calcareous schist outcrop quite extensively at high levels. 

There are also highly localised occurrences of calcareous rock in the predominantly acidic 

mass of Ben Nevis itself. 

The lower slopes of these hills have been heavily grazed and burned, so that Calluna heaths 

and other dwarf-shrub communities have largely been replaced by swards of Molinia and 

Trichophorum. The terrain is mostly too steep for blanket mire, but there is a wide range of 

soligenous mires. The summit of Ben Nevis is rather small and covered largely with boulder 

fields, whilst the upper levels are mostly block scree or cliff; this gives a rather limited range 

of montane vegetation though Nardus stricta, Rhacomitrium lanuginosum, Vaccinium spp. 

and Empetrum hermaphroditum are prominent in various mixtures. Some of the snow-bed 

communities, including the Rhytidiadelphus-Deschampsia cespitosa and very late Polytrichum 

norvegicum-Dicranum starkei type, are well represented. The high montane plants of poor 

soils in the Cairngorms mostly occur here, eg Luzula arcuata, Poa flexuosa, Carex lachenalii, 

Deschampsia alpina, Cerastium cerastioides, Veronica alpina and Saxifraga rivularis. 

Late snow-bed bryophytes are well represented and include the very rare Marsupella 

boeckii. 

4


The summits of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag are also rather small in area, but there is 

Rhacomitrium lanuginosum heath which shows an interesting variant dominated by 

R. canescens in one place where there is heavy wind deposition of soil particles. Where 

seepage from the calcareous schists influences the upper slopes there are good examples 

of calcicolous communities characteristic of the Breadalbane range, such as dwarf swards 

with carpets of Silene acaulis, Carex saxatilis marshes and open flushes with Juncus biglumis. 

Most of the widespread montane calcicoles of Breadalbane occur within the site, and the 

total flora is rich. Some of the rare species are scattered, and they include Saxifraga cernua, 

S. cespitosa (both growing with S. rivularis in one place), Myosotis alpestris, Cystopteris 

montana, Salix reticulata and Dryas octopetala. The bryophyte flora is rich, including northern 

Atlantic species, and both calcifuge and calcicole elements in the high montane group. 

The vegetation of the Ben Nevis SSSI was surveyed by the Nature Conservancy Council’s Upland Survey 

Team in 1984 and 1987 (Nature Conservancy Council 1987). A vegetation map was produced as a 

series of transparent overlays to black-and-white vertical aerial photogrpahs at a nominal scale of 1:25,000. 

No site description was ever written, but the description from the Nature Conservation Review (Ratcliffe 1977) 

was included in the file of maps and photographs. The Upland Survey team, working before the National 

Vegetation Classification (NVC) was produced, used the simpler classification devised by Birks & Ratcliffe 

(1980), though mires were mapped using the NVC during the fieldwork in 1987. 58 types of vegetation 

were recorded in that survey. These could be equated with up to 92 NVC communities or sub-communities. 

In 1984 David Horsfield wrote up some notes on the vegetation of the Ben Nevis SSSI and made a brief 

assessment of the then proposed Aonach Mór Ski Area (information held in files at Scottish Natural Heritage 

(SNH) office in Fort William). 

Lamb (1987) included a brief account of the vegetation of the Ben Nevis SSSI in the report from her survey 

of the flora (but not vegetation) and fauna of this site. 

The vegetation of the easternmost part of the site was not mapped by the Nature Conservancy Council 

Upland Vegetation Survey team in the 1980s. It was mapped in 1994 by Hope (1994) using the Birks & 

Ratcliffe classification at the scale of 1:25,000. 

The vegetation of three blocks of woodland within the site was surveyed by the Nature Conservancy Council 

Scottish Field Unit in July-August 1985. These woods are Polldubh (NN 145694), Allt a’ Mhuilinn 

(NN 140754) and Steall Ruin, Glen Nevis (NN 173690). The findings of these surveys and others in 

woods throughout Lochaber District in 1985 were presented by MacKintosh (1990). Copies of the record 

cards with detailed information for individual woods are held by Scottish Natural Heritage at Fort William. 

In these surveys the woodland vegetation was mapped at the scale of 1:10,000 and classified to 

sub-community level using the NVC. 

In 1989 Rothero (1990, 1991) surveyed the bryophyte-dominated vegetation in late snow-beds on the 

eastern side of Aonach Mór and on Ben Nevis. This was part of a larger study of bryophyte-dominated 

snow-beds in the Scottish Highlands. 

5

2.2 Flora 


2.2.1 Vascular plants 

A total of 298 vascular plant species (excluding subspecies, varieties and microspecies) was recorded at 

this site before the time of our vegetation survey. Much information is available about the locations where 

certain species have been found. 

As part of a survey of the flora and fauna of the Ben Nevis area, Lamb (1987) recorded a total of 

260 vascular plant species. For almost every one of these species she produced a map showing in which 

1km x 1km squares of the Ordnance Survey National Grid she found the species. This was shown as a dot 

within the square, and the size of the dot reflected the quantity or extent of plants seen. 

During the Nature Conservancy Council Lochaber Woodland Survey in summer 1985 (MacKintosh 1990), 

a list of vascular plants was made for each of the following three woods: Polldubh (NN 145694), Allt a’ 

Mhuillin (NN 140754) and Steall Ruin, Glen Nevis (NN 173690). The approximate quantity of each 

species was also indicated in each list. 

Four species recorded within the Ben Nevis SSSI are Nationally Rare (recorded in


The earliest records in the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) files are from 1969, when H.A. McAllister 

recorded several uncommon montane species on the eastern slope of Aonach Beag. In July 1986 the 

British Bryological Society visited Coire Leis, Aonach Beag and Beinn na Socaich, and recorded many 

uncommmon species at each of these places. On 4 September 1986 Peter Pitkin surveyed the bryophytes 

of the Allt an t-Sneachda gully in the N (now outside the SSSI). Gordon Rothero made a species list for Meall 

Cumhann in July 1987: this list indicates a rich flora including several uncommon species. Corley (1990) 

found the rare moss Brachythecium trachypodium on Aonach Beag on 28 August 1989. Gordon Rothero 

found the rare liverwort Gymnomitrion apiculatum on the high plateau of Ben Nevis on 18 August 1990 

(Rothero & Long 1995). In 1989 Rothero (1990, 1991) recorded several uncommon montane and oceanic 

species in his survey of bryophytes in late snow-beds on the eastern sides of Aonach Mór and on Ben Nevis. 

Gilbert et al. (1992) wrote an account of the lichen vegetation of high ground in the Ben Nevis-Aonach 

Mór-Aonach Beag area, based mainly on surveys which they did in June and August 1990. They paid 

particular attention to the snow-bed lichen flora, which they found to be similar to that in the Cairngorms. 

They listed the species most strongly associated with snow-beds, and discussed the factors affecting 

the snow-bed lichen flora. They found one species – Staurothele arctica – new to the British lichen flora, and 

six others – Catolechia wahlenbergii, Micarea subviolascens, Sagiolechia rhexoblephera, Stereocaulon 

alpinum, S. spathuliferum and S. tornensis – to have their British headquarters here. The lichen flora of 

Ben Nevis and the adjacent hills is also described in Gilbert (2000). A notable lichen which grows on 

Aonach Mór but elsewhere only in the Cairngorms is Cladonia maxima (Brian Coppins, pers. comm.). 

In 1987–1988 Ben Averis surveyed bryophytes in three woods within the site: the wood north of Polldubh 

(NN 1469), and the woods at Meall Cumhann (NN 173693) and Allt Coire a’Mhaill (NN 180682). 

He found these last two woods to be bryologically rich, with several species of special interest including 

the mosses Dicranodontium uncinatum, Distichium capillaceum, Encalypta ciliata, Hylocomium umbratum, 

Hypnum callichroum, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhabdoweisia crenulata and Ulota drummondii, and the 

liverworts Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata, Douinia ovata, Frullania teneriffae, Gymnomitrion 

crenulatum, Harpalejeunea molleri, Harpanthus scutatus, Herbertus aduncus, Jamesoniella autumnalis, 

Lepidozia pearsonii, Leptoscyphus cuneifolius, Mastigophora woodsii, Plagiochila atlantica, P. carringtonii, 

P. killarniensis, Pleurozia purpurea, Scapania ornithopodioides and Tritomaria exsecta. This was part of a 

larger survey of bryophytes in west Highland woods (Averis 1991). 

Alison Averis visited the wood at Allt Coire a’Mhaill in 1991 and found good examples of the ‘Northern 

Atlantic Hepatic Mat’ community including Herbertus aduncus, Scapania gracilis, S. ornithopodioides, 

Bazzania tricrenata, Plagiochila spinulosa, Pleurozia purpurea, Mastigophora woodsii, Mylia taylorii, 

Anastrepta orcadensis and Lepidozia pearsonii. This work was part of a PhD study (Averis 1994). 

Table 2 provides a list of all Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce bryophyte species recorded at 

Ben Nevis SSSI before the time of our vegetation survey in 2003–2004. 

7


Table 1 Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular plant species recorded at Ben Nevis 

SSSI/SAC before 2003 

Key to symbols after species names: 

* = Nationally Scarce (recorded in 16–100 10km squares in Great Britain since 1950) 

** = Nationally Rare (recorded in 100 plants), on Stob Coire an Laoigh 

(2 clumps of rosettes) and in Coire a’ Mhadaidh (5 plants seen) 

Saxifraga nivalis * SE side of Ben Nevis, Meall Cumhann, Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag) and Stob Coire 

an Laoigh (Grey Corries) 

Saxifraga rivularis * Steep, wet, rocky places on N-E-facing slopes on Ben Nevis, Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and 

Stob Coire an Laoigh 

Sibbaldia procumbens (*) Widespread 

Veronica alpina * Widespread 

8


Table 2 Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce bryophyte species recorded at Ben Nevis 

SSSI/SAC before 2003 



** = Nationally Rare (recorded in

3 SURVEY METHODS 

We did the fieldwork for this survey in the periods 10–26 June, 11–27 July and 4–18 August 2003, and 

13–20 June, 7–20 July and 27 July–4 August 2004. The first period in 2003 was wet, but the second two 

periods coincided with the remarkable heatwave of that summer. Day after day of dry weather with almost 

cloudless skies made it possible to cover large areas of ground and to map the vegetation in detail. Also, 

the dry winter of 2002–3 meant that there was unusually little snow on the sheltered slopes at the start of 

the summer. By late August there was no snow at all on the Ben – a rare occurrence – and only a patch the 

size of a hearthrug on the screes on the eastern side of Aonach Beag. This gave us a good opportunity to 

examine snow-bed vegetation on Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge and Aonach Mór. In contrast, the 

summer of 2004 was consistently wet, and much of the work had to be done in cold and miserable weather: 

only four of the 31 days we spent on the site were completely dry. The eastern part of the study area, 

including the Grey Corries, is very remote and we used bicycles on the forest roads and hill tracks to 

minimise the time spent walking in. 



We classified the vegetation according to the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) (Rodwell 1991a, 

1991b, 1992, 1995), to sub-community level wherever possible. We classified some inaccessible patches 

on cliffs to community level only. It is generally not possible to delineate individual patches of single types 

of vegetation on a map at the scale of 1:10,000. It is, in any case, rare to find large areas of ground 

covered by uniform swards of a single type of vegetation. It is most usual to find mosaics of two or more 

types – for example pools and wet channels scattered among blanket bogs, or small patches of grassland 

or bracken among areas of heathland. The mapped units on our vegetation maps represent mixtures or 

assemblages of several types of vegetation which occur consistently in a particular area, usually defined by 

the topography or by the aspect of the slope. We labelled each mapped unit with the types of vegetation 

recorded there, and showed the relative contribution of each type as an estimated percentage. It is hard to 

define how accurate the mapped vegetation boundaries are. They are generally most accurate (within 

10–20m or so) for small or well-defined patches of vegetation whose edges can be most clearly related to 

features such as streams, cliffs and roads on the Ordnance Survey map. The precise boundaries of the mixed 

mosaics of vegetation on a larger scale are less obvious in the field and therefore less easy to define: 

it would be meaningless to give an estimated figure of accuracy for these boundaries. 

We classed vegetation floristically intermediate between two NVC types as such: NVCx-NVCy. 

Bad weather in early 2003 and throughout the summer of 2004, and the remote and difficult ground, meant 

that mapping vegetation had to take priority over recording quadrats, but we sampled most vegetation types 

by at least one representative quadrat. More samples were taken in interesting or uncommon types of 

vegetation, or in those that were unusually variable, than in the more widespread heaths and acid 

grasslands. We recorded details about the vegetation in quadrats measuring 2m x 2m, except for the 

canopy layer (trees and shrubs) in woodland, for which we used a quadrat size of 10m x 10m (surrounding 

one or more 2m x 2m quadrats of ground vegetation). Within each quadrat we recorded the approximate 

quantity of the aerial parts of each plant species seen, using the DOMIN scale: 

10

1 =


4 DESCRIPTIONS OF VEGETATION TYPES 

We recorded 154 types of vegetation and habitat in this survey. These are listed in Table 3. Each of these 

vegetation and habitat types is described below. The quadrat data are given in Appendix 1. The 1:10,000 

vegetation maps are in Appendix 4. 

W4b Betula pubescens-Molinia caerulea woodland, Juncus effusus sub-community 

This type of wet woodland is part of the mosaic of woodland vegetation on the banks of the Water of Nevis 

at the south-western end of the study area, and near the Allt a’ Mhuillin in the north-west. There are also 

small patches in the level meadow at the eastern end of the gorge, marking out places where the woodland 

soils are flushed with acid water. W4b has a canopy of birch Betula pubescens, alder Alnus glutinosa, 

rowan Sorbus aucuparia and eared willow Salix aurita over a grassy field layer of Molinia caerulea, Juncus 

effusus, Agrostis canina, A. capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Carex echinata. This lush green sward 

is dotted with species such as Potentilla erecta, Viola palustris, Succisa pratensis and, locally, Myrica gale. 

There are mats of bryophytes over the deep, wet, peaty soil, made up of species such as Sphagnum palustre, 

S. subnitens, Polytrichum commune, Thuidium tamariscinum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, 

Scleropodium purum and Pellia epiphylla. Potentially, this type of woodland could develop wherever there 

are now Molinia-Potentilla grasslands M25; a type of vegetation which has much in common with the 

understorey of W4b. 

W4c Betula pubescens-Molinia caerulea woodland, Sphagnum sub-community 

This type of wet acid woodland has a green, squelching ground layer of Sphagnum fallax, S. palustre and 

S. fimbriatum under a thin sward of Molinia caerulea, Carex echinata and Potentilla erecta. There is a thin 

speckling of other grasses such as Agrostis canina and Holcus mollis. The canopy is of birch Betula pubescens 

and alder Alnus glutinosa. W4c occurs on wet, flushed, gently sloping ground beside the Water of Nevis 

just north of its confluence with the Red Burn. 

W7c Alnus glutinosa-Fraxinus excelsior-Lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa 

sub-community 

W7c is a herb-rich woodland on wet, flushed soils where the irrigating water is rich in plant nutrients. 

It can have the most varied canopy of all the woodland communities here, and takes in not just alder 

Alnus glutinosa woods but also those of birch Betula pubescens, ash Fraxinus excelsior and hazel 

Corylus avellana. It occurs on the lower south-facing slopes of Meall Cumhann, which are flushed with baserich 

water from the limestone above. Under the trees is a tall, dense, dark-green sward of Deschampsia 

cespitosa, interleaved with Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus lanatus and Juncus effusus. 

Hidden among these tall plants are small herbs such as Oxalis acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Viola palustris, 

Lysimachia nemorum, Ranunculus acris and the ferns Dryopteris filix-mas and Athyrium filix-femina. There is 

a rich assemblage of bryophytes on the deep, wet, squelchy soils, including Thuidium tamariscinum, 

Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Atrichum undulatum, Eurhynchium praelongum, Mnium hornum, 

Scleropodium purum and Lophocolea bidentata. 

12


W9b Fraxinus excelsior-Sorbus aucuparia-Mercurialis perennis woodland, Crepis paludosa 

sub-community 

There are small, mostly linear patches of W9b in the gullies which cut down the western slope of Meall 

Cumhann, and which are flushed with base-rich water from the limestone above. There are also patches 

along the banks of the Allt Coire a’ Mhadaidh in the north-east of the study area. It is a woodland of damp, 

basic soils and has a canopy of ash Fraxinus excelsior, hazel Corylus avellana, birch Betula pubescens, elm 

Ulmus glabra, goat willow Salix caprea and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. Under the trees is a rich tangle of 

tall herbs and grasses: a colourful spread of flowers in summer. The species here include Agrostis capillaris, 

Deschampsia cespitosa, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Geum urbanum, Geranium robertianum, G. sylvaticum, 

Filipendula ulmaria, Stachys sylvatica, Ranunculus acris, Prunella vulgaris, Sanicula europaea, Primula vulgaris, 

Fragaria vesca, Viola riviniana, Angelica sylvestris, Cardamine pratensis and the ferns Athyrium filix-femina, 

Dryopteris affinis, D. filix-mas and Blechnum spicant. The uncommon grass Melica nutans grows here in this 

type of vegetation. There is a deep carpet of bryophytes on the ground, over rocks and on the bases 

of trees, mostly made up of Thuidium tamariscinum, T. delicatulum, Isothecium alopecuroides, I. myosuroides, 

Hylocomium splendens, H. brevirostre, Hypnum cupressiforme, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. triquetrus, 

Brachythecium plumosum, Racomitrium aciculare, Atrichum undulatum, Plagiomnium undulatum and 

Eurhynchium praelongum. Some of the herb-rich grassland above the woodland on the slopes of 

Meall Cumhann and Coire Choimhlidh might develop into this kind of woodland if grazing were less intense. 

W11a Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata 

sub-community 

This type of grassy, acid woodland has a canopy of birch Betula pubescens, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and 

hazel Corylus avellana. The ground layer is lightly grazed. The sward of species such as Holcus mollis, 

Agrostis capillaris, Potentilla erecta, Viola riviniana and Conopodium majus is punctuated by tall clumps of 

Dryopteris filix-mas and D. dilatata. In some patches there is also much Rubus fruticosus or R. idaeus, or trails 

of Lonicera periclymenum. The bryophyte layer is made up of species such as Hylocomium brevirostre, 

Thuidium tamariscinum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Polytrichum commune. Large ferns 

and scrambling shrubs are rare in upland woods unless grazing is light. They are also a much more common 

component of the vegetation from the south-west Highlands southwards, where summers are warmer than 

they are further north. So W11a is quite a notable type of vegetation in the study area. It occurs in Glen Nevis 

on islands in the river and on the very steep slopes of the gorge. 

W11b Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, Blechnum spicant 

sub-community 

This is the most extensive type of woodland on the steep slopes in Glen Nevis. It is also a common 

component of the mixed woodlands on steep, rocky slopes along the northern edge of the study area. It is 

a grassy woodland of well-drained acid soils. It is so common in the uplands that people seldom realise that 

it is far from natural, and that the ground layer would be more heathy or more herb-rich were it less grazed. 

The canopy is of birch Betula pubescens, with smaller amounts of oak Quercus petraea, rowan Sorbus 

aucuparia, holly Ilex aquifolium, hazel Corylus avellana and even alder Alnus glutinosa and ash Fraxinus 

excelsior. Underneath the trees, the field layer is green and grassy and made up of Anthoxanthum odoratum, 

Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Holcus mollis and H. lanatus. This is speckled with small herbs such as 

Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola riviniana, Primula vulgaris, Blechnum spicant, Oxalis acetosella, 

Conopodium majus and Anemone nemorosa. Hyacinthoides non-scripta can be common, stippling the 

13


woodland floor with its fragrant violet-blue flowers in spring. In some examples there is much Pteridium 

aquilinum. There are mats and patches of bryophytes, in which the most common species are 

Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Scleropodium purum, Hylocomium splendens, 

H. brevirostre, Hypnum cupressiforme, Polytrichum formosum and Mnium hornum. 

W11 Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, not classified to any 

sub-community 

Most of this woodland has a canopy of alder. For this reason, combined with the riverside habitat, one might 

expect it to be Alnus-Fraxinus-Lysimachia woodland (W7). However, the grassy ground layer is clearly of the 

W11 type, showing that the soils are drier and more acidic than in W7. This is why the woodland is 

classed as W11 rather than W7. In some places there is birch Betula pubescens in the canopy, and a shrub 

layer of hawthorn and willow. The ground layer has a lush sward of Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis 

capillaris and Holcus mollis, among which are scattered plants of Potentilla erecta, Oxalis acetosella, 

Conopodium majus, Viola riviniana and V. palustris. The mosses Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Thuidium 

tamariscinum are very common, but other bryophytes are very sparse. There are few or none of the 

characteristic species of any of the sub-communities, so the vegetation is classed to community level only. 

Even though it does not fit clearly into a sub-community, this type of species-poor W11 ground layer is common 

in upland Britain (Averis et al. 2004). At this site it forms a narrow strip of woodland along the banks of the 

River Nevis in the lower, western part of Glen Nevis at the south-western edge of the study area. 

W17a Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides- 

Diplophyllum albicans sub-community 

This is the most common type of woodland on steep, rocky, north-facing slopes, cliff ledges and ravine sides 

in the study area. It is extensive on the north-facing slopes of Glen Nevis and in the north of the study area. 

There are only a few small patches on the south-facing slopes of Glen Nevis. It is a heathy, bryophyte-rich 

woodland of steep, rocky slopes with well-drained soils and has a canopy of birch Betula pubescens, 

oak Quercus petraea and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. The most noticeable thing about this type of woodland 

is the almost unbelievable profusion of bryophytes. They cover almost every available surface – rocks, soil, 

fallen logs, the bases, trunks and branches of the living trees – with thick green swathes and swags. 

The most common species are Isothecium myosuroides, Hypnum jutlandicum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum quinquefarium and the liverworts Diplophyllum 

albicans and Frullania tamarisci. The western liverworts Plagiochila spinulosa, Mylia taylorii and Scapania 

gracilis grow in large, conspicuous, ochre-gold hummocks and patches, and there is an array of scarcer, 

more exacting oceanic species such as Saccogyna viticulosa, Bazzania tricrenata, Anastrepta orcadensis, 

Herbertus aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea, Mastigophora woodsii, Plagiochila punctata, Lepidozia pearsonii 

and Anastrepta orcadensis. The more montane oceanic liverworts Bazzania pearsonii, Plagiochila carringtonii, 

Scapania ornithopodioides and Mastigophora woodsii grow in this type of vegetation on the north-facing 

slopes near Steall waterfall in upper Glen Nevis. The oceanic filmy fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii is common 

in W17a, growing in glistening green, lacy-leaved cascades among the mats of mosses and liverworts 

as if it was a bryophyte itself. There is a sparse sprinkling of vascular plants such as Calluna vulgaris, 

Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Agrostis canina and Oxalis acetosella. 

14


W17b Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland, Typical sub-community 

This type of heathy, mossy woodland occurs on well-drained rocky slopes in Glen Nevis and on the wooded 

crags in the north of the study area. It has a canopy of birch Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia 

over a vigorous sward of Vaccinium myrtillus or Calluna vulgaris or both. The shrub layer is spiked through 

by grasses such as Deschampsia flexuosa and Anthoxanthum odoratum, and speckled with Potentilla erecta, 

Melampyrum pratense, Dryopteris dilatata and Pteridium aquilinum. There is a mossy ground-layer of species 

such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Thuidium 

tamariscinum and Sphagnum quinquefarium. 

W17c Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland, Anthoxanthum odoratum- 

Agrostis capillaris sub-community 

A grassy, bryophyte-rich woodland, W17c is common on the slopes of Meall an t-Suidhe, on the slopes 

of Glen Nevis and on the steep north-facing slopes in the north of the study area. The canopy is of birch 

Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia. Under this is a thin sward of Deschampsia flexuosa, 

Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Luzula multiflora and a scattering of herbs such as Blechnum 

spicant, Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta, Viola riviniana and Oxalis acetosella. Around these plants are 

deep, almost continuous carpets of bryophytes made up of Hylocomium splendens, H. brevirostre, Hypnum 

jutlandicum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium and 

Sphagnum quinquefarium. 

W18d Pinus sylvestris-Hylocomium splendens woodland, Sphagnum capillifolium/quinquefarium- 

Erica tetralix sub-community 

There are several patches of this type of damp pine woodland on the south side of the river in Glen Nevis. 

It occurs in open groves of tall, stately, red-stemmed trees, with broad spreading canopies of dark green 

needles. Locally there is an understorey of birch and rowan. The trees grow in a tall and tussocky sward of 

Molinia caerulea interleaved with Deschampsia flexuosa and Potentilla erecta, and sprigged with Vaccinium 

myrtillus. There are green tufts of Blechnum spicant and a speckling of Pteridium aquilinum. There is a great 

array of bryophytes including Sphagnum capillifolium, S. palustre, S. quinquefarium, Hypnum jutlandicum, 

Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Diplophyllum albicans. In some places Sphagnum spp. 

are scarce or even absent, marking a slight transition towards the drier Vaccinium myrtillus-V. vitis-idaea 

sub-community W18b. 

W18e Pinus sylvestris-Hylocomium splendens woodland, Scapania gracilis sub-community 

This is also a damp pine woodland with an open canopy of Scots pine Pinus sylvestris, birch 

Betula pubescens and rowan Sorbus aucuparia growing in a ground layer of Molinia caerulea and 

Vaccinium myrtillus. Here, however, the carpet of bryophytes such as Sphagnum quinquefarium, Hypnum 

jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Plagiothecium undulatum and Pleurozium schreberi is enriched with 

oceanic or western species such as Mylia taylorii, Bazzania tricrenata, Plagiochila spinulosa, Herbertus 

aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea and the fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii. This more oceanic type of vegetation is 

less widespread than the Sphagnum-Erica sub-community and is confined to small pockets of steep, rocky 

ground on the north-facing side of Glen Nevis. 

15


W20 Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub 

Crumbling cliffs and steep outcrops, out of the reach of sheep and deer, are the last refuge of this rare type 

of upland vegetation. The gnarled, old bushes of Salix lapponum, with spreading canopies of silvery leaves, 

stand in a lush sward of herbs and grasses. Although the NVC describes only one type of montane willow 

scrub, there are, in fact, several forms. In the study area there are two quite distinct types: one more acid 

and one with an underlayer of mesotrophic and calcicolous species. 

The more acid type is the commoner and is widespread throughout the study area, although none of 

the individual patches are large. There are good examples on the south side of Sgurr a’ Bhuic, in Coire 

Giubhsachan, and on Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and Stob Coire na Ceannain in 

the Grey Corries part of the study area. This type of W20 scrub has a low canopy of Salix lapponum, 

growing with shrubs such as Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Vaccinium myrtillus, 

V. vitis-idaea and V. uliginosum, and with herbs and grasses including Narthecium ossifragum, Succisa 

pratensis, Saxifraga stellaris, Leontodon autumnalis, Hieracium spp., Crepis paludosa, Sedum rosea, 

Hypericum pulchrum, Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta, Angelica sylvestris, Alchemilla alpina, Luzula sylvatica, 

Festuca vivipara and Deschampsia cespitosa. There are deep mats and carpets of bryophytes including 

Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Sphagnum palustre, S. fallax, Philonotis fontana, Breutelia 

chrysocoma, Pleurozium schreberi and Racomitrium lanuginosum. These are speckled with the lichen 

Cladonia arbuscula. 

The herb-rich type of willow scrub occurs on the northern slopes and the cliffs of Meall Cumhann, on the 

west-facing crags of Coire Giubhsachan, on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Stob Coire Easain 

and, most extensively, on the eastern cliffs of Aonach Beag. This amphitheatre of spectacular cliffs is locally 

base-rich, and at the southern end is an almost vertical face, about 500m long and up to 140m high. Herbrich 

willow scrub is the most extensive type of vegetation on the ledges of this cliff and is one of the most 

impressive examples in Scotland. In the herb-rich form of the community the willows stand in meadows of 

herbs and grasses such as Sedum rosea, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Geranium sylvaticum, Ranunculus 

acris, Trollius europaeus, Galium boreale, Saussurea alpina, Rubus saxatilis, Geum rivale, Angelica sylvestris, 

Hieracium spp., Juncus triglumis, Oxyria digyna, Luzula sylvatica, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca vivipara 

and Anthoxanthum odoratum. There are clumps of Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum 

and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum. There is an underlay of smaller species such as Silene acaulis, 

Persicaria vivipara, Saxifraga oppositifolia, S. aizoides, S. stellaris, Thalictrum alpinum, Rhinanthus minor, 

Selaginella selaginoides, Cystopteris fragilis, Orchis mascula, Pinguicula vulgaris, Thymus polytrichus and 

Antennaria dioica. Over the wet rocks there is a great array of bryophytes including Racomitrium 

lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens, Breutelia chrysocoma, Ditrichum gracile, Anoectangium warburgii, 

Ptilium cristacastrensis, Mnium stellare, Homalothecium sericeum, Tortella tortuosa, Ctenidium molluscum, 

Herbertus stramineus and Plagiochila spinulosa. Herb-rich willow scrub is home to some of the more notable 

rare upland species, including Polystichum lonchitis, Cerastium arcticum, C. alpinum, Veronica alpina and 

Carex saxatilis. 

W24 Rubus fruticosus-Holcus lanatus underscrub 

There is a small patch of this rank, weedy vegetation by the sheep fanks at Achriabhach, where the road 

along Glen Nevis crosses the river at the lower falls. Like the nettle community OV24 (see below) which also 

occurs here, it seems to be the result of nutrient enrichment of the ground where sheep have congregated 

16


and where scrap fleece has been discarded. It is a tall impenetrable tangle of bramble Rubus fruticosus, with 

an untidy green understorey of Holcus lanatus, Agrostis capillaris, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, 

Ranunculus acris, R. repens, Plantago lanceolata and Rumex acetosa. There are sparse wefts of bryophytes 

including Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and Pleurozium schreberi. An interesting additional plant here is hazel 

Corylus avellana, seedlings of which are growing up ungrazed under the protecting canopy of bramble. 

The vegetation does not fit clearly into either of the two sub-communities of W24. 

W25b Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community 

This type of bracken-dominated vegetation looks the same as the Pteridium-Galium community U20 from a 

distance, but here there is much Rubus fruticosus or R. idaeus or both scrambling through the canopy of the 

fern. Underneath there is a thin sward of Agrostis capillaris and Holcus lanatus and, since this community 

occurs along the roadside in Glen Nevis, there is an array of rather weedy, opportunistic herbs such 

as Ranunculus repens, R. acris, Rumex acetosa, R. obtusifolius, Cerastium fontanum, Urtica dioica, Plantago 

major, Digitalis purpurea and Poa annua. The bryophyte layer is thin and sparse and consists of species 

such as Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Eurhynchium praelongum and Thuidium tamariscinum. 

W25D Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub, damp form 

This distinctive damp type of bracken-dominated vegetation is not described in the NVC scheme, though it 

is common in the west Highlands and Inner Hebrides and has also been found in Wales (Averis et al. 

2004). It occurs in the lower part of Coire Choimhlidh, just above the woodland on the east bank of the 

river. There is little bramble in this example, but there is a rich array of mesotrophic herbs such as Cirsium 

heterophyllum, Geum rivale, Filipendula ulmaria, Ranunculus acris, Lysimachia nemorum, Linum catharticum, 

Prunella vulgaris, Plantago lanceolata and Alchemilla glabra, growing with Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. 

oedocarpa, Agrostis capillaris, Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Holcus lanatus. There is a thin 

carpet of bryophytes such as Hylocomium splendens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Hypnum jutlandicum and 

Scleropodium purum. 

H10a Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath, Typical sub-community 

H10a occurs on cliff-ledges and also in patches on thin, well-drained, stony mineral soils on the steeper 

south-facing slopes at low to moderate altitudes. It has a short and dense sward of Calluna vulgaris and 

Erica cinerea, dotted with Carex binervis, Deschampsia flexuosa, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and 

Euphrasia officinalis agg. Under the vascular plants is a richly-coloured layer of bryophytes such as Hypnum 

jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Hylocomium splendens. 

H10b Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community 

H10b is the counterpart of H10a at higher altitudes and on thinner and more stony soil. The sward is less 

dense than that of H10a, and the bushes of Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea grow through a thin silvery 

carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum patched with Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium 

splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Breutelia chrysocoma. The sward is speckled with small plants such 

as Deschampsia flexuosa, Blechnum spicant, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Antennaria dioica, 

Euphrasia frigida and Polygala serpyllifolia. There is a pale dusting of lichens such as Cladonia portentosa, 

C. coccifera and C. coniocraea. 

17


H10c Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath, Festuca ovina-Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community 

H10c is the most grazed and grassy form of Calluna-Erica heath. Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea grow 

in a matrix of grasses such as Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca ovina, Nardus stricta, Deschampsia 

flexuosa, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina and Danthonia decumbens. There are trailing mats of Potentilla erecta 

and Galium saxatile, and a sprinkling of Succisa pratensis, Euphrasia officinalis agg., Carex binervis and 

Luzula multiflora. Among the vascular plants are wefts of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, 

Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Racomitrium lanuginosum and Pleurozium 

schreberi. H10c occurs on steep south-facing banks where the soil is thin and well-drained. 

H10d Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath, Thymus polytrichus-Carex pulicaris sub-community 

This is a herb-rich form of Calluna-Erica heath. Like the other sub-communities, it occurs in small patches 

over well-drained soils on steep and sunny slopes. It has a distinctive array of species. The dark spreads 

of Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea are enlivened by Lotus corniculatus, Thymus polytrichus, Linum 

catharticum, Alchemilla alpina, Veronica officinalis, Viola riviniana, Anemone nemorosa, Hieracium spp., 

Prunella vulgaris and Plantago lanceolata. Other common species include Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, 

Hypericum pulchrum, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Agrostis capillaris and Festuca ovina. 

The orchid Gymnadenia conopsea is common in some patches of H10d in Glen Nevis, dotting the swards 

with its sweetly-scented, conical purple flower-heads in early summer. The diminutive lesser twayblade 

Listera cordata grows in this type of vegetation in the Lairig Leacach, along the eastern edge of the study area. 

The bryophyte flora is rather sparse. There are thin mats of Hypnum jutlandicum, H. lacunosum, Rhytidiadelphus 

loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens and Breutelia chrysocoma. 

H12a Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Typical sub-community 

Typical sub-montane Calluna-Vaccinium heath is a rare component of the vegetation in the study area, and 

was recorded only on the heathy slopes of the Lairig Leacach at the eastern end of the study area. It has a 

dark sward of Calluna vulgaris interleaved with Vaccinium myrtillus, Carex binervis, Deschampsia flexuosa, 

Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile and dotted with Blechnum spicant. There is a deep, colourful, soft 

underlay of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus and Plagiothecium undulatum. 

H12b Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Cladonia portentosa 

sub-community 

Most of the Calluna-Vaccinium heath in the study area is of this type. It is the predominant form of dry Calluna 

heath on the slopes facing north and east, and also occurs at high altitudes on south facing slopes, where 

it takes over from the more sub-montane Calluna-Erica heath H10. It is, however, most widespread on the 

east-facing slopes of the Lairig Leacach. H12b has a dense, short canopy of Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium 

myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum, interspersed with tufts of Deschampsia flexuosa, 

Carex binervis, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. At higher altitudes there can be a speckling of 

montane plants such as Carex bigelowii, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum or Polytrichum alpinum, 

but these species are far less common than they are in the Calluna-dominated forms of Vaccinium-Rubus 

heath H22b. Under the vascular plants is a deep, dense layer of bryophytes made up of large mosses such 

as Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and 

Hypnum jutlandicum. 

18


H12bR Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Cladonia portentosa 

sub-community, form with much Racomitrium lanuginosum 

This is a more montane form of Calluna-Vaccinium heath. It has a mixed sward of C. vulgaris and Vaccinium 

myrtillus with much V. vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and the 

sedges Carex binervis and C. pilulifera. However, in this form of heath the characteristic mixed carpet of 

pleurocarpous mosses is replaced by a grey-green sheet of Racomitrium lanuginosum, in which other species 

such as Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum and Rhytidiadelphus loreus grow as sparse shoots. It is 

the counterpart of the Racomitrium sub-community of Calluna-Erica heath H10b, but with Vaccinium myrtillus 

instead of Erica cinerea. The dwarf shrubs are pruned into a short and tight canopy by wind and exposure, 

but do not grow prostrate as they do in the true montane heaths. There are patches of H12bR among H10b 

and Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15c on gentle slopes facing south-west and exposed to the prevailing 

winds near the lower lip of Coire Eoghainn, at an altitude of 550–650m. It also occurs on the east-facing 

side of the Carn Dearg ridge at 550–650m and in Coire na Ceannain at about 700m. This type of 

vegetation has also been recorded on Beinn Eighe in Wester Ross (Averis & Averis 1998). 

H12c Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Galium saxatile-Festuca ovina sub-community 

We recorded this grassy type of Calluna-Vaccinium heath on cliff ledges on the eastern side of 

Coire Giubhsachan and on the Bealach Cumhann. It has a pale, grassy sward in which Calluna vulgaris 

and Vaccinium myrtillus grow with Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Nardus stricta, Deschampsia 

flexuosa, Carex binervis and Juncus squarrosus. There is much Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. 

Among the vascular plants is a mat of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, 

R. loreus, Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi. 

H13 Calluna vulgaris-Cladonia arbuscula heath 

This type of montane heath is much more common in the colder and drier climate of the eastern and central 

Highlands than it is in the west. We found it in several places in the Grey Corries part of the study area: 

on Beinn na Socaich, in Coire Choimhlidh and on Beinn Bhàn and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It consists of 

Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum 

growing in a tight mat less than 5cm deep, on gravelly, windswept moraines and ridges. The mat of shrubs 

is spiked through by Carex bigelowii, C. pilulifera, Deschampsia flexuosa and Trichophorum cespitosum, 

and dotted with a few herbs such as Potentilla erecta, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum and 

Solidago virgaurea. Over the ground is a dense, grey-white carpet of lichens including Cladonia portentosa, 

C. arbuscula, C. uncialis, C. rangiferina, C. furcata, C. coniocraea, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Cetraria islandica 

and Ochrolechia frigida. This is patched with bryophytes such as Ptilidium ciliare, Hypnum jutlandicum, 

Polytrichum alpinum and Racomitrium lanuginosum. The uncommon shrub Loiselurea procumbens grows in 

this type of vegetation. The vegetation does not fit clearly into any of the three sub-communities of H13 

described in the NVC. 

H14 Calluna vulgaris-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath 

This is the more western, oceanic form of montane Calluna heath. It is uncommon in the study area, but we 

found small patches in Coire a’ Bhuic, on Tom na Sròine and in Coire Choille-rais. The sward is less than 

5cm tall. Calluna vulgaris grows prostrate along the ground in a tight, red-grey mat through a dense 

grey-green carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum. A few small plants are able to grow in the sparse shelter 

of the heather. The most common are Carex bigelowii, C. pilulifera, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, 

19


Vaccinium myrtillus, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Polygala serpyllifolia and Alchemilla alpina. 

The mats of Racomitrium lanuginosum are patched with Hypnum jutlandicum and Polytrichum alpinum, and 

speckled with the lichens Cladonia portentosa, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Ochrolechia frigida and Cetraria 

islandica. The uncommon shrub Loiselurea procumbens is one of the characteristic plants of H14; it is 

especially common on Tom na Sròine where it is the dominant species over patches of several square metres. 

The vegetation does not fit clearly into any of the three sub-communities of H14 described in the NVC. 

H15 Calluna vulgaris-Juniperus communis ssp. nana heath 

Although there are scattered plants of dwarf juniper in various types of heathland throughout the study area, 

this type of montane heath is confined to inaccessible cliff ledges in An Cùl Choire on the eastern side of 

Aonach Mór. The vegetation proved impossible to reach and had to be viewed through binoculars from the 

foot of the cliffs. It consists of dense green mats of Juniperus communis ssp. nana mixed with the dark shoots 

of Calluna vulgaris and with an underlay dominated by Racomitrium lanuginosum. Dwarf juniper is sensitive 

to burning and patches of this type of vegetation can be eradicated by a single fire (McVean & Ratcliffe 

1962). It is possible that this type of vegetation once formed extensive sheets of scrub on acid soils above 

the altitudinal limit of trees. 

H18a Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Hylocomium splendens-Rhytidiadelphus 

loreus sub-community 

H18a is common, though nowhere particularly extensive, on the lower slopes of the study area. It has a 

short, dense and bright green sward of Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea, interleaved with small amounts 

of Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Agrostis canina, Carex binervis, Potentilla erecta and 

Galium saxatile. Under these plants is a thick underfelt of bryophytes including Hylocomium splendens, 

Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytididelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Polytrichum commune. 

H18b Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Alchemilla alpina-Carex pilulifera 

sub-community 

On slopes where the underlying rocks are moderately base-rich, there are vivid green expanses of this 

flowery, grassy form of Vaccinium myrtillus heath. The sprigs of Vaccinium myrtillus and Empetrum nigrum ssp. 

nigrum are set in a matrix of Alchemilla alpina, Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris 

and Potentilla erecta. Around the vascular plants are dense mats of bryophytes made up of Hylocomium 

splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Racomitrium lanuginosum and Hypnum jutlandicum. H18b is equally at 

home on north-facing and south-facing slopes, as long as the soils are freely-draining. It occurs on Sgurr a’ 

Bhuic, in Coire Leis, on the Carn Dearg ridge, on Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, and is common on the 

long smooth slopes of the Grey Corries. 

H18c Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum-Cladonia 

spp. sub-community 

This type of Vaccinium heath is intermediate between the sub-montane Vaccinium-Deschampsia heath 

H18 and the montane Vaccinium-Racomitrium or Vaccinium-Cladonia heaths H20 and H19. H18c has 

the sub-montane vascular plants of H18: Vaccinium myrtillus, Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum, Deschampsia 

flexuosa, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Locally there may be a few sprigs of Vaccinium vitis-idaea, 

but nowhere are there the more montane species of H20 (see below). These grow through the Racomitrium 

lanuginosum underlayer more characteristic of H20, rather than through a deep mat of large, pleurocarpous 

20


mosses. The only common pleurocarpous moss in H18c is Hypnum jutlandicum. There is also a speckling 

of lichens such as Cladonia portentosa and C. uncialis. H18c occurs on the south-facing slope of Sgurr a’ 

Bhuic and on a few north-facing slopes in the Grey Corries. 

H19 Vaccinium myrtillus-Cladonia arbuscula heath 

This montane heath is the Vaccinium-dominated counterpart of the Calluna-Cladonia heath H13. Like H13, 

it is much more common in the eastern Highlands than it is in the west. It occurs in the Grey Corries on 

Bein na Socaich and Stob Coire na Ceannain, on windswept ridges exposed to the south-west. Vaccinium 

myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum grow in a rich green, 

prostrate mat less than 5cm high, dotted with the glaucous tufts of Carex bigelowii and with small species 

such as Diphasiastrum alpinum, Huperzia selago, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Nardus stricta 

and Galium saxatile. Over the ground is a pale carpet of lichens including Cladonia arbuscula, C. portentosa, 

C. uncialis, C. furcata, C. rangiferina, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Ochrolechia frigida and Cetraria islandica. 

There are also wisps and clumps of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, 

Polytrichum alpinum and Ptilidium ciliare. Along with the other montane heaths, this is one of the habitats of 

Loiselurea procumbens. On Beinn na Socaich H19 is home to Arctostaphylos alpinus in one of its few 

stations south of the Great Glen. This vegetation does not fit clearly into any of the three sub-communities 

of H19 described in the NVC. 

H20a Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Viola riviniana-Thymus polytrichus 

sub-community 

This is a montane form of Vaccinium heath, and is the sub-community most strongly associated with basic 

soils. In the study area it is most widespread over the richer rocks of Meall Cumhann, Sgurr a’ Bhuic, the 

upper west-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, the eastern side of Coire Guibhsachan and the Grey Corries. It has 

a short, even sward of Vaccinium myrtillus and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, dotted with V. vitisidaea, 

V. uliginosum, Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla alpina and, more locally, the uncommon montane shrub 

Loiselurea procumbens. There is a sparse array of grasses such as Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa 

and Agrostis canina, and a freckling of small herbs such as Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and the more 

montane Diphasiastrum alpinum and Carex bigelowii. These plants grow through a dense silvery weft of 

Racomitrium lanuginosum, sprigged with R. fasciculare, Polytrichum alpinum and the lichen Cetraria islandica. 

On the west-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, at about 1150m, the rare Veronica alpina and Cerastium cerastioides 

grow near to the path in this type of vegetation. 

H20b Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Cetraria islandica sub-community 

This is the most common form of mossy montane Vaccinium heath in the study area. It is extensive on the 

steep, rocky upper slopes and on cols and ridges above about 750m. It is a community of bleak, windswept 

and generally stony ground. The short, wind-pruned sward is made up of Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, 

V. uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, growing densely together through a silver-green 

layer of Racomitrium lanuginosum. The sward is sprinkled with small montane plants such as Carex 

bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Loiselurea procumbens, Salix herbacea, Juncus trifidus, the moss 

Polytrichum alpinum and the lichens Cetraria islandica and Ochrolechia frigida. There are also a few less 

exacting species such as Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, Huperzia selago, Pleurozium schreberi 

and Rhytidiadelphus loreus. The uncommon upland lichen Thamnolia vermicularis grows in this type of 

vegetation on the Carn Dearg ridge. 

21


H20c Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Bazzania tricrenata-Mylia taylori 

sub-community 

This montane heath has a short green sward of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Vaccinium myrtillus, 

V. vitis-idaea and V. uliginosum, interspersed with Carex bigelowii, Deschampsia flexuosa and Nardus 

stricta. There is much Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Huperzia selago. Under the sward the thick 

underlay of Racomitrium lanuginosum is variegated with red clumps of Sphagnum capillifolium, and with 

colourful patches of the western, oceanic liverworts Bazzania tricrenata, B. pearsonii, Anastrophyllum 

donnianum, Pleurozia purpurea, Mylia taylorii, Anastrepta orcadensis, Lepidozia pearsonii, Plagiochila 

carringtonii, Scapania gracilis, S. ornithopodioides and S. nimbosa. The oceanic moss Dicranodontium 

uncinatum is another characteristic species, as is the oceanic fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii. 

The oceanic bryophytes are intolerant of high temperatures and low atmospheric humidity, but are also 

sensitive to the desiccating effects of severe cold (Averis 1994). So this type of vegetation is confined to 

humid and shaded slopes facing between north-west and east. It generally occurs among boulders or on 

cliff ledges where there is little direct sunlight and enough snow-cover in winter to protect the plants from 

frost. H20c is the least extensive of the four forms of Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath, both in the study area 

and more generally in the British uplands. In the Ben Nevis SSSI it is a community of the high corries facing 

north or east, and of the deep glens between Ben Nevis and the Carn Dearg ridge and between there and 

Aonach Mór. There are some especially fine examples in the north-facing Grey Corries and in An Cùl Choire 

on the eastern side of Aonach Beag. 

H20d Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Rhytidiadelphus loreus-Hylocomium 

splendens sub-community 

H20d is the montane counterpart of the sub-montane Vaccinium-Deschampsia heath H18, with a bryophyte 

layer of large pleurocarpous mosses replacing the Racomitrium lanuginosum of the other sub-communites. 

The sward has a rich, golden tone because the deep carpet of large mosses such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, 

Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Hypnum jutlandicum is so conspicuous under the short, 

sparse canopy of dwarf shrubs, herbs and grasses. This canopy consists of green mixtures of Vaccinium 

myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, interspersed with Deschampsia flexuosa, 

Carex bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum and Alchemilla alpina. H20d is extensive on the smooth northfacing 

and east-facing slopes of the study area, especially in the Grey Corries. 

H21a Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Calluna vulgaris- 

Pteridium aquilinum sub-community 

H21a has a dark, untidy canopy of Calluna vulgaris, interleaved with straggling shoots of Vaccinium 

myrtillus and sprinkled with Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex binervis, Blechnum spicant, Potentilla erecta and 

Galium saxatile. Under the canopy of vascular plants is a deep, spongy layer of bryophytes made up of 

Sphagnum capillifolium, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens and 

Pleurozium schreberi. Despite its inclusion in the sub-community name, Pteridium aquilinum is not consistently 

present in H21 heath in Britain. Most patches of H21a in this survey have little or no Pteridium. H21a is the 

characteristic heath community of damp slopes and cliff ledges facing north and east, and is widespread in 

the study area. Some of the examples on cliff ledges and ravine sides are scattered with trees – generally 

either birch or rowan. They are intermediate between open heathland and heathy woodland W17. There are 

some good examples in the northern glens of the Grey Corries. 

22


H21b Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii- 

Herbertus aduncus sub-community 

This is the more western, oceanic form of the sub-montane damp heaths. It shares with the more widespread 

Calluna-Pteridium sub-community H21a the dark, uneven sward of Calluna vulgaris and Vaccinium myrtillus, 

tufted with with Deschampsia flexuosa and Carex binervis and dotted with Blechnum spicant, Potentilla 

erecta, Galium saxatile, Succisa pratensis and Solidago virgaurea. Under the sward is a deep, damp layer 

of Sphagnum capillifolium, growing with Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus 

loreus, Pleurozium schreberi and Racomitrium lanuginosum. In this sub-community there is also a colourful 

and attractive array of oceanic, western liverworts including Herbertus aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea, 

Bazzania tricrenata, B. pearsonii, Mastigophora woodsii, Mylia taylorii, Anastrepta orcadensis, Plagiochila 

spinulosa, P. carringtonii, Scapania gracilis, Lepidozia pearsonii and the more lowland, woodland species 

Saccogyna viticulosa. The filmy fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii is common, growing among the bryophytes 

in green cascades of dark translucent fronds. 

H21b is confined to rocky woods and heathery slopes in the far west of Britain and Ireland, but within 

its range in the west Highlands it is far from uncommon. It was strange to find it so rare in the study area. 

There is none at all in Coire Leis, nor in the glen between the Carn Dearg ridge and Aonach Mór. We found 

it only in upper Glen Nevis, at the upper edge of the woods on the north-facing side and on the steep, rocky 

slopes above. 

H22a Vaccinium myrtillus-Rubus chamaemorus heath, Polytrichum commune-Galium saxatile 

sub-community 

This type of montane heath is widespread and common on steep slopes at moderate altitudes throughout the 

study area. It marks out places where snow lies reasonably consistently through the winter, although it does 

not linger sufficiently late in spring to suppress dwarf shrubs altogether. H22a has a vivid green sward of 

Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, growing with 

montane species such as Carex bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Polytrichum alpinum and the lichen 

Cetraria islandica as well as with an array of more widespread plants such as Deschampsia flexuosa, 

Festuca vivipara, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. Cornus suecica is an especially characteristic plant 

of this type of heath. It does not occur in all stands, but where it does occur it can be really common, with 

its small purple flowers enclosed by white petal-like bracts standing above its sturdy bright-green rosettes of 

oval leaves. Rubus chamaemorus is another characteristic species of this type of vegetation, but it is less 

common in H22a in the study area than it is in some of the bogs and damp snow-beds. Melampyrum 

pratense is another, more widespread plant which can also be really plentiful in H22a. The bryophyte layer 

is deep and dense, and gives a rich orange-green tinge to the vegetation. It is made up of mixed mats 

of Sphagnum capillifolium, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum 

jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Polytrichum commune and Racomitrium lanuginosum. H22a resembles 

the HX Vaccinium heath described below, but differs in containing northern upland species such as 

R. chamaemorus, C. suecica, V. uliginosum, C. bigelowii and E. nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum. 

H22b Vaccinium myrtillus-Rubus chamaemorus heath, Plagiothecium undulatum-Anastrepta 

orcadensis sub-community 

H22b is a moderately montane form of Calluna heath, intermediate between the tall sub-montane heaths 

and the prostrate communities of exposed, high ground. It is a community of sheltered slopes at moderate 

23


to high altitudes. It has a combination of montane vascular species and an underlay of large pleurocarpous 

mosses. It has many species in common with Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21, but the dark, tufted 

sward of Calluna vulgaris is shorter, variegated with Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea and 

Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and spiked through by Carex bigelowii, Deschampsia flexuosa, 

Festuca vivipara and Juncus squarrosus. There is a speckling of small plants such as Potentilla erecta, 

Melampyrum pratense, Galium saxatile and Blechnum spicant. Cornus suecica is less common in H22b 

in the study area than it is in the Vaccinium-dominated H22a, and is entirely absent from some examples. 

The bryophyte layer has the same rich golden-green appearance of that in H22a, and is made up of the 

same species: Sphagnum capillifolium, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, 

Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Polytrichum commune and Racomitrium lanuginosum. 

HX Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath 

This is a type of vegetation not described in the NVC but nonetheless common throughout the uplands of 

Wales, northern England and Scotland. It is a sub-montane heath that seems to be the result of grazing in 

Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum damp heath H21: the heather is grazed out, leaving a canopy of Vaccinium 

myrtillus over an understorey of Sphagnum capillifolium and other bryophytes such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, 

Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi and Hypnum jutlandicum. In the sward there is much Potentilla 

erecta, Galium saxatile and Blechnum spicant, and a speckling of Deschampsia flexuosa, Nardus stricta, 

Agrostis canina and Carex binervis. Locally there are oceanic or western liverworts such as Scapania 

gracilis, Anastrepta orcadensis and Mylia taylorii, suggesting that the vegetation has been derived by 

grazing from liverwort-rich Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21b. HX resembles Vaccinium-dominated 

forms of Vaccinium-Rubus heath H22a but lacks Rubus chamaemorus and montane species such as 

V. uliginosum, Carex bigelowii, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and Cornus suecica. It is common 

throughout the study area on grazed slopes facing north and east. 

M1 Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community 

This is the vegetation of peaty pools in expanses of blanket bog, where the surface of the ground is below 

the water table. The green hollows are filled with a floating carpet of Sphagnum denticulatum. In some 

examples there is also some S. cuspidatum. Around the margins is a thin fringe of species such as Eriophorum 

angustifolium, Juncus bulbosus, Carex echinata and Narthecium ossifragum. M1 is a component of 

the blanket bogs around Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, at the northern end of the Allt a’ Mhuillin glen, in 

Coire Bhealach to the north of Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and in the Lairig Leacach at the eastern edge of the site. 

M3 Eriophorum angustifolium bog pool community 

Most examples of M3 are not so much bog pools as spreads of Eriophorum angustifolium on bare, eroded 

peat. E. angustifolium readily colonises the redistributed peat in eroding bogs and can begin the process of 

revegetation. The sward is thin and species-poor, generally with nothing more than the cottongrass apart 

from a sparse speckling of bog species such as Sphagnum denticulatum, Juncus bulbosus and Trichophorum 

cespitosum. There are examples on Sgurr a’ Bhuic, in Glen Nevis near Steall and further upstream in 

Coire Rath, on the boggy flats in Coire an Eòin and in Cùl Choirean. 

24


M4 Carex rostrata-Sphagnum fallax mire 

These are mires with a lush grey-green sward of Carex rostrata, C. nigra, C. echinata and Eriophorum 

angustifolium swaying above a wet carpet of Sphagnum fallax, S. palustre, S. denticulatum and Polytrichum 

commune. There is a speckling of small plants such as Potentilla erecta, Viola palustris, Succisa pratensis 

and Euphrasia officinalis. In slightly more nutrient-enriched examples there are species such as Parnassia 

palustris, Ranunculus acris and Plagiomnium undulatum. M4 mires are widely though thinly distributed over 

most of the study area. Almost all the examples are small. Typically they occupy ill-drained hollows within 

patches of blanket mire. The largest examples are in lower Coire Giubhsachan, on wet level ground where 

there may once have been a shallow lochan. There are also patches of M4 around Lochan Meall an 

t-Suidhe, on the boggy flats in Coire an Eòin and An Coire Calma to the east of Aonach Beag, around the 

lochans in lower Coire na Ceannain and in upper Glen Nevis. 

M6a Carex echinata-Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex echinata sub-community 

Carex echinata-Sphagnum mires are among the commonest small acid mires in the uplands, generally 

occurring in patches on flushed lower slopes as they do throughout in the study area. This type of vegetation, 

however, is unusually extensive on the floor of lower Coire Giubhsachan, in a mixture of mires which look 

as if they are filling the bed of what was once a shallow lochan. M6a has a short, grey-green sward of 

Carex echinata, interleaved with a little C. nigra, C. panicea and Eriophorum angustifolium and flecked 

with Viola palustris, Potentilla erecta, Succisa pratensis, Leontodon autumnalis and Pinguicula vulgaris. These 

plants grow in a green carpet of Sphagnum fallax, S. denticulatum, S. palustre and Polytrichum commune. 

M6b Carex echinata-Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex nigra-Nardus stricta 

sub-community 

M6b is a more varied, heterogenous type of acid mire than M6a (see above), and can be intermediate 

between a sedge mire and a wet grassland. The variegated green swards can be hard to pick out 

from the surrounding mires and wet grasslands. They are made up of Carex echinata, C. nigra, C. panicea, 

Eriophorum angustifolium, Nardus stricta, Molinia caerulea, Agrostis canina and Juncus squarrosus, growing 

in uneven, tufted mixtures dotted with Succisa pratensis, Viola palustris, Galium saxatile, Leontodon 

autumnalis and Potentilla erecta. The bryophyte layer is the familiar assemblage of Sphagnum fallax, 

S. denticulatum, S. palustre and Polytrichum commune which is shared by all of the acid small-sedge mires 

and rush-mires. M6b mires occur on flushed slopes at low to moderate altitudes and are probably the most 

common type of soligenous sedge mire in the study area. 

M6c Carex echinata-Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Juncus effusus sub-community 

These tall mires of Juncus effusus form narrow bands along stream-courses and spread out to fill wet hollows 

on the low ground. They are common in Glen Nevis and on the lower northern slopes of the Grey Corries. 

They have a dense sward of Juncus effusus, growing with Carex echinata, C. nigra, Molinia caerulea, 

Eriophorum angustifolium and Juncus bulbosus through a wet mat of Sphagnum denticulatum, S. fallax, 

S. palustre and Polytrichum commune. Generally species-poor, they may be home to a speckling of small 

mire plants such as Viola palustris, Succisa pratensis and Narthecium ossifragum. 

25


M6d Carex echinata-Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community 

These mires are very like the Juncus effusus mires M6c described above, except that here the place of 

J. effusus is taken by J. acutiflorus. Again, the rush grows with an array of sedges and grasses including 

Carex echinata, C. nigra, C. panicea, Juncus bulbosus, Molinia caerulea and Agrostis canina. The moss 

layer is made up of the same species: Sphagnum denticulatum, S. fallax, S. palustre and Polytrichum 

commune. Here, too, there are a few small species which can tolerate wet ground, such as Viola palustris, 

Potentilla erecta, Rumex acetosa and Succisa pratensis. M6d mires were recorded on the low ground in 

Glen Nevis and on the lower northern slopes of the Grey Corries. 

M7 Carex curta-Sphagnum russowii mire 

These are the montane counterpart of the Carex echinata-Sphagnum mires M6. Despite the name, neither 

Carex curta nor Sphagnum russowii necessarily occur in them and it is rare to find an example here which 

fits either of the described sub-communities. This is why those mapped in the study area have been labelled 

simply as M7. They have a short, open, green sward of sedges which lies half-hidden among the 

surrounding montane grasslands. It is made up of species such as Carex bigelowii, C. curta, C. nigra, 

Eriophorum angustifolium, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Deschampsia cespitosa, with a speckling of small 

plants such as Pinguicula vulgaris, Viola palustris, Potentilla erecta and Alchemilla alpina. There is also an 

array of more montane species such as Saxifraga stellaris, Caltha palustris var. radicans, Salix herbacea 

and the liverwort Scapania uliginosa. The bryophyte layer is composed of species including 

Sphagnum denticulatum, S. palustre, S. squarrosum, S. papillosum, S. fallax, Polytrichum commune and 

Scapania undulata. In some examples there are bog species such as Narthecium ossifragum and even 

Rubus chamaemorus. On the west-facing slopes of Stob Coire Easain there are some interesting baseenriched 

examples of M7 with species such as Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Pinguicula vulgaris 

and Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa growing with mixtures of Carex curta, C. bigelowii and Sphagnum 

species. M7 mires occur throughout the study area on flushed slopes in the high corries. There are some 

good examples in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, in Cùl Choirean and An Coire Calma to 

the east of Aonach Beag, and in all of the corries of the Grey Corries. 

M9a Carex rostrata-Calliergonella cuspidata/Calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum- 

Scorpidium scorpioides sub-community 

There is a tiny patch of this type of mire on the col of the Bealach Cumhann, where base-rich water from 

the limestone slopes seeps through peaty soils on the level ground. There is also at least one example on 

the north-facing slope of Beinn na Socaich. The M9a in the study area has an open sward of Carex rostrata, 

C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. nigra, C. panicea, C. dioica and Trichophorum cespitosum growing through 

a patchy carpet of bryophytes such as Calliergonella cuspidata, Blindia acuta and Ctenidium molluscum. 

There are a few base-tolerant species including Thalictrum alpinum, Rhinanthus minor and Pinguicula 

vulgaris, as well as a range of more widespread species such as Narthecium ossifragum, Potentilla erecta 

and Viola palustris. Like many examples of base-rich Carex rostrata mire in the uplands, it is not a particularly 

good fit for any of the relevant NVC types, but is closest to M9a. 

26


M10a Carex dioica-Pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-Juncus bulbosus/ 

kochii sub-community 

These are the characteristic mires of places where moderately base-rich water emerges from the ground. 

Although they are most common where the rocks are generally base-rich, such as on the eastern side of 

Coire Giubhsachan and on Beinn na Socaich, they are also widespread on slopes where the rock is acid 

or covered with peat or glacial drift, marking out small, localised areas of base-rich flushing. The mires can 

be hard to see from a distance, and their appearance is not particularly distinguished. Often the most 

noticeable thing about them is the strong sulphurous smell of decomposing vegetation. They have a short, 

sparse sward of Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. dioica, C. pulicaris, C. hostiana, 

Eriophorum angustifolium and Trichophorum cespitosum, growing on gravelly, muddy soils studded 

with small species such as Pinguicula vulgaris with its lime-green rosettes of sticky leaves, Selaginella 

selaginoides, Linum catharticum and Euphrasia officinalis. Saussurea alpina grows in this type of mire in 

Coire Giubhsachan. There are thin wisps and wefts of bryophytes such as Drepanocladus revolvens, 

Scorpidium scorpioides, Campylium stellatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Blindia acuta, Calliergon trifarium, 

Hylocomium splendens, Breutelia chrysocoma and Aneura pinguis. 

M11a Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-Saxifraga aizoides mire, Thalictrum alpinum-Juncus 

triglumis sub-community 

This is the more montane form of base-rich small-sedge mire. M11a mires are generally found at higher 

altitudes than the Carex-Pinguicula type M10 (see above), on bare, stony, gravelly soils which are flushed 

with base-rich water. Like the M10 mires, they have a thin, sparse sward of sedges and other small plants 

such as Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. pulicaris, Thymus polytrichus, Pinguicula vulgaris, 

Selaginella selaginoides, Leontodon autumnalis, Lotus corniculatus and Prunella vulgaris. They are, however, 

distinguished from M10 by Saxifraga aizoides, which grows in clustering patches of fat, grey-green shoots 

which are lit up by its cascades of yellow starry flowers in summer. Among the vascular plants are tufts and 

shoots of bryophytes such as Blindia acuta, Campylium stellatum, Hylocomium splendens, Scorpidium 

scorpioides and Drepanocladus revolvens. M11 mires tend to have more montane species than M10 mires, 

and one of the most characteristic of these is Juncus triglumis, with its neat green stems topped by dark 

brown, oval flowers. We were interested to note that this species is common in M11a mires on the 

Grey Corries part of the study area, but rare on the hills further west. Other montane species include 

Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Tofieldia pusilla and Saxifraga oppositifolia. There are some 

especially fine examples of M11a on the south-facing side of Sgurr a’ Bhuic, on the eastern side of 

Coire an Eòin and in Coire a’ Mhadaidh and Coire Choimhlidh. 

M11b Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-Saxifraga aizoides mire, Palustriella commutata- 

Eleocharis quinqueflora sub-community 

This is the less montane form of the Carex-Saxifraga mire. It occurs on the lower east-facing slopes of 

Beinn na Socaich in Coire a’ Mhadaidh, where there is considerable and extensive flushing of base-rich 

water. Most examples are fed by Palustriella-Festuca springs M37, and the flora of the two types 

of vegetation has much in common. M11b has more sedges than M37. There is an open sward of 

Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. dioica, Trichophorum cespitosum and Triglochin palustris, 

entangled with Saxifraga aizoides and dotted with Pinguicula vulgaris. The wefts and mats of bryophytes 

consist of species such as Palustriella commutata, Scorpidium scorpioides, Blindia acuta and Campylium 

stellatum. Some of these mires in Coire a’ Mhadaidh are home to the rare horsetail Equisetum variegatum, 

and the uncommon Eriophorum latifolium also grows in this type of vegetation here. 

27


M12 Carex saxatilis mire 

These montane mires are among the more interesting types of vegetation in the study area. This is partly 

because Carex saxatilis is itself an uncommon species, so these mires, which are restricted to the Scottish 

Highlands, are not common either. M12 mires are widely thought to be species-rich communities. In the 

Breadalbane hills they certainly are, but towards the north-west Highlands they tend to be less rich and to 

be associated more with hollows and gullies which hold considerable depths of snow far into spring and 

which are subsequently irrigated by cold water from the melting snow. Indeed, in the Ben Nevis SSSI they 

are common in the high corries whether or not the underlying rock is base-rich. They are widely distributed 

in Coire Leis, in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, in Coire an Lochan and the higher parts of 

the vast series of corries to the east of Aonach Beag, and on most of the hills in the Grey Corries. 

These mires form small patches of the stout, short, dark green shoots of Carex saxatilis. They are conspicuous 

when the plants are bearing their heads of rounded dark brown spiky flowers in the summer, but at 

other times of the year they can be hard to pick out. C. saxatilis in the vegetative state resembles 

Eriophorum angustifolium, with the same trigonous point at the leaf-tip, but it lacks the spongy pink sheaths 

of E. angustifolium. Among the sward of C. saxatilis is a rich array of small plants such as C. viridula ssp. 

oedocarpa, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca vivipara, Viola palustris, Alchemilla alpina, Pinguicula vulgaris, 

Epilobium anagallidifolium, Thalictrum alpinum, Ranunculus acris, Silene acaulis and Potentilla erecta. 

There is a loose mat of bryophytes including Sphagnum denticulatum, Hylocomium splendens, Campylium 

stellatum, Polytrichum alpinum, Calliergon sarmentosum, Calliergonella cuspidata, Marsupella emarginata, 

Anthelia julacea and Scapania undulata. As well as Carex saxatilis itself, these mires are the habitat of a 

number of uncommon species including Tofieldia pusilla and Coeloglossum aculeatum. 

M15a Trichophorum cespitosum-Erica tetralix wet heath, Carex panicea sub-community 

This sub-community of Trichophorum-Erica heath is more of a soligenous mire than a true heath, though it has 

much in common with the other sub-communities of M15. It has an open sward of Calluna vulgaris, 

Erica tetralix, Molinia caerulea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Trichophorum cespitosum, Carex panicea and 

Juncus bulbosus. This can be thickly-speckled with Narthecium ossifragum, its spikes of orange-yellow flowers 

making a fine show in late summer. Rhynchospora alba can form dense patches of sharp creamy flowers. 

In some examples there is much Myrica gale. The wet, greasy peat under this sward is patched with 

bryophytes such as Sphagnum denticulatum, S. capillifolium, Campylopus atrovirens, Breutelia chrysocoma 

and Pleurozia purpurea, and dotted with Drosera rotundifolia. M15a mires are common within the blanket 

bogs and wet heaths on the low ground throughout the study area. 

On the lower, west-facing slopes of Beinn Bhàn in Coire Choimlidh there are some interesting examples of 

M15a which are flushed through with base-rich water. They have the typical sward of Molinia caerulea, 

Trichophorum cespitosum, Erica tetralix, Narthecium ossifragum and Succisa pratensis, and the most common 

species in the bryophyte layer are Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Thuidium tamariscinum and 

Breutelia chrysocoma. But this is augmented by an array of base-tolerant plants including Selaginella 

selaginoides, Linum catharticum, Plantago lanceolata, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Thymus polytrichus, 

Carex pulicaris, Lathyrus linifolius, Anemone nemorosa, Thalictrum alpinum and even the scarce montane 

sedge Carex capillaris. 

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M15b Trichophorum cespitosum-Erica tetralix wet heath, Typical sub-community 

This is one of the most extensive types of vegetation on the lower to middle slopes in the study area. M15b 

is the typical vegetation of damp, shallow peat on moderate slopes in the west Highlands. It has a 

variegated, patchy, tufted sward of Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Trichophorum cespitosum and Molinia 

caerulea, sprinkled with species such as Succisa pratensis, Dactylorhiza maculata, Polygala serpyllifolia, 

Potentilla erecta and Narthecium ossifragum. Myrica gale is common in some examples; this is one of the 

characteristic habitats of this species. In Glen Nevis there are examples of M15b in which there are big 

colonies of Gymnadenia conopsea. There are large patches and cushions of bryophytes such as Sphagnum 

capillifolium, S. tenellum, Campylopus atrovirens, Breutelia chrysocoma, Pleurozium schreberi and the 

red-purple oceanic liverwort Pleurozia purpurea. Although M15b is floristically quite uniform the structure of 

the vegetation can be very variable. Where it is regularly burnt and grazed the sward consists of an even 

mixture of species, entwined with the dead leaves of Molinia caerulea. Where grazing is light and the 

heaths are not burnt, they can thicken up into a dense, tall, tussocky sward of Calluna vulgaris and Molinia 

caerulea in which the other species are less common. 

M15c Trichophorum cespitosum-Erica tetralix wet heath, Cladonia sub-community 

M15c takes over from M15b (see above) on steeper slopes, on thinner, drier peats and at higher altitudes, 

though there are also examples of this type of vegetation at low levels on patches of shallower peat within 

expanses of the Typical sub-community M15b and on moraines and rock outcrops within expanses of blanket 

bog. It is also common on cliff ledges. The sward of M15c consists of a similar array of species to that of 

M15b, but tends to be shorter, more sparse and more open. It is made up of mixtures of Calluna vulgaris, 

Erica tetralix, E. cinerea, Trichophorum cespitosum and Carex panicea. Molinia caerulea is common, but 

generally grows as a scattering of shoots rather than in the dense tufts typical of M15b. There is a speckling 

of wet heath species such as Succisa pratensis, Dactylorhiza maculata, Polygala serpyllifolia, Narthecium 

ossifragum and Potentilla erecta. At higher elevations there are examples of M15c with species such as 

Huperzia selago and Carex pilulifera. Despite its name, M15c in the west Highlands is distinguished 

more by Racomitrium lanuginosum than by lichens. R. lanuginosum grows in conspicuous silvery wefts among 

the other species. Hypnum jutlandicum is common too, and there are patches of Campylopus atrovirens, 

Sphagnum capillifolium and Breutelia chrysocoma. 

M15d Trichophorum cespitosum-Erica tetralix wet heath, Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community 

Compared with the other sub-communities of M15, the Vaccinium sub-community is a drier form of heath 

which has a more varied and grassy sward. This is made up of Vaccinium myrtillus, Erica tetralix, 

Trichophorum cespitosum, Nardus stricta, Molinia caerulea, Juncus squarrosus and Calluna vulgaris, 

interleaved with species such as Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum, Eriophorum angustifolium 

and Agrostis canina. The more characteristic wet heath species such as Narthecium ossifragum, 

Dactylorhiza maculata and Succisa pratensis are less common here than they are in the other 

sub-communities. The bryophyte flora is different, too. There is an assemblage of pleurocarpous mosses 

such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens and 

Plagiothecium undulatum as well as the more typical Sphagnum capillifolium. Many examples are likely to 

be the result of burning – which dries out the surface of the peat – and heavy grazing, which favours 

Vaccinium myrtillus and graminoids at the expense of Calluna. 

29


M15d is widespread and extensive in the study area. It clothes smooth slopes where there is a shallow layer 

of peat, generally in mosaics with more heathery damp heaths or with acid grasslands. It is particularly 

common in the Grey Corries, where it covers vast areas of the middle and upper slopes. It also extends into 

the high corries and there are examples at over 950m on Na Coireachan Laith. These montane examples 

may be near-natural forms of wet heath from which Calluna vulgaris is absent because of altitude 

and snow-lie, rather than because of grazing. Indeed, montane species such as Vaccinium uliginosum, 

Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and Carex bigelowii do occur in these high-altitude damp heaths. 

M17a Trichophorum cespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Drosera rotundifolia- 

Sphagnum sub-community 

This, the characteristic type of blanket bog of low to moderate altitudes throughout the western Highlands, 

is the most common bog community in the study area. It is extensive on the level flats beside the Water of 

Nevis, at the northern end of Coire Leis, on the flat floors of Coire Giubhsachan, Coire an Eòin, An Coire 

Calma and Coire Bhealaich, and in the Lairig Leacach. There are smaller patches on peat-clad benches on 

the lower hillsides. M17a bogs can look bare and bleak from a distance, but in fact are surprisingly rich in 

species and can be bright with the flowers of small herbs in summer. The pale, grassy sward is made up of 

Eriophorum vaginatum, E. angustifolium, Trichophorum cespitosum and Molinia caerulea growing through 

an ochre-gold underlayer of Sphagnum papillosum and S. capillifolium. The sward is dotted with Erica tetralix 

and, more sparingly, with Myrica gale and Calluna vulgaris. There is also an array of smaller plants such 

as Narthecium ossifragum, Drosera rotundifolia, Polygala serpyllifolia, Dactylorhiza maculata, Pedicularis 

sylvatica, Potentilla erecta and Succisa pratensis. The layer of bryophytes is patched with species such 

as Hypnum jutlandicum, Sphagnum tenellum, S. cuspidatum, Pleurozia purpurea and the bog liverworts 

Mylia anomala and Odontoschisma sphagni. The uncommon sedge Carex pauciflora grows in this type of 

bog in several places in the study area, especially in upper Glen Nevis, in Coire an Eòin and in Coire Dubh 

to the north of Meall an t-Suidhe. 

M17b Trichophorum cespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Cladonia spp. sub-community 

M17b forms part of the mosaics of bog vegetation on the level flats in Coire an Eòin. There are also a few 

patches of this form of Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog on the dried-out edges of peat hags in the bogs in the 

Lairig Leachach. M17b has a short and rather open sward of Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Eriophorum 

vaginatum, E. angustifolium, Molinia caerulea and Trichophorum cespitosum, growing in peat with a dried 

and crusted surface. Among these vascular plants are big, conspicuous grey-green hummocks of Racomitrium 

lanuginosum. There are patches of bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Mylia anomala and the 

introduced moss Campylopus introflexus, and a sprinkling of lichens such as Cladonia portentosa and 

C. uncialis. Sphagnum species are scarce. Species such as Succisa pratensis and Potentilla erecta grow 

among the larger species, but in general the flora is less rich than it is in the less disturbed examples of M17a. 

M17c Trichophorum cespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community 

blanket mire, Juncus squarrosus- 

Recorded at the eastern end of Glen Nevis, on the level floor of upper Coire Giubhsachan and on the 

northern slopes of Tom na Sròine and Beinn Bhàn M17c is the most upland, montane form of Trichophorum- 

Eriophorum mire and the one associated with the driest peat. It has a darker, more heathy sward than 

that of the wetter Drosera-Sphagnum sub-community M17a, with much Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, 

Juncus squarrosus, Eriophorum angustifolium, E. vaginatum, Trichophorum cespitosum and Molinia caerulea. 

30


There can be small quantities of Vaccinium myrtillus, too. Myrica gale does not generally grow in this type 

of M17, but many of the smaller species are common, for example Potentilla erecta, Drosera rotundifolia, 

Narthecium ossifragum and Succisa pratensis. In the bryophyte layer, Sphagnum papillosum and 

S. capillifolium are joined by Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum and 

Hylocomium splendens; species more characteristic of the drier peats of Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19. 

M19a Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Erica tetralix sub-community 

This is the most common type of Calluna-Eriophorum bog in the oceanic climate of the west Highlands, 

and its flora has much in common with that of the oceanic Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17. However, 

all the types of M19 bog are easy to pick out because of their distinctive dark, tussocky swards made up 

of almost equal amounts of Eriophorum vaginatum and Calluna vulgaris. The dark green leaves of 

Eriophorum angustifolium spike up through the sward, and there is a green speckling of Vaccinium myrtillus 

and, in some examples, of Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum. In M19a this flora is augmented by species such 

as Erica tetralix, Molinia caerulea, Trichophorum cespitosum, Narthecium ossifragum and Potentilla erecta. 

Under the sward the peat is firm and fibrous, and is clothed with a deep layer of bryophytes including 

Sphagnum capillifolium, Rhytididadelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Plagiothecium 

undulatum and Hylocomium splendens. The diminutive orchid Listera cordata can be found rooted into the 

layer of bryophytes under the shelter of the Calluna bushes. M19a occurs throughout the study area at 

moderate altitudes. It is especially extensive around Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe and in Coire Dubh just to the 

north. It also occurs in Coire Giubhsachan and in the Lairig Leacach. 

M19c Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Hylocomium 

splendens sub-community 

M19c takes in the more montane forms of Calluna-Eriophorum mire and is characteristic of damp, fibrous, 

deep peat at high altitudes. Like M19a it has a mixed, tussocky, dark-green and dark purple-brown sward 

of Calluna vulgaris and Eriophorum vaginatum, with much Vaccinium myrtillus and Eriophorum angustifolium. 

Here, though, the sward is short and more varied, with Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum (ssp. 

hermaphroditum as well as ssp. nigrum), Juncus squarrosus and Melampyrum pratense. The so-called peat 

alpines Cornus suecica, Rubus chamaemorus and Vaccinium uliginosum can be plentiful, and M19c is 

another characteristic habitat for Listera cordata. There is a sprinkling of small plants such as Potentilla erecta, 

Luzula sylvatica and Deschampsia flexuosa. Under the sward is a deep, richly-coloured quilt of bryophytes 

in which Sphagnum capillifolium and Hylocomium splendens are generally the two most common species. 

There is also plenty of Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Racomitrium lanuginosum. 

The liverworts Mylia taylorii and Ptilidium ciliare grow in colourful clumps, and there is a white freckling of 

lichens such as Cladonia portentosa, C. uncialis and, at higher altitudes, Cetraria islandica. The largest 

extent of M19c in the study area is around Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, but it also occurs on the level floors 

of corries such as Coire a’ Bhuic, Coire na Ceannain and Cùl Choirean, as well as on peat-clad benches 

and plateaux throughout the study area. 

M23a Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community 

These herb-rich rush mires occur in patches on the low ground in Glen Nevis, and also at the northern end 

of Coire an Eòin. They have a tall, dark-green sward of Juncus acutiflorus, interleaved with J. effusus, Carex 

nigra and C. echinata and with grasses such as Molinia caerulea, Holcus lanatus, Anthoxanthum odoratum 

and Agrostis canina. Among these plants is a lush, flowery assemblage of mesotrophic herbs such as 

31


Parnassia palustris, Ranunculus acris, R. flammula, Crepis paludosa, Epilobium palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, 

Galium palustre and Achillea ptarmica. Over the wet soil is a loose mat of bryophytes such as Calliergonella 

cuspidata, Thuidium tamariscinum, Hylocomium splendens, Scleropodium purum, Polytrichum commune and 

Rhizomnium punctatum. 

M23b Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus effusus sub-community 

The Juncus effusus sub-community occurs in patches on the low ground in Glen Nevis. Many examples show 

signs of disturbance such as nutrient enrichment or trampling. M23b is generally less herb-rich than the 

Juncus acutiflorus sub-community. The sward consists of Juncus effusus growing with species such as Holcus 

lanatus, Rumex acetosa, Cirsium palustre, Ranunculus flammula, R. acris, Viola palustris and Potentilla erecta 

over a thin layer of bryophytes such as Calliergonella cuspidata, Thuidium tamariscinum, Rhytidiadelphus 

squarrosus, Scleropodium purum and Lophocolea bidentata. 

M25a Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire, Erica tetralix sub-community 

This tall, tussocky grassland is common on damp, shallow peat and flushed mineral soils on the lower slopes 

in Glen Nevis, both on the open ground and in woodland clearings. It also occurs on the low ground in 

Coire an Eòin, in mosaics with bog vegetation, and on the smooth north-facing slopes of Beinn na Socaich. 

The rich green sward, with the leaves of the Molinia blown into waves by the slightest wind, is intertwined 

with species such as Myrica gale, Erica tetralix, Agrostis canina, Trichophorum cespitosum, Carex echinata 

and Galium saxatile. The deep blue flowers of Polygala serpyllifolia, and the golden ones of 

Potentilla erecta, enliven the swards in early summer. In the channels between the tufts of grasses are wefts 

and small patches of bryophytes such as Polytrichum commune, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus and R. squarrosus. Although this is a wet grassland, the tops and sides of the larger 

clumps of Molinia can be quite well-drained and dry, and can provide a home for species such as 

Dryopteris dilatata and Oreopteris limbosperma. 

M25b Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community 

This drier, grassy form of Molinia grassland plays a minor part in the mosaics of heath and grassland on 

the slopes of Glen Nevis. It has a more mixed sward than M25a. The clumps of Molinia caerulea 

are mingled with other grasses and sedges such as Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis canina, A. capillaris, 

Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, Nardus stricta, Carex echinata and C. panicea. There is an 

assemblage of small grassland species, such as Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Campanula rotundifolia 

and Euphrasia officinalis, as well as more typical plants of damp ground such as Narthecium ossifragum, 

Viola palustris and Succisa pratensis. Under the vascular sward is a thin carpet of bryophytes made up 

of species such as Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Pleurozium schreberi, 

Hylocomium splendens, Dicranum scoparium and Racomitrium lanuginosum. 

M25c Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire, Angelica sylvestris sub-community 

This herb-rich form of Molinia grassland was recorded in the lower parts of Coille Coire an Eòin. It has 

the usual tall green sward of Molinia caerulea, with smaller quantities of Anthoxanthum odoratum, 

Holcus lanatus, Agrostis canina and Carex echinata. These grow with an array of mesotrophic herbs such 

as Lysimachia nemorum, Parnassia palustris, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, R. flammula, Rhinanthus minor, 

Filipendula ulmaria, Selaginella selaginoides and Valeriana officinalis. There are also a few bog and heath 

32


species such as Narthecium ossifragum, Polygala serpyllifolia and Pedicularis sylvatica. Under the vascular 

sward is a thin weft of bryophytes such as Calliergonella cuspidata, Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum 

fallax, Scleropodium purum and Lophocolea bidentata. 

M27 Filipendula ulmaria-Angelica sylvestris tall-herb fen 

This type of fen vegetation occurs around Achriabhach in Glen Nevis. It consists of tall, leafy swards of 

Filipendula ulmaria, their stems topped in summer with the fragrant pale cream flowers, and an assemblage 

of other species including Athyrium filix-femina, Cirsium palustre, Epilobium palustre, Juncus effusus, Galium 

saxatile, Rumex acetosa, R. obtusifolius and Cardamine pratensis. There is little space for bryophytes under 

the dense herbage. There are just a few wisps of Calliergonella cuspidata, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and 

Lophocolea bidentata. This vegetation does not fit comfortably into any of the three sub-communities of M27. 

Ecologically it is probably closest to the Urtica dioica-Vicia cracca sub-community M27b, a lowland 

vegetation type of disturbed soils, as it occurs down-slope of the sheep fanks and farm track and is likely to 

be flushed with nitrogen-rich water. 

M31 Anthelia julacea-Sphagnum denticulatum spring 

These small springs – generally though not always associated with snow-beds – are common at higher 

altitudes in the survey area. Individually they are small, but on wet slopes where water seeps out diffusely 

they can cover quite a lot of ground in total. They occur where the flow of water is slow or even intermittent, 

and commonly fill the meltwater channels down-slope from places where snow lies late. They are very distinctive. 

They consist of grey-green swollen mats and patches made up of dense masses of the tiny cylindrical shoots 

of the liverwort Anthelia julacea. These mats are studded with the red-gold shoots of Sphagnum denticulatum, 

the flat purplish shoots of Scapania undulata and with a variety of small plants such as Saxifraga stellaris, 

Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Gnaphalium supinum, Viola palustris, Huperzia selago, Carex bigelowii, 

Epilobium anagallidifolium and Armeria maritima. Although usually found where the irrigating water is acid 

as well as very cold, a few base-tolerant species can grow here, for example Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. 

alpina, Selaginella selaginoides, Carex saxatilis, Thalictrum alpinum and Persicaria vivipara. These springs 

are also home to a number of scarce montane bryophytes such as Kiaeria starkei, Philonotis seriata, 

Pohlia ludwigii, Polytrichum sexangulare, Pleurocladula albescens and Scapania uliginosa. 

M32a Philonotis fontana-Saxifraga stellaris spring, Sphagnum denticulatum sub-community 

This is the less species-rich and diverse of the two forms of this type of spring-head vegetation. It is the more 

common of the two where the spring water emerges through acidic, peaty soil, but also occurs on richer 

mineral soils where it forms mosaics with the Montia-Chrysosplenium sub-community (see below) as well as 

with a range of other springs and mires. M32a consists of rich orange-gold spreads of the moss Sphagnum 

denticulatum, patched with species such as Polytrichum commune, Philonotis fontana and Scapania undulata. 

Rooted in the mats of mosses are plants such as Viola palustris, Saxifraga stellaris, Huperzia selago, 

Juncus squarrosus and Eriophorum angustifolium, and grasses such as Deschampsia cespitosa, Agrostis canina 

and Anthoxanthum odoratum. M32a springs are common throughout the study area. In the upper parts of 

Coire a’ Mhadaidh and and Choire Lèitheith they form networks which make up a considerable proportion 

of the total vegetation. 

33


M32b Philonotis fontana-Saxifraga stellaris spring, Montia fontana-Chrysosplenium oppositifolium 

sub-community 

The cushions of mosses and liverworts which grow around the heads of fast-flowing springs form small 

patches of almost unbelievably bright, glowing colours which stand out well against the sombre tones of the 

surrounding heaths and grasslands. The most common bryophyte species in these springs are Philonotis 

fontana, Dicranella palustris and Scapania undulata, but Sphagnum denticulatum, Drepanocladus fluitans, 

Calliergonella cuspidata and Jungermannia exsertifolia can also be common. At high altitudes, such as on 

the plateau between the summit of Ben Nevis and Carn Dearg to the north-west, and in the high east-facing 

corries of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, scarce montane bryophytes such as Pohlia wahlenbergii 

var. glacialis, P. ludwigii, Philonotis seriata, Rhizomnium magnifolium, Scapania uliginosa and S. paludosa 

grow in this type of vegetation. In a few of these assemblages, P. seriata is the dominant species. The velvety 

cushions of bryophytes are set with small vascular plants such as Saxifraga stellaris, Montia fontana, 

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Thalictrum alpinum, Epilobium 

anagallidifolium, E. alsinifolium and Viola palustris. M32b springs are common throughout the study area. 

Some of the most interesting montane examples are on the high plateau north-west of the summit of 

Ben Nevis – rather mysteriously, as it is hard to imagine where the water comes from in a place where the 

surrounding ground is almost flat and composed of loose gravel and stones. There are some fine mixed 

networks of springs and mires on the slopes of Aonach Beag, Coire Giubhsachan, Sgurr a’ Bhuic and 

Sgurr Chòinnich Beag. In Coire a’ Mhadaidh, Choire Lèith, Coire nan Laogh and Coire an Laoigh there 

are large expanses of this type of vegetation on irrigated, gravelly ground. 

M33 Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring 

This is one of the types of vegetation on which snow lies longest into summer, and where the plants have 

a growing season which may last only a few weeks. Although generally found around springheads, where 

the emerging water is fast-flowing and very cold, this type of vegetation is also common on irrigated gravel 

and wet rock face. It consists of distinctive and conspicuous patches of Pohlia wahlenbergii ssp. glacialis: 

an attractive, robust plant with red stems contrasting finely with the pale, apple-green waxy leaves. 

Dotted over this mossy carpet are species such as Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina and Saxifraga stellaris, 

and bryophytes such as Philonotis fontana, P. seriata, Pohlia ludwigii, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, 

Scapania undulata and S. uliginosa. M33 is one of the habitats of the scarce Cerastium cerastioides. 

The rare Saxifraga rivularis and Veronica alpina grow in this type of vegetation on the east-facing cliffs of 

Aonach Mór, together with a few other base-tolerant species such as Trollius europaeus, Sibbaldia procumbens, 

Alchemilla glabra, Ranunculus acris and Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina. This is unusual, though, and most 

patches of M33 are not species-rich. 

M33 is the least extensive of all the spring communities in the study area, and the least common in the 

British uplands. It occurs on the north-eastern cliffs of Ben Nevis and in upper Coire Leis, in the corrie 

between Carn Mór Dearg and Carn Dearg Meadhonach, on the east-facing cliffs and upper corrie walls 

of Aonach Beag and Aonach Mór, on Stob Coire Easain and on Stob Choire Claurigh. The patches of M33 

on Stob Coire Easain are notably large. One example is 12m long and 2m wide, and there are seven other 

patches each about 4m long and 3m wide. Exceptionally species-poor, they consist of dense sheets of 

Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis netted over with a delicate tracery of Cerastium cerastioides. 

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M37 Palustriella commutata-Festuca rubra spring 

This is the characteristic spring-head vegetation where the water which emerges from the ground is base-rich. 

It is attractive and distinctive, though not species-rich. M37 springs are scattered throughout the Grey Corries, 

but are most common on the slopes of Beinn na Socaich and Beinn Bhàn in Coire a’ Mhadaidh. They consist 

of rich orange-red, swelling cushions of Palustriella commutata, patched with Bryum pseudotriquetrum and 

Scapania undulata and tufted with Festuca rubra and Carex panicea. Little else grows in them. There may 

be a speckling of small plants such as Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga aizoides, Pinguicula vulgaris and 

Taraxacum officinale. In some examples there are small amounts of calcicoles such as Thalictrum alpinum 

and Persicaria vivipara, but these springs are less varied and herb-rich than the Palustriella-Carex type 

M38 of the Breadalbanes and Upper Teesdale. However, M37 springs in Coire a’ Mhadaidh are home to 

the uncommon horsetail Equisetum variegatum. 

MX Herb-rich small-sedge mire 

This type of vegetation, known as Neutral Flush in Wales, is common throughout the British uplands but 

has somehow escaped being sampled for the NVC (Averis et al. 2004). It consists of the small sedges of 

the Carex-Sphagnum mire M6 (see above) together with the herbs and bryophytes of the Carex rostrata- 

Sphagnum squarrosum mire M5, the C. rostrata -S. warnstorfii mire M8 or the Juncus-Galium rush pasture 

M23 (see above). Many examples are like a sedge-dominated counterpart of M23. Although uncommon 

in the study area, there are some good examples in Coire an Eòin. These mires have a short sward of 

Carex nigra, C. echinata, C. panicea and Eriophorum angustifolium, interspersed with grasses such as 

Nardus stricta, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca vivipara and Molinia caerulea and enriched by herbs such 

as Succisa pratensis, Ranunculus acris, Parnassia palustris, Viola palustris, Cardamine pratensis, Epilobium 

palustre, Cardamine pratensis, Ajuga reptans, Prunella vulgaris and Rhinanthus minor. Over the ground is a 

layer of bryophytes including Calliergonella cuspidata, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, 

Sphagnum fallax, S. palustre, S. squarrosum and Aulacomnium palustre. Carex pulicaris, C. viridula ssp. 

oedocarpa and C. hostiana are common in some examples. 

MG9a Holcus lanatus-Deschampsia cespitosa grassland, Poa trivialis sub-community 

There is a patch of this type of vegetation between the ruined house at Steall and the Water of Nevis. It has 

a tall, coarse sward of Juncus effusus, Holcus lanatus and Deschampsia cespitosa, studded with Rumex 

acetosa and Dryopteris filix-mas with an underlayer of Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum commune, 

Thuidium tamariscinum, Hylocomium splendens and Lophocolea bidentata. This is a weedy type of 

vegetation, more common in the lowlands than in the uplands, and associated with disturbed ground where 

there has been some nutrient enrichment. This piece of ground may once have been cultivated, or it may 

simply be where sheep and cattle once congregated. 

CG10a Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland, Trifolium repens- 

Luzula campestris sub-community 

This is the sub-community of CG10 which occurs on the driest ground. There are small patches on the steep, 

south-facing slopes of Ben Nevis to the north of the Bealach Cumhann, and larger expanses on 

the west side of Carn Dearg and Meall an t-Suidhe. Another characteristic habitat is river shingle 

and spreads of gravel where streams flow out of eroding gullies, for example in Glen Nevis and in 

Coire an Eòin. CG10a has a short, rich green sward of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina and 

35


Luzula multiflora, entangled with Thymus polytrichus and enriched with species such as Prunella vulgaris, 

Potentilla erecta, Ranunculus acris, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Plantago lanceolata, Linum catharticum, 

Bellis perennis and Veronica officinalis. There are thin wisps of bryophytes over shallow and stony soils, 

including species such as Ctenidium molluscum, Hypnum lacunosum, Hylocomium splendens, 

Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Tortella tortuosa, Breutelia chrysocoma, Racomitrium lanuginosum and, especially 

on shingle and gravel, R. ericoides. 

CG10b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland, Carex pulicaris- 

Carex panicea sub-community 

This is a damper form of Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland and is the most common type in the study area. 

It is most extensive on the limestone and base-rich schists of Meall Cumhann and the east side of 

Coire Giubhsachan, and on the slopes of Beinn na Socaich. The thin, pale grey-green, sedgy sward is 

made up of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Holcus lanatus, Carex panicea, 

C. pulicaris, C. caryophyllea, C. flacca and Luzula multiflora, and, like CG10a, is enmeshed with the 

straggling shoots of Thymus polytrichus. There is a rich array of small base-tolerant species such as 

Linum catharticum, Selaginella selaginoides, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Achillea millefolium, Geum rivale, 

Filipendula ulmaria, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Rumex acetosa, Plantago lanceolata, Viola riviniana 

and Anemone nemorosa. On Meall Cumhann the scarce and primitive fern Botrychium lunaria grows in 

small colonies in this type of vegetation. Among the vascular plants are mixed mats of bryophytes such as 

Hylocomium splendens, Breutelia chrysocoma, Hypnum lacunosum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Ctenidium 

molluscum and Racomitrium lanuginosum. Although this is a type of grassland which is produced and 

maintained by grazing, it has been able to persist in the study area even where grazing is light. 

CG10c Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland, Saxifraga aizoides- 

Ditrichum gracile sub-community 

CG10c is the dampest form of Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland. It has a pale, patchy sward of 

Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Carex panicea, C. pulicaris, 

C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. hostiana and C. flacca with much Thymus polytrichus, growing with species 

of damp, base-rich ground such as Saxifraga aizoides, S. oppositifolia, S. hypnoides, Selaginella 

selaginoides, Succisa pratensis, Silene acualis, Linum catharticum, Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara, 

Pinguicula vulgaris, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Geranium sylvaticum, Tofieldia pusilla, Valeriana 

officinalis, Parnassia palustris and Trollius europaeus. CG10 also shares many of the characteristic species 

of the other Festuca-Agrostis grasslands, such as Potentilla erecta, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, A. filicaulis 

ssp. vestita, Plantago lanceolata, Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Viola riviniana and Campanula 

rotundifolia. The soils are gravelly and flushed, and there is a characteristic array of bryophytes including 

Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Calliergonella cuspidata, Breutelia chrysocoma, Ditrichum 

gracile and Tortella tortuosa. CG10c occurs on the steep slope at the foot of the west-facing cliffs of 

Meall Cumhann, where the soils are enriched by flushing with base-rich water and by weathered fragments 

of the cliffs themselves. There are also small patches on Stob Coire Gaibhre. The most extensive and 

remarkable examples, however, are on Beinn na Socaich. The CG10c grasslands here are almost 

unbelievably species-rich, with more than 40 species recorded in a 2m x 2m quadrat. These species include 

notable rarities such as Carex capillaris, C. vaginata and Dryas octopetala. 

36


CG11a Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Alchemilla alpina grassland, Typical sub-community 

CG11a is a dry form of herb-rich grassland which occurs on well-drained soils on the south-facing slopes 

of Ben Nevis. The frothy yellow-green flowers of Alchemilla alpina make these swards conspicuous in 

summer. A. alpina grows in dense mats in a turf of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis canina, Anthoxanthum 

odoratum and Thymus polytrichus, together with species such as Potentilla erecta, Achillea millefolium, 

Alchemilla glabra, Euphrasia officinalis and Lotus corniculatus. There are thin silvery mats of bryophytes 

made up of Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hylocomium splendens and Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus. 

CG11b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Alchemilla alpina 


grassland, Carex pulicaris- 

This, the damper form of Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grassland, is common on the higher slopes of the study 

area, especially on Meall Cumhann and on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan where the rocks are 

base-rich. It is also widespread on Beinn na Socaich, and occurs in small patches elsewhere on the higher 

slopes of the Grey Corries. The attractive, pale yellow-green, flowery sward consists of Festuca vivipara, 

Agrostis canina, Nardus stricta, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Alchemilla alpina, Thymus polytrichus, Carex 

panicea, C. pulicaris and C. caryophyllea, growing with base-tolerant plants such as Thalictrum alpinum, 

Ranunculus acris, Plantago lanceolata, Selaginella selaginoides, Saussurea alpina and Alchemilla glabra 

and species of damp ground such as Pinguicula vulgaris, Trollius europaeus, Succisa pratensis, Filipendula 

ulmaria and Viola palustris. There are green sprigs of Vaccinium myrtillus. The bryophyte carpet is 

more varied than it is in the drier CG11a, and consists of species such as Hylocomium splendens, 

Racomitrium lanuginosum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Dicranum scoparium, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. triquetrus 

and Scleropodium purum. CG11 occurs at higher altitudes than most examples of the Festuca-Agrostis- 

Thymus grassland CG10 and clothes thin, stony soils, generally on steep slopes. Though much of it is 

likely to be maintained by grazing, it is possible that some examples of this type of grassland are natural 

climax vegetation. 

CG12 Festuca ovina-Alchemilla alpina-Silene acaulis community 

This type of vegetation, which occurs on Meall Cumhann, on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan, on 

the Agaidh Garbh, in Coire a’ Mhadaidh and on Beinn na Socaich, is one of the more interesting upland 

plant communities in the study area. It consists of a dense, emerald green turf of small or cushion-forming 

base-tolerant plants. The most common is Silene acaulis, which grows with Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, 

Armeria maritima, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Trollius europaeus, Persicaria vivipara, Selaginella 

selaginoides, Saxifraga stellaris, S. oppositifolia, S. hypnoides, Silene acaulis, Thymus polytrichus, Angelica 

sylvestris, Orchis mascula, Linum catharticum, Rhinanthus minor, Antennaria dioica, Filipendula ulmaria and 

Geum rivale. Grasses and sedges spike sparsely through. The most common of these are Festuca vivipara, 

Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis canina, Luzula spicata, Carex pulicaris, C. panicea, C. bigelowii, 

C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa and C. flacca. There is also a rich assemblage of bryophytes such as Ctenidium 

molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Neckera crispa, Tortella tortuosa, Ditrichum 

gracile, Calliergon sarmentosum, Campylium stellatum and Herbertus stramineus. The CG12 in the study 

area is home to a number of scarce species, such as Botrychium lunaria, Saussurea alpina, Tofieldia pusilla, 

Luzula spicata and, on Meall Cumhann and the Agaidh Garbh, Salix lapponum, Cerastium alpinum and 

C. arcticum. 

37


CG14 Dryas octopetala-Silene acaulis ledge community 

There are small patches of CG14 on the upper slopes at the northern end of Beinn na Socaich. They are 

most unusual. This is a community normally confined to ungrazed cliff ledges, but the examples on Beinn na 

Socaich are on open hillsides. They have a low, dense, dark green canopy of Dryas octopetala, decorated 

with its large golden-cream flowers and, later, by its twisted white silky seed-heads. Growing among the 

stems of the Dryas are species including Thymus polytrichus, Silene acaulis, Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum 

alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Trollius europaeus, Linum catharticum, Selaginella selaginoides, 

Galium boreale, Saussurea alpina, Gentianella campestris, Rhinanthus minor, Carex bigelowii, C. pulicaris, 

C. capillaris, Festuca vivipara and Deschampsia cespitosa. There is a fine array of bryophytes including 

Ctenidium molluscum, Ditrichum gracile, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Tortella tortuosa 

and Herbertus stramineus. 

This CG14 forms mosaics with Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10b and Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla 

grassland CG11b; there are also patches of the Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene community CG12. It is not clear 

whether the vegetation here is the grazed remnant of a more extensive Dryas heath, or whether there may 

always have been a mixture of vegetation types on these thin, flushed soils. The CG14 has the growth-form 

of the more low-altitude Dryas-Carex community CG13, though it is distinguished by its montane species. 

However, most examples of CG14 on cliff ledges in the Highlands have more tall, grazing-sensitive herbs 

such as Sedum rosea and Polystichum lonchitis. Dryas has also been recorded on the Agaidh Garbh 

(Lamb 1987) and there may be examples of the tall-herb type of CG14 on the inaccessible ledges there. 

U4a Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Typical sub-community 

This is an acid, unimproved grassland with a dense green sward of Festuca ovina or F. vivipara, F. rubra, 

Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens and a little Nardus stricta and Carex 

binervis. It is thickly-woven with Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile, their small flowers enlivening the turf 

in summer. There is a shallow layer of mosses made up of Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, 

R. loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Hylocomium splendens. U4a is not common in the study area, being 

most characteristic of places where there is evidently a long history of heavy grazing. It occurs in small 

patches on fairly deep, well-drained mineral soils on steep slopes at low to moderate altitudes, for example 

at the northern end of Glen Nevis and on Meall Cumhann and Sgurr a’ Bhuic. It is more extensive on the 

level floor of upper Glen Nevis at Steall. Another characteristic habitat is along river margins and on the 

spreads of shingle distributed by tributary streams, for instance beside the Allt Coire an Eòin. 

U4b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-Trifolium 

repens sub-community 

Like the Typical U4a, this richer form of Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland has a dense, bright-green sward 

of Festuca ovina, F. vivipara, F. rubra, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum and Carex binervis with 

much Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile. This is enriched by a range of species typical of well-drained 

mesotrophic soils, including Holcus lanatus, Koeleria cristata, Ranunculus acris, Achillea millefolium, Trifolium 

repens, Plantago lanceolata, Prunella vulgaris and Cerastium fontanum. There is a thin, discontinuous layer 

of mosses such as Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum and 

Thuidium tamariscinum. U4b occurs on the southern slopes of Sgurr a’ Bhuic, beside the river in Coire an Eòin 

and beside the Allt Daim, and on the low ground in Glen Nevis. There is also a patch of it around the 

Lairig Leacach bothy. 

38


U4d Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile 


grassland, Luzula multiflora- 

U4d is the more upland, montane counterpart of the Typical U4a and tends to occur on damper soils and 

on shaded slopes. It is typical of gullies on a steep slope where the soil is damper and deeper than it is on 

the intervening rocky ribs. U4d is widespread but rarely extensive throughout the study area. This type of 

grassland has a deep-green sward made up of Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis canina, 

Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa, Carex binervis and Luzula multiflora. Within the turf are clumps of 

Blechnum spicant, trailing shoots of Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile, and a scatter of species such 

as Succisa pratensis, Viola palustris and Campanula rotundifolia. There is a deep, richly-coloured underlay 

of bryophytes made up of Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium 

schreberi, Thuidium tamariscinum and Polytrichum commune. In some examples there are clumps of Sphagnum 

capillifolium, suggesting that this type of vegetation may be derived by grazing from damp heath vegetation. 

U4e Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus- 

Deschampsia flexuosa sub-community 

U4e is the most montane form of Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland. It is most common on stony soils at high 

altitudes, although it also occurs at lower altitudes on suitable substrates. In the study area it is most extensive 

above about 700m on the south-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, and 

on the western slopes of Meall an t-Suidhe and Carn Dearg, where the soils are thin, stony and well-drained. 

On the east-facing side of Coire a’ Bhuic, U4e forms distinctive mosaics with the damper Luzula- 

Rhytidiadelphus sub-community U4d, covering the rocky ribs in between the gullies with U4d. U4e is also 

extensive on the summit slopes of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag. Here it looks as if it is taking the place of the more 

natural Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 as a result of heavy grazing. U4e is a grassland with a short, silverygreen 

sward of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, A. vinealis, Nardus stricta and Deschampsia 

flexuosa growing through a carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum. It is a species-poor community, sprigged with 

a little Vaccinium myrtillus and with Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Euphrasia officinalis agg. At higher 

altitudes there may be a few montane species such as Diphasiastrum alpinum or Polytrichum alpinum. 

There are few bryophytes under the sward apart from Racomitrium lanuginosum – just small wefts and patches 

of R. ericoides, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Hylocomium splendens. 

U4eA Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus- 

Deschampsia flexuosa sub-community, Alchemilla alpina variant 

This form of grassland is not represented in the NVC, although it is reasonably common in the hills of the 

west Highlands. It is much like the ordinary U4e, with a thin sward of Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, 

A. canina, A. vinealis, Nardus stricta and Deschampsia flexuosa growing in a thin, grey-green mat of 

Racomitrium lanuginosum. However, here there is also much Alchemilla alpina, giving a distinctive look to 

the vegetation with its neat dark-green leaves and heads of lemon-yellow flowers. Locally there can be a 

few montane species, such as Carex bigelowii, Luzula spicata, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Gnaphalium supinum 

and the mosses Kiaeria starkei and K. blyttii, together with less exacting plants such as Galium saxatile, 

Potentilla erecta, Blechnum spicant, Veronica officinalis, Campanula rotundifolia, Carex pilulifera, C. caryophyllea, 

Luzula multiflora, Hypnum cupressiforme, Breutelia chrysocoma, Polytrichum alpinum, Hylocomium splendens, 

Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Racomitrium fasciculare and R. sudeticum. U4eA resembles the Festuca-Agrostis- 

Alchemilla community CG11, but is less herb-rich and lacks Thymus polytrichus and other small calcicoles. 

It is a grassland of steep, stony, well-drained soils, and is especially common on stabilised scree and on the 

gravelly banks of stream gullies. It occurs quite widely in the study area at moderate to high altitudes. 

39


U4F Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile 

ulmaria sub-community 

grassland, provisional Filipendula 

This impressive herb-rich grassland is not described in the NVC. Although it is not common, it is widely 

distributed in the western Highlands and Inner Hebrides. It has a lush, lightly-grazed sward of 

Festuca vivipara, F. ovina, F. rubra, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Deschampsia cespitosa and Anthoxanthum 

odoratum growing with the usual small herbs of Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland – Potentilla erecta, 

Galium saxatile, Carex binervis and Luzula multiflora. There is also an array of mesotrophic herbs such as 

Ranunculus acris, R. repens, Crepis paludosa, Lathyrus linifolius, Trollius europaeus, Filipendula ulmaria, 

Cirsium heterophyllum, Prunella vulgaris, Persicaria vivipara, Anemone nemorosa, Ajuga reptans, 

Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Geum rivale, Angelica sylvestris, Filipendula ulmaria, Geranium sylvaticum 

and Alchemilla glabra. There is also much Carex pulicaris, C. flacca, C. panicea, C. pallescens and 

C. caryophyllea. Under the sward is a thin mat of bryophytes such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, 

R. triquetrus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Scleropodium purum, Breutelia chrysocoma and 

Thuidium tamariscinum. The vegetation shows evidence of base-rich flushing. In this respect it has much in 

common with CG10 grassland (see above), but U4F is taller, with deeper moss mats, more G. saxatile and 

little or no Thymus polytrichus. U4F is a community of deep mineral soils on flushed but freely-draining slopes, 

where base-rich water percolates through the ground. There are a few patches of U4F on the lightly-grazed 

lower slopes on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan, but it is most extensive on Beinn na Socaich and 

on the northern end of Stob Coire Gaibhre. 

U5a Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Species-poor sub-community 

The pale, straw-coloured swards of this acid grassland are dominated by Nardus stricta, its tough wiry 

shoots interleaved with Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa and Carex binervis. 

The ubiquitous Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile trail though the sward. There are short green sprigs of 

Vaccinium myrtillus. Under the vascular plants there is a deep, springy carpet of bryophytes including 

Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus and Dicranum scoparium. 

U5a is extensive on the slopes at the eastern end of Glen Nevis as far east as Coire Rath, in mosaics of 

wet heath, wet grasslands and bog up to about 700m. It is common on Meall an t-Suidhe and on the 

northern slopes of the Grey Corries. 

U5b Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile 

sub-community 

grassland, Agrostis canina-Polytrichum commune 

U5b is a damp form of Nardus grassland. It rarely forms large patches, but is common on the lower slopes 

in Glen Nevis, on waterlogged, peaty benches on the hillsides and in the corries. As in the species-poor 

U5a, the sward is pale and tussocky, consisting of Nardus stricta growing with Carex panicea, C. binervis, 

Eriophorum angustifolium, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina and Anthoxanthum odoratum. It is dotted with 

Vaccinium myrtillus, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Blechnum spicant. Under the turf the soils are wet, 

and the vegetation feels soft and spongy underfoot. There are big cushions of Sphagnum capillifolium 

and Polytrichum commune as well as Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum and 

Hylocomium splendens, and species of wet ground such as Succisa pratensis, Viola palustris, Narthecium 

ossifragum and Polygala serpyllifolia. 

40


U5c Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Carex panicea-Viola riviniana sub-community 

This is the herb-rich form of Nardus grassland. It is quite variable in its species composition and many 

examples are more species-rich than the NVC tables suggest. U5c occurs around the exposures of base-rich 

rock on the west side of Ben Nevis, on Meall Cumhann, Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and in 

Coire Giubhsachan. It is extensive on Beinn na Sochaich and Beinn Bhàn. This type of grassland has 

a sward of Nardus stricta, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris, Festuca vivipara, Carex panicea, 

C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. binervis and C. pulicaris. The sward is enriched with Thymus polytrichus 

and with base-tolerant herbs such as Plantago lanceolata, Ranunculus acris, Campanula rotundifolia, 

Persicaria vivipara, Prunella vulgaris, Lysimachia nemorum, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Linum catharticum, 

Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Selaginella selaginoides and Thalictrum alpinum. There is a deep, damp 

carpet of bryophytes made up of species including Hylocomium splendens, Calliergonella cuspidata, 

Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scleropodium purum and Thuidium tamariscinum. 

U5e Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Racomitrium lanuginosum sub-community 

This form of Nardus grassland takes the community to its highest altitudes. Although there are a few patches 

on shallow, stony soils on the lower slopes, most of the U5e in the study area is on the mid to upper slopes 

of the hills. It clothes stony plateaux and shallow slopes where the soils are thin accumulations of peat and 

humus over frost-shattered bedrock. On Meall an t-Suidhe, Meall Cumhann, Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Beinn Bhàn 

it occupies one of its typical habitats: stony plateaux just below the lower altitudinal limit of 

Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. U5e is very distinctive. The open, sparse, pale sward of Nardus stricta, 

Carex panicea and C. pilulifera grows through a thin grey-green layer of Racomitrium lanuginosum, dotted 

with dwarfed, wind-pruned bushes of Calluna vulgaris and with small plants such as Empetrum nigrum ssp. 

hermaphroditum, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Succisa pratensis and Potentilla erecta. 

Within the carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum are a few other bryophytes such as Hypnum jutlandicum, 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Pleurozium schreberi. There is also generally a dusting of lichens such as 

Coelocaulon aculeatum, Cladonia portentosa, C. rangiferina and C. uncialis. It is not a species-rich community, 

but is interesting because some examples, at least, may be near-natural forms of vegetation of windswept 

plateaux and ridges at moderate altitudes. U5e is especially common in the oceanic, windy climate of the 

western Highlands and the Hebrides. 

U6a Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina grassland, Sphagnum sub-community 

This is a Juncus squarrosus bog. The thick, dark green, tufted sward of J. squarrosus is spiked through by 

Eriophorum angustifolium and with grasses such as Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia 

flexuosa and Agrostis canina. There is a thin speckling of Vaccinium myrtillus and Potentilla erecta, together 

with more typical bog species such as Narthecium ossifragum, Trichophorum cespitosum and Eriophorum 

vaginatum. Set in the sward are patches and cushions of bryophytes such as Sphagnum capillifolium, 

S. papillosum, Polytrichum commune and Aulacomnium palustre. U6a occurs on benches on the south-facing 

slope of Glen Nevis, in Coire Rath, and on Beinn na Socaich and Beinn Bhàn. Most examples of this type 

of vegetation seem likely to be derived from more heathery blanket-bog where the dwarf shrubs have been 

eliminated by burning and grazing in the past. However, it is possible that some patches of U6a at higher 

altitudes, such as on the col between Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, which are in the montane 

zone above the range of Calluna vulgaris, may be near-natural. They have montane species such as 

Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and Vaccinium uliginosum, are not especially heavily grazed and are 

unlikely to have been burned. 

41


U6aH Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina grassland, heathy form 

This type of boggy Juncus squarrosus rush heath is more heathy than the typical form. Dwarf shrubs are so 

common that from a distance the sward looks evenly-mottled with dark brown Calluna vulgaris and green 

Juncus squarrosus, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum. The sward is dotted with 

Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Narthecium ossifragum, Succisa pratensis and Luzula multiflora. It is less 

grassy than the typical U6a, with little more than a few shoots of Deschampsia flexuosa and Nardus stricta. 

There are red patches of Sphagnum capillifolium, green clumps of Polytrichum commune and P. strictum, and 

golden-green carpets of Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus 

loreus, R. squarrosus and Aulacomium palustre. This type of vegetation is not described in the NVC but is 

not uncommon in the British uplands from Wales northwards. It is not clear whether it is a near-natural type 

of Juncus squarrosus bog, whether it is derived from Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19 by burning and grazing, 

or whether it is a stage in the recovery from grassy Juncus squarrosus bog to a more natural, heathy Calluna- 

Eriophorum type. It occurs on level ground with a blanket of deep ombrogenous peat in Coire a’ Bhuic and 

also on the northern slopes of Beinn Bhàn and Stob Coire Gaibhre, where it is home to Listera cordata and 

Cornus suecica. 

U6c Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus sub-community 

This is a drier form of Juncus squarrosus rush heath. It is a vegetation type of damp, peaty soils on gentle 

slopes. The dark-green, stiff-leaved rosettes of Juncus squarrosus are set closely together. In the small spaces 

between them are grasses such as Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum 

and Deschampsia flexuosa, the small herbs Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Viola palustris and a green 

speckling of Vaccinium myrtillus. In some examples there is also a little Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum 

ssp. nigrum or ssp. hermaphroditum and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. There are thin carpets of bryophytes including 

Hypnum jutlandicum, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Plagiothecium undulatum, 

Pleurozium schreberi and Dicranum scoparium. There are patches of U6c in the mosaics of heath and 

grassland on the slopes at the eastern end of Glen Nevis, in Coire Rath and on Beinn Bhàn. 

U6d Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina 

sub-community 

grassland, Agrostis capillaris-Luzula multiflora 

U6d takes the Juncus squarrosus heaths onto the driest soils. Many examples are in places where there has 

been some disturbance in the past; for instance, heavy grazing or trampling in places where livestock are 

gathered, damage by vehicles, or where spating streams have deposited mineral soils over peat. U6d has 

a more mixed and uneven-looking sward than that of the other sub-communities. The distinctive dark green 

rosettes of Juncus squarrosus grow with Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Nardus 

stricta, Deschamspsia flexuosa and Danthonia decumbens either in intimate mixtures or as a patchwork of 

the different species. There are shoots of Galium saxatile and Potentilla erecta and tufts of Luzula multiflora. 

Under the turf is the usual assemblage of bryophytes of acid grasslands: Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium 

splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Dicranum scoparium. There are 

small patches of U6d in the mosaics of heaths and grasslands on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a’ Bhuic 

and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag. 

42


U6R Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina grassland, herb-rich form 

This is the herb-rich form of Juncus squarrosus rush heath. It is the Juncus-dominated equivalent of the herbrich 

Nardus grassland U5c and the Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland U4F. Although it was described by 

McVean & Ratcliffe (1962), was incorporated into the classification by Birks & Ratcliffe (1980) and is 

widespread though not extensive in the uplands, it is unaccountably missing from the NVC scheme. It occurs 

where peaty mineral soils are flushed with base-rich water. There are small patches of it on the upper slopes 

of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and on the col between there and Sgurr a’ Bhuic. It also occurs on the eastern 

slopes of Stob Coire na Ceannain. The dark, shiny leaves of Juncus squarrosus grow in a dense green turf 

with Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Nardus stricta, Carex nigra and C. echinata. 

This sward conceals an array of base-tolerant species including Ranunculus acris, R. repens, R. flammula, 

Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Geum rivale, Parnassia palustris, Persicaria vivipara, Valeriana officinalis, 

Rhinanthus minor, Thalictrum alpinum, Taraxacum officinale agg. and Crepis paludosa. The less demanding 

Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile and Viola palustris are common too. Among the vascular plants are 

patches of bryophytes such as Calliergonella cuspidata, Rhizomnium punctatum, Hylocomium splendens, 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Chiloscyphos polyanthus, Sphagnum fallax, S. denticulatum and Scapania undulata. 

U7a Nardus stricta-Carex bigelowii 

Cetraria islandica sub-community 

grass heath, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum- 

The montane Nardus grasslands – pale blond swards on the high slopes and in the corries – show where 

snow lies late in spring. U7a is the sub-community of the dampest ground, and it is common to see 

almost as much Trichophorum cespitosum as Nardus stricta in the sward. There are grey-green spikes of 

Carex bigelowii, C. panicea and C. pilulifera, green clumps of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and 

a sprinkling of small plants such as Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Potentilla erecta, Galium 

saxatile, Viola palustris, Narthecium ossifragum and Succisa pratensis. The bog plant Rubus chamaemorus 

is not uncommon in wetter examples in the Grey Corries, and locally there are floristic and ecological 

transitions between U7a and montane Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c. The most common bryophytes are 

Racomitrium lanuginosum and Sphagnum capillifolium. There is generally also a little Pleurozium schreberi, 

Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum alpinum, Pleurozia purpurea, Bazzania tricrenata, 

Anastrepta orcadensis, Mylia taylorii and Scapania gracilis. This sub-community may be home to scarce 

oceanic liverworts such as Scapania ornithopodioides, Plagiochila carringtonii and Bazzania pearsonii. 

There is a speckling of lichens such as Cetraria islandica, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Cladonia portentosa 

and C. uncialis. U7a occurs in hollows and gullies and on concave slopes where snow accumulates and 

where drainage is slow. It is common throughout the higher parts of the study area. 

U7b Nardus stricta-Carex bigelowii grass heath, Typical sub-community 

This is the typical form of Nardus snow-bed grassland, with neither the species of damp ground which 

distinguish the Empetrum-Cetraria sub-community U7a nor the grasses and herbs of the Alchemilla-Festuca 

sub-community U7c. It has the characteristic pale sward of Nardus stricta and Carex bigelowii, interleaved 

with a little Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa and Carex pilulifera. There are green sprigs of 

Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea and V. uliginosum and clumps of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum. 

Salix herbacea can grow in this type of vegetation. There is an assemblage of small herbs such 

as Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Blechnum spicant and 

Campanula rotundifolia. The bryophyte layer is made up of species such as Polytrichum alpinum, Pleurozium 

schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Dicranum scoparium. There is a 

43


sparse array of lichens such as Cetraria islandica, Cladonia portentosa, C. uncialis and Coelocaulon 

aculeatum. U7b is the most widespread type of Nardus snow-bed in the study area. It covers steep slopes 

where snow lies late in the year, on soils which are generally thinner, more stony and more freely-draining 

than those with the damper sub-community U7a. 

U7c Nardus stricta-Carex bigelowii grass heath, Alchemilla alpina-Festuca ovina sub-community 

U7c depends slightly less than the other two sub-communities on a consistent cover of snow during the winter, 

and it descends to lower altitudes. It is less common in the study area than the two other types of Nardus 

snow-bed, but there is a large patch on the south-western spur of Aonach Beag. The sward is more mixed 

in this sub-community, and Nardus stricta grows with Festuca vivipara, Anthoxanthum odoratum 

and Agrostis canina as well as with Carex bigelowii and C. pilulifera. The sward is also more herb-rich, 

with yellow-flowered drifts of Alchemilla alpina and a few base-tolerant species such as A. glabra, Thymus 

polytrichus, Thalictrum alpinum, Ranunculus acris, Taraxacum officinale agg. and Selaginella selaginoides. 

Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris and Euphrasia officinalis grow here too. Around these 

species are mats of bryophytes such as Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Racomitrium 

lanuginosum, Hypnum jutlandicum and Dicranum scoparium. 

U8 Carex bigelowii-Polytrichum alpinum heath 

One of the most montane forms of British upland vegetation, U8 covers a large area on the smooth, rounded 

summit of Aonach Beag, where it forms mosaics on a small scale with the Marsupella brevissima snow-bed 

U12c. It is extensive on the summit and south-facing ridge of Aonach Mór. There are also small patches of 

U8 on Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Carn Mór Dearg, Stob Coire Easain, Stob a’ Choire 

Lèith, Stob Choire Claurigh and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It is a community of high plateaux where snow 

accumulates in winter and lies late in spring. Although both McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) and Rodwell (1992) 

state that U8 is associated with sites of impeded drainage, all the U8 in the study area is on well-drained, 

convex terrain with thin and stony soil. U8 has a short, evenly-tufted, grey-green sward of Carex bigelowii 

growing through a dense green turf of Dicranum fuscescens or Polytrichum alpinum or both. Racomitrium 

lanuginosum is common too, but less so than it is in the similar-looking Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. 

Otherwise the swards are very species-poor, with little more than a sprinkling of snow-tolerant species such 

as Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa and Luzula spicata. This type of vegetation, however, is home to a 

number of uncommon snow-bed bryophytes such as Kiaeria starkei, Anthelia juratzkana, Marsupella 

brevissima, Andreaea alpina and Conostomum tetragonum as well as to the more widespread Racomitrium 

fasciculare, R. heterostichum, R. ericoides, R. sudeticum, Barbilophozia floerkei, Pleurozium schreberi and 

Dicranum scoparium. As usual in the west Highlands, the U8 in the study area is not a good fit for either 

of the two sub-communities outlined in the NVC, although it is closest to the Dicranum-Racomitrium 

sub-community U8b. 

U9b Juncus trifidus-Racomitrium lanuginosum rush heath, Salix herbacea sub-community 

Like the lichen-rich montane heaths, this is another eastern, more boreal type of vegetation which is much 

more common in the eastern Highlands than it is in the west. Indeed, it occurs only in the central and eastern 

parts of the study area. There are small patches on Aonach Mór and on Stob a’ Chùl Choire, but it is 

the predominant vegetation type on the quartzite ridge of the Grey Corries. U9b has a thin sward of 

Juncus trifidus. The red-brown tips of the massed shoots are conspicuous, and the community can be picked 

out from a distance of several hundred metres. The rush grows with Carex bigelowii and with a little 

44


Deschampsia flexuosa and Festuca vivipara in a grey carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum patched with 

Polytrichum alpinum, P. commune and Pleurozium schreberi. There is a pale frosting of lichens such as 

Cladonia uncialis, C. portentosa, C. coniocraea and Cetraria islandica. In some examples there are small 

clumps of Galium saxatile. At the col between Stob a’ Chùl Choire and Aonach Mór the community extends 

atypically down onto the sheltered north-facing slope and has a much taller, denser sward of Juncus trifidus 

than the patches on the exposed ridges. There is much Luzula spicata in the sward here too. On Aonach 

an Nid on the northern end of Aonach Mór, just outside the SSSI, there is extensive U9b with dense swards 

of J. trifidus (20–50% cover) growing among extensive carpets of Racomitrium lanuginosum and scattered 

Carex bigelowii, Cladonia arbuscula, C. uncialis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Galium saxatile, Vaccinium myrtillus, 

Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Polytrichum alpinum and Oligotrichum hercynicum. 

U10a Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Galium saxatile sub-community 

The Carex-Racomitrium heaths clothe the bleak, windswept, exposed summits and ridges of the high hills in 

the British uplands with a dense carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum in which a few small species are able 

to find enough shelter to grow. U10a is the most grassy form of this community. The carpet of Racomitrium 

is thick with Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris and Galium saxatile, as well as with 

the montane or upland species Carex bigelowii, Alchemilla alpina and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. U10a occurs 

on Meall an t-Suidhe, Meall Cumhann and Sgurr a’ Bhuic, on the ridge leading out from there to Aonach 

Beag, on the south-western ridge of Aonach Beag, on the summit plateau of Aonach Mór, on the southern 

slopes leading up to the summit of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and on the south-eastern spur of Stob Coire na 

Ceannain. The grassy form of U10 is the commoner in those parts of the British uplands where there has 

been a long history of heavy grazing. It is thought that trampling by sheep, together with the enriching effect 

of nitrogen in their urine and droppings, favours vascular plants at the expense of Racomitrium lanuginosum. 

It is also possible that the vascular plant have more of a competitive edge in the far west Highlands, where 

the winters are milder than they are further east. However, the more mossy sub-communities also occur in the 

study area, so the climate can not be the only reason for the existence of U10a on these hills. Aonach Beag, 

Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Meall Cumhann do not seem to be grazed especially hard at present, but there were 

noticeably large numbers of sheep at the time of the survey on the upper slopes of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag 

and on Stob Coire na Ceannain, as well as extraordinarily large numbers of red deer on both sides of the 

Grey Corries. The vegetation on the southern side of the Grey Corries – in upper Glen Nevis and Coire rath 

– is generally more grazed and grassy than it is elsewhere. 

U10b Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Typical sub-community 

This is the most mossy form of Carex-Racomitrium heath. Racomitrium lanuginosum grows in a deep, soft, 

continuous carpet over summits and ridges: silvery grey-green when dry; golden when it is wet. It is delightful 

to walk on with bare feet, and is one of the more distinctive plant communities of the British uplands. Carex- 

Racomitrium heath is strongly associated with an oceanic climate and with terrain which is blown clear of 

snow in winter, scoured by bitter winds and baked by the sun in summer. It is almost unknown outwith Britain 

and Ireland. It occurs on almost all the summits in the study area, but is most continuous and extensive 

on the plateau of Aonach Mór. Although it is generally vegetation of level or gently sloping ground, there 

are bands or zones of U10b on the steep upper west-facing slope of Ben Nevis and on the north side of 

Aonach Beag, above which there is only snow-bed vegetation. This is interesting because U10 is normally 

the vegetation of the hill tops themselves, rather than something that one passes through on the way to the 

highest ground. 

45


The U10b in the study area has a turf of Racomitrium lanuginosum sparingly dotted with Carex bigelowii, 

Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Deschampsia 

flexuosa, Salix herbacea, Diphasiastrum alpinum and Saxifraga stellaris. Within the moss carpet are wisps 

and tufts of other bryophytes including Polytrichum alpinum, R. ericoides, R. sudeticum, Oligotrichum hercynicum, 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus and Dicranum scoparium. There is a sprinkling of lichens such as Cladonia 

portentosa, C. uncialis, Sphaerophorus globosus, Ochrolechia frigida and the scarce Thamnolia vermicularis. 

The community is surprisingly variable throughout the study area. On the windswept western side of the 

plateau of Aonach Mór it is exceptionally species-poor, and there are hundreds of square metres of ground 

where the vegetation consists only of a dense carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum studded with little 

more than the shoots of Carex bigelowii. Other examples, for example on Meall an t-Suidhe, are much 

more diverse; we recorded over 20 species in a 2m x 2m quadrat here. 

The U10b heath on the north-facing slope of Aonach Beag is home to the very rare Luzula arcuata and, 

throughout the study area, to the uncommon L. spicata and Juncus trifidus. 

U10c Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community 

This attractive type of Racomitrium heath is an example of herb-rich montane vegetation on basic soils. There 

are small patches of it on the limestone of Meall Cumhann and it is extensive on the Carn Dearg ridge and 

the Carn Mór Dearg arête, but the most superb species-rich examples are on the col between Aonach Mór 

and Aonach Beag and on the lower north-facing slope of Aonach Beag, on the base-rich schist. Set in the 

smooth, silvery carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum is an extraordinary array of base-tolerant montane 

species, such as Silene acaulis, Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, Alchemilla 

alpina, Achillea millefolium, Thalictrum alpinum, Thymus polytrichus, Ranunculus acris, Taraxacum officinale 

agg. and the rare Cerastium alpinum with its grey-green leaves clothed in long silver-white hairs and its 

large white flowers. There are many other species here, including Carex bigelowii, Salix herbacea, 

Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa ssp. alpina, Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Saxifraga stellaris and 

Gnaphalium supinum. Bryophytes such as Polytrichum alpinum, Racomitrium ericoides, Dicranum scoparium 

and Hypnum jutlandicum grow in scattered patches. There are a few lichens such as Cetraria islandica, 

Cladonia uncialis, Ochrolechia frigida and the scarce Solorina crocea. 

U10cSP Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community, 

species-poor form 

This sparse, species-poor form of U10c occurs on the south-eastern ridge of Aonach Beag, on the Carn 

Dearg ridge and on the ridge between Stob Coire Gaibhre and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It was described 

by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) and appeared in the classification of Birks & Ratcliffe (1980), but in the NVC 

was subsumed into U10c. This is a pity, as it is so different from the herb-rich form described above and is 

well worth mapping separately. Racomitrium lanuginosum is patchy on the bare, wind-ablated, gravelly 

ground of exposed cols and summit ridges where the wind accelerates over a narrow crest. Other species 

grow in small clumps and tufts: plants such as Juncus trifidus, Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, 

Saxifraga stellaris, Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii and Luzula spicata. There are a few mosses able to 

withstand disturbed, frost-churned ground, such as Polytrichum alpinum, Oligotrichum hercynicum and 

Racomitrium heterostichum, and a speckling of lichens such as Ochrolechia frigida, Cladonia bellidiflora, 

C. coniocraea, Cetraria islandica and the scarce Solorina crocea. Species-poor U10c is most extensive in 

the north-west Highlands, where the climate is cool and oceanic with strong winds. 

46


Reri: Racomitrium ericoides moss heath 

This is an interesting form of moss heath in which Racomitrium lanuginosum is replaced by R. ericoides. The 

two heaths look very different, as R. ericoides is a plant with yellow-green, spreading starry leaves on long 

sprawling shoots. It looks totally unlike R. lanuginosum with its dense mats of stout grey-green shoots in which 

each leaf is tipped by a long silver-white hair-point. R. ericoides heath has long been known from erosion 

surfaces on Aonach Mór (McVean & Ratcliffe 1962). It also occurs on the north-facing slope of Aonach 

Beag, and there are tiny patches on the Carn Dearg ridge and on the plateau between the summit of 

Ben Nevis and Carn Dearg to the north-west. The heath consists of a thin carpet of R. ericoides growing 

together with a little R. lanuginosum, Polytrichum alpinum, Oligotrichum hercynicum and the lichen Cetraria 

islandica. This is pricked through by Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus and Deschampsia flexuosa and studded 

with Saxifraga stellaris, Salix herbacea and Gnaphalium supinum. R. ericoides is the usual dominant in 

montane moss heath on Iceland and Jan Mayen (McVean & Ratcliffe 1962), and there are patches of it on 

the Faroe Islands (Hobbs & Averis 1991). It is rare in Britain on the hills around Ben Nevis, though it does 

occur on an outlier of Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe (Averis & Averis 2003). 

General notes about snow-bed vegetation 

Late snow-beds are one of the most extreme habitats for plants. The growing season is short – as little as six 

weeks in some years in some snow-beds. The plants which grow in these places have to tolerate cold, low 

intensities of light, high humidity, and the immense, crushing pressure of consolidated snow which may be 

upwards of 6m deep. Under the snow is a substrate which is churned up by the freezing and thawing of 

the layers of snow above it, and which is also disrupted by frost and melt-water. This disturbance by frost, 

or cryoturbation, releases minerals from the soil by physical weathering, which may be why base-tolerant 

plants such as Silene acaulis, Sibbaldia procumbens and Persicaria vivipara are common plants in some of 

the herb-dominated snow-beds. The vegetation also receives nutrients from dead plant material and other 

wind-blown debris which has become trapped in the snow, to be deposited when the snow melts. However, 

these mats of vegetation can actually form a thick thatch over the ground, causing local extinctions of species. 

The very open, short vegetation of the longest-lasting snow-beds is almost always dominated by bryophytes, 

which are able to survive in these situations. Bryophytes are not attached to the ground by roots, so they 

can grow on unstable surfaces. They do not need much light in order to photosynthesise, and indeed many 

of them can continue to grow when buried under a thin layer of snow (Russell 1990). Many of them thrive 

in cool, damp conditions because they are sensitive to desiccation and because they need a more or less 

constant supply of water in order to grow. Almost all bryophytes lack any kind of specialised tissue for 

conducting water, and so cannot extract water from the soil in the way higher plants can. 

Many of the bryophytes which grow in these places are specialised snow-bed species which grow nowhere 

else. And since snow-beds are among the least extensive types of British vegetation, those species particular 

to them are also rare. 

The extreme environment in snow-beds reduces the amount of competition for small species, as large and 

vigorous plants are unable to grow. The mixtures of species in any one example seem to be more the result 

of chance establishment and survival than of the exact nature of the terrain and microclimate. This means 

that these communities are endlessly variable and interesting, but also that many examples are not a good 

fit for any of the NVC communities, let alone sub-communities. The problem is compounded by the well- 

47


acknowledged inadequate sampling of snow-beds in the NVC (Rodwell et al. 2000). We have, however, 

found that late snow-bed vegetation falls into three main types: those with a sward of mosses, those with 

a thin crust of liverworts and those with a sparse array of vascular plants. In the accounts which follow, 

the mossy snow-beds are treated under U11 and the liverwort-dominated ones under U12b and U12c. 

The herb-rich type is represented by U12a and U14. The mossy snow-beds described in the NVC 

are dominated by Kiaeria starkei and Polytrichum sexangulare. The equally distinctive ones dominated by 

Pohlia ludwigii and Racomitrium heterostichum were mapped and are described separately. There are also 

snow-beds which consist of a diverse array of species from all three categories, and these, too, have been 

mapped and described as a separate type, UX. 

U11a Polytrichum sexangulare-Kiaeria starkei snow-bed, Typical sub-community 

U11a is the most extensive type of late snow-bed vegetation in the study area. It occurs on the high plateau 

between Ben Nevis and Carn Dearg to the north-west, in the Carn Dearg corries and on the Carn Mór 

Dearg arête, on the northern and eastern slopes of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, in all the north-facing 

Grey Corries and on the east-facing slopes of the south-facing corries. It covers steep slopes, declivities on 

the plateaux and sheltered hollows among boulders where snow accumulates. The substrate is a firm, silty 

humus studded with rocks. 

This type of vegetation has a distinctive deep green or mid green, velvety sward of Kiaeria starkei, 

K. falcata, K. blyttii, Polytrichum sexangulare and Oligotrichum hercynicum. Some examples lack 

P. sexangulare and are dominated by the Kiaeria species. The sward is set with an array of small snowtolerant 

plants such as Saxifraga stellaris, Carex bigelowii, Gnaphalium supinum, Salix herbacea, 

Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa ssp. alpina and Huperzia selago. A number of rare or scarce vascular 

plants, such as Juncus trifidus, Luzula arcuata, L. spicata, Sibbaldia procumbens and Cerastium arcticum, 

grow in this type of vegetation. On the eastern side of the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, 

Saxifraga cernua, Veronica alpina, Poa alpina, Poa glauca, Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, 

Luzula arcuata and Sibbaldia procumbens grow in U11a. In the layer of mosses are patches of other species 

such as Polytrichum alpinum, P. commune, Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. ericoides, R. heterostichum, 

R. sudeticum and Barbilophozia floerkei, growing with small quantities of such notable snow-bed rarities as 

Conostomum tetragonum, Pohlia ludwigii, Oedopodium griffithianum, Moerckia blyttii, Scapania uliginosa, 

Diplophyllum taxifolium, Kiaeria glaciale, Lophozia opacifolia, Pleurocladula albescens, Marsupella adusta, 

M. alpina, M. boeckii, M. brevissima, Anthelia juratzkana and Andreaea nivalis. The scarce montane lichen 

Solorina crocea is another characteristic species. 

U11b Polytrichum sexangulare-Kiaeria starkei snow-bed, Species-poor sub-community 

The species-poor form of the Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed occurs among the boulders on the summit of 

Ben Nevis, and thus is the highest vegetation in Britain. It consists of mats and clumps of Kiaeria starkei, 

K. falcata and K. blyttii growing on and among the stones and fragments of rock, together with a few 

other mosses such as Brachythecium glaciale, Racomitrium ericoides, R. sudeticum, Polytrichum alpinum, 

P. sexangulare and Oligotrichum hercynicum. There is a speckling of Saxifraga stellaris and Huperzia selago: 

the only vascular plants to grow at this altitude. 

48


The summit of Ben Nevis can carry a considerable depth of snow in winter. Although much of what falls on 

the plateau is blown off to accumulate on the north-facing cliffs, over 4m of precipitation falls on the summit 

over the year (Roy 1997), much of it as snow. A depth of 6m or more of snow on the plateau is not unusual 

in winter (Brown 1981). So it is hardly surprising that there is snow-bed vegetation on the summit. 

The development of vegetation here is probably limited as much by the terrain as by climate. The summit 

is covered with coarse boulders and there is little congenial ground for plants to grow on. Aonach Beag is 

only 100m lower than Ben Nevis, and has a smooth, soil-covered summit which is continuously vegetated. 

Plud: Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed 

This distinctive and attractive type of snow-bed vegetation marks out the location of some of the latest-lying 

snow. We found that snow which lies longer than this is near-permanent – the patches melted out in the 

exceptional summer of 2003 but not in 2004 – and lie on scree rather than on vegetation. Even in the 

summer of 2003, many examples of this type of vegetation were still covered by snow in late July, though 

they were all exposed in August. The Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed is most extensive on the upper east-facing 

slopes of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, but it also occurs on the north-eastern cliffs of Ben Nevis, on the 

Carn Dearg ridge and, more sparingly, in the Grey Corries. 

The Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed consists of a thin turf of P. ludwigii, growing in emerald-green sheets on soft, 

silty ground which is generally saturated by rain and by the streams of melt-water from the retreating snow. 

It is a community of high, steep, unstable slopes where few species are able to gain a foothold. So there is 

little more in these snow-beds than a sprinkling of Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Saxifraga stellaris and 

Carex bigelowii. Within the carpet of P. ludwigii are small clumps and patches of bryophytes such as 

Polytrichum sexangulare, Kiaeria falcata, K. starkei, K. blyttii, Conostomum tetragonum, Oligotrichum hercynicum, 

Brachythecium glaciale, Scapania undulata and S. uliginosa. Saxifraga cernua, Veronica alpina and 

Cerastium cerastioides grow in this type of vegetation on Aonach Beag. 

Rhet: Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed 

There are Racomitrium heterostichum snow-beds on the plateau between Ben Nevis and Carn Dearg to the 

north-west. They also occur in upper Coire Leis, on the plateau of Aonach Mór and on the upper east-facing 

cliffs of Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag, the Carn Dearg ridge and some of the Grey Corries. Originally 

described by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) from Aonach Beag as well as various sites in the eastern and 

central Highlands, this type of snow-bed has rather become lost in the NVC within the Salix-Racomitrium 

snow-bed U12. It is, in fact, very distinctive and belongs more with the mossy Polytrichum-Kiaeria U11 and 

Pohlia snow-beds than with the liverwort-dominated U12. 

The R. heterostichum community is made up of dense, continuous, mid-green turfs of R. heterostichum dotted 

with R. lanuginosum, Polytrichum alpinum, Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, Oligotrichum hercynicum and 

Andreaea alpina, and with small vascular plants such as Saxifraga stellaris, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. 

alpina, D. flexuosa, Sibbaldia procumbens, Gnaphalium supinum and Carex bigelowii. There are a few 

lichens such as Cetraria islandica, Cladonia bellidiflora, C. uncialis and Stereocaulon vesuvianum. It occurs 

in hollows and among boulders, in gullies and on steep, rocky slopes. 

49


U12a Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Silene acaulis-Luzula spicata 

sub-community 

This is one of the herb-rich snow-beds: a community of unstable, gravelly, loose, well-drained ground where 

snow lies late. A common site is the side of a stream gully. In the study area it occurs in upper Coire Leis, 

in the corrie between Carn Mór Dearg and Carn Dearg Meadhonach, in the east-facing corries of Aonach 

Mór and Aonach Beag, and on the crumbling ledges of the north side of Aonach Beag, just above the col 

between Aonach Beag and Aonach Mór. All are places where the underlying rock is evidently base-rich. 

U12a consists of a sparse array of montane or upland species such as Silene acaulis, Luzula spicata, 

Carex bigelowii, Salix herbacea, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Juncus trifidus, Gnaphalium supinum, 

Huperzia selago, Saxifraga stellaris, Persicaria vivipara and Alchemilla alpina. The brilliant green leaves 

and pink flowers of S. acaulis make the patches of U12a conspicuous from a distance. The vascular plants 

grow through a mixed, patchy, variegated layer of snow-tolerant bryophytes such as Racomitrium 

fasciculare, R. lanuginosum, R. heterostichum, R. ericoides, Polytrichum alpinum, Oligotrichum hercynicum, 

Dicranum scoparium and scarce snow-bed species such as Conostomum tetragonum, Kiaeria starkei, 

K. falcata, K. blyttii, Gymnomitrion concinnatum, Anthelia juratzkana and Pleurocladula albescens. U12a is 

a habitat for the scarce Sibbaldia procumbens and Veronica alpina. 

U12b Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Gymnomitrion concinnatum 

sub-community 

Although this type of snow-bed generally forms a complete covering over the ground, from a distance it does 

not look like vegetation at all. It looks like bare, silty ground with a few small plants growing here and there 

on it. However, it is made up of dense, silvery-grey-brown mats of diminutive liverworts growing together 

in tight, intimate mixtures in which there can be as many as eight species to the square centimetre 

(Gordon Rothero, pers. comm.). The most common of these species are Gymnomitrion concinnatum, 

Nardia compressa, N. scalaris, Anthelia juratzkana, Lophozia opacifolia, Marsupella emarginata and 

M. brevissima. The mats are dotted with mosses which look large in comparison, such as Oligotrichum 

hercynicum, Kiaeria starkei, Racomitrium ericoides and R. lanuginosum. There is a thin speckling of vascular 

plants such as Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Huperzia selago, 

Diphasiastrum alpinum, Saxifraga stellaris, Gnaphalium supinum and Juncus trifidus. The lichen Cetraria 

islandica is also common, and the scarce Thamnolia vermicularis grows in this type of vegetation. The very 

rare liverwort Marsupella condensata grows in U12b in upper Coire Leis. 

U12b is extensive on Aonach Beag. It occurs on the north-facing slope, on the south-eastern spur leading 

down to Sgurr a’ Bhuic and on the upper west-facing cliffs. It also occurs, more sparingly, on the upper southfacing 

slope of Ben Nevis. It is a widespread and common component of the mixtures of snow-bed 

vegetation on the east-facing and north-facing cliffs of Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and 

Aonach Beag, and the Grey Corries. U12b can cover more level ground than that with the mossy 

Polytrichum-Kiaeria community U11, and can be on less stable and wetter substrates. It is the usual late snowbed 

community in the hollows on the ridges of the Grey Corries. It is also characteristic of the sides of incised 

stream gullies in the high corries: another place where snow accumulates. Snow probably lies here for 

slightly less long than it does on the mossy snow beds, and so the soils are more susceptible to frost heaving 

and solifluction. Especially on steep slopes, the liverwort crust may become wrinkled and fissured as the 

saturated upper layers of soil slump down the slope, and patches of vegetation may be buried, leaving new, 

bare soil for colonisation. So these snow beds are far from stable and are likely to have a high turnover of 

species on a small scale. 

50

U12c Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum 

sub-community 

snow-bed, Marsupella brevissima 

This type of snow-bed vegetation is extensive on the summit of Aonach Beag. Like the Gymnomitrion subcommunity 

U12b, from a distance it resembles nothing more than bare, dark-coloured, silty ground dotted 

with frost-heaved fragments of rock and with a thin scattering of mosses and small vascular plants. At close 

range it also looks very similar to U12b, but here the most common species in the dark crust of liverworts 

is Marsupella brevissima. It grows with other tiny species such as Gymnomitrion concinnatum, Anthelia 

juratzkana, Nardia compressa, N. scalaris, Conostomum tetragonum and Oligotrichum hercynicum, 

variegated with the more substantial shoots and patches of Polytrichum alpinum, P. sexangulare, Kiaeria starkei, 

K. falcata and Racomitrium heterostichum. Rooted in this bryophyte crust are species such as Carex bigelowii, 

Salix herbacea, Luzula spicata, Festuca vivipara and Gnaphalium supinum. The U12c on the north-facing 

slope of Aonach Beag is the main habitat at this site for the rare Luzula arcuata, on eroding ledges of 

splintered, shaly rock. As in U12b, the habitat is inherently unstable. Patches of the liverwort crust are 

continually being disrupted and buried as the saturated upper layers of soil slide and fold over each other. 

In the NVC, U12c is represented by only three quadrat samples recorded by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) 

from the Cairngorms. Their samples are not substantially different from those which we have recorded on 

Aonach Beag. Since, apart from Ben Nevis, Aonach Beag is the highest summit outwith the Cairngorms, it 

is not surprising that this type of vegetation also occurs here. What is interesting is that this type of snowbed 

vegetation is so extensive on the rounded summit dome of Aonach Beag. It shows that there must be a 

considerable cap of snow here in winter. Indeed, Brown (1978), describing a visit in the 1970s, found the 

summit still ice-clad at the end of May. 

UX: Mixed snow-bed 


This type of vegetation occurs on the upper slopes of the corrie between Carn Mór Dearg and Carn Dearg 

Meadhonach, in the northern arm of Coire an Lochain of Aonach Mór, and on the upper east-facing slope 

of Cùl Choirean. Both are places with long, smooth, but not really steep slopes. Photographs show that the 

Carn Dearg corries hold a great deal of snow in spring, and the same is probably true for the upper recesses 

of Cùl Choirean. This, then, is vegetation of uniform high slopes with well-drained gravelly soil. It consists of 

an intimate mixture of a wide range of snow-tolerant species and is so richly varied that it is easy to record 

40 species or more in a quadrat 2m x 2m. This is not a grassland, nor a fern-bed, nor a bryophytedominated 

community, nor a dwarf-herb community, but a mixture of elements from all four types. The most 

common species are Deschampsia cespitosa, Nardus stricta, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, 

Cryptogramma crispa, Rumex acetosa, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga stellaris, Gnaphalium supinum, 

Salix herbacea, Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Polytrichum sexangulare, 

P. alpinum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Diplophyllum albicans, Barbilophozia floerkei, Marsupella emarginata 

and Gymnomitrion concinnatum. The vascular sward also includes Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, 

Blechnum spicant, Oreopteris limbosperma, Viola palustris, V. riviniana, Campanula rotundifolia, Alchemilla 

alpina and the rarities Cerastium cerastioides and Sibbaldia procumbens. The bryophytes include 

Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Dicranum fuscescens, Pohlia ludwigii, Conostomum tetragonum, 

Lophozia opacifolia, Nardia compressa, N. scalaris, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Marsupella sphacelata, 

M. brevissima and oceanic, western species such as Anastrepta orcadensis, Mylia taylorii and Bazzania 

tricrenata. 

51


U13a Deschampsia cespitosa-Galium saxatile grassland, Anthoxanthum odoratum-Alchemilla 

alpina sub-community 

This upland grassland, though not confined to the montane zone in the study area, is a very widespread 

and extensive community of the upper slopes above about 600m. U13a forms tall green swards of the 

sharp-edged leaves of Deschampsia cespitosa, mixed with Agrostis capillaris, A. canina, Anthoxanthum 

odoratum and Carex bigelowii and speckled with small species such as Galium saxatile, Alchemilla alpina, 

Saxifraga stellaris and Rumex acetosa. There is a conspicuous layer of bryophytes over the damp soils, in 

which the most common species are Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Polytrichum commune and 

Scapania undulata. The scarce S. uliginosa also occurs in this type of vegetation. We recorded the 

scarce alpine grass Phleum alpinum in U13a in the unnamed corrie to the north of the North-East Ridge 

of Aonach Beag. 

U13a covers slopes which have deep soils irrigated by cold water. Many, though not all, examples are in 

places which receive copious amounts of water from melting snow higher up. Some are below dripping cliffs 

with a continuous flow of water. Others are on flushed slopes where the water seeps diffusely though the 

upper layer of soil rather than emerging at the surface as a spring or flush. This type of vegetation is common 

on the sides and back walls of corries in the west Highlands. 

U13b Deschampsia cespitosa-Galium saxatile grassland, Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community 

The flora of this type of vegetation has much in common with that of the Anthoxanthum-Alchemilla subcommunity 

U13a, but it is a mossy snow-bed rather than a grassland. Far less extensive in the study area 

than U13a, it occurs on the upper east-facing and north-facing slopes of Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge, 

Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag and the Grey Corries, in mosaics with other snow-beds and montane 

communities. 

U13b occurs as distinctive golden patches of Rhytidiadelphus loreus on steep upper slopes which are 

covered with snow all winter. The snow which accumulates here does not persist as long as it does over the 

more exacting Polytrichum-Kiaeria and Salix-Racomitrium snow-beds U11 and U12 (see above), but it 

lies for long enough to prevent the growth of most vascular plants. The soft, golden turf of R. loreus is dotted 

with species including Deschampsia cespitosa (much of which is ssp. alpina), Agrostis capillaris, Carex 

bigelowii, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Saxifraga stellaris, Alchemilla alpina and Gnaphalium supinum. 

Among the Rhytidiadelphus loreus are tufts and wefts of R. squarrosus, Hylocomium splendens, Polytrichum 

alpinum, P. commune, Pleurozium schreberi and Racomitrium lanuginosum, and shiny brown thalli of Cetraria 

islandica. This type of vegetation is a habitat of the scarce Sibbaldia procumbens and the rare montane 

lichen Solorina crocea. 

U13P Deschampsia cespitosa-Galium saxatile grassland; form with much Polytrichum alpinum; 

not assigned to a sub-community 

This type of vegetation occurs on the ridge which runs south-west from the summit of Aonach Beag. It is a 

species-poor grassland with a short, dense, tufted, deep-green sward of Deschampsia cespitosa growing 

through a dark-green turf of Polytrichum alpinum. There is a speckling of Carex bigelowii, Agrostis canina, 

Viola palustris and Gnaphalium supinum and an assemblage of bryophytes including Racomitrium ericoides, 

Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium lanuginosum and Barbilophozia floerkei. 

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This is an odd type of grassland which we have not seen elsewhere in Scotland. It resembles the Carex- 

Polytrichum heath U8 which occurs higher up on the same slope, but it differs from U8 in having a sward 

dominated by Deschampsia cespitosa. McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) sampled this very same vegetation on 

Aonach Beag. It grades into typical U8 higher up the slope and these authors considered that it was closely 

related to the Carex-Polytrichum heath, noting, as we do, that it is quite different from other montane 

Deschampsia grasslands. It is evidently a stable community and probably a climatic climax, as it has 

persisted at least from 1957 until the present day. It may be that this high slope, exposed to the prevailing 

winds which are funnelled up Glen Nevis, receives an extraordinarily high precipitation which may keep 

the soils so wet that Deschampsia cespitosa is able to flourish. This slope will also receive much of the runoff 

from the snow which gathers on the summit. 

U14 Alchemilla alpina-Sibbaldia procumbens dwarf-herb community 

This, along with the Silene-Luzula sub-community of the Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12a, is one of the 

herb-dominated snow-beds. It is a vegetation type of high, shaded slopes and gullies and is especially 

characteristic of disturbed ground. For instance, it forms bands of vegetation around the crumbling upper 

edges of corries, where the great weight of the snow cornice in winter, freezing, thawing and slipping down 

the steep slopes, plucks at the ground around its upper edge. U14 is also characteristic of the loose, 

unstable sides of stream gullies and meltwater channels where sand and gravel are deposited over the 

vegetation when the snow melts or when streams run in spate. And it can occur on fell-fields of shifting gravel 

on high plateaux. In the study area it occurs on the upper west-facing screes of Ben Nevis, in Coire Leis and 

on the north-eastern cliffs of Ben Nevis and in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór 

and Aonach Beag. In the Grey Corries we found it only in Cùl Choirean. 

One of the main habitats of the scarce Sibbaldia procumbens, U14 consists of loose mats of this species 

and Alchemilla alpina, forming an attractive mixture of pale blue-grey leaves and silver-edged green leaves, 

decorated with frothy yellow flowers in summer. Poking up among these herbs are shoots of species such as 

Carex bigelowii, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Agrostis capillaris, Nardus stricta and Luzula spicata 

and other herbs including Galium saxatile, Potentilla erecta, Viola palustris, Gnaphalium supinum 

and Alchemilla glabra. Under the vascular plants is a golden-brown carpet of mosses made up of species 

such as Racomitrium fasciculare, R. heterostichum, R. lanuginosum and Kiaeria starkei, interspersed with 

Polytrichum alpinum, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Conostomum tetragonum, Marsupella emarginata and 

Barbilophozia floerkei. The soils are locally base-rich, perhaps because of the constant supply of nutrients in 

frost-churned gravel, and some examples have a few calcicoles such as Thymus polytrichus and Persicaria 

vivipara. 

U15 Saxifraga aizoides-Alchemilla glabra banks 

This herb-rich vegetation is ecologically about half way between the base-rich stony Carex-Saxifraga flushes 

M11 and the Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation U17. It is a community of wet, base-rich rock faces and steep 

slopes, where there is enough soil to sustain a range of herbs as well as sedges and bryophytes. It has an 

open, sedgy sward of Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa, C. panicea, C. pulicaris and Deschampsia cespitosa, 

enclosing a rich array of herbs which can tolerate wet, base-rich soils. Saxifraga aizoides and 

S. oppositifolia hang down in great clusters of glaucous leaves. S. aizoides has sprays of bright yellow 

flowers that make the community easy to see in summer. These plants grow with species such as S. hypnoides, 

Silene acaulis, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Pinguicula vulgaris, Oxyria digyna, Selaginella selaginoides, 

53


Saussurea alpina, Thalictrum alpinum and Rhinanthus minor. Around them, on the dripping ledges and on 

wet gravel, are bryophytes such as Blindia acuta, Campylium stellatum, Plagiobryum zieri, Anoectangium 

aestivum, Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Scorpidium scorpioides, Calliergonella cuspidata, 

Scapania undulata and Aneura pinguis. U15 occurs on the flushed limestone slopes of Meall Cumhann, 

where it is home to the rare Poa glauca, and also on Sgurr a Bhuic. 

U16a Luzula sylvatica-Vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Dryopteris dilatata- 

Dicranum majus sub-community 

This is the characteristic tall-herb vegetation of acid cliff ledges. It occurs widely through the study area, 

though none of the patches are large. U16a is a tall, ungrazed assemblage of ferns including Dryopteris 

dilatata, D. filix-mas, Oreopteris limbosperma, Blechnum spicant and Phegopteris connectilis growing in a 

lush sward of Luzula sylvatica, Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia cespitosa, D. flexuosa, Alchemilla alpina 

and Rumex acetosa. Saxifraga stellaris, Oxalis acetosella, Potentilla erecta and Galium saxatile are 

common, and Carex bigelowii grows in stands at higher altitudes. Under the vascular plants is a thick underlayer 

of bryophytes such as Dicranum scoparium, D. majus, Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, 

Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum fallax, 

S. palustre, Diplophyllum albicans, Scapania undulata and Pellia epiphylla. 

U16b Luzula sylvatica-Vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Anthoxanthum odoratum- 

Festuca ovina sub-community 

This is a type of tall-herb vegetation of acid ground where grazing is very light. It is especially extensive 

on the north-eastern slopes of the Allt a’ Mhuillin glen, below the cliffs of Carn Dearg. There are patches 

of it among heaths and grasslands on the south-eastern slopes of Sgurr a’ Bhuic and, more extensively, on 

the west-facing side of Coire Giubhsachan below the main line of cliffs on Aonach Beag. It also occurs in 

Coire an Eòin, on the northern slopes of Beinn na Socaich and on the south-facing slopes of Glen Nevis. 

U16b has a dense, vivid green sward of Luzula sylvatica and Vaccinium myrtillus interleaved with 

Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa, Festuca vivipara, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, 

Juncus squarrosus, Carex binervis and Luzula multiflora, tufts of Blechnum spicant, Oxalis acetosella, Rumex 

acetosa, Viola palustris, Alchemilla alpina and Huperzia selago, and straggling shoots of Potentilla erecta 

and Galium saxatile. Among these plants are mats and cushions of bryophytes including Pleurozium 

schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, R. squarrosus, Polytrichum 

commune, Dicranum scoparium, Scleropodium purum and Diplophyllum albicans. 

U16c Luzula sylvatica-Vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Species-poor sub-community 

As its name implies, U16c takes in the patches of almost pure Luzula sylvatica scattered on hillsides amid 

expanses of grassland and heath. It occurs on Sgurr a’ Bhuic, on Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and in Coire 

Giubhsachan up to almost 800m, and on the east-facing slopes in the Lairig Leacach. U16c consists of 

tough, rustling green and russet-brown swards of Luzula sylvatica, together with a little Deschampsia 

flexuosa, D. cespitosa and Anthoxanthum odoratum and a freckling of small herbs such as Potentilla erecta, 

Galium saxatile and Rumex acetosa. There is a sparse layer of bryophytes including species such as 

Pleurozium schreberi, Hypnum jutlandicum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus and Hylocomium splendens. 

Some of the examples at high altitudes have Carex bigelowii in them and may be relicts of near-natural 

vegetation, persisting because grazing is only light. 

54


U17a Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale 

pseudotriquetrum sub-community 

tall-herb community, Alchemilla glabra-Bryum 

This type of tall-herb vegetation occurs on flushed and dripping ledges of base-rich rock on the cliffs of 

Meall Cumhann, Coire Giubhsachan, Sgurr a’ Bhuic and, most extensively, on the Agaidh Garbh and the 

North-East Ridge of Aonach Beag. There are small, isolated, scattered fragments elsewhere in the study 

area. Of all the sub-communities of U17 it is the one of the wettest substrates. Many of the species that grow 

here are plants which are also common in springs and flushes, for example Carex panicea, C. viridula ssp. 

oedocarpa, C. pulicaris, Saxifraga aizoides, S. oppositifolia, Pinguicula vulgaris, Selaginella selaginoides 

and bryophytes such as Philonotis fontana, Bryum pseudotriquetrum and Blindia acuta. There are also many 

other herbs such as Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Trollius europaeus, Angelica sylvestris, Silene acaulis, 

Thalictrum alpinum, Geranium sylvaticum, Geum rivale, Oxyria digyna, Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea 

alpina, Sedum rosea, Luzula sylvatica, Taraxacum officinalis agg. and Orchis mascula. The herbs flower in 

summer in bright shades of yellow, white and purple, and the air around the cliffs is sweetly scented by the 

pale gold fragrant flowers of Trollius europaeus. There is a rich assemblage of bryophytes including 

calcicoles such as Tortella tortuosa, Anoectangium aestivum and the oceanic liverwort Herbertus stramineus. 

U17a reaches its highest elevation in the study area on the cliffs of Aonach Beag, and here there is 

a magnificent array of montane calcicoles including Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Silene acaulis, 

Poa alpina, P. glauca, Sibbaldia procumbens, the scarce Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, C. alpinum 

and Veronica alpina, and the very rare Saxifraga cernua. There is also a rich flora of montane bryophytes 

including Moerckia blyttii, Scapania uliginosa, Marsupella alpina, M. adusta, M. brevissima, Anthelia 

juratzkana, Pleurocladula albescens, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Philonotis seriata, Oedopodium griffithianum, 

Polytrichum sexangulare, Pohlia wahlenbergii ssp. glacialis, P. ludwigii, Kiaeria glaciale, Orthothecium 

rufescens and Conostomum tetragonum. 

U17b Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Geranium sylvaticum sub-community 

This wonderful tall-herb community is extensive on the cliff ledges on the eastern side of Aonach Beag, on 

the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan and on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a’ Bhuic. There are also small 

patches on the eastern slopes of Stob Coire Gaibhre and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It consists of 

stupendously species-rich swards of grasses and tall mesotrophic herbs including Deschampsia cespitosa, 

Anthoxanthum odoratum, Festuca vivipara, Carex flacca, C. hostiana, C. panicea, C. viridula ssp. 

oedocarpa, Luzula sylvatica, Sedum rosea, Angelica sylvestris, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Trollius 

europaeus, Ranunculus acris, Valeriana oficinalis, Polystichum lonchitis, Cystopteris fragilis, Rhinanthus minor, 

Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Geranium sylvaticum, Galium boreale, Crepis paludosa, Oxyria digyna, 

Persicaria vivipara, Thymus polytrichus, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Saxifraga oppositifolia, 

S. aizoides, S. hypnoides, Plantago lanceolata, P. maritima, Selaginella selaginoides and Saussurea alpina, 

all growing together in great profusion, spilling over the ledges to hang down in dripping curtains over the 

rock faces and brilliant with flowers in summer. Around these plants are mats and clumps of bryophytes 

including Homalothecium sericeum, Tortella tortuosa, Ctenidium molluscum, Tortella tortuosa, Calliergonella 

cuspidata, Calliergon sarmentosum, Hylocomium splendens, Fissidens adianthoides, Plagiobryum zieri, 

Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Ditrichum gracile, 

Orthothecium rufescens, Molendoa warburgii, Breutelia chrysocoma, Neckera crispa, Scapania gracilis, 

S. aspera, Preissia quadrata and the oceanic liverwort Herbertus stramineus. Fifty-two species were recorded 

in a 2m x 2m sample of U17b on the east face of Aonach Beag. The rare montane willow Salix lapponum 

grows in the study area in this sort of vegetation as well as in the more continuous willow scrub W20. 

55


Cerastium alpinum, C. arcticum and Veronica alpina all grow in this type of vegetation on Aonach Beag. 

The tall herbs of U17b are sensitive to grazing, and so this type of vegetation is confined to cliff ledges and 

very steep, broken ground where animals cannot easily go. 

U17c Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Agrostis capillaris-Rhytidiadelphus 


U17c has a tall sward of grasses and herbs. Unlike the other sub-communities of U17, it is not almost 

confined to cliffs, but will cover open and accessible slopes as long as grazing is light. In the study area it 

occurs on the steep ground below the south-west-facing cliffs of Meall Cumhann between 500 and 600m, 

below the cliffs in Coire na Easain and on the grassy slope below the near-vertical cliff at the south-east end 

of the Agaidh Garbh. The sward is made up of Deschampsia cespitosa, Anthoxanthum odoratum, 

Holcus lanatus and Festuca vivipara growing tall and dense. It conceals a great array of mesotrophic and 

base-tolerant species such as Prunella vulgaris, Ranunculus acris, Plantago lanceolata, Lysimachia nemorum, 

Geum rivale, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Armeria maritima, Luzula sylvatica, Filipendula ulmaria, 

Geranium sylvaticum, Cirsium heterophyllum, Cardamine palustris, Persicaria vivipara, Galium boreale, 

Trollius europaeus, Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Valeriana officinalis, Thalictrum alpinum, Carex pulicaris, 

C. saxatilis and Veronica chamaedrys. At the bottom of the sward are mats of bryophytes including 

grassland species such as Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hylocomium splendens, Scleropodium 

purum, Thuidium tamariscinum and Ptilium cristacastrensis. In the complete absence of grazing, this type of 

vegetation might revert to the more herb-dominated Geranium sub-community U17b, or even, at lower 

altitudes, to herb-rich Fraxinus-Sorbus-Mercurialis woodland W9. 

U17d Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Primula vulgaris-Hyperichum pulchrum 

sub-community 

This is the sub-community of U17 which is most common at low altitudes in the west Highlands 

and the Hebrides, and in southern Scotland, England and Wales. It has a more heathy sward than the 

other sub-communities, with conspicuous dark clumps of Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea among the 

Thymus polytrichus, herbs and grasses. The characteristic species are plants of low altitudes and of herb-rich 

woodland, such as Anthyllis vulneraria, Primula vulgaris, Orchis mascula, Lotus corniculatus, Plantago 

lanceolata, Viola riviniana, Hypericum pulchrum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta and Teucrium scorodonia. 

These grow together with more upland species such as Trollius europaeus, Geranium sylvaticum, Sedum 

rosea, Selaginella selaginoides, Silene acaulis, Saxifraga oppositifolia and Alchemilla alpina. There is a 

fine array of bryophytes including Anoectangium aestivum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Hylocomium splendens, 

Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. heterostichum, Fissidens bryoides, Hyocomium armoricum, Tortella tortuosa, 

Ditrichum gracile, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci and the oceanic Saccogyna viticulosa. U17d 

occurs on the west-facing cliffs of Meall Cumhann, and on the east-facing cliffs of Aonach Beag. 

U18 Cryptogramma crispa-Athyrium distentifolium snow-bed 

U18 is unique among the snow-beds because the dominant plants are ferns. Ferns are able to thrive in snowbeds 

because the winter covering of snow insulates them from frost which would be fatal in more exposed 

situations. The finest examples in the Ben Nevis SSSI are in the depths of the shaded north-facing and 

east-facing corries of Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag and the north-facing 

Grey Corries. There are also tiny fragments of U18 high up in Coire Giubhsachan – among the screes of 

Carn Mór Dearg and on the west-facing clopes of Aonach Beag – and in Cùl Choirean. 

56


This distinctive and attractive community consists of a canopy of the ferns Cryptogramma crispa or Athyrium 

distentifolium or both. They grow in lush green patches: the Cryptogramma crimped and crisped like 

the parsley of its common name; the Athyrium in tall elegant plumes, rising out of grey expanses of boulders 

and scree. Among the ferns is a sparse array of species such as Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex bigelowii, 

Viola palustris, Huperzia selago, Vaccinium myrtillus, Galium saxatile, Alchemilla alpina, Juncus trifidus and, 

locally, other ferns such as Blechnum spicant, Phegopteris connectilis, Dryopteris dilatata and the scarce 

D. oreades. The rare Cerastium cerastioides grows in this type of vegetation in Choire Lèith. The bryophyte flora 

is rich, with much Sphagnum denticulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. fasciculare, 

R. sudeticum, Polytrichum alpinum, P. commune, Hypnum jutlandicum, Plagiothecium undulatum, 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Hylocomium umbratum, Diplophyllum albicans, Mylia taylorii, Anastrepta orcadensis, 

Bazzania tricrenata, Barbilophozia floerkii and Marsupella emarginata. There are also several snow-bed 

specialists such as Diplophyllum taxifolium, Moerckia blyttii, Kiaeria blyttii, K. falcata, Andreaea alpina, 

Oligotrichum hercynicum, Anthelia juratzkana, Lophozia opacifolia, L. sudetica, Pleurocladula albescens 

and the very rare moss Kiaeria glacialis, a species which is particularly associated with this type of 

vegetation (Rothero 1991). On shaded north-facing slopes the bryophyte flora is richer still, with a number 

of scarce oceanic species including Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania ornithopodioides, S. nimbosa, 

Bazzania pearsonii and Plagiochila carringtonii. There is also a great diversity of lichens including Cetraria 

islandica, Coelocaulon aculeatum, Thamnolia vermicularis, Stereocaulon vesuvianum, Cladonia portentosa, 

C. uncialis, C. furcata, C. rangiferina, C. bellidiflora, C. arbuscula and C. coniocraea. 

U19 Thelypteris limbosperma-Blechnum spicant community 

U19 is especially extensive, covering hundreds of square metres, on the northern slopes of the study area. It is 

also extensive above the woodland on the west-facing slope of Meall Cumhann, where it covers about a 

hectare with its characteristic yellow-green upright clumps of fronds. It occurs sporadically along Glen Nevis 

as far east as Sgurr a’ Bhuic, generally in small patches alongside watercourses on steep, well-drained, 

sheltered ground. Under the soft, lemon-scented canopy of the fern are smaller plants such as Blechnum 

spicant, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis canina, Festuca vivipara, Carex binervis, Potentilla erecta, Galium 

saxatile, Oxalis acetosella, Viola riviniana, Conopodium majus and Succisa pratensis. There is a deep, 

golden-green layer of bryophytes such as Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus 

squarrosus, R. loreus, Hypnum jutlandicum, Scleropodium purum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum commune 

and Dicranum majus. Much of the ground now occupied by U19 would once have been woodland, and 

the vegetation has much in common with the ground layer of grassy woodland on well-drained acid soil. 

U20a Pteridium aquilinum-Galium saxatile community, Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community 

There are patches of this type of bracken-dominated vegetation all along the low ground in Glen Nevis, 

among heaths and grasslands on the open slopes and in woodland glades. U20a is also extensive along 

the northern slopes of the study area, forming mosaics with woodland and with the Oreopteris community 

U19. U20a occurs on deep brown mineral soils and its distribution shows well, though not exclusively, 

where woodland could develop in the current climate. 

U20a is the grassy sub-community. The ground layer under the tall green canopy of bracken is very similar 

to Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland U4, with a dense, bright green sward of Festuca vivipara or F. ovina, 

F. rubra, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Agrostis capillaris and Carex binervis tangled with stems of the ubiquitous 

Galium saxatile and Potentilla erecta and dotted with a few other species such as Rumex acetosa, Cerastium 

fontanum and Viola riviniana. Woodland plants such as Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella and 

Anemone nemorosa can occur in this type of vegetation, in which the bracken provides shade and shelter. 

On the northern slopes of the study area, Trientalis europaea grows in this type of vegetation. There is a thin mat 

of bryophytes made up of Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, R. loreus, Hylocomium splendens, 

Thuidium tamariscinum, Scleropodium purum and Hypnum jutlandicum. 

57


U20b Pteridium aquilinum-Galium saxatile community, Vaccinium myrtillus-Dicranum scoparium 

sub-community 

The heathy form of bracken-dominated vegetation occurs on the north-facing slopes of the study area, where 

it forms mosaics with woodland, with the grassy U20a and with the Oreopteris limbosperma community 

U19. It looks very similar to U20a, with a tall, dense, green canopy of Pteridium aquilinum. But here, instead 

of a ground layer of grasses, there is a sward of Vaccinium myrtillus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Galium saxatile, 

Oxalis acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Viola riviniana and bryophytes such as Rhytidiadelphus loreus, 

Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, D. majus, Hypnum jutlandicum and Polytrichum commune. 

U20 Pteridium aquilinum-Galium saxatile community; damp form not classified to any 

sub-community 

On the southern slopes between Meall Cumhann and the Allt Coire Giubhsachan, in Coire an Eòin 

and Coire Choimhlidh, there are small patches of bracken which have been mapped as U20, without a 

sub-community. This is because they cover a ground layer of Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Succisa 

pratensis and Viola palustris, with patches of Hypnum jutlandicum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Campylopus 

atrovirens and Pleurozium schreberi which is identical to the surrounding Molinia-Potentilla grassland M25 

without a canopy of bracken. These patches are probably single plants of bracken growing clonally 

following chance establishment in this type of vegetation. 

U21 Cryptogramma crispa-Deschampsia flexuosa community 

This fern community – not a snow-bed like the Cryptogramma-Athyrium community U18 – is characteristic of 

dry, well-drained scree on steep slopes. It is one of those types of upland vegetation which is more common 

in the south of the country than it is in the north. It is most extensive in Wales, the Lake District and the 

Southern Uplands. It does, however, occur in the Highlands in suitable habitats, and was recorded at over 

1000m on the south-facing screes of Ben Nevis. It also occurs on the south-facing side of the Grey Corries. 

U21 is distinguished from U18 by the absence of snow-tolerant species. It consists of an open, patchy sward 

of Cryptogramma crispa, its brilliant green mounds of frothy foliage conspicuous in summer and the 

dead red-brown remains in winter equally visible. Other plants grow sparingly on the thin layer of humus 

that builds up around the clumps of Cryptogramma. They include Deschampsia flexuosa, Agrostis capillaris 

and an array of bryophytes such as Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. heterostichum, R. ericoides, R. sudeticum, 

Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum scoparium, Andreaea rupestris and Ptilidium ciliare. 

There is a pale speckling of lichens such as Stereocaulon vesuvianum, Cladonia bellidiflora and 

C. subcervicornis. 

Dry aff: Dryopteris affinis community 

This type of fern-dominated vegetation was not sampled for the NVC but is known to be widespread in 

upland Britain (Rodwell et al. 2000). It occurs on the ruins of the house at Steall, in Glen Nevis. Some of 

it is on ground onto which stones have fallen from the ruins. Other patches of it are on the low, broad tops 

of the ruined stone walls. In both situations there is much soil among the stones. The vegetation has a tall 

sward of Dryopteris affinis with an understorey of Deschampsia cespitosa, D. flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, 

Agrostis capillaris, Ranunculus repens, Rumex acetosa, Cardamine pratensis and Galium saxatile. There is 

a thin mat of bryophytes made up of Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Thuidium tamariscinum 

and Scleropodium purum. 

58

S9a Carex rostrata swamp, Carex rostrata sub-community 

S9a swamps consist of rustling grey-green swards of Carex rostrata growing in shallow water. There are 

small patches of S9a in the wetter parts of the mixed Carex rostrata mires and other mires on the level floor 

of Coire Giubhsachan. Most are in the shallow channels of water which wind across the corrie floor. 

The community also occurs in peaty lochans in Coire an Laoigh and on the south side of Sgurr a’ Bhuic. 

S10a Equisetum fluviatile swamp, Equisetum fluviatile sub-community 

These are swamps of Equisetum fluviatile. The long, supple stems emerge from shallow lochs or slow-moving 

streams. There is a patch of S10a in the still water of a large meander on the Allt Coire Giubhsachan, as 

it crosses the level floor of the corrie. 

OV24 Urtica dioica-Galium aparine community 

There is a patch of this rank, weedy, lowland vegetation beside the sheep fank at Achriabhach, in Glen Nevis. 

It has a tall sward of Urtica dioica about a metre high, growing with Rubus fruticosus, Phleum pratense, 

Dactylis glomerata, Holcus lanatus, Agrostis capillaris, Juncus effusus, Galium aparine, Rumex obtusifolius, 

Epilobium montanum, Cardamine pratensis and the moss Eurhynchium praelongum. 

Lich: Lichen heath 


Pure lichen heaths are the enigma of British upland vegetation. They are an important element in the 

vegetation of northern Scandinavia and the Arctic tundra, where they are grazed by reindeer. In the eastern 

Highlands there are examples of Calluna-Cladonia heath H13 and Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19 where 

the lichens are more common than the dwarf shrubs, but there seems to be almost no pure lichen heath 

above the altitudinal limit of dwarf shrubs. McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) described small patches of pure lichen 

heath within a large tract of lichen-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath on the summit ridge of Carn nan Sac and 

Carn a’ Gheoidh in the Cairnwell hills. Birks and Ratcliffe (1980) reserved the code letter ‘F’ in their scheme 

for pure lichen heaths, presumably in case somebody found some, but to our knowledge, nobody has done so. 

There is no mention of pure lichen heaths in the NVC. 

As a result of this, it was very exciting to come across distinct patches of pure lichen heath on the stony 

plateau reaching out from the summit of Ben Nevis towards Carn Dearg to the north-west. These patches 

cover only a couple of square metres at most, and consist of crisp, shiny brown mats of Cetraria islandica 

mixed with Cladonia portentosa and C. uncialis. Racomitrium lanuginosum grows in grey-green wisps. 

The lichen mats are dotted with Carex bigelowii, Polytrichum alpinum and Alchemilla alpina. These appear 

to be true lichen heaths, related to the foliose lichen heaths dominated by species of Cladonia, Cetraria and 

Stereocaulon with a sparse array of vascular plants which are widespread in the Arctic (Longton 1988). 

Lspi: Luzula spicata swards 

On the plateau of Aonach Mór there are a few patches of vegetation which are almost pure swards of 

Luzula spicata. The woodrush grows through a thin carpet of Racomitrium lanuginosum dotted with Carex 

bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Deschampsia flexuosa, Saxifraga stellaris and Polytrichum alpinum. Nothing like 

this seems to have been described from elsewhere in the British uplands. 

Je: Juncus effusus swards 

There are patches of Juncus effusus around the ruined dwelling of Steall, in the eastern part of Glen Nevis. 

These swards do not fit any of the Juncus effusus mires in the NVC. They occur on dry ground and the ground 

59

layer under the dense sward of tall rushes is green and grassy. There is much Anthoxanthum odoratum, 

Agrostis capillaris, Holcus lanatus, Festuca rubra, Potentilla erecta, Trifolium repens, Rumex acetosa, 

Ranunculus acris and R. repens, growing with a few weedy species such as Cirsium arvense, Cerastium 

fontanum and Digitalis purpurea. There are wefts of bryophytes such as Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, 

Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi. The vegetation lacks the wetland species of the J. effusus 

mires described in the NVC (ie M6c and M23b – see above), and differs from the more lowland MG10 

Juncus effusus-Holcus lanatus grassland in its more acidophilous flora which shows an affinity with 

Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland U4. These rush swards are common on abandoned pasture, around old 

shielings and anywhere where there has been some disturbance in the past. 

Young larch 

Patches of young larch Larix europaeus trees form mosaics with heathland and bare ground in a very small 

area E of a track near the NW corner of the site. These larches have evidently seeded in from the nearby 

conifer plantation. 

Beech 

There are two small patches of mature beech by an old graveyard at NN 137 702 in the lower part of 

Glen Nevis. These beeches appear to be planted. 

Fell-field 


On the stony plateau leading out from Ben Nevis to Carn Dearg in the north-west, on the ridge of the 

Carn Dearg hills to the east of Ben Nevis, on Aonach Mór and on Stob Coire Easain there are outcrops of 

shattered rock, great spreads of boulders and rock fragments, and also fell-fields, which are bare gravelly 

expanses of small stones on level ground. The result of erosion, they are common on hills made from granite 

or basalt which readily weather into small pieces, but they occur widely throughout the Highlands. From a 

distance they look totally bare, and indeed they are almost so. However, there is a sparse scattering of small 

plants. On Ben Nevis there is only Salix herbacea, Saxifraga stellaris and Carex bigelowii, but on the 

Carn Dearg hills, Aonach Mór and Stob Coire Easain the species include Salix herbacea, Carex bigelowii, 

Luzula spicata, Juncus trifidus, Galium saxatile, Vaccinium myrtillus and V. vitis-idaea. There are tufts and patches 

of bryophytes such as Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. heterostichum, R. sudeticum and Polytrichum alpinum, 

and there are a few lichens such as Ochrolechia frigida, Cladonia uncialis and C. subcervicornis. 

Acidic rock (mapped as Rock) 

There is a great deal of exposed rock in the study area, especially on the steeper slopes and on the upper 

parts of Ben Nevis, and on the upper slopes of the Grey Corries which are largely composed of weathered 

quartzite blocks. Except where there are obvious patches of vegetation on the ledges, the rocks look bare. 

They are, in fact, far from being so. Much of the surface is covered by a thin layer of crustose lichens. 

There are spreads of algae where water seeps down, especially in shady situations. Bryophytes grow in 

tufts and cushions on tiny ledges, in crevices, and even on steep faces. There are also fragments of the 

vegetation of the surrounding open ground. Most of the rock is hard and is evidently acid, as judged by 

its flora of crustose lichens and common bryophytes such as Racomitrium lanuginosum, R. sudeticum, 

R. heterostichum and Andreaea spp. These acidic rocks occur in mosaics with a wide range of vegetation 

types such as Calluna-Erica dry heath H10 and Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15 at lower altitudes, and 

Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20 and Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 higher up. 

60

Basic rock (mapped as BR) 

Although most of the rock has a flora which shows that it is acid, some outcrops and cliffs have a more 

basiphilous flora including calcicoles such as the bryophytes Amphidium mougeotii, Anoectangium aestivum, 

Neckera crispa, Tortella tortuosa, Ctenidium molluscum and Herbertus stramineus. These base-rich exposures 

of rock are on Meall Cumhann, Beinn na Socaich, Sgurr a’ Bhuic, Aonach Beag and in Coire Giubhsachan. 

They form mosaics with tall-herb communities and herb-rich grasslands, mires and montane willow scrub. 

Acidic scree (mapped as Scree) 

There are vast skirts of scree around the western and southern slopes of Ben Nevis, dropping like red-grey 

curtains from the knife-edge of the Carn Mór Dearg arête, striping the long slopes of Aonach Beag and 

Sgurr a’ Bhuic and clothing the ridges and summits of the Grey Corries. Like the rocks, the screes are not 

totally bare. They are covered with crustose lichens – generally common pioneer species similar to those 

which colonise stone walls and other buildings. 

One of the characteristic species of stable scree is Racomitrium lanuginosum, which can form grey-green 

sheets looking very like Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 but without any of the montane species. R. ericoides and 

R. sudeticum are also common, along with a number of other saxicolous bryophytes such as Andreaea spp. 

The more stable screes can be partially vegetated. The most common types of vegetation are the 

Cryptogramma-Deschampsia fern community U21 and various types of Vaccinium heath H18 and H20. 

Vaccinium myrtillus is rhizomatous and is better than other dwarf shrubs at colonising scree, as it can creep 

among the rocks. 

Basic scree (mapped as BS) 

Almost all of the scree examined in this survey has a flora which shows that it is acid, or is so bare and 

species-poor that it appears best classed as acidic rather than basic scree. However, on the western and 

north-eastern slopes of Aonach Beag there are small areas of mica-schist scree, with a flora which is speciespoor 

and not very distinctive, but which contains some calcicole species including Saxifraga oppositifolia. 

This is therefore classed as basic scree. It occurs in mosaics with basic rock outcrops, tall herb vegetation U17, 

heaths, grasslands including the herb-rich CG11, CG12 and U5c types, and base-enriched sedge mires 

M10 and M12. 

Rock debris 

On the northern side of Aonach Beag there are slopes and patches of rock debris. This is not really scree, 

but bedrock being weathered away in this extreme montane environment by the action of frost and water. 

The shaly rock is crumbling and splitting into angular fragments, gravelly detritus and sand. Among the rock 

is late snow-bed vegetation dominated by snow-tolerant mosses, liverworts and herbs (see U11 and U12 

above). This unstable slope is the main habitat for the rare Luzula arcuata in the Ben Nevis SSSI. 

Boulder field 


The summit of Ben Nevis is a huge boulder-field where the underlying rock has been shattered into large 

fragments by the weathering action of frost. At the great altitude of 1334m there are few plants here. 

The only vascular species are Saxifraga stellaris and Huperzia selago, but there is a sparse array of snowtolerant 

bryophytes such as Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, Polytrichum alpinum, P. sexangulare and 

Brachythecium glaciale. These thicken up between the boulders to form species-poor patches of the 

Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11b. 

61

There is a distinguished lichen flora on the boulders, including Amygdalaria consentiens, A. pelobotryon, 

Fuscidia gothoburgensis, Ionaspis odora, Verrucaria margacea and the montane Lecidea paupercula, 

Ionaspis cyanocarpa, Micarea granulosa, Sporastatia polyspora and Tephromela armenaica (Gilbert 

2000). The summit is the only known British locality for Staurothele arctica, otherwise known only from 

Scandinavia (Gilbert 2000). 

There are also boulder-fields on the col between Aonach Mór and Stob a’ Chùl Choire, and at the head of 

Coire a’ Mhadaidh. 

River 

Some rocky rivers are wide enough to be delineated on the vegetation map. They are labelled ‘River’. 

Bare peat 

There are patches of bare, eroded peat, locally becoming recolonised by Eriophorum angustifolium, on the 

col between Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and on the level ground of Tom a’ Choinneachaidh, 

enclosed by a large bend in the Water of Nevis, and in the Lairig Leacach at the eastern end of the site. 

Some of the largest expanses, however, are on the level flats in Coire an Eòin, and here there are forests 

of pine-stumps exposed by the eroding peat. 

Bare ground 

Two small areas of bare soil and stones were mapped as ‘Bare ground’. One is in mosaic with U4e grassland 

on steep slopes above a tributary stream south of Sgurr Chionnich Mor. The other is a very small area in mosaic 

with heathland and young larches on more or less level ground just east of a track at the NW corner of the site. 

Shingle 

Where Glen Nevis broadens out at the eastern end of the gorge, the Water of Nevis winds across a green, 

level meadow. Alongside its course are spreads of shingle, presumably deposited when the river comes 

down in spate, and shifting and changing from year to year. There are similar spreads in Coire an Eòin. 

They have a sparse flora of plants such as Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, Potentilla erecta, 

Viola riviniana and the moss Racomitrium ericoides. 

OW: Open water 


There are few large bodies of water in the study area. The largest is Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, which is 

about 750m long and 200m wide at its widest point. The lochan in Coire an Lochan in the Grey Corries 

is about 200m long. There are small corrie lochans in Coire on Lochain on the east side of Aonach Mór, 

and in Coire na Ceannain in the Grey Corries. Otherwise there are only a few peaty pools. 

62


Table 3 List of vegetation and habitat types found by Ben and Alison Averis in this survey 

of Ben Nevis SSSI in 2003–2004 



W7c Alnus glutinosa-Fraxinus excelsior-Lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa sub-community 

W9b Fraxinus excelsior-Sorbus aucuparia-Mercurialis perennis woodland, Crepis paludosa sub-community 

W11a Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata sub-community 

W11b Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, Blechnum spicant sub-community 

W11 Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, not classified to any sub-community 

W17a Quercus-Betula-Dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides-Diplophyllum albicans sub-community 


W17c Quercus-Betula-Dicranum majus woodland, Anthoxanthum odoratum-Agrostis capillaris sub-community 

W18d Pinus sylvestris-Hylocomium splendens woodland, Sphagnum capillifolium/quinquefarium-Erica tetralix sub-community 



W24 Rubus fruticosus-Holcus lanatus underscrub 

W25b Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub, Teucrium scorodonia sub-community 


H10a Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath, Typical sub-community 


H10c Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath, Festuca ovina-Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community 



H12b Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Cladonia portentosa sub-community 

H12bR Calluna-Vaccinium heath, Vaccinium-Cladonia sub-community, Racomitrium lanuginosum form 





H18a Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Hylocomium splendens-Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community 

H18b Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Alchemilla alpina-Carex pilulifera sub-community 

H18c Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum-Cladonia spp. sub-community 


H20a Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Viola riviniana-Thymus polytrichus sub-community 


H20c Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Bazzania tricrenata-Mylia taylori sub-community 

H20d Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Rhytidiadelphus loreus-Hylocomium splendens sub-community 

H21a Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath,Calluna vulgaris-Pteridium aquilinum sub-community 

H21b Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii-Herbertus aduncus sub-community 

H22a Vaccinium myrtillus-Rubus chamaemorus heath, Polytrichum commune-Galium saxatile sub-community 

H22b Vaccinium myrtillus-Rubus chamaemorus heath, Plagiothecium undulatum-Anastrepta orcadensis sub-community 





M6b Carex echinata-Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex nigra-Nardus stricta sub-community 




M9a Carex rostrata-Calliergonella cuspidata/Calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum-Scorpidium scorpioides sub-community 

M10a Carex dioica-Pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-Juncus bulbosus/kochii sub-community 

M11a Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-Saxifraga aizoides mire, Thalictrum alpinum-Juncus triglumis sub-community 

63

Table 3 (continued) 


M11b Carex viridula ssp.oedocarpa-Saxifraga aizoides mire,Palustriella commutata-Eleocharis quinqueflora sub-community 






M17a Trichophorum cespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Drosera rotundifolia-Sphagnum sub-community 

M17b Trichophorum cespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Cladonia spp. sub-community 

M17c Trichophorum-Eriophorum blanket mire, Juncus squarrosus-Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community 


M19c Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Hylocomium splendens sub-community 

M23a Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus acutiflorus sub-community 

M23b Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium palustre rush pasture, Juncus effusus sub-community 




M27 Filipendula ulmaria-Angelica sylvestris tall-herb fen 



M32b Philonotis fontana-Saxifraga stellaris spring, Montia fontana-Chrysosplenium oppositifolium sub-community 




CG10a Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland, Trifolium repens-Luzula campestris sub-community 

CG10b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland, Carex pulicaris-Carex panicea sub-community 

CG10c Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland, Saxifraga aizoides-Ditrichum gracile sub-community 


CG11b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Alchemilla alpina grassland, Carex pulicaris-Carex panicea sub-community 




U4b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-Trifolium repens sub-community 

U4d Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Luzula multiflora-Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community 

U4e Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa sub-community 

U4eA Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland, Vaccinium-Deschampsia sub-community, Alchemilla alpina variant 

U4F Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, provisional Filipendula ulmaria sub-community 


U5b Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland, Agrostis canina-Polytrichum commune sub-community 






U6d Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina grassland, Agrostis capillaris-Luzula multiflora sub-community 


U7a Nardus stricta-Carex bigelowii grass heath, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum-Cetraria islandica sub-community 






64




U10cSP Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community, species-poor form 


U11b Polytrichum sexangulare-Kiaeria starkei snow-bed, Species-poor sub-community 

U12a Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Silene acaulis-Luzula spicata sub-community 

U12b Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Gymnomitrion concinnatum sub-community 

U12c Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Marsupella brevissima sub-community 

U13a Deschampsia cespitosa-Galium saxatile grassland, Anthoxanthum odoratum-Alchemilla alpina sub-community 


U13P Deschampsia cespitosa-Galium saxatile grassland, Polytrichum alpinum form not assigned to a sub-community 



U16a Luzula sylvatica-Vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Dryopteris dilatata-Dicranum majus sub-community 

U16b Luzula sylvatica-Vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Anthoxanthum odoratum-Festuca ovina sub-community 

U16c Luzula sylvatica-Vaccinium myrtillus tall-herb community, Species-poor sub-community 

U17a Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Alchemilla glabra-Bryum pseudotriquetrum sub-community 


U17c Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Agrostis capillaris-Rhytidiadelphus loreus sub-community 

U17d Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Primula vulgaris-Hyperichum pulchrum sub-community 




U20b Pteridium aquilinum-Galium saxatile community, Vaccinium myrtillus-Dicranum scoparium sub-community 

U20 Pteridium aquilinum-Galium saxatile community; damp form not classified to any sub-community 





HX: Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath 

MX: Herb-rich small-sedge mire 








Je: Juncus effusus swards 

Beech: patches of planted beech 

Fell-field: Fell-field 

Rock: Acidic Rock 

BR: Basic Rock 

Scree: Acidic Scree 

BS: Basic Scree 

Rock debris: Rock debris 

Boulder field: Boulder field 

River: River 

Bare peat: Bare peat 

Shingle: Shingle 

OW: Open water 


65

5 EVALUATION 


5.1 General description of the site 

Ben Nevis, at 1344m the highest point in Britain, lies at the western end of the study area. Its massive bald 

summit is poised, like a breaking wave, over the depths of its stupendous north-eastern cliffs. To the northwest 

and to the south of the summit are two granite outliers, both called Carn Dearg. To the west is the small 

green eminence of Meall an t-Suidhe, its steep slopes corrugated with tree-lined gullies. To the east the 

summit slopes of Ben Nevis drop to the airy knife-edge of the Carn Mór Dearg arête, its steep slopes draped 

in screes and seamed by black gullies. The arête runs from Ben Nevis out to Carn Mór Dearg; a tiny summit 

just big enough for someone to stand beside the cairn, and the highest point of a long granite ridge running 

from north to south. This rises to two other tops – Carn Dearg Meadhonach and Carn Beag Dearg – and 

is divided from Ben Nevis by the long green glen of the Allt a’ Mhuillin. This glen ends in Coire Leis under 

the highest inland cliffs in Britain. On the east side of the Carn Dearg ridge, three shallow corries face east 

across the glen of the Allt Daim, an unfrequented, trackless hollow in the hills. East again is the monumentally 

massive ridge of Aonach Mór. This almost level plateau, 1221m high, is defended to the west by a steep 

precipice lined with gullies and to the east by a fine series of cliff-bound corries. These corries are bounded 

to the east by the slender ridge of Tom na Sròine and Stob a’ Chùl Choire. To the south of Aonach Mór, 

and divided from it by a narrow col, is the smooth dome-shaped summit of Aonach Beag. At 1234m high 

it is only 100m lower than Ben Nevis itself. It is divided from the Ben by the hidden hanging glen of 

Coire Giubhsachan; a green valley bisected by its tumultuous white river and walled in by vast hillsides. 

At the south-eastern end of the glen is Meall Cumhann, with its limestone cliffs rising to a jagged crest. 

From Aonach Beag a ridge leads out south-east to Sgurr a’ Bhuic: a twisted pyramid at the head of its great 

south-western corrie. 

To the south of these hills runs the Water of Nevis, flowing westwards through a steep green glen, across a 

level upland meadow at Steall and then dropping through the wooded gorge of Glen Nevis. The gorge of 

the Water of Nevis and the upper Glen, with the white cascade of Steall waterfall dropping through tiers 

of black rocks and green slopes hung with trees, has been likened to parts of the Himalayas. It is certainly 

unlike most other parts of the Highlands. 

The hills at the eastern end of the SSSI are known, collectively, as the Grey Corries: an apt name as the 

upper slopes are draped in pale quartzite screes which contrast attractively with the smooth, golden-green 

tones of the middle and lower slopes. Although these hills are dwarfed by the massive ranges to the west, 

the highest point, Stob Coire Claurigh, is 1177m high – not far below the height of Carn Mór Dearg and 

Aonach Mór – and the ridge rarely drops below 1000m throughout the 6km of its length. The silvery spires 

of the summits are linked by a narrow wavering crest that is less than a metre wide in some parts. To the 

north is a parallel series of glens running up into deep-cut corries. The corries facing south are shallower, 

except for the incised hollow of Cùl Choirean at the eastern end of the study area. One of the most 

impressive parts of the study area is the glen which divides the Grey Corries from Tom na Sròine, Stob a’ 

Chùl Choire and Aonach Beag. In its lower reaches it is called Coire an Eòin: a wide green strath with a 

broad meandering river winding across level and boggy flats to fall in a white waterslide down an 

impressive series of red slabs surrounded by wooded rock outcrops. In its upper part, the glen splits into: 

Coire an Easain, high up under the walls of Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór; Coire 

Bhealaich, divided by a 730m col from Glen Nevis; and An Cùl Choire and An Coire Calma beneath the 

eastern cliffs of Aonach Beag. The eastern face of Aonach Beag is a prodigious piece of upland scenery. 

66

A vast towering amphitheatre of dark, broken precipices and crumbling, splintered slopes, it is as high as 

the north-eastern precipice of Ben Nevis, though the cliffs are less continuous and are interspersed with 

vegetated ledges. They are at least as impressive as the Nevis cliffs. They drop almost sheer from the summit 

to about 600m, where they spread out in radiating ridges that wind like huge roots across the corrie floor. 

The upper part of An Cùl Choire, high up under the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag and walled 

in to the south by the North-East ridge of Aonach Beag, is a dark, shaded hollow seamed by montane 

springs and flushes where the ice age seems never to have really ended. In mid-August 2004 there was a 

patch of snow in the deep shadow of the North-East ridge which was still about 100m long and 75m wide. 

This patch, though it dwindled to the size of a hearthrug in the hot summer of 2003, nevertheless persisted 

when all the snow on the cliffs of the Ben had gone. 



5.2.1 General patterns of vegetation 

We recorded 154 types of vegetation and habitat here, ranging from woodlands and sub-montane 

communities to high montane moss heaths and snow-beds. In over 20 years of surveying vegetation in 

upland and lowland sites in Scotland, England and Wales, this is the highest total number of vegetation and 

habitat types we have ever recorded for a single site. 

The patterns of vegetation in the study area are fairly typical of the western Highlands. What is interesting 

and not at all common is the complete altitudinal sequence of vegetation from woodland to scrub and dwarf 

shrub heaths, then to montane grasslands, and finally to communities dominated by bryophytes or lichens. 

The altitudinal gradients of climate are very steep. In just over one vertical kilometre from the Water of Nevis 

to the top of the Ben, you travel from temperate rain-forest to an arctic environment. 

On the low ground in Glen Nevis and on the lower, north-facing slopes of Sgurr Finnisg-aig, Tom na Sròine, 

Coire an Eòin, Coire Choimhlidh and Beinn Bhàn there are deciduous native woods of birch, oak, holly, 

rowan and willow, with ash, elm, hazel and hawthorn on the richer soils. The woods in Glen Nevis are 

unusually extensive and the glen is a notably well-wooded landscape by British standards. Most of the 

woodland on the south-facing side of the glen is dry and grassy W11. There are smaller patches of dry, 

heathy, mossy woodland W17, flushed tracts with wet acid woodland W4, wet herb-rich woodland W7 

and drier herb-rich woodland W9. On the north-facing slopes there is much damp, bryophyte-rich woodland 

W17. There are pine woods W18 on the north-facing side of Glen Nevis, and scattered pine trees in lower 

Coire an Eòin. The woodlands in the north of the study area are less extensive than the woodland symbols 

on the Ordnance Survey maps suggest. In particular, Coille Coire nan Eoin is not a continuous tract of 

woodland but a grassy slope with scattered ancient and moribund trees. There is closed woodland only on 

the steeper slopes and cliffs, and most of it belongs to the mossy type W17. There is, however, a small but 

herb-rich and attractive stand of W9 in the lower part of Coire Choimhlidh. 

Above the woods are typical west Highland mosaics of Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15 and Molinia- 

Potentilla grassland M25, with Trichophorum-Eriophorum blanket bog M17 on level flats and drier Calluna- 

Erica heath H10, Calluna-Vaccinium heath H12 and Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21 on steep, 

rocky slopes. Higher up, or where grazing has been heavy in the past, there are sub-montane Vaccinium heaths 

H18 and Vaccinium-rich Trichophorum-Erica heaths M15d. There are also small amounts of sub-montane 

Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grasslands U4a and U4b, Nardus-Galium grasslands U5 and Juncus squarrosus- 

67


Festuca ovina rush heaths U6. With increasing altitude, the heaths become more montane and mossy and 

pass into Vaccinium-Racomitrium heaths H20 and Vaccinium-Rubus heaths H22. There are also small patches 

of prostrate, montane dwarf shrub heath: Calluna-Racomitrium heath H14 in the western half of the site and 

Calluna-Cladonia heath H13 and Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19 further east. On the exposed, south-facing 

slopes there are mossy Nardus-Galium grasslands U5e and Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grasslands U4d and 

U4e, and on level benches there are Calluna-Eriophorum blanket bogs M19c. On more sheltered ground 

in the corries and high up in the glens, there are vast swards of Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a. At the 

time of the survey these swards were tall, lightly grazed and flowering profusely: really attractive green 

grasslands with a silvery haze of flowers. Among and above the U13a grasslands are Nardus-Carex snowbed 

grasslands U7 and late snow-beds dominated by montane mosses and liverworts. There are Polytrichum- 

Kiaeria snow-beds U11, Salix-Racomitrium snow-beds U12, Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-beds U13b and 

Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-beds U14. There are also large patches of snow-beds of types which are not 

described in the NVC: the Pohlia ludwigii commmunity, the Racomitrium heterostichum community and the 

mixed snow-bed mapped as UX. 

On the summits and ridges these heaths, grasslands and snow-beds give way to montane Carex-Racomitrium 

heath U10 and Carex-Polytrichum sedge-heath U8. On the Grey Corries the prevailing type of montane 

heath is the Juncus trifidus community U9b. There are small patches of Racomitrium ericoides moss heath 

and, on Ben Nevis, tiny examples of pure lichen heath. On Aonach Mór there are a few small patches 

where the vegetation is dominated by Luzula spicata. One thing that really brings home the great height of 

Ben Nevis is that on Meall Cumhann, which is around half its height, there are some fine stands of Carex- 

Racomitrium heath U10. U10 is generally the vegetation of the highest summits in the British uplands. 

On Meall Cumhann, in Coire Giubhsachan, on Sgurr a’ Bhuic, on the eastern side of Aonach Beag and 

on Beinn na Socaich there are exposures of limestone and calcareous schist, and much herb-rich vegetation. 

The most notable are the montane Salix lapponum scrub W20, the Saxifraga-Alchemilla community U15 

and the Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation U17. There are also expanses of Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland 

CG10, Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grassland CG11 and Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene swards CG12. The montane 

Dryas-Silene community CG14 occurs on Beinn na Socaich. 

Fern communities are common. Bracken U20 and W25 and Oreopteris limbosperma fern-beds U19 occur 

on the low ground, Cryptogramma-Deschampsia vegetation U21 on steep exposed screes, and Cryptogramma- 

Athyrium snow-beds U18 among sheltered boulders in the high corries. 

The slopes are flushed and there is a great range of soligenous mires: Carex-Sphagnum mires M4 and M6 

and heathy flushes M15a on the low ground, Carex curta-Sphagnum mires M7 and Carex saxatilis mires 

M12 at high altitudes, and Carex rostrata-Calliergonella mires M9, Carex-Pinguicula mires M10 and 

Carex-Saxifraga mires M11 where the irrigating water is base-rich. Bryophyte springs are very common. 

The Philonotis-Saxifraga type M32 and the Anthelia-Sphagnum type M31 are ubiquitous. The montane 

Pohlia wahlenbergii ssp. glacialis community M33 occurs in the sheltered corries of Ben Nevis, Carn Mór 

Dearg, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag and Stob Coire Easain. The base-demanding Palustriella-Festuca 

spring M37 occurs on Beinn na Socaich and in Coire Choimhlidh. 

5.2.2 Wider British and European distributions of vegetation types 

The British distributions of the NVC types recorded in this survey are summarised in Table 4. This table also 

gives information about the distribution of similar vegetation elsewhere in Europe. 

68


Table 4 British distribution of NVC types recorded in this survey at Ben Nevis in 2003–2004, 

and European distribution of similar vegetation 

Note: vegetation types not described in the NVC are omitted from this table because there is insufficient information available about 

their British and European distributions. 

Key to areas: 

1 W Highlands 4 S Scotland 7 SW England 10 France/Germ/Belg/Holl/Lux 13 Central Europe 

2 E Highlands 5 N England 8 SE England 11 Scandinavia 14 Spain/Portugal 

3 Orkney/Shetland 6 Wales 9 Ireland 12 Faroe Islands 15 N Africa 

Key to symbols: 

+ scarce ++ fairly common +++ common * present ? possibly present 

c present, but information only meaningful at NVC community level 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

W E Or S N Wa SW SE Ir Fr Sc Fa CE Sp N 

Hi Hi + Sc En le En En el Ge an er Eu + Af 

NVC gh gh Sh ot gl s gl gl an Ho di oe ro Po ri 

W4b +++ +++ • ++ + + ? + c c * • • • • 

W4c + + • + + + ? + c c ? • • • • 

W7c ++ ++ • ++ +++ +++ + + ? c • • c • • 

W9b +++ +++ • + ++ • • • c • c • • • • 

W11a + • • ++ +++ +++ ++ • ? c • • • • • 

W11b +++ • • + + + • • * c * • • • • 

W17a +++ + • + ++ ++ + • ++ ? * • • • • 

W17b +++ +++ • ++ ++ +++ + • * ? ? • • • • 

W17c +++ +++ • ++ ++ +++ + • * ? ? • • • • 

W18d + ++ • • • • • • • • * • • • • 

W18e + • • • • • • • • • * • • • • 

W20 + + • • • • • • • • * • • • • 

W24 ++ ++ ? ++ +++ +++ +++ +++ * * • • • • • 

W25 +++ +++ ? +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ * ? • • • • • 

H10a +++ ++ ++ +++ + + + • +++ • c * • • • 

H10b ++ + ? + + • • • ? • c ? • • • 

H10c +++ ++ • +++ + + • • ? • c ? • • • 

H10d ++ + + + • • • • ? • c ? • • • 

H12abc + +++ + +++ +++ +++ ++ • • • * • • • • 

H13 + +++ • + + + • • • • * • • • • 

H14 ++ + + • • • • • * • • • • • • 

H15 + • • • • • • • * • • • • • • 

H18abc ++ +++ • ++ ++ ++ + • • • * • • • • 

H19 + +++ • + + • • • • • * • • • • 

H20a + + • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

H20b ++ ++ • • • • • • • • ? • • • • 

H20c + • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

H20d + + • • • • • • • • ? • • • • 

H21a +++ ++ ++ ++ ++ + • • * • * • • • • 

69



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 




H21b ++ • + • + + • • * • • * • • • 

H22a + ++ • + • • • • • • ? • • • • 

H22b ++ +++ • • • • • • • • ? • • • • 

M1 +++ • • ++ ++ ++ ++ + * • * • • • • 

M3 +++ +++ • ++ +++ + • • • * * • • • • 

M4 ++ ++ • ++ ++ ++ + • • • • • • • • 

M6abcd +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ • * * * • • • • 

M7 + ++ • • + • • • • • * • • • • 

M9 ++ ++ • ++ ++ ++ • ++ • * * • * • • 

M10a +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ ++ • • • * * • * • • 

M11ab +++ +++ + + ++ + • • • * * • * • • 

M12 ++ ++ • • • • • • • • * * • • • 

M15a +++ ++ ++ ++ + + + • +++ • * * • • • 

M15b +++ ++ ++ ++ + + + • +++ • * * • • • 

M15c +++ + ++ ++ + + + • +++ • * * • • • 

M15d + + + ++ ++ ++ ++ • ? • ? ? • • • 

M17a +++ ++ ++ ++ + ++ + • +++ • • * • • • 

M17b +++ ++ ++ ++ • + • • ? • • ? • • • 

M17c ++ ++ ++ ++ + + + • ? • • ? • • • 

M19a +++ ++ ++ +++ ++ ++ • • * • c • c • • 

M19c + +++ • • + • • • • • c • c • • 

M23a +++ ++ • +++ ++ ++ ++ + * • • • • • • 

M23b +++ ++ • +++ ++ +++ +++ + * • • • • • • 

M25a +++ ++ • +++ ++ +++ ++ + ? • • • • • • 

M25b + • • ++ + +++ ++ • ? • • • • • • 

M25c + • • • + ++ +++ • ? • • • • • • 

M27 + ++ • ++ ++ ++ ++ + c c • • • • • 

M31 ++ ++ • + + + • • ? • ? ? • • • 

M32ab ++ +++ ++ ++ ++ + ? • • • * * * • • 

M33 + ++ • • • • • • • • * • • • • 

M37 ++ +++ • ++ ++ + ? ? ? ? ? • ? • • 

U4a +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ • * ? ? * • • • 

U4b +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ • ? ? ? ? • • • 

U4d ++ ++ ++ ++ + + • • ? ? ? ? • • • 

U4e + + ? ++ ++ ++ ++ • ? ? ? ? • • • 

U5a +++ +++ ? +++ +++ +++ ? • • c c • • • • 

U5b ++ ++ ? +++ +++ +++ ? • • c c • • • • 

U5c + ++ + + + • • • • c c • • • • 

U5e +++ ++ +++ ++ + • • • • c c * • • • 

U6a ++ ++ ? +++ +++ ++ ? • • c c c • c • 

70



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 




U6c ++ ++ ? +++ +++ ++ ? • • c c c • c • 

U6d + ++ ? +++ +++ ++ ? • • c c c • c • 

U7a ++ ++ • • • • • • • • c c • • • 

U7b ++ ++ • + • • • • • • c c • • • 

U7c + + • + + • • • • • c c • • • 

U8 + ++ • • • • • • • • * • • • • 

U9b + + • • • • • • • • c • • • • 

U10a +++ +++ • + + + • • * • ? ? • • • 

U10b +++ +++ • + + • • • ? • * +++ • • • 

U10c ++ + • + • • • • • • * ++ • • • 

U11ab + ++ • • • • • • • • * • * • • 

U12a + ++ • + • • • • • • c • c • • 

U12b + ++ • + • • • • • • c • c • • 

U12c + + • • • • • • • • c • c • • 

U13ab ++ ++ • + • • • • • • c • • • • 

U14 + ++ • • • • • • • • * • • • • 

U15 ++ ++ • • + • • • • • * • • • • 

U16a ++ ++ • ++ + • • • c • c c • • • 

U16b ++ ++ ++ ++ + • • • c • c c • • • 

U16c ++ ++ ++ ++ + • • • c • c c • • • 

U17a + + • + + + • • • • ? ? • • • 

U17b + + • • • • • • • • * ? • • • 

U17c + ++ • • + • • • • • ? • • • • 

U17d ++ • ++ • • • • • • • ? ? • • • 

U18 + ++ • • • • • • • • * • • • • 

U19 ++ ++ ? ++ ++ ++ + • • • ? • • • • 

U20 +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ +++ ++ * • • • • • • 

U21 + + • + ++ ++ • • ? ? ? • ? ? • 

CG10a +++ +++ ++ ++ +++ ++ • • ? ? ? * ? • • 

CG10b +++ +++ ++ + + + • • ? ? ? * ? • • 

CG10c + + + • • • • • • ? ? ? ? • • 

CG11a ++ ++ • • + • • • • • ? * • • • 

CG11b + ++ • • • • • • • • ? * • • • 

CG12 + ++ • • • • • • • • * • • • • 

CG14 + ++ • • + + • • • • * • • • • 

MG9 + + ? + ++ + ++ +++ ? * • • ? • • 

S9 ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ • + ? ? ? • • • • 

S10 ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ++ ? ? ? • • • • 

71


Most of the types of vegetation recorded in the study area are common in the British uplands. Deciduous 

birch and oak woodland W4, W11 and W17, wet heaths M15, damp Calluna heaths H21 and dry 

Calluna heaths H10 and H12, acid Nardus and Festuca-Agrostis grasslands U5 and U4, Molinia 

grasslands M25, Juncus squarrosus rush heaths U6 and blanket bogs M17 and M19 make up the bulk of 

the vegetation in the uplands of Scotland. The same is true in north-west England and Wales, except that 

there the wet heaths M15 and Trichophorum-Eriophorum blanket bogs M17 are less common and the acid 

grasslands U4, U5 and U6 are more extensive. 

The herb-rich woodlands W7 and W9 with a canopy of ash, alder, hazel, elm and hawthorn are less 

common in the uplands than their counterparts on acid soils, because base-rich rocks are less extensive than 

acid rocks. However, they are relatively extensive and well developed in some areas such as the 

Breadalbanes and the basalt islands of the Inner Hebrides. The woods in Glen Nevis contain some 

uncommon species such as Pinus sylvestris and the oceanic liverworts Scapania ornithopodioides, 

Plagiochila carringtonii, P. atlantica, Bazzania pearsonii and Mastigophora woodsii. They are just as 

notable for their extent. The whole glen is well-wooded. The upper parts have a particularly natural 

appearance, with patches of open birch and rowan woodland mounting the crags to a height of around 

650m just south of the southern boundary of the SSSI. Most people, when they think of natural tree-lines, 

think of the scrubby pine and juniper in the Cairngorms at about 600m. It is rarely considered that some of 

the woodland in the west Highlands may also be at or near to its original altitudinal limit. The woods in 

upper Glen Nevis may be some of the best examples of this. 

In Britain, pine woodland is now native only in Scotland. It was once more widespread, and in periods with 

a favourable cool, dry climate it occurred from Wales northward to Sutherland and the Hebrides (Tipping 

2001, Birks 1988). Its present distribution is from southern Sutherland southwards to north-eastern Argyll, 

north-western Stirlingshire and northern Perthshire. In the eastern Highlands, most examples are on well-drained 

ground and the understorey is dry and dominated by dwarf shrubs and pleurocarpous mosses. In the west 

the understorey is more commonly damp, with much Sphagna and, locally, oceanic bryophytes. These 

oceanic pine woods are especially important because they are so rare in mainland Europe, where the 

understorey tends to be dry and heathy. The pine woodland in Glen Nevis is less extensive than some other 

western examples such as Coulin and Beinn Eighe in Wester Ross. It is also less heathy than typical west 

Highland pine woodland; its ground layer is dominated by Molinia caerulea rather than dwarf shrubs. 

One of the most interesting types of vegetation in the study area is the montane willow scrub with a canopy 

of Salix lapponum. It occurs on the limestone and calcareous schist of Meall Cumhann, Coire Giubhsachan, 

Sgurr a’ Bhuic, Aonach Beag and in many places in the Grey Corries, on both acid and basic rock. It is 

one of the rarest types of British upland vegetation. It is most widespread on the basic rocks of the 

Breadalbane hills, and the largest stand in Britain is in Coire Sharrock at the head of Glen Clova in Angus. 

There are patches on the Drumochter hills, Creag Meagaidh and Ben Alder, within sight of the study area. 

W20 also occurs on the Affric-Cannich hills, on Beinn Dearg at the head of Loch Broom, and on Ben Hope 

(Averis et al. 2004). Montane willow scrub is much more common in Scandinavia, where the climate is 

more favourable. In western Norway, Salix lapponum and S. lanata form tall scrub with a herb-rich ground 

layer at about 1000m. In this, the willows are tall enough for a person to walk underneath the canopy. 

This Scandinavian willow scrub has a rich ground-flora of species such as Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum, 

Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Juniperus communis, Nardus stricta, Deschampsia flexuosa, D. cespitosa, 

Carex nigra, C. capillaris, C. atrata, Oreopteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina, Phegopteris connectilis, 

72


Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Blechnum spicant, Potentilla erecta, P. crantzii, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, 

Potentilla palustris, Trientalis europaeus, Cornus suecica, Campanula rotundifolia, Persicaria vivipara, 

Geranium sylvaticum, Saxifraga stellaris, S. aizoides, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus saxatilis, Geum rivale and 

Thalictrum alpinum. This array of species has much in common with that of the various forms of W20, and 

it seems reasonable to suppose that willow scrub like this may once have occurred in the study area. It is 

interesting that the south-facing slope of Coire Rath is Leachd nan Craobhan Seilich slope of the willow trees, 

and that S. lapponum still occurs here. Perhaps the name refers to a time when there was much montane 

scrub in this remote corrie. The slope with this name is 600m and more above sea-level, where the montane 

willows are more likely to occur than more lowland species such as S. aurita and S. cinerea. It was, 

however, very interesting to see a mixed stand of S. lapponum and S. cinerea on cliffs on Stob Coire na 

Ceannain at an altitude of around 650m. It may be that this is a remnant of mixed willow scrub of a similar 

type to that in western Norway. The montane and sub-montane species are all plants of wet soils, and it is 

reasonable to suppose that in the natural altitudinal sequence of vegetation on flushed slopes, there is a zone 

in which montane and sub-montane species are able to co-exist. 

Salix lapponum also forms shorter scrub about half a metre tall on montane plateaux in Norway at 

about 1300m, growing with species such as Juniperus communis, Betula nana, Empetrum nigrum ssp. 

hermaphroditum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum, Carex bigelowii, Juncus squarrosus, Rubus chamaemorus, 

Sphagnum fuscum and Aulacomnium palustre in mosaics with bogs, mires, dwarf-shrub heaths, montane 

grasslands and bryophyte-dominated snow-beds. It is possible that there was once similar vegetation in at 

least some of these habitats in the study area. For example, there are patches of Salix lapponum in wet 

Juncus squarrosus grassland U6a on boggy ground on Beinn Bhàn and in montane Calluna-Eriophorum bog 

M19c and wet Nardus snow-bed U7a in Coire Easain, and it is easy to imagine extensive tracts of scrubby 

willow in the corries and on wet plateaux throughout the study area. Willow scrub in Britain is at the very 

edge of its geographical range and is almost restricted to inaccessible crags and slopes because the willows 

are grazed by sheep and deer. This is a community which may become more extensive if the numbers of 

grazing animals are reduced. Restoring montane willow scrub is difficult because the plants are readily 

browsed by sheep and deer, but if animals are excluded by fencing, the existing vegetation soon grows tall 

and dense and there is none of the bare ground which the willows need in order to become established. 

At present, the only practicable solution seems to be the approach taken on Ben Lawers (Mardon 1997), 

where nursery-raised willows are being planted in fenced exclosures, in the hope that eventually the 

populations will be sufficiently large and healthy to persist in the presence of grazing animals. Salix lapponum 

scrub survives on the Hardanger plateau in Norway despite the presence of 10,000 reindeer and also 

domestic goats. In Scandinavia, this type of scrub is used by nesting bluethroat, wood sandpiper and 

Lapland bunting. All are species which occasionally breed in Scotland, and which might be tempted to do 

so more regularly if there was more suitable habitat. 

The bogs, heaths and wet grasslands on the lower slopes – Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15, 

Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17, Molinia-Potentilla grassland M25, damp Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum 

heaths H21 and dry Calluna-Erica heaths H10 – are typical examples of these types of vegetation. 

They are common throughout the west Highlands and Hebrides. All are distinctly western, oceanic types of 

vegetation which are rare in or absent from the hills of the European mainland. The liverwort-rich 

Mastigophora-Herbertus sub-community of Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21b is especially 

noteworthy, as nothing remotely like it occurs except in Great Britain and Ireland. Indeed one of the 

characteristic species, Bazzania pearsonii, grows in Ireland and Scotland but nowhere else in Europe. 

73


The Vaccinium-rich form of Trichophorum-Erica heath M15d is unusually extensive in these hills, from low 

altitudes up into some of the highest corries. Some of it may have been derived, by grazing and repeated 

burning, from Calluna-dominated forms of M15 or from heathy woodland, but the examples in the high 

corries are above the upper altitudinal limit of Calluna and may be near-natural communities of damp soils. 

They have montane species such as Carex bigelowii, Vaccinium uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum ssp. 

hermaphroditum. Possibly they mark out places which were formerly covered with the damp, acid form of 

Salix lapponum willow scrub. It was also unusual to see so much of the more eastern, boreal Calluna- 

Vaccinium heath H12 in the study area, although it does occur sparingly in the west Highlands, mainly at 

higher altitudes. Some of the more montane examples of Calluna-Vaccinium heath H12, with an underlayer 

of Racomitrium lanuginosum rather than large pleurocarpous mosses, are an interesting form of vegetation 

which we have seen elsewhere only on Beinn Eighe in Wester Ross (Averis & Averis 1998). 

Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17, the characteristic community of wet, deep peat at low to moderate 

altitudes in western Britain, is common in the boggy glens of the study area. It also occurs at higher altitudes 

where the peat is particularly wet, for example at almost 850m in Coire na Ceannain. The more northern 

and boreal Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19, in contrast, occurs in the western Highlands on drier deep peat 

than that with the Trichophorum-Eriophorum community M17. At moderate altitudes it is generally represented 

by the oceanic Erica sub-community M19a, which has much of its flora in common with that of M17. 

However, at higher altitudes the more montane Vaccinium-Hylocomium sub-community M19c takes over. 

Around Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe and on the eastern slopes of Stob Coire Gaibhre there are heathery 

examples of M19c, with good populations of the peat alpines Cornus suecica and Rubus chamaemorus. 

Higher up in the Grey Corries there are more montane examples, with the heather replaced by Empetrum 

nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum and with much Vaccinium uliginosum and Carex bigelowii in the sward as well 

as Rubus chamaemorus and Cornus suecica. There are good examples of this type of montane bog on the 

central and eastern Highland plateaux of the Affric-Cannich hills, Drumochter hills, the Monadhliath hills, 

Caenlochan, Lochnagar and the Cairngorms as well as on Breadalbane hills such as Ben Heasgarnich, 

Beinn Chonzie and Schiehallion. 

The sub-montane Vaccinium heaths H18 are generally less common in the north and west of the British 

uplands than they are further east and further south. This is because they are generally derived by grazing 

from Calluna-Vaccinium heath H12, and H12 is rare in the western Highlands. The H18 heaths in the study 

area may be the direct successors of heathy woodland with a field layer of Vaccinium myrtillus, such as those 

which still persist in Glen Nevis and in the north of the study area. The damp Vaccinium-Rubus heaths H22 

fall into two types: those with a canopy of Vaccinium myrtillus H22a and those with more Calluna H22b. 

Of the two, the H22a heaths are the more distinct. They occur where snow lies long enough to suppress the 

growth of Calluna vulgaris and are most common in the eastern Highlands. In the east, Calluna heaths 

extend higher up the hills than they do in the west and the patches of H22a Vaccinium snow-bed heath stand 

out clearly among them. There are good examples of H22a in the Cairngorms and on the Drumochter hills. 

The Calluna-dominated H22b is closely related to the Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum damp heath H21, 

though it has more montane vascular plants and can also have a rather more diverse understorey of mosses. 

It occurs on high slopes throughout the Highlands. 

The acid Nardus U5 and Festuca-Agrostis grasslands U4, and Juncus squarrosus rush heaths U6, are 

unexceptional. They are common throughout the Highlands. The extensive mossy Nardus grassland U5e on 

the higher south-facing slopes is a notable component of upland vegetation in the far west, especially on 

74


the hills of Harris and Lewis and along the western seaboard of the mainland. Some examples around the 

altitudinal limit of Calluna heaths contain a few montane species and may be near-natural. The Deschampsia 

cespitosa grasslands U13a are common in the Highlands, particularly in the long chain of hills which forms 

the west Highland watershed from Ben More Assynt in Sutherland down to Glen Coe. U13a is one of the 

most extensive types of vegetation on the shaded upper slopes and in the corries of these hills. It seems to 

be near natural. Almost all of that in the study area seems to be lightly-grazed and the swards of D. cespitosa 

were tall and flowering at the times of the survey, even high up in Coire an Lochain at over 1100m. 

Almost all is above the altitudinal limit of woodland, and much is above the limit of dwarf shrub heath. 

The Nardus snow-beds U7 are the characteristic grasslands where snow lies late. Common throughout the 

Highlands, they are rare in southern Scotland and northern England and confined to a few tiny patches in 

north Wales (Averis et al. 2004). Snow-bed grasslands similar to these occur in western Scandinavia and 

in the Faroes, although the damp, Racomitrium-rich form of Nardus snow-bed U7a is apparently confined 

to Scotland and the Faroe islands, and the Rhytidiadelphus form of the Deschampsia community U13b to 

Great Britain and Ireland. 

Herb-rich Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grasslands CG10, Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grasslands CG11, Festuca- 

Agrostis-Galium grasslands U4F, Nardus-Galium grasslands U5c, Juncus squarrosus-Festuca grasslands U6R, 

the dwarf-herb community CG12 and the Dryas-Silene heath CG14 are especially extensive on Beinn na 

Socaich. This extraordinary hill has base-rich rock high up, and an exceptional flora of montane calcicoles. 

Though these herb-rich communities occur throughout the Highlands wherever the underlying rocks are 

sufficiently base-rich, it is unusual to find them as species-rich and with such an array of uncommon calcicoles 

as on this hill. Some patches of damp Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c had over 40 species in 

a quadrat sample 2m x 2m, and these included the notable scarce species Carex capillaris, C. vaginata, 

Dryas octopetala, Tofieldia pusilla and Saussurea alpina. The patches of CG14 are equally interesting. 

This form of Dryas heath is almost always confined to inaccessible steep and rocky slopes out of the reach 

of grazing animals, but on Beinn na Socaich it covers open ground in mosaics with the other herb-rich 

grasslands. CG14 is confined to basic soils at high altitudes and is rare in the Highlands. It is most extensive 

on the Dalradian mica-schists of the Breadalbane hills from Ben Lui eastwards to Caenlochan, but there are 

outliers as far north as Beinn Stumanadh in Sutherland. There is similar vegetation in Scandinavia. The herbrich 

Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland U4F has a rich array of herbs including uncommon plants such as 

Coeloglossum viride, Crepis paludosa and Cirsium heterophyllum. This interesting form of grassland seems 

not to have been formally described until we found it in 1995 on coastal slopes on the island of Mull 

(Averis & Averis 1999). Since then, we have recorded it on Beinn Eighe, on Ladhar Bheinn in Knoydart, 

in Glen Coe and, most extensively, on Ben Lui. 

The finest herb-rich vegetation is on the inaccessible cliffs, where grazing-sensitive herbs are able to flourish 

out of the reach of sheep and deer. The best examples are on the eastern side of Aonach Beag and on the 

limestone of Meall Cumhann. The Luzula-Geum tall-herb community U17 and the Saxifraga-Alchemilla banks 

U15 are home to rare and scarce species such as Veronica alpina, Cerastium alpinum, C. arcticum, 

Cystopteris montana, Carex saxatilis, Saxifraga cernua, S. nivalis, Poa alpina and P. glauca, as well as 

more widespread but no less attractive plants such as Trollius europaeus, Geranium sylvaticum, Sedum rosea, 

Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga aizoides, S. oppositifolia, Geum rivale, Filipendula ulmaria, Valeriana officinalis, 

Rhinanthus minor, Saussurea alpina, Polystichum lonchitis and Rubus saxatilis. Tall-herb vegetation such as 

this is most extensive on the Dalradian mica-schist cliffs of the Breadalbanes, notably on Ben Lui and 

Ben Lawers, but occurs throughout the Highlands and also in northern England and Wales, on base-rich crags. 

75


On the upper slopes of the study area there is much Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20. This is the typical 

vegetation of rocky upper slopes in the west Highlands. H20 is one of the British specialities. It occurs in 

Scotland, northern England and Wales, but nothing exactly like it has been seen elsewhere in Europe. There 

is structurally similar vegetation in the far west of Norway, in Iceland and on Tristan da Cunha, suggesting 

that it is an extreme oceanic form of vegetation. 

In the eastern parts of the study area there are examples of the more continental lichen-dominated Calluna- 

Cladonia heaths H13 and Vaccinium-Cladonia heaths H19. These types of vegetation are far more common 

and extensive in the eastern and central Highlands than they are in the milder and wetter west. They are 

British outliers, on the edge of their geographical range, of the more extensive lichen heaths of Scandinavia. 

The patches in the study area are some of the furthest west in Europe. AA has seen vegetation similar to 

H19 in Norway with a sward of Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Salix herbacea, Vaccinium vitisidaea, 

Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina, Carex bigelowii, Antennaria dioica, Cladonia arbuscula, 

Polytrichum norvegicum and Hylocomium splendens. However, there was also much Silene acaulis, 

Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea alpina, Potentilla crantzii, Cerastium alpinum, Thalictrum alpinum and 

Selaginella selaginoides. There is no herb-rich equivalent of these lichen-rich heaths in Britain. This is thought 

to be because there is more rain in Scotland, and the soils are more leached. 

Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 is the most common vegetation of high, exposed summits and ridges in 

Scotland. It has become scarce in England and Wales because of overgrazing, trampling and, possibly, 

pollution (Averis et al. 2004). Even within the study area, there are grazed, more grassy examples of U10 

on Meall an t-Suidhe, Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, Meall Cumhann and Stob Coire na Ceannain, where there 

is a higher density of sheep than elsewhere in the study area. The more natural-looking examples of U10 

are on Aonach Mór, the Carn Dearg ridge, Sgurr a’ Bhuic, the north side of Aonach Beag, the western side 

of Ben Nevis and most of the broader ridges of the Grey Corries. Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag are among 

the few places in Scotland, and probably the only places outwith the Cairngorms, where Racomitrium heath 

forms a band of vegetation through which one passes on the way to the summit, rather than clothing the 

highest ground of all. Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag rise above the altitudinal zone of Racomitrium heath and 

have snow-bed vegetation because they are under snow for so much of the year. Carex-Racomitrium heath 

U10 occurs in arctic environments where the climate is cool and oceanic. Common in Britain and Ireland, 

it is scarce in mainland Europe except on the western coastal fringe of Norway. The herb-rich form of 

Carex-Racomitrium heath, U10c, occurs on the Carn Dearg ridge and on Stob Coire Gaibhre, but is bestdeveloped 

and most herb-rich on the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. Here it includes notable 

species such as Luzula arcuata, Sibbaldia procumbens, Cerastium alpinum and C. cerastioides as well as 

Saussurea alpina, Persicaria vivipara, Ranunculus acris, Achillea millefolium, Silene acaulis, Thalictrum 

alpinum and the montane lichens Ochrolechia frigida and Solorina crocea. U10c occurs on base-rich 

summits in the Breadalbanes, for example on Beinn Heasgarnich and in the Ben Lui SSSI, but further north 

and west in the Highlands it is less dependent on base-rich rock, so that in Wester Ross and Sutherland there 

are examples on acid schists and sandstones. It is likely that the frost-heaving or cryoturbation in these high 

montane environments releases a continual supply of nutrients. 

On Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag, Carn Mór Dearg, Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, 

Stob Coire Easain, Stob a’ Choire Lèithèith, Stob Coire Claurigh and Stob Coire na Ceannain are 

Carex-Polytrichum heaths U8. These examples of U8 are western outliers of a community which reaches its 

fullest expression on the plateaux of the eastern Highlands. Carex-Polytrichum heath U8 is a more continental 

type of summit vegetation and is widespread in Scandinavia (Averis et al. 2004). Another more continental 

76


type of vegetation which occurs only at the eastern end of the study area, from Aonach Mór eastwards, is 

Juncus trifidus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath U9b. This is the Salix herbacea sub-community: the one which 

is more common in the west. However, the examples in the study area are some of the most westerly in 

Britain. The Cladonia-Cetraria sub-community U9a is almost confined to the eastern Highlands, and is the 

typical community of the granite plateaux of the Cairngorms. There are Juncus trifidus heaths in Scandinavia, 

but they occur at higher altitudes than anywhere in Britain and are more associated with late-lying snow. 

In Scotland, J. trifidus is able to grow just as readily in the moss-dominated snow-beds U11, where snow 

lies longest of all, as in the summit heaths of exposed ground where winter snow does not linger. 

One of the more notable montane communities in the study area is the Racomitrium ericoides heath on 

Aonach Mór. It covers an area of several tens of square metres close to the summit cairn. It was observed 

here by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962), who noted that it apparently owed its existence to the continued 

deposition of wind-blown sand from an eroding hollow nearby. This process of erosion and redeposition is 

still going on today. R. ericoides is the characteristic dominant of moss heaths on Jan Mayen island and in 

places in Iceland (Mcvean & Ratcliffe 1962), and we have also seen R. ericoides moss heath in the Faroes 

(Hobbs & Averis 1991). In Britain, the only places we have seen it are on Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag, 

Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge (all in this survey) and on Stob Coire an Lochan, one of the outlying spurs 

of Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe (Averis & Averis 2003). In all of these places the vegetation covers only 

a few square metres. 

The lichen heath on the summit plateau of Ben Nevis is another interesting form of upland vegetation. Lichendominated 

heaths are locally extensive in the Arctic and are dominated by species of Cetraria, Cladonia 

and Stereocaulon (Longton 1988); a similar range of genera to those in the lichen heath on Ben Nevis. 

These Arctic lichen heaths, too, are communities which occur where the snow-cover is prolonged. McVean 

& Ratcliffe (1962) recorded small patches of pure lichen heath in hollows within a stand of lichen-rich 

Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 on Carn nan Sac near the Cairnwell in the eastern Highlands, presumably 

also showing where snow accumulates. These authors mention that lichen heath is common in Norway, 

but is dominated there by Cladonia stellaris, C. mitis, Cetraria delisei, C. nivalis and Alectoria ochroleuca. 

The Norwegian lichen heaths are one of the habitats for the east Highland rarity Lychnis alpina. 

On the summit of Aonach Mór are a few almost pure swards of Luzula spicata, growing with small amounts 

of Racomitrium lanuginosum, Juncus trifidus and Saxifraga stellaris. We had similar Luzula swards on 

Bidean nam Bian (Averis & Averis 2003), but have not seen anything like this elsewhere in the Highlands. 

McVean & Ratcliffe (1962) make no mention of it and if it does occur elsewhere, it must be rare. 

The Polytrichum-Kiaeria U11, Salix-Racomitrium U12, Rhytidiadelphus loreus U13b, Alchemilla-Sibbaldia 

U14, Cryptogramma-Athyrium U18, Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis M33, Pohlia ludwigii and 

Racomitrium heterostichum communities all owe their existence to very late-lying snow. The hills in the study 

area have more of these types of vegetation than anywhere in Britain outwith the eastern and central 

Highlands. The examples of the Pohlia ludwigii snow-beds are almost certainly the furthest west in Britain. 

They are unusually extensive, even by Cairngorms standards, on the upper cliffs of Aonach Mór and Aonach 

Beag. This type of vegetation also occurs on the upper slopes of Beinn Alder, and on Beinn Dearg in Wester 

Ross. Away from the summit of Aonach Beag, the Marsupella brevissima sub-community of Salix-Racomitrium 

snow-bed U12c has been recorded only in the Cairngorms (Rodwell 1992). The Cryptogramma-Athyrium 

snow-bed U18 has its centre of distribution in the corries of the big hills of the west Highland watershed, 

although there are outliers in the Cairngorms. 

77


The west has milder winters than the east, and snow-beds are confined to hills of such great height that 

winters are cold because of the altitude. For example, Ladhar Bheinn in Knoydart has more snow-bed 

vegetation than one would expect so far west (Averis 2001), simply because it is such a big hill. It is the 

same on Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag. These hills are interesting because they have snow-bed vegetation 

on their summits, showing that snow accumulates on them in the winter rather than being blown away into 

the sheltered corries. There is also snow-bed vegetation on the plateaux of Ben Alder (1148m) and its 

neighbour Geal Chàrn (1107m), and on Creag Meagaidh (1110m). The summit of Aonach Beag is most 

interesting as it is possibly the highest continuously-vegetated hill top in Britain. Apart from Ben Nevis, the 

only higher summits are in the Cairngorms, where the granite block-scree and gravel of Beinn MacDui, 

Braeriach, Cairn Toul and Cairn Gorm is not completely covered by vegetation. 

The snow cornices on the north-eastern edge of the plateau of Ben Nevis can build up to a depth of 12m 

or more, and photographs taken in winter invariably show massive amounts of snow on the plateau. It is 

hardly surprising that there is snow-bed vegetation on the summit. In the altitudinal sequence, the next stage 

after this would be permanent snow. The summit of Ben Nevis lies close to the level of perpetual snow and 

would need to be little more than 100m higher to have a permanent snow-cap. Indeed, some of the snow 

patches on the north-eastern cliffs melt completely only in an exceptional summer – as in 2003 when by 

August there was no snow on the Ben at all. They are so long-lasting that they become colonised by a snowtolerant 

alga, Chlamydomonas nivalis, which gives the snow a pinkish-red tinge. In the two years of our 

survey, however, the most extensive late-lying snow, and the snow which persisted longest in the hot summer 

of 2003, was not on Ben Nevis at all but on the eastern cliffs of Aonach Beag. These semi-permanent 

patches of snow are lying not on vegetation but on scree. This is also true of most of the semi-permanant 

snow-beds in the Cairngorms, and the longest-lying ones on hills such as Ben Alder, Craig Meagaidh and 

the Affric-Cannich hills. 

Bidean nam Bian in Glen Coe to the south, and Ben Lui, further south again, also have fine examples of 

snow-bed vegetation, but otherwise there are no really large snow-beds this far west. To find similarly 

extensive snow-bed vegetation one has to go east to Creag Meagaidh and Ben Alder, or north-east to the 

hills around Glen Affric and Glen Cannich. Most of the higher hills in the Highlands, from Ben More Assynt 

south to Ben Lomond, have at least small patches of bryophyte-dominated snow-bed vegetation on high and 

shaded slopes. There are outliers of the less exacting Salix-Racomitrium community U12 in the Southern 

Uplands, but otherwise the bryophyte-dominated snow-beds are confined to the Highlands. Snow-bed 

vegetation is much more common in Scandinavia and the Alps, where vegetation of the Kiaeria-Polytrichum, 

Pohlia ludwigii-Polytrichum norvegicum and mixed hepatic types can cover hundreds of hectares. There is 

also similar vegetation further south on high hills where snow lies late, for example on the Sierra Nevada in 

southern Spain (A.M. Averis, pers. observation). 

The montane flushes and springs in the study area are also fascinating examples of upland vegetation. 

One of the most notable is the Carex saxatilis mire M12. This is an interesting community in Scotland. 

In the Breadalbanes it is thought of as a herb-rich community of basic soils and, indeed, it has a rich flora 

of small montane calcicoles. This is the type described by McVean & Ratcliffe (1962), though they note that 

C. saxatilis does also grow in more acid flushes. Although the calcicolous type certainly occurs in the study 

area, and throughout the Highlands, the further north and west one goes in Scotland the more this is a snowbed 

community of acid ground rather than a herb-rich mire. Our quadrat samples show this range well. 

Carex saxatilis mires occur in Norway and there, too, they are herb-rich communities. 

78


The more common mire of acid montane flushes is the Carex curta-Sphagnum lindbergii type M7. It occurs 

in many of the high corries. Like the Carex saxatilis mire M12 it is covered by snow for most of the winter. 

M7 mires are widespread in the Highlands, especially in the north and east. They also occur in Norway, 

where Salix lapponum commonly grows in them. The M7 mires in the study area could well be home to 

S. lapponum in the absence of grazing. The more herb-rich examples on Stob Coire Easain, with much 

Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa and Drepanocladus revolvens, are 

interesting forms of what is normally an acid, species-poor mire. We have seen nothing like these elsewhere 

in the Highlands. 

There are fine examples of Carex-Pinguicula mires M10 and Carex-Saxifraga mires M11 with a rich flora 

including Juncus triglumis, Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara, Saxifraga aizoides, S. oppositifolia and 

Tofieldia pusilla. Mires of these types are common throughout the Highlands and in northern England and 

north Wales, wherever the irrigating water is base-rich. 

The upland spring communities are very well-represented in the study area. The Anthelia-Sphagnum springs 

M31 and the Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32 are very common on the slopes and in the high corries of 

the study area. They are home to several rare species, notably Cerastium cerastioides which is probably 

more common in M32 springs than in any other type of vegetation in the study area. Other uncommon plants 

in these springs include Epilobium anagallidifoliaum, E. alsinifolium, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. alpina and 

the bryophytes Philonotis seriata and Scapania uliginosa. There is almost identical vegetation in Norway 

and the Faroe islands. The rare Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33 is a snow-bed community 

which is confined to the higher Scottish hills from Ben Lui north to the Monar Forest and east to Ben Wyvis 

and the Cairngorms. There are some fine stands in the study area: those on Stob Coire nan Easain are 

among the largest we have ever seen, and although they are exceptionally species-poor, they do include 

Cerastium cerastioides. The examples on the east-facing slopes of Aonach Mór are unusually species-rich 

and have Saxifraga rivularis, Veronica alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens and Cerastium cerastioides as well 

as an array of more widespread base-tolerant species such as Trollius europaeus, Ranunculus acris and 

Alchemilla glabra. 

In general, the patterns of vegetation in the study area are similar to those on hills elsewhere in the west 

Highlands, such as the Black Mount, Bidean nam Bian, the Mamore Forest and the Monar Forest in 

Wester Ross. The hills in most parts of the study area have less heather, and less vegetation with oceanic 

bryophytes, than hills further west such as Ladhar Bheinn in Knoydart. This, however, is more likely to be the 

result of past management rather than of climate. Creag Meagaidh and Ben Alder, to the east of the study 

area, are hills with extensive montane plateaux. They also have a more continental climate, and have larger 

expanses of more eastern vegetation such as Carex-Polytrichum heath U8, Juncus-Racomitrium heath U9 and 

Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19. The Affric-Cannich hills, north of the Great Glen, are also more continental, 

with more Calluna-Cladonia heath H13, Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19, Carex-Polytrichum heath U8 and 

Juncus-Racomitrium heath U9. 

79

5.2.3 Vegetation types of special interest 

A number of vegetation types found at this site are especially interesting because they are uncommon in 

Great Britain. They are: 











H18b Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Alchemilla alpina-Carex pilulifera sub-community 


H20 Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath 


H22 Vaccinium myrtillus-Rubus chamaemorus heath 


M9a Carex rostrata-Calliergonella cuspidata/Calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum-Scorpidium scorpioides sub-community 

M11 Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-Saxifraga aizoides mire 







CG11 Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Alchemilla alpina grassland 







U7 Nardus stricta-Carex bigelowii grass heath 





U11 Polytrichum sexangulare-Kiaeria starkei snow-bed 

U12 Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed 

U13 Deschampsia cespitosa-Galium saxatile grassland 



U17 Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community 


U20 Pteridium aquilinum-Galium saxatile community; damp form not classified to any sub-community 











80


Most of these are not very extensive in the study area, but there are good extents of H20, H22, CG11, 

U7, U11 and U13. 

Some vegetation types have markedly western, oceanic distributions in Europe and are most common in 

Britain and Ireland. They are: 


W11b Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, Blechnum spicant sub-community 




W25 Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus underscrub 

H10 Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath 





H21 Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath 



M15 Trichophorum cespitosum-Erica tetralix wet heath 

M17 Trichophorum cespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire 


M25 Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire 

U10 Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath 

U20 Pteridium aquilinum-Galium saxatile community 

Of these, H10, H20, M15, M17, M19a, M25 and U20 are extensive here. 

81


Many vegetation and habitat types found in this survey are of interest for reasons other than scarcity, though 

many of these are uncommon too. 

The following vegetation types are of interest in that they are commonly species-rich: 






H20c Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Bazzania tricrenata-Mylia taylori sub-community 







M32b Philonotis fontana-Saxifraga stellaris spring, Montia fontana-Chrysosplenium oppositifolium sub-community 

CG10 Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland 















82

Several vegetation and habitat types are important habitats for uncommon plant species: 


W18 Pinus sylvestris-Hylocomium splendens woodland 













M19c Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Hylocomium splendens sub-community 


M32 Philonotis fontana-Saxifraga stellaris spring 



CG11b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Alchemilla alpina grassland, Carex pulicaris-Carex panicea sub-community 





























Rock: Acidic rock 

BR: Basic rock 




83


Several vegetation and habitat types are of interest here because at least some of the examples in the study 

area may be, or appear very likely to be, near natural: 

W4 Betula pubescens-Molinia caerulea woodland 

W7c Alnus glutinosa-Fraxinus excelsior-Lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa sub-community 










H12b Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Cladonia portentosa sub-community 







H20d Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Rhytidiadelphus loreus-Hylocomium splendens sub-community 






M9a Carex rostrata-Calliergonella cuspidata/Calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum-Scorpidium scorpioides 

sub-community 







M17 Trichophorum cespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire 

M19 Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire 












84


















U17d Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Primula vulgaris-Hyperichum pulchrum sub-community 












Rock: Acidic rock 

BR: Basic rock 

Scree: Acidic scree 

BS: Basic scree 



River: River 



85

5.2.3.1 Qualifying EC Habitats Directive Annex I Habitats 

Several vegetation types found here are so scarce in Europe that they are listed among the Annex I habitats 

in the EC Habitats Directive. Some of these are considered by Scottish Natural Heritage to be important 

enough here to count as ‘Qualifying Annex I Habitats’ for the Ben Nevis Special Area of Conservation. 

The NVC types assigned to each Annex I type are taken from the lists in Averis et al. (2004). 

Alpine and boreal heaths 

NVC types found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: 

H12 Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium mytillus heath (where above tree-line) 




H18 Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath (where above tree-line) 



H21 Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath (where above tree-line) 


H12 above the tree-line is rare here, occurring on some high south-west-facing to east-facing slopes. 

Small patches of H13 are widespread on very exposed ground in the east of the study area. There are small 

patches of H14 on similarly exposed ground in Coire a’ Bhuic, on Tom na Sròine and in Coire Choille-rais. 

H15 was found here only in small quantity on inaccessible cliff ledges in An Cùl Choire on the eastern side 

of Aonach Mór. H18 above the tree-line is widespread and common on well-drained slopes in the study 

area. There are small areas of H19 on exposed ground on Bein na Socaich and Stob Coire na Ceannain. 

H20 is widespread and extensive on well-drained slopes. H21 above the tree line is rare, occupying small 

areas of north-facing slope on the south side of Glen Nevis. H22 is widespread and quite extensive on 

middle and upper slopes in the study area. In total there is a good range of heaths in this EC Annex I 

category. These heathland types are generally not very species-rich and are made up mostly of common 

species, but some examples include uncommon species such as Vaccinium uliginosum, Cornus suecica, 

Arctostaphylos alpinus, Juniperus communis ssp. nana and several oceanic bryophytes. 

European dry heaths 



H10 Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath 

H12 Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath (below the tree-line) 

H18 Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath (below the tree-line) 

H21 Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath (where below tree-line) 

H10 is widespread on steeper south-facing slopes at low to moderate altitudes. H12 below the tree-line is 

widespread here but less extensive than H10. H18 and H21 below the tree-line are widespread and 

common here. The range of heaths in this EC Annex I category is similar to that in most parts of the western 

Highlands. These heathland types are mostly species-poor and made up mainly of common species, but 

some examples include some uncommon species such as the oceanic liverworts in H21b. 

86

Northern Atlantic wet heaths with Erica tetralix 


M15 Trichophorum cespitosum-Erica tetralix wet heath 

M15 is widespread and extensive throughout this site. There is a very good extent and range of wet heath 

here, including all four sub-communities of M15 and ranging from low-altitude to montane types. This is one 

of the best sites which we have seen for montane forms of wet heath. Most of the wet heath in the study 

area is not species-rich and consists mainly or entirely of nationally common species, but some contains 

uncommon species such as Sphagnum strictum, and some examples have species-rich assemblages which 

show the influence of base-enriched flushing. 

Siliceous alpine and boreal grasslands 


U7 Nardus stricta-Carex bigelowii grass heath 


U9 Juncus trifidus-Racomitrium lanuginosum rush heath 

U10 Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath 



U14 Alchemilla alpina-Sibbaldia procumbens snow-bed 

Six closely-related vegetation types which are not described in the NVC could belong here too: 

Racomitrium ericoides moss heath 

R. heterostichum snow-bed 

Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed 

UX mixed snow-bed 

Luzula spicata swards 

Lichen heath 


U7 is widespread and extensive on the upper slopes. Most of it is not very species-rich and lacks rare 

species. U8 occurs on high plateaux and summits, most extensively on Aonach Beag and Aonach Mór, but 

also on Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Carn Mór Dearg, Stob Coire Easain, Stob a’ Choire 

Lèith, Stob Choire Claurigh and Stob Coire na Ceannain. It is mostly species-poor but can contain 

uncommon montane bryophyte species. U9 occurs on very exposed ground on Aonach Mór, on Stob a’ 

Chùl Choire and on the quartzite ridge of the Grey Corries. As with U8 it is mostly species-poor but is 

dominated by the uncommon Juncus trifidus. U10 is widespread and common on high, exposed summits, 

slopes and ridges. It is mostly species-poor but some examples of U10c contain species-rich assemblages 

which are evidence of base-enrichment. Some U10 includes uncommon species such as Luzula arcuata, 

Juncus trifidus, Solorina crocea and Thamnolia vermicularis. U11 and U12 are widespread and quite 

extensive on the higher ground, especially on the steep upper north-facing to east-facing slopes of 

Ben Nevis, the Carn Dearg ridge, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. These are some of the largest and 

best-developed examples of these bryophyte-dominated snow-bed types in Britain, and they contain several 

87


uncommon species such as Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, L. arcuata, Sibbaldia procumbens, Gnaphalium 

supinum, Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, Veronica alpina, Saxifraga cernua, Poa alpina, P. glauca, 

Kiaeria spp., Oedipodium griffithianum, Conostomum tetragonum, Marsupella spp. and Pleurocladula albescens. 

Patches of U14 occur in similar situations but are less extensive. Again, these are nationally important 

examples of a scarce snow-bed vegetation type, and they contain uncommon species including Sibbaldia 

procumbens. In total there is a very good extent and range of this Annex I type at this site. 

This Annex I type should also include six other scarce and interesting montane vegetation types found in this 

survey but not described in the NVC: Racomitrium ericoides moss heath (scarce on Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag 

and the Carn Dearg ridge), R. heterostichum snow-bed (scattered on high north-facing to east-facing slopes), 

Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed (scattered on high north-facing to east-facing slopes), UX mixed snow-bed (on high 

north-facing to east-facing slopes on Aonach Mór and the Carn Dearg ridge), Luzula spicata swards 

(rare on Aonach Mór) and lichen heath (rare on Ben Nevis). This is a nationally important site for all of these. 

Various uncommon species such as Juncus trifidus, Luzula spicata, Sibbaldia procumbens, Gnaphalium 

supinum, Cerastium cerastioides, Saxifraga cernua, Veronica alpina, Kiaeria spp., Polytrichum sexangulare, 

Conostomum tetragonum and Marsupella brevissima are scattered among the first five of these six communities. 

In addition, UX includes some of the most species-rich snow-bed vegetation found in this survey. 

Siliceous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation 

The habitat found here which appears to belong to this EC Annex I type is: 

Rock (= acidic rock). Note: this habitat and vegetation is not described in the NVC 

This habitat is very widespread and common here. Most of it has a sparse, species-poor flora consisting 

mainly of common species, but it also includes several scarce species and forms mosaics with a wide range 

of interesting vegetation types such as snow-beds, woodlands and various heaths. 

Siliceous scree of the montane to snow levels 




Also: Scree (= acidic scree) where it is associated with snow-bed vegetation 

These vegetation and habitat types are widespread and common on high, steep slopes. U18 is one of the 

important snow-bed vegetation types at this site; as well as the uncommon Athyrium distentifolium it contains 

other scarce species including several oceanic and snow-bed bryophytes, and can be species-rich. 

Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation 


BR = basic rock. Note: this habitat and vegetation is not described in the NVC 

This occurs in mosaic with tall herb vegetation U17, willow scrub W20 and other vegetation types on very 

steep slopes on Meall Cumhann, Aonach Beag and Beinn na Socaich. 

88


Calcareous and calcshist screes of the montane to alpine levels 


BS = basic scree. Note: this habitat and vegetation is not described in the NVC 

Small areas of this habitat occur among tall herb vegetation U17, grasslands, mires and heaths on the 

western and north-eastern slopes of Aonach Beag. 

Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands 



CG14 Dryas octopetala-Silene acaulis heath 

CG12 occurs on Meall Cumhann, on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan, on the Agaidh Garbh, 

in Coire a’ Mhadaidh and on Beinn na Socaich. CG14 occurs on the upper slopes at the northern end 

of Beinn na Socaich. Neither of these vegetation types is extensive here but there are good, species-rich 

examples of both. They include uncommon species such as Dryas octopetala, Silene acaulis, Saxifraga 

oppositifolia, Tofieldia pusilla, Luzula spicata and Salix lapponum. 

Species-rich Nardus grassland on siliceous substrates in mountain areas 


CG10 Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland 



U4F Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Filipendula ulmaria type 

These species-rich grassland types are widespread at this site. CG10 occurs on the steep, south-facing 

slopes of Ben Nevis, on the west side of Carn Dearg and Meall an t-Suidhe, on Meall Cumhann, on the 

east side of Coire Giubhsachan, and on the slopes of Beinn na Socaich and Stob Coire Gaibhre. CG11 

is common on the higher slopes of the study area, especially on Meall Cumhann and on the eastern side of 

Coire Giubhsachan. U5c occurs on the west side of Ben Nevis, on Meall Cumhann, Sgurr a’ Bhuic and 

Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, in Coire Giubhsachan, on Beinn na Sochaich and on Beinn Bhàn. There are a few 

patches of U4F on the lightly-grazed lower slopes on the eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan, but it is most 

extensive on Beinn na Socaich and on the northern end of Stob Coire Gaibhre. These four types of grassland 

are among the most species-rich vegetation types found at this site. Some examples include uncommon 

species such as Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Tofieldia pusilla, Carex capillaris, 

C. vaginata and Dryas octopetala. 

Alpine pioneer formations of the Caricion bicoloris-atrofuscae 


M10 Carex dioica-Pinguicula vulgaris mire (with montane species) 



89


These mires are widespread and common on the middle and upper slopes in the study area. They are 

generally good examples of these mire types, being at least moderately species-rich with some examples 

containing uncommon montane or upland species such as Carex saxatilis (dominant in M12), Persicaria 

vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Tofieldia pusilla, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Equisetum variegatum, Eriophorum 

latifolium and the moss Calliergon trifarium. 

Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and montane to alpine levels 



(U15 Saxifraga aizoides-Alchemilla glabra banks) 

U17 is widespread here on steep, rocky slopes. It is not very extensive, but is species-rich. It contains 

uncommon species such as Salix lapponum, Saxifraga cernua, S. oppositifolia, S. nivalis, Thalictrum alpinum, 

Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea alpina, Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Silene acaulis, Poa alpina, 

P. glauca, Sibbaldia procumbens, Cerastium cerastioides, C. alpinum, C. arcticum, C. alpinum, Veronica alpina 

and the bryophytes Moerckia blyttii, Scapania uliginosa, Marsupella alpina, M. adusta, M. brevissima, 

Anthelia juratzkana, Pleurocladula albescens, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Philonotis seriata, Oedopodium 

griffithianum, Polytrichum sexangulare, Pohlia wahlenbergii ssp. glacialis, P. ludwigii, Kiaeria glaciale, 

Orthothecium rufescens and Conostomum tetragonum. This is an important site for U17, which contributes 

significantly to the total botanical interest here. 

The related U15, although not recognised by the UK nature conservation agencies as representing this 

Annex I type, is worthy of mention here too. This species-rich vegetation shares many species with U17, 

including some uncommon ones such as Saxifraga oppositifolia, Silene acaulis and Poa glauca. It occurs 

on the flushed limestone slopes of Meall Cumhann and Sgurr a’ Bhuic. 

Sub-arctic Salix spp. scrub 



This montane willow scrub is widespread here, on steep, rocky slopes. The most herb-rich examples are 

on the northern slopes and the cliffs of Meall Cumhann, on the west-facing crags of Coire Giubhsachan, 

on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Stob Coire Easain and, most extensively, on the eastern 

cliffs of Aonach Beag. A less herb-rich form occurs on the south side of Sgurr a’ Bhuic, in Coire Giubhsachan, 

and on Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and Stob Coire na Ceannain in the Grey Corries area. 

As well as Salix lapponum this vegetation contains other uncommon species such as Polystichum lonchitis, 

Cerastium arcticum, C. alpinum, Veronica alpina, Juncus triglumis and Carex saxatilis. Altogether this is an 

important site for W20. 

Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles 


W11 Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland 

W17 Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland 

90

These two woodland types are widespread on well-drained lower slopes in the north of the study area and 

in Glen Nevis. Their ground flora is generally typical of that in W11 and W17 in the western Highlands 

as a whole. The vegetation is composed mainly of common species, though in some of the north-facing 

W17 in Glen Nevis there are some of the best examples of assemblages of northern, montane woodland 

oceanic bryophytes in Britain. Most of the W11 and W17 at this site has a canopy dominated by birch, 

with no oak. As such it does not qualify as belonging to this Annex I type. However, oak is scattered thinly 

but widely among the lower-altitude W11 and W17 woodland in Glen Nevis. The total extent of woodland 

in Glen Nevis is notably large. It is composed mainly of W11 and W17, much of which belongs in this 

Annex I type. 

Caledonian forest 

NVC type found here and assigned to this EC Annex I type by UK nature conservation agencies: 


Small patches of W18 are scattered among the more extensive W11, W17 and W4 birch-dominated 

woods in Glen Nevis. They are not as large as some other western pinewoods such as those at Beinn Eighe 

in Wester Ross. They are also less heathy, with correspondingly more Molinia caerulea than is usual in 

Scottish W18, but they are still valuable for nature conservation. Their ground flora is generally not very 

species-rich, but some examples of W18e on steeper banks contain good bryophyte assemblages including 

Herbertus aduncus. 

Blanket bog (active) 





M17a Trichophorum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Drosera-Sphagnum sub-community 

M19 Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire 

This Annex I type is widespread and quite extensive here, especially on the lower ground. It encompasses 

a good deal of variation, from the very wet bog pools and M17a to the drier M19. The M19 includes 

montane examples with Calluna replaced by Empetrum nigrum and Vaccinium spp. Some areas of blanket 

bog contain uncommon species such as Carex pauciflora, Vaccinium uliginosum, Listera cordata, Cornus suecica 

and Rubus chamaemorus. M1 bog pools are not extensive here. They are scattered among some of 

the blanket bogs around Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, at the northern end of the Allt a’ Mhuillin glen, in Coire 

Bhealach to the north of Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and in the Lairig Leacach at the eastern edge of the site. 

M3 is scattered among some of the bogs at this site, but these examples are in eroded bogs and cannot 

be classd as ‘active blanket bog’. 

Oligotrophic to mesotrophic standing waters with vegetation of the Littorelletea uniflorae and/or 

the Isoeto-Nanojuncetea 

We did not survey the aquatic flora of the lochs and lochans. We cannot therefore comment on the status 

of this EC Annex I type at this site. 

91

5.2.3.2 Non-qualifying EC Annex I Habitats 

Several other vegetation and habitat types found in this survey belong to EC Annex I habitats, but are 

considered by Scottish Natural Heritage as ‘Non-qualifying Annex I Habitats’ for the Ben Nevis Special Area 

of Conservation: 

Alkaline fens 



M10 Carex dioica-Pinguicula vulgaris mire (sub-montane examples) 

These are widespread on the lower to middle slopes. They are typical examples of M10 mires in the 

Highlands generally. They can be moderately species-rich. Their flora consists mainly of nationally common 

species. 

Petrifying springs with tufa formation 



M37 springs are scattered throughout the Grey Corries, but are most common on the slopes of Beinn na 

Socaich and Beinn Bhàn in Coire a’ Mhadaidh. These are good, typical examples of this vegetation type. 

They are not particularly species-rich, but some examples contain uncommon species such as Equisetum 

variegatum, Thalictrum alpinum and Persicaria vivipara. 

Transition mires and quaking bogs 



M9 Carex rostrata-Calliergonella cuspidata/Calliergon giganteum mire 

M4 occurs in lower Coire Giubhsachan (extensively), around Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe, on the boggy flats 

in Coire an Eòin and An Coire Calma to the east of Aonach Beag, around the lochans in lower Coire na 

Ceannain and in upper Glen Nevis. There is a tiny patch of M9 on the col of the Bealach Cumhann. These 

are quite typical of these two NVC types in Scotland generally. They are not particularly species-rich. 

Depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion 


M1 Sphagnum denticulatum bog pool community (some examples) 

M15 Trichophorum cespitosum-Erica tetralix wet heath (some examples) 

The M1 bog pools found in this survey lack Rhynchospora alba and fit better into the Blanket Bog (active) 

Annex I habitat than into the Rhynchosporion type. However, R. alba is abundant in some M15a flushes in 

the lower parts of Glen Nevis; these flushes are a better fit for the Rhynchosporion. 

92

Tilio-Acerion forests of slopes, screes and ravines 


W9 Fraxinus excelsior-Sorbus aucuparia-Mercurialis perennis woodland 

There are small patches of W9 on the SW side of Meall Cumhann. There are also patches along the banks 

of the Allt Coire a’ Mhadaidh in the north-east of the study area. Both places are good examples of typical 

west Highland W9, with a varied canopy and shrub layer and a herb-rich ground flora. 

5.2.3.3 Notable vegetation types which are not EC Annex I Habitats 

A large number of vegetation and habitat types at this site are of special interest for one reason or another. 

In total these cover most of the site. Most of these vegetation and habitat types of special interest are 

included in EC Annex I habitat types (see above), but some are not: 

W4 Betula pubescens-Molinia caerulea woodland (some W4 is in the Annex I type ‘Bog woodland’, but the W4 found in 

this survey is not of this type) 

W7c Alnus glutinosa-Fraxinus excelsior-Lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa sub-community (some W7 is in 

the Annex I type ‘Alluvial forests with alder and ash’ but the W7 found in this survey is not of this floodplain type) 

W11a Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata sub-community (W11a can belong 

to the Annex I type ‘Old sessile oak woods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles’, but the W11a here does not, 

because it lacks oak) 


M25 Molinia caerulea-Potentilla erecta mire (some M25 belongs to the Annex I types ‘Blanket bog’ and ‘Degraded raised bog’, 

but most of the M25 here does clearly not belong to either of those bog habitats) 














Most of these vegetation types occur here only in small quantity, though M25, U4eA and Fell-field are quite 

extensive in places. The most botanically notable of these vegetation types, and therefore the main omission 

from the Annex I types here, are the M31, M32 and M33 springs and the Fell-fields. The high-altitude M31, 

M32 and M33 springs are particularly special because they are home to uncommmon montane species 

such as Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Carex saxatilis, Cerastium cerastioides, Saxifraga rivularis, 

Veronica alpina, Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis, P. ludwigii, Philonotis seriata, Rhizomnium magnifolium, 

Polytrichum sexangulare, Scapania uliginosa and S. paludosa. These montane springs are closely associated 

with the snow-bed vegetation types U7, U11, U12, U13, UX and the Pohlia ludwigii community. They are 

an important part of the whole snow-bed environment. 

93

5.3 Flora 


This site has a rich flora. We have found 292 vascular plant species and 263 bryophytes here. We could 

not attempt a comprehensive species survey because our main task was to map and describe the vegetation. 

Our species list is therefore very incomplete. There are many other species which have been recorded here 

by other people but which we did not see. These bring the species totals up to 331 vascular plants and 

321 bryophytes. All of these species are listed in Appendix 2. Among the species which we have seen here 

some are new records for this site, and others are the first records here for many years. 

5.3.1 Phytogeography of the flora 

Appendix 2 shows the placement of each species into the European phytogeographical groups by Preston 

& Hill (1997) (for vascular plants) and Hill & Preston (1998) (for bryophytes). The flora of the Ben Nevis 

area encompasses a wide range of European phytogeographical groups (Table 5). 59% of the vascular 

plant species and 39% of the bryophyte species recorded here are widespread in Europe, with no northern, 

southern, oceanic or continental tendency. Many others have a moderate northern, southern or western bias 

in their European distributions, and a significant minority are more distinctly northern, southern or western. 

59 vascular plant species (18% of the total vascular flora at this site) and 82 bryophyte species (26% of 

the bryophyte flora) have strongly northern distributions in Europe. These species are listed in Table 6. 

Species with distinctly southern European distributions (Table 7) are much scarcer: only 19 vascular plants 

(6%) and 20 bryophytes (6%). 14 vascular plants (4%) and 39 bryophytes (12%) have strongly western, 

oceanic distributions in Europe (Table 8). Only one species is recorded here which has an eastern, 

continental distribution in Europe: Melica nutans. 

Only five non-native species have been recorded in the Ben Nevis SSSI: Acer pseudoplatanus, Epilobium 

brunnescens, Fagus sylvatica, Larix sp. and (not seen in this survey) Tilia cordata. Each of these five species 

is rare here. 

94


Table 5 Number of species in each phytogeographical group, and their percentage representation 

of the total flora recorded at Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC 

Vascular plants Bryophytes 

No. % No. % 

11 Oceanic Arctic-montane 1

Vascular plants 


Table 6 Vascular plants and bryophytes recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC which have 

strongly northern distributions in Europe 

Alchemilla alpina 

Arabis petraea 

Arctostaphylos alpinus 

Athyrium distentifolium 

Carex atrata 

Carex bigelowii 

Carex capillaris 

Carex dioica 

Carex lachenalii 

Carex saxatilis 

Carex vaginata 

Cerastium alpinum 

Cerastium arcticum 

Cerastium cerastioides 

Cochlearia micacea 

Cochlearia pyrenaica 

Cornus suecica 

Diphasiastrum alpinum 

Dryas octopetala 

Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 

Empetrum nigrum nigrum 

Epilobium alsinifolium 

Epilobium anagallidifolium 

Equisetum variegatum 

Eriophorum vaginatum 

Euphrasia frigida 

Festuca rubra alpina 

Festuca vivipara 

Gnaphalium supinum 

Huperzia selago 

Juncus biglumis 

Juncus castaneus 

Juncus trifidus 

Juncus triglumis 

Juniperus communis nana 

Loiseleuria procumbens 

Luzula arcuata 

Luzula spicata 

Lycopodium annotinum 

Minuartia sedoides 

Myosotis alpestris 

Oxyria digyna 

Persicaria vivipara 

Phleum alpinum 

Poa alpina 

Poa flexuosa 

Poa glauca 

Poa x jemtlandica 

Sagina saginoides 

Salix herbacea 

Salix lapponum 

Salix myrsinites 

Salix phylicifolia 

Salix reticulata 

Saussurea alpina 

Saxifraga aizoides 

Saxifraga cernua 

Saxifraga cespitosa 

Saxifraga nivalis 

Saxifraga oppositifolia 

Saxifraga rivularis 

Saxifraga stellaris 

Sedum rosea 

Sibbaldia procumbens 

Silene acaulis 

Thalictrum alpinum 

Tofieldia pusilla 

Vaccinium uliginosum 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 

Veronica alpina 

Mosses 

Amphidium lapponicum 

Andreaea blyttii 

Andreaea nivalis 

Andreaea rupestris 

Arctoa fulvella 

Aulacomnium turgidum 

Bartramia ithiphylla 

Blindia acuta 

Brachythecium glaciale 

Brachythecium trachypodium 

Calliergon sarmentosum 

Calliergon trifarium 

Conostomum tetragonum 

Dichodontium pellucidum 

Dicranoweisia crispula 

Dicranum fuscescens 

Distichium capillaceum 

Ditrichum zonatum 

Drepanocladus revolvens 

Fissidens osmundoides 

Grimmia torquata 

Hygrohypnum ochraceum 

Hypnum callichroum 

Isopterygiopsis pulchella 

Kiaeria blyttii 

Kiaeria falcata 

Kiaeria glaciale 

Kiaeria starkei 

Meesia uliginosa 

Oligotrichum hercynicum 

Orthothecium intricatum 

Orthothecium rufescens 

Philonotis seriata 

96 

Philonotis tomentella 

Plagiobryum zieri 

Plagiopus oederianus 

Pogonatum urnigerum 

Pohlia cruda 

Pohlia drummondii 

Pohlia ludwigii 

Polytrichum alpinum 

Polytrichum sexangulare 

Polytrichum strictum 

Racomitrium lanuginosum 

Racomitrium sudeticum 

Schistidium strictum 

Scorpidium scorpioides 

Sphagnum fuscum 

Tetraplodon mnioides 

Liverworts 

Anastrophyllum minutum 

Anthelia julacea 

Anthelia juratzkana 

Barbilophozia lycopodioides 

Blepharostoma trichophyllum 

Diplophyllum taxifolium 

Gymnomitrion apiculatum 

Gymnomitrion concinnatum 

Harpanthus flotovianus 

Jungermannia borealis 

Jungermannia sphaerocarpa 

Lophozia opacifolia 

Lophozia sudetica 

Marsupella adusta 

Marsupella alpina 

Marsupella boeckii 

Marsupella brevissima 

Marsupella condensata 

Marsupella sphacelata 

Marsupella sprucei 

Moerckia blyttii 

Nardia breidleri 

Nardia geoscyphus 

Odontoschisma macounii 

Pleurocladula albescens 

Preissia quadrata 

Ptilidium ciliare 

Scapania aequiloba 

Scapania calcicola 

Scapania paludosa 

Scapania uliginosa 

Tetralophozia setiformis 

Tritomaria polita 

Tritomaria quinquedentata


Asplenium trichomanes 

Cardamine hirsuta 

Carex flacca 

Carum verticillatum 

Dactylis glomerata 

Digitalis purpurea 

Hedera helix 

Holcus lanatus 

Hypochaeris radicata 

Ilex aquifolium 

Juncus articulatus 

Juncus effusus 

Lolium perenne 

Lonicera periclymenum 

Lotus corniculatus 

Plantago lanceolata 

Ranunculus ficaria 

Rubus fruticosus 

Rumex crispus 

Teucrium scorodonia 


Table 7 Vascular plants and bryophytes recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC which have strongly 

southern distributions in Europe 


Carex binervis 

Carex laevigata 

Carum verticillatum 

Cochlearia micacea 

Conopodium majus 

Dryopteris aemula 

Erica cinerea 

Euphrasia arctica 

Hyacinthoides non-scripta 

Hymenophyllum wilsonii 

Narthecium ossifragum 

Pinguicula lusitanica 

Saxifraga hypnoides 

Ulex europaeus 

Mosses 

Dicranum scottianum 

Ptychomitrium polyphyllum 

Fissidens taxifolius 

Homalothecium sericeum 

Rhynchostegium riparioides 

Trichostomum brachydontium 

Mosses 

Andreaea alpina 

Andreaea mutabilis 

Breutelia chrysocoma 

Bryoerythrophyllum caledonicum 

Bryum riparium 

Campylopus atrovirens 

Dicranum scottianum 

Hyocomium armoricum 

Molendoa warburgii 

Oedipodium griffithianum 

Paraleptodontium recurvifolium 

Ptychomitrium polyphyllum 

Racomitrium ellipticum 

Rhabdoweisia crenulata 

Sphagnum strictum 

97 

Liverworts 

Calypogeia arguta 

Frullania dilatata 

Frullania teneriffae 

Harpalejeunea molleri 

Lejeunea patens 

Lepidozia cupressina 

Leptoscyphus cuneifolius 

Plagiochila killarniensis 

Plagiochila punctata 

Plagiochila spinulosa 

Radula aquilegia 

Saccogyna viticulosa 

Scapania compacta 

Scapania gracilis 

Table 8 Vascular plants and bryophytes recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC which have strongly 

western, oceanic distributions in Europe 

Liverworts 

Anastrophyllum donnianum 

Bazzania pearsonii 

Douinia ovata 


Gymnomitrion crenulatum 


Herbertus aduncus 

Herbertus stramineus 

Lejeunea patens 

Lepidozia cupressina 

Lepidozia pearsonii 

Leptoscyphus cuneifolius 

Mastigophora woodsii 

Plagiochila atlantica 

Plagiochila carringtonii 



Plagiochila spinulosa 

Pleurozia purpurea 

Radula aquilegia 

Saccogyna viticulosa 

Scapania gracilis 

Scapania nimbosa 

Scapania ornithopodioides


5.3.2 Uncommon plant species 

Many plant species which we found in this survey are uncommon at least locally in Great Britain. These species 

are listed in Table 9. The ‘target notes’ for the locations of species of particular interest are given in Appendix 3, 

and their locations are shown on the 1:10,000 maps in Appendix 4. 

5.3.2.1 Nationally Scarce and Nationally Rare vascular plants 

Four vascular plant species recorded at this site are Nationally Rare (recorded in



Table 9 Plant species recorded in this survey of the Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC in 2003–2004 

which are uncommon in Great Britain generally 


* = Nationally Scarce (recorded in 16–100 10x10km squares in Great Britain since 1950) 




Encalypta ciliata * 

Grimmia torquata 

Hylocomium pyrenaicum * – 

Hylocomium umbratum 

Hypnum callichroum 

Isopterygiopsis pulchella – 

Isopterygiopsis muelleriana * – 

Kiaeria blyttii * 

Kiaeria falcata * 

Kiaeria glaciale * 

Kiaeria starkei * 

Meesia uliginosa * – 

Mnium marginatum 

Molendoa warburgii 

Oedipodium griffithianum * 

Orthothecium intricatum 

Orthothecium rufescens * 

Paraleptodontium recurvifolium * 

Philonotis seriata * 

Philonotis tomentella ** – 

Plagiobryum zieri 

Plagiopus oederianus * – 

Pohlia ludwigii * 

Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis * 

Polytrichum sexangulare * 

Pseudobryum cinclidioides * – 

Pseudoleskea patens * – 

Pterigynandrum filiforme * – 

Ptilium crista–castrensis 

Racomitrium ellipticum – 

Racomitrium elongatum – 

Rhabdoweisia crenulata * 

Rhizomnium magnifolium * 

Schistidium strictum – 

Sphagnum affine * 

Sphagnum fuscum 

Sphagnum magellanicum 

Sphagnum strictum 

Splachnum ampullaceum 

Tetraplodon angustatus * – 

Ulota hutchinsiae – 

Liverworts 

Anastrepta orcadensis 

Anastrophyllum donnianum * 

Anthelia juratzkana * 

Apometzgeria pubescens – 

Barbilophozia atlantica * 

Barbilophozia lycopodioides * – 

Bazzania pearsonii * 

Bazzania tricrenata 

Calypogeia azurea * – 

Diplophyllum taxifolium * 

Douinia ovata 


Gymnomitrion apiculatum ** – 

Gymnomitrion concinnatum 

Gymnomitrion crenulatum 

Gymnomitrion obtusum 


Harpanthus flotovianus * – 

Harpanthus scutatus – 

Herbertus aduncus 

Herbertus stramineus 

Hygrobiella laxifolia – 

Jamesoniella autumnalis * 

Jungermannia borealis * – 

Jungermannia sphaerocarpa – 

Kurzia trichoclados 

Lepidozia cupressina – 

Lepidozia pearsonii 

Leptoscyphus cuneifolius * 

100 

Lophozia opacifolia * 

Lophozia sudetica 

Marsupella adusta * 

Marsupella alpina * 

Marsupella boeckii * 

Marsupella brevissima * 

Marsupella condensata ** 

Marsupella sphacelata * 

Marsupella sprucei * – 

Mastigophora woodsii * 

Metzgeria leptoneura 

Moerckia blyttii * 

Nardia breidleri ** – 

Nardia compressa 

Nardia geoscyphus * – 

Odontoschisma macounii ** – 

Plagiochila atlantica * 

Plagiochila carringtonii * 



Pleurocladula albescens * 

Pleurozia purpurea 

Porella arboris–vitae 

Radula aquilegia – 

Riccardia palmata 

Scapania aequiloba * 

Scapania calcicola * – 

Scapania degenii * – 

Scapania nimbosa * 

Scapania ornithopodioides * 

Scapania paludosa ** 

Scapania uliginosa * 

Sphenolobopsis pearsonii * 

Tetralophozia setiformis * – 

Tritomaria exsecta * 

Tritomaria polita *


Table 10 Summary of details about locations and habitats of Nationally Scarce and 

Nationally Rare vascular plant species in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC 






Species Summary of locations and habitats in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC 

Cerastium arcticum * Before 2003: recorded on Ben Nevis, Carn Mór Dearg, Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag, at the 

head of Coire an Easain below Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór and on crags W of Caisteal in the Grey 

Corries. In our survey in 2003–2004 we found it on Meall Cumhann, in Coire Leis, in the eastfacing 

Carn Dearg corries, in the corries of Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, in Coire an Eòin 

and on the north-facing cliffs below the summit of Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór. 

Cerastium cerastioides * Before 2003: found to be quite widespread on Ben Nevis, the Carn Mór Dearg ridge, 

Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and the Grey Corries. In our survey in 2003–2004 we found 

it common in the high corries, spreading its delicate tracery of creeping stems, studded with 

white flowers, over the mossy ground around springs and rills and through summit heath 

vegetation. It occurs in Coire Leis, in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, 

Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, in the north-facing Grey Corries and in Cùl Choirean. 

It grows on the summit plateau of Aonach Mór and in several places on the ridge of the 

Grey Corries. 

Cochlearia micacea * Before 2003: recorded on the steep N slope of Aonach Beag. We did not find it in our survey 

in 2003–2004. 

Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. Before 2003: apparently no records made of this taxon. In our survey in 2003–2004 we 

alpina (probably *) found it in springs and tall herb vegetation on the SW, NW and NE sides of Ben Nevis, 

on the E side of Aonach Mór and on the NE side of Sgurr Choinnich Beag. 

Cystopteris montana * Before 2003: recorded on An Aghaidh Gharbh on the E side of Aonach Beag, and just 

E of the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. In our survey in 2003–2004 we found 

it in the latter site, but not in the former. 

Dryas octopetala * Before 2003: recorded on Stob Coire Bhealaich and Beinn na Socaich. In our survey 

in 2003–2004 we found it on base-rich soils and over rock outcrops on both sides of Beinn 

na Socaich. 

Equisetum variegatum (*) Before 2003: recorded on Beinn na Socaich. We found it here in our survey in 2003–2004, 

in Carex-Saxifraga mires M11 and Palustriella-Festuca springs M37. 

Festuca rubra ssp. alpina * Before 2003: recorded on N side of Aonach Beag (in 1969). Not recorded in the SSSI since 

then. 

Juncus biglumis * Before 2003: recorded on An Aghaidh Gharbh on the E side of Aonach Beag. We did not see 

it in our survey in 2003–2004. 

Juncus castaneus * Before 2003: recorded at head of Coire an Easain below Sgurr Chòinnich Mhór, and around 

Stob Coire na Ceannain-Stob Choire Claurigh. We did not see it in our survey in 2003–2004. 

Luzula arcuata * Before 2003: recorded on N side of Aonach Beag, and screes in Coire Leis. In our survey in 

2003–2004 we found it more extensively on Aonach Beag (on the upper northern and western 

slopes and on the north-facing cliff of the North-East ridge). There are probably many tens of 

plants here. We also found a few plants of it on the southern end of the summit ridge of 

Aonach Mór. We did not find it in Coire Leis. 

Lycopodium annotinum Before 2003: recorded in a few places in the north-central part of the site. In our survey 

in 2003–2004 we found it on quartzite cliffs and rocky ground in An Coire Calma and 

on the eastern side of the Carn Dearg ridge. There are a few tens of plants here. 

Minuartia sedoides * Before 2003: no location or habitat details available to us. We did not see it in our survey in 

2003–2004. 

Phleum alpinum * Before 2003: recorded in E-facing coire between Carn Dearg Meadhonach and Carn Mór 

Dearg. In our survey in 2003–2004 we found it in montane Deschampsia-Galium grassland 

U13a in the upper part of An Cùl Choire, on the eastern side of Aonach Beag. 

102




Pinus sylvestris * Before 2003: recorded in Glen Nevis and (in smaller quantity) N of Beinn na Socaich. 

We found it in these same places in our survey in 2003–2004. In Glen Nevis it is common 

enough to form stands of pine woodland W18. In the lower part of Coire an Eòin (close to the 

river and on crags) there are just isolated trees with no distinctive woodland vegetation around 

them. It is obvious that the species was once much more common. Hundreds of old stumps are 

exposed in eroding peat on the boggy flats in Coire an Eòin and in upper Glen Nevis. 

Poa alpina * Before 2003: found to be quite widespread on steep, rocky slopes. In our survey in 2003–2004 

we found it in herb-rich ledge vegetation on Meall Cumhann and on the east-facing cliffs of 

Aonach Beag. 

Poa flexuosa ** Before 2003: recorded in earthy gullies and screes where snow lies late on the lower part of 

the steep N-NE-facing slopes running down from the summit plateau of Ben Nevis (200–300 

plants found here in 1974, but only about 30 plants in 2002). We did not see it in our survey 

in 2003–2004. 

Poa glauca * Before 2003: recorded on W side of Meall Cumhann and E side of Aonach Beag. 

In our survey in 2003–2004 we found it in herb-rich ledge vegetation on Meall Cumhann 

and on the east-facing cliffs of Aonach Beag. 

Poa x jemtlandica * Before 2003: recorded on N sides of Ben Nevis and Aonach Beag. Not recorded in this survey 

in 2003–2004. 

Sagina saginoides * Before 2003: no location or habitat details available to us. We did not see it in our survey in 

2003–2004. 

Sagina x normanniana * Before 2003: recorded on E facing cliffs on Stob Coire Bhealaich (Aonach Beag). We did not 

see it in our survey in 2003–2004. 

Salix lapponum * Before 2003: found to be quite widespread on steep, rocky slopes. In our survey in 2003–2004 

we found it to be widely scattered throughout the study area, especially in the Grey Corries 

where there are few streams without the odd bush on thier banks and few cliffs without a clump 

or two. The best populations, where there is actually willow scrub rather than scattered bushes, 

are on the eastern cliffs of Aonach Beag, on the eastern side of Glen Giubhsachan, in the upper 

parts of An Coire Calma and on the south-facing slopes of Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Na h-Easain. 

Most plants of Salix lapponum are easy to recognise and clearly belong to this species, with 

long, pointed leaves clothed on both sides in silky silvery hairs. However, on Meall Cumhann 

and in Glen Giubhsachan there are plants with the right leaf-shape for S. lapponum but with 

almost hairless leaves. These may be hybrids with S. repens; a cross which has been recorded 

in Scotland (Stace 1997). On the other hand, they may simply be rather hairless examples of 

what is known to be a fairly variable species. For instance, a twig from a hairless bush in 

Glen Giubhsachan, brought home in order to identify and kept in a jar of water, sprouted roots 

and then put out shoots of normal, silky-hairy leaves. 

Salix myrsinites * Before 2003: no location or habitat details available to us. In our survey in 2003–2004 we 

found an inaccessible bush on Stob Coire na Ceannain which may belong to this species. 

Saxifraga cernua ** Before 2003: recorded on steep, damp, base-rich rocks on high N-E-facing slopes on 

Ben Nevis, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. In our survey in 2003–2004 we found it only at 

its known location on the eastern side of the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. 

There are several tens of plants here on crumbling cliff ledges, beneath overhangs and in finegrained, 

saturated gravel. It is an attractive plant with small, lobed, waxy grey-green leaves 

which contrast with the bright red bulbils; its sole means of spread as the plants do not set seed 

in Britain. The white starry flowers are surprisingly large for the size of the plant and are borne 

at the tips of the stems. 

103




Saxifraga cespitosa ** Before 2003: recorded on steep, damp, N-E-facing rocks high on Ben Nevis (>100 plants), 

on Stob Coire an Laoigh (2 clumps of rosettes) and in Coire a’ Mhadaidh (5 plants seen). 

We did not see it in our survey in 2003–2004. 

Saxifraga nivalis * Before 2003: recorded on SE side of Ben Nevis, Meall Cumhann, Stob Coire Bhealaich 

(Aonach Beag) and Stob Coire an Laoigh (Grey Corries). In our survey in 2003–2004 

we found it on the cliffs of Meall Cumhann and on the eastern face of Aonach Beag. 

Saxifraga rivularis * Before 2003: recorded on steep, wet, rocky places on N-E-facing slopes on Ben Nevis, 

Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and Stob Coire an Laoigh. In our survey in 2003–2004 

we found it in several places at the foot of the upper cliffs in the east-facing corries of Aonach 

Mór, where most of the plants were growing in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis springs M33. 

It is similar to S. cernua, but grows in small rosettes rather than as upright shoots. Its lobed 

leaves are a dull mid-green and it has tiny white flowers with the petals separated by the green 

sepals. 

Sibbaldia procumbens (*) Before 2003: found to be widespread. In our survey in 2003–2004 we found it to be even 

more widespread, though it is more common in the western part of the study area than it is in 

the east. In the Grey Corries we found it only in Cùl Choirean, whereas on Ben Nevis, the Carn 

Dearg hills, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag there are large populations, and many patches of its 

particular community, the Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14. There are many hundreds of plants 

in the study area. 

Veronica alpina * Before 2003: found to be widespread. In our survey in 2003–2004 we found it to be more 

widespread than the earlier records suggest, though it is more common in the west than in the 

east. It grows on the west-facing screes of Ben Nevis, in a gully in the corrie between Carn Mór 

Dearg and Carn Dearg Meadhonach, in the east-facing corries of Aonach Mór and Aonach 

Beag, and on the cliffs of Aonach Beag. 

The three rarest saxifrages – Saxifraga cernua, S. cespitosa and S. rivularis – are much more common 

elsewhere in the world. They are widespread in the Arctic. S. cernua also occurs in the Alps, the Carpathians, 

Central Asia, the Himalayas, Japan and the Rocky Mountains of North America. S. rivularis and S. cespitosa 

grow in the mountains of Asia, Greenland and North America, but not in the Alps. These three species are 

evidently late-glacial relicts which are able to hang on in Britain only where the climate is at its most arcticalpine. 

They are here at the extreme western edge of their range, where the climate might be no longer 

ideal and their survival may be in jeopardy. 

We found some new records of several Nationally Scarce species: Arctostaphylos alpinus, Athyrium 

distentifolium, Carex capillaris, C. saxatilis, Cerastium alpinum, C. arcticum, C. cerastioides, Dryas octopetala, 

Luzula arcuata, Lycopodium annotinum, Phleum alpinum, Salix lapponum, Sibbaldia procumbens and 

Veronica alpina. 

We did not find the following Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular species: Carex atrata, 

C. lachenalii, C. x grahami, Juncus biglumis, J. castaneus, Minuartia sedoides, Poa flexuosa, 

Sagina saginoides, S. x normaniana, Salix myrsinites and Saxifraga cespitosa. Most of these species have 

been seen here in recent years (Rothero 2002). Those which have not are Minuartia sedoides, 

Sagina saginoides and Salix myrsinites. We have no details of the locations and dates of previous records 

of these three species. 

104


5.3.2.2 Uncommon bryophyte species 

Although we were not asked specifically to look at uncommon bryophytes, many such species do occur here 

and we recorded several of them in the course of our work. 

Many of these uncommon bryophytes are plants of the snow-bed communities, and they are rare because 

their habitat itself is rare. They include the mosses Conostomum tetragonum, Pohlia ludwigii, Polytrichum 

sexangulare, Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, K. glaciale, Philonotis seriata, Brachythecium glaciale 

and Andreaea nivalis, and the liverworts Moerckia blyttii, Scapania uliginosa, Diplophyllum taxifolium, 

Marsupella adusta, M. alpina, M. condensata, M. brevissima, M. boeckii and Pleurocladula albescens. 

Many uncommon bryophytes are species of montane springs. They have some overlap with those of snowbeds 

and include Pohlia ludwigii, P. wahlenbergii var. glacialis, Philonotis seriata, Rhizomnium magnifolium, 

Scapania paludosa and S. uliginosa. 

Several uncommon calcicole bryophyte species also grow in the study area: for example Calliergon 

trifarium, Molendoa warburgii, Orthothecium rufescens, Paraleptodontium recurvifolium, Herbertus stramineus 

and Tritomaria polita. Base-enriched flushes M11 and tall herb ledges U17 are particularly important 

habitats for these plants. 

The site is of great importance for western, oceanic bryophytes which are scarce in Europe as a whole. 

Forty-one oceanic bryophyte species are recorded here (Table 8). There are particularly high concentrations 

of these plants in the north-facing woods in Glen Nevis and on the rocky slopes above them, and in montane 

heaths and snow-beds in the corries. The most notable oceanic bryophyte species which we found in 

the Glen Nevis woods are Dicranum scottianum, Rhabdoweisia crenulata, Harpalejeunea molleri, 

Herbertus aduncus, Leptoscyphus cuneifolius, Mastigophora woodsii, Plagiochila atlantica, P. carringtonii 

and Scapania ornithopodioides. On the north-facing slopes of Glen Nevis, above the woodland, there are 

patches of liverwort-rich Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21b with a flora including the uncommon 

oceanic liverworts Herbertus aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea, Bazzania pearsonii, Lepidozia pearsonii, 

Mastigophora woodsii, Plagiochila carringtonii and Scapania ornithopodioides. The uncommon sub-oceanic 

moss Dicranodontium uncinatum grows in this type of vegetation. Montane Vaccinium-Racomitrium heaths 

H20c and fern-dominated snow-beds U18 have the uncommon montane oceanic species Anastrophyllum 

donnianum, Bazzania pearsonii, Scapania ornithopodioides, S. nimbosa and Plagiochila carringtonii. There 

are good examples of both types of vegetation in Coire Leis, in the east-facing corries of the Carn Dearg 

ridge, on the eastern side of Aonach Beag and in the north-facing Grey Corries. These species even grow in the 

south-facing Cùl Choirean, where a rampart of stones at the head of the corrie has a slope which faces north. 

5.4 Summary of the total botanical interest 

The Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC has more diverse and varied vegetation than any other area we have surveyed, 

with a total of 154 types of vegetation and habitat. There is little Scottish upland vegetation that is not 

represented here. The study area is especially notable because of the complete altitudinal range of 

vegetation from temperate woodland to arctic-alpine heaths and snow-beds. 

Woodland reaches what may be its natural altitudinal limit on the south side of Glen Nevis, and the glen is 

exceptionally well-wooded by British standards. The woods are very varied, taking in acid pine woodland 

and mossy birch-oak woodland as well as herb-rich mixed woodlands on flushed, base-rich soils. 

105


One of the most notable types of vegetation is montane willow scrub W20 dominated by Salix lapponum. 

It comes in two forms: one acid with Vaccinium species and much Racomitrium lanuginosum, and one basic, 

with a rich array of tall herbs and grasses. Although most patches are individually small, W20 is the 

predominant type of vegetation on one large cliff on the eastern side of Aonach Beag. We would not be 

surprised if the area measurements show, when the areas of W20 throughout the site are added up, that it 

is at least as extensive in the study area as on some of the better-known sites in the Breadalbanes and the 

Caenlochan hills. 

There is a fine array of heaths and grasslands, encompassing both sub-montane and montane forms and 

including both the characteristically western types such as Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15, liverwort-rich 

Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum damp heath H21b, Calluna-Racomitrium heath H14 and Vaccinium-Racomitrium 

heath H20, and the more eastern Calluna-Cladonia heath H13 and Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19. 

There is some of the best-developed montane vegetation in Britain. This includes an excellent extent and 

diversity of snow-beds. All of the British snow-bed vegetation types occur here, most of them extensively. 

There is also a good diversity of high montane vegetation types of exposed ground from which snow is 

blown off, in contrast to the snow-beds where it collects. These vegetation types include the eastern Carex- 

Polytrichum heath U8 and Juncus-Racomitrium heath U9 as well as the more widespread Carex-Racomitrium 

heath U10. There is also an example of lichen heath, and patches of Luzula spicata sward; both of these 

vegetation types are very rare in Britain. 

The site has an excellent range of herb-rich vegetation types of base-rich soils. These include various 

grasslands, heaths, mires, springs, woodlands, tall-herb ledge communities and even snow-beds. Some of 

the base-rich crags and slopes resemble those of the Breadalbane hills: the part of Scotland which is bestknown 

for its calcicolous flora and vegetation. The site therefore has some of the best British calcicolous 

upland vegetation in combination with some of the finest acidophilous woodlands, heaths and snow-beds. 

The site has an exceptionally rich flora including four Nationally Rare vascular plant species, 28 Nationally 

Scarce vascular species and many rare or uncommon mosses, liverworts and lichens. 

There is no doubt that the SSSI richly deserves to be scheduled as a Special Area of Conservation. 

5.5 Relationships between vegetation and environment 

5.5.1 Geology and geomorphology 

Most of the SSSI/SAC is made of hard and acid rocks, and the gentler slopes are clothed with peat. As a 

result, most of the vegetation consists of acid heaths, grasslands and bryophyte-dominated heaths and snowbeds, 

with blanket bog on the deeper peats and woodland on the low ground. Only where there are 

outcrops of base-rich rock or areas of base-rich flushing are there patches of herb-rich basic mires, scrub, 

dwarf-shrub heaths, tall-herb vegetation or grassland. Table 11 shows the vegetation and habitat types at 

this site in relation to two broad groups based on rock and soil type. 

106


Many of the communities of acid ground are valuable for nature conservation and are uncommon in the 

British uplands. The most notable of these are the bryophyte-dominated late snow-beds U11, U12 and the 

related Pohlia ludwigii, Racomitrium heterostichum and UX snow-beds, the fern-dominated Cryptogramma- 

Athyrium snow-bed community U18, the montane moss springs M32 and M33, the liverwort-rich Calluna- 

Vaccinium-Sphagnum damp heaths H21b and Vaccinium-Racomitrium heaths H20c, the pine woodland 

W18 and rocky, bryophyte-rich birch woodland W17a. Many of the uncommon montane species such as 

Juncus trifidus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Salix herbacaea, Loiselurea procumbens, Arctostaphylos alpinus, 

Gnaphalium supinum, Athyrium distentifolium, Luzula spicata and the very rare L. arcuata, and most of the 

snow-bed bryophytes, are species of acid soils. 

There is a great contrast between the vegetation of the acid granite and Dalradian rocks and that of the 

basic limestone and schist. These basic outcrops are notable for their herb-rich vegetation, especially 

montane willow scrub W20 and tall-herb ledge vegetation U17 and U15. Herb-rich grasslands U4F, U5c, 

CG10, CG11 and CG12, and Dryas-Silene heath CG14, occur on basic soils, most notably on the east 

and west sides of Aonach Beag, on Meall Cumhann and on Beinn na Socaich. All these types of vegetation 

are home to a great array of base-tolerant species, some of them scarce, such as Tofieldia pusilla, Cerastium 

alpinum, Juncus triglumis, Poa alpina and P. glauca. The basic Dalradian schist on the col between Aonach 

Mór and Aonach Beag is noteworthy because it is at such a high altitude – almost 1100m. The vegetation 

here includes includes herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath U10c with the montane calcicoles Cerastium 

alpinum, Saussurea alpina and Persicaria vivipara. 

There is a great diversity of landforms in the study area, including: level straths covered with peat or with 

alluvium and shingle; long, steep slopes seamed with stream gullies; craggy hillsides; outcrops and 

pavements of rock; cliffs, screes, eroded slopes and boulder-fields; narrow ridges; sharp-pointed peaks and 

rounded summits. The summit of Ben Nevis, though a rounded plateau in profile, is covered with jagged 

boulders. The summit of Sca Fell, the highest point in England, is also a boulder-field, whereas the summit 

of Snowdon, the highest point in Wales, has a smooth, soily summit like that of Aonach Beag. It would be 

vegetated were it not for the erosion caused by the feet of thousands of vistors. Fortunately, Ben Nevis does 

not have this problem. As the highest hill in Britain it is among the most-visited, but the boulder-strewn plateau 

is little-affected by trampling and is disfigured only by an astonishing multitude of cairns and by the ruins of 

the old observatory. On the summits and upper slopes of the hills – especially on Ben Nevis, Aonach Beag 

and the hills of the Grey Corries – are fine examples of solifluction terraces, solifluction hummocks, stonesorted 

patterns such as stone stripes and polygons, and frost-heaved stones. These periglacial features are 

probably still active, especially on the unstable ground of the north-facing slope of Aonach Beag. 

107


Table 11 Occurrence of vegetation and habitat types in relation to broad rock and soil type, 

as found in this survey of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC in 2003–2004 

Basic = limestone and schist. Acidic = mainly schist, quartzite, igneous rocks including granite, and coverings of peat. 

Where no ‘X’ is given for a vegetation type, we do not know enough about the rocks and soils where it occurs. 

Vegetation/ 

habitat type Basic Acidic 

W4 • X 

W7 X • 

W9 X • 

W11 • X 

W17 • X 

W18 • X 

W20 X • 

W24 • • 

W25 • • 

H10abc • X 

H10d X • 

H12 • X 

H13 • X 

H14 • X 

H15 • X 

H18a • X 

H18b X X 

H18c • X 

H19 • X 

H20 X X 

H21 • X 

H22 • X 

HX • X 

M1 • X 

M3 • X 

M4 • X 

M6 • X 

M7 • X 

M9 X • 

M10 X X 

M11 X X 

M12 X X 

M15a X X 

M15b • X 

M15c X X 

M15d • X 

M17 • X 

M19 • X 

M23 • • 

M25a X X 

M25b X X 

M25c X • 

M27 • • 

M31 • X 

M32a • X 

M32b X X 

M33 • X 

M37 X • 

MX • • 

MG9 • • 

108 

Vegetation/ 

habitat type Basic Acidic 

CG10 X X 

CG11 X X 

CG12 X • 

CG14 X • 

U4a X X 

U4b • • 

U4d • X 

U4e • X 

U4eA • X 

U4F X • 

U5a X X 

U5b X X 

U5c X • 

U5e X X 

U6acd • X 

U6R • • 

U7a • X 

U7b X X 

U7c X X 

U8 • X 

U9 • X 

U10 X X 

U11 X X 

U12 X X 

U13 X X 

U14 X • 

U15 X • 

U16 X X 

U17abc X • 

U17b X • 

U17d X X 

U18 • X 

U19 X X 

U20a X X 

U20b • X 

U21 • X 

S9 • X 

S10 • X 

Je • • 

Reri • X 

Plud X X 

Rhet X X 

UX X X 

Lspi • X 

Lichen heath • X 

Fell-field • X 

Rock X X 

Scree X X 

Boulder-field • X 

Shingle • •

5.5.2 Climate 


This part of Scotland has a cool, oceanic climate and the vegetation reflects this. Many of the types 

of vegetation recorded here have a western distribution in Britain, such as damp pine woodland W18d 

and W18e, mossy Quercus-Betula-Dicranum woodland W17a, Calluna-Erica dry heath H10, 

Trichophorum-Eriophorum blanket bog M17, Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15, liverwort-rich Calluna- 

Vaccinium-Sphagnum heath H21b and Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20c, herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium 

heath U10c and Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-beds U13b. The blanket bogs and wet heaths are especially 

extensive, and there is a rich flora of western, oceanic species. In the eastern parts of the study area the 

vegetation is still generally western in character but there are fine examples of some more eastern, 

continental, cold-tolerant plant communities such as Calluna-Cladonia heath H13, Vaccinium-Cladonia 

heath H19, Carex-Polytrichum heath U8 and Juncus-Racomitrium heath U9, suggesting that there is a 

noticeable climatic gradient across the 15km east-west length of the site. 

Western, oceanic bryophytes flourish here because the climate is cool and wet. The oceanic species cannot 

tolerate extremes of temperature nor prolonged drought (Ratcliffe 1968, Averis 1994), which is why they 

are confined to those parts of the world where the climate is equable and very wet. Many have remarkably 

disjunct distributions in the world, as a result of this need for a very particular type of climate. As well as the 

west of Britain and Ireland and the extreme west of Norway, other homes for these species are the west 

coast of British Columbia, the foothills of the Himalayas and, perhaps more surprisingly, high altitudes on 

tropical mountains. These are thought to be relicts from a more continuous distribution in Tertiary times, before 

it was fragmented by the Pleistocene glaciations; the evidence for this was summarised by Averis (1994). 

Ben Nevis, Carn Mór Dearg, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag are so high that winter temperatures on the 

summits are very cold. The annual precipitation is high and most of the typical eastern, more continental 

plant communities, such as the lichen-rich heaths, do not occur. However, there are some fine examples of 

Carex-Polytrichum heath U8, which is a more eastern type of vegetation, and on Aonach Beag there are 

also patches of Marsupella brevissima snow-bed U12c, otherwise known only from the Cairngorms. 

Aonach Beag at 1234m is a very high hill indeed, and it was a surprise to find any sort of continuous 

vegetation at this altitude in the extreme oceanic climate of the west Highlands. It is even more interesting 

that the vegetation is a snow-bed rather than a community such as Juncus trifidus heath which forms the 

uppermost zone of vegetation on wind-blasted, exposed ground in the Cairngorms. This suggests that 

because of the high precipitation here, and because of the low temperatures at this great height, snow builds 

up in a frozen covering over the hill top in winter rather than being blown off into the eastern corrie. Since 

there is extensive soil on this summit it is possible for there to be continuous vegetation rather than fragments 

among the stones as there is on Ben Nevis. There is another interesting type of vegetation on the upper southwestern 

spur of Aonach Beag: a montane grassland intermediate between Carex-Polytrichum sedge heath 

U8 and Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a which is apparently not known elsewhere in Britain. It is 

fascinating to speculate about what would be on the top of Ben Nevis if it had a smooth rather than a 

boulder-clad plateau. Would it, too, have a continuous sward of snow-bed vegetation? 

Aonach Beag is likely to have an especially cold, wet and windy local climate, with very high preipitation 

all year round and a deep cover of snow in winter. It stands at the head of Glen Nevis, exposed to southwesterly 

winds which are funnelled up the glen and to rain and snow coming in from the west. It is equally 

exposed to the east, with the high precipice of the Aghaidh Gharbh towering above the ridge of the 

109


Grey Corries. In the hot, dry summer of 2003, when every scrap of snow disappeared from the cliffs of 

Ben Nevis, there was still a small patch on the screes below the North-East ridge in mid-August. Even earlier 

in the year, the snow cornices on the east-facing edge of the summit plateau of Aonach Beag were deeper 

and more extensive than anything remaining on Ben Nevis at that time. 

Oceanic climates are fascinating because cold-tolerant and thermophilous species and types of vegetation 

can occur close together. Winters are not too cold for some thermophilous species, nor summers too warm 

for some cold-tolerant plants. There is a great range of habitats from the woodlands on the lower slopes with 

luxuriant layers of tall herbs and ferns under the trees and a mild and temperate microclimate, to the moss 

heaths and snow-beds of the highest ground where the conditions are near-arctic. As is usual in the oceanic 

climate of the far west, the ecological gradients are steep and it is possible to stand in snow-bed vegetation 

and look down on sheltered woodlands only one kilometre below. In the high montane zone there is 

an enormous contrast between the exposed summits and ridges and the sheltered, shaded corries. 

Bryophytes predominate in both, but the species and the communities they form are very different. The Carex- 

Racomitrium heaths U10, Juncus-Racomitrium heaths U9 and Carex-Polytrichum heaths U8 on the bare 

summit ridges are able to tolerate extremes of exposure from bitter winter cold to the scorching sun on clear 

days in summer, and are resistant to wind and ice. The bryophytes of the snow-beds on the high sunless 

slopes of the corries can flourish in an environment where they may be covered by snow for up to eleven 

months of the year. Mosses and liverworts can survive in these places because they need so little light for 

photosynthesis (Russel 1990) that they are able to grow even under snow. Many of them contain chemicals 

which have antifungal and antibiotic properties; see Averis (1994) for a summary of these chemical studies. 

This means that they do not succumb to moulds even though they grow in still, damp and shaded conditions. 

The snow-bed species are able to grow very quickly once the snow melts. Ground which appeared bare 

and black around the edges of melting snow-fields in June was covered in a dense green sward of 

Pohlia ludwigii and Polytrichum sexangulare, the shoots almost obscured by masses of spore capsules, only 

a month later. 

One of the more interesting plant communities in the study area is the mixed snow-bed which is not described 

in the NVC but which we have mapped and described as UX. It comprises elements from all the described 

types of snow-bed vegetation: the mosses of the Polytrichum-Kiaeria community U11, the liverwort crusts 

of the Salix-Racomitrium community U12, the small herbs of the Silene-Luzula sub-community of the Salix- 

Racomitrium snow-bed U12a and the Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14, the grasses of the Deschampsia- 

Galium grassland U13 and the ferns of the Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-bed U18. These species grow in 

intimate mixtures over tens of square metres. This type of vegetation clothes slopes which are steep but 

smooth and uniform, without rock outcrops, hollows or gullies. They are at high altitudes facing north or east 

and accumulate a great deal of snow over the winter. The soils vary from free-draining granite gravel to thin 

layers of silty humus lying over scree. UX has not been described elsewhere in the Highlands though, in 

retrospect, we would now assign some of the snow-bed vegetation in the high corries of Bidean nam Bian 

to this community. Our description of those snow-beds at the time read: “most of it is intermediate vegetation 

with characteristics of more than one [NVC] type, and there are extensive mosaics where the individual 

patches of distinct types of vegetation are less than a metre square” (Averis & Averis 2003). These mosaics 

would probably be better seen as large stands of the mixed snow-bed community, UX. 

The amount of snow and the time it lies can vary a great deal from year to year. In June 2003, there was 

a lot of snow on the cliffs of Ben Nevis, Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag, and small patches in the east- 

110


facing corries of the Carn Dearg ridge. There was one small patch in upper Coire a’ Mhadaidh, in the 

Grey Corries. By July, most of this had disappeared, and by mid-August there was no snow at all on the 

Ben, the Carn Dearg ridge and Aonach Mór and only one small patch on the screes below Aonach Beag. 

However, in 2004 there was much more snow on all the hills in the early part of the summer. All the late 

snow-bed vegetation on Aonach Mór, Aonach Beag and the Carn Dearg ridge was still covered with snow, 

and there were large patches in upper Coire a’ Mhadaidh in the Grey Corries. Although these patches 

dwindled during the summer, and some patches melted out completely, several patches remained until snow 

once again fell in the autumn. Indeed, some of the patches were topped up during the summer. In the wet, 

stormy week of 12–18 July there were several occasions when the clouds parted to reveal new snow on the 

high tops, and Alison Averis was actually out in falling snow on the summit of Stob Coire na Ceannain on 

18 July. Not the most comfortable place to sit out a snow-storm! 

5.6 Land-use and management 

5.6.1 History of vegetation, land use and management 

When the ice began to retreat at the end of the last Pleistocene glaciation, plants would have moved in to 

colonise these hills and glens. Among the first colonists were probably species such as Dryas octopetala, 

Saxifraga rivularis, S. cernua, S. cespitosa, S. nivalis, S. oppositifolia, S. stellaris, Salix lapponum, 

S. herbacea, Epilobium alsinifolium, Oxyria digyna, Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, C. alpinum, 

Poa alpina, P. glauca and Luzula arcuata, together with bryophytes such as Pohlia ludwigii, P. wahlenbergii 

var. glacialis, Kiaeria falcata, K. blyttii, K. starkei, K. glacialis, Brachythecium glaciale, Pleurocladula 

albescens, Marsupella alpina, M. adusta, M. sphacelata, M. boeckii, M. condensata, M. brevissima, 

Moerckia blyttii and Diplophyllum taxifolium. All are species which grow today in the study area. They may 

have grown here continuously since late-glacial times. 

As the climate became warmer, trees arrived from the milder lands to the south. Juniper and willows came 

first, then birch and rowan. They were followed by pine, hazel, alder, oak and elm. Ash was a late colonist 

as it cannot tolerate shade, and its population probably expanded only after human settlers began to clear 

the woodlands from about 5000 years ago (Tipping 2003). These original native woodlands were 

probably at their most extensive about 6000 years ago (Birks 1988, Tipping 2003), although even then, 

Scotland would not have been covered by a continuous sea of trees. There would also have been tracts of 

bog, rocky ground and exposed summits and ridges with either low scrub or no trees at all. The extensive 

woodlands would have been dominated by pine and birch, with hazel, elm and oak on the lower ground 

(Tipping 2003). There would have been much rowan and holly, and alder and willows on wet soils 

(Birks 1988). The woodland at the tree-line probably consisted of birch, rowan and juniper (Birks 1988) 

and would have been at about 700m. It is interesting that there are still birch and rowan trees on crags at 

this altitude on the north-facing side of Glen Nevis, suggesting that there may well be a natural tree-line here. 

However, it is likely that the upper limit of really dense woodland would have been at about 500m in this part 

of the country (Tipping 2003). Dwarf juniper Juniperus communis ssp. nana is scattered in the study area 

and may once have been much more extensive, forming montane scrub above the tree line. It seems reasonable 

to assume that it may have grown with Salix lapponum, a species which still grows in this habitat today. 

The ground vegetation under the pine and birch would probably have been heathy, with much Calluna and 

Vaccinium species and with a rich array of oceanic bryophytes clothing the ground, the rocks and the lower 

111

trunks of the trees in richly-coloured mats and patches. On more basic soils there may have been tall and 

flowery swards of herbs and grasses. 

The earliest clearance of woodland on a large scale in this part of Scotland is thought to have been about 

400 years ago (Birks 1988), although people would have been living in the area long before then and 

would have created small or temporary clearings in the forests. Almost all of the woodland which persists 

today in the study area is dominated by birch, with smaller amounts of Scots pine, oak, rowan and holly. 

There is alder and willow on the wet soils, and pockets of ash, elm and hazel on basic soils. 

The study area is within the current range of pine woodland in Scotland, although pine is now common only 

in Glen Nevis. The place-name Coire Giubhsachan corrie of the pine trees suggests that pine grew here in 

historical times, although the glen is no longer wooded. There are plenty of places where pine stumps are 

visible in the peat of eroding bogs. The most notable is the glen of Coire an Eoin-An Coire Calma, where 

there are huge expanses of eroding peat full of old pine stumps and roots – clearly the remains of extensive 

pine woodland which filled the floor of the glen when the climate was cooler and more boreal. This glen is 

interesting because of the way it displays so much of the history of Scottish climate and vegetation. In the 

lower glen there are mixed deciduous woodlands with a mossy underlayer, which are favoured by the 

current climate and which would have flourished during the milder, wetter periods of the last 10,000 years. 

Old pine stumps also occur in eroding bogs in the upper part of Glen Nevis. 

There are scraps of juniper, Dryas octopetala and montane willow scrub, still hanging on from early postglacial 

times. And in the high recesses of An Cùl Choire there is late-glacial vegetation amid patches of 

semi-permanant snow: this vegetation may have persisted for 10,000 years despite the many changes 

going on in the glen far below. 

Leachd nan Craobhan Seilich slope of the willow trees, mentioned earlier, suggests that there was once 

much scrubby woodland high in Glen Nevis and Coire Rath where there are now wet heaths and 

grasslands. 

5.6.2 Grazing 


The vegetation in the study area is grazed by sheep and red deer. Most of the sheep were, at the times of 

the survey, on the slopes of Meall an t-Suidhe, on Meall Cumhann and Sgurr Chòinnich Beag, high in the 

eastern corries of the Carn Dearg ridge, on the summit of Aonach Mór and in the corries to the east, and 

on Stob Coire na Ceannain. There were about half a dozen old ewes in Coire Giubhsachan which looked 

as if they have not been gathered or clipped for years. There are, however, large numbers of red deer in 

the glens of the Grey Corries, in the east of the study area. One hundred and twelve stags were counted 

in Coire an Fhir Duibhe on 10 August 2003, and on 1 August 2004 there was a herd of 186 stags, and 

another of seven hinds, in Coire nan Laoigh. Stag numbers such as these are excessive by anyone’s 

standards. The remains of old shielings in Glen Nevis show that these slopes were used for summer pastures, 

probably up until the mid-nineteenth century. There are several examples of Coire nan Laogh or Laoigh 

corrie of the calf and the slope south of Sgurr a’Bhuic is Coire nan Each corrie of horses. On the slopes of 

Meall an t-Suidhe are Cnocan a’ Bhuachaille small hill of the shepherd and Creagan nan Gabhar crags of 

the goats as well as Slochd an Daimh hollow of the stag. Apart from sheep, goats and red deer, there will 

always have been small numbers of native herbivores including roe deer, brown hare and voles. 

112


The brown, heathery slopes in the Lairig Leacach at the eastern end of the study area suggest that the 

greener, more grassy slopes further west may also once have been heathery but since been grazed hard so 

that heathery heaths have turned into blaeberry heaths and grasslands. Calluna-dominated vegetation in 

these more grassy areas is confined to the steeper slopes and cliffs, which supports this idea. Even at the 

eastern end of the study area, there are mosaics of the heathery Vaccinium-Rubus heath H22b and the 

Vaccinium-dominated H22a which seem to be more the result of differential grazing than of differences in 

snow-lie. The green and grassy slopes in upper Glen Nevis are far from natural, and although it is true that 

Calluna loses its competitiveness on wetter soils, one would expect, by comparison with other upland areas 

in this part of Scotland, to see more heather in the wet heaths and bogs than there is today. 

There are too many sheep for the long-term health of the montane heaths on Stob Coire na Ceannain and 

Sgurr Chòinnich Mór, and the montane heaths and snow-beds on Aonach Mór. In the summers of 2003 and 

2004 there were many ewes and lambs on the plateau of Aonach Mór, where they were grazing in Carex- 

Racomitrium heath U10. Much of the U10 heath on this summit belongs to the grassy sub-community U10a, 

which is believed to be the result of excessive grazing and trampling (Rodwell 1992, Averis et al. 2004). 

In order to reach the plateau, the sheep have ascended from the east-facing corries. There are few places 

where they can get up between the cliffs, and so they have concentrated on the smoother slopes. There is 

much trampling and erosion through some fine patches of Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11a and Pohlia 

ludwigii snow-bed. There are also some conspicuous sheep-tracks up through the snow-beds at the tops of 

the eastern corries of the Carn Dearg ridge. Rothero (1990) noted that sheep had a tendency to search out 

and graze the vascular plants in the patches of Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33 on Aonach 

Mór, and that most examples of this community were badly poached by late summer. Snow-bed communities 

are so rare in Scotland, and they are among the types of vegetation most susceptible to climate change; 

it seems wrong for them to be damaged by domestic animals. 

Woodland is extensive in Glen Nevis and on some of the northern slopes, but is unable to regenerate 

because of browsing. There is a copious source of seed in Glen Nevis, and innumerable seedlings of all 

the tree species, but almost all have had their tips nipped off. The John Muir Trust, in partnership with their 

neighbours Alcan, have proposed a scheme to restore woodland along the whole length of Glen Nevis. 

This would restore to the Glen something of its original nature. 

It is implicit in a scheme of this sort that any expansion of woodland will be at the expense of the existing 

open ground. Some species may become scarcer than they are at present, but other species will become 

more common. In general, any move towards increasing the woodland cover of Scotland is desirable, as 

woodland was the original natural vegetation over much of the country before human intervention. The idea 

of the original woodland consisting of an almost unbroken sea of trees is now believed to be incorrect. 

Modern thinking seems to be that the original forest cover of Scotland may have been more patchy and 

open than previously thought, and that even within small areas such as Glen Nevis there would have been 

great changes over time in the relative contribution of different tree species to the woodland canopy, and in 

the distribution of patches of dense woodland and open ground (eg Tipping 2003, Gilbert et al. 1997). 

Unlike many Scottish glens, Glen Nevis is still remarkably well-wooded, especially in the middle section. 

Much of the botanical interest of the glen lies within the remaining woods rather than in the open heaths, 

grasslands and mires. It seems likely that new woodland, though perhaps species-poor and lacking diversity 

at first, will, over many decades, develop into vegetation which is more valuable for nature conservation 

113


than that which exists today. Even in the early days of woodland restoration, the appearance of the 

landscape would be improved. The glen is an ideal place to show large numbers of people what the bare 

hillsides of Scotland should really look like, and to explain how the restoration is being done. 

It is a good idea to rely on natural regeneration rather than planting. This is partly because the woodland 

will develop in more natural patterns with a more diverse age structure and species composition, and partly 

because it is cheaper. Planted trees often die because they have been put in an unsuitable place. This may 

be because trees depend very much on mycorrhizal fungi, and there may be an insufficient supply of the 

right types of fungi on ground which has long been unwooded (Avery & Mason 2004). Because the existing 

woodland is large, there is an abundant seed-source for most of the component species. Indeed, there are 

already many seedlings and saplings of birch, rowan, holly and more locally pine and oak. These are 

currently suppressed by browsing, but are ready to grow taller if given the chance. If the numbers of grazing 

animals are reduced, there will probably soon be a noticeable difference in the vegetation: more young 

trees, especially birch, and taller dwarf shrubs in the heaths and bogs and in the woodland understorey. 

The difficulty with this type of regeneration scheme is in controlling the grazing of the free-ranging sheep and 

red deer in order that trees will be able to grow. At the times of our field survey here in 2003 there were 

fairly high numbers of sheep on the southern and western slopes of Meall an-t-Suidhe, but very few in the 

middle and upper sections of the proposed Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme (SFGS) area. Red deer also 

seemed scarce: we saw six (hinds and calves) in Coire Giubhsachan, but none in the main glen. However, 

we saw much larger numbers of animals on the adjacent land. The vegetation on the southern slopes of 

Sgurr Chòinnich Mór and Sgurr Choinnich Beag is grazed quite hard, and there are many sheep on the 

upper slopes. There is a very big population of red deer here. We saw a herd of over 40 hinds and calves 

in the glen of the Allt Daim (to the north of Coire Giubhsachan) on two occasions in June 2003. In mid- 

August 2003 we saw a herd of 112 stags in An Coire Calma, which is separated from Glen Nevis only 

by the 700m watershed between Sgurr a’ Bhuic and Sgurr Coinnich Beag. On one afternoon in August 2004 

Alison Averis counted 186 stags and seven hinds in Coire an Laoigh, at the eastern end of Glen Nevis. 

There are also reported to be large numbers of deer in the Mamore Forest (Keith Miller, pers. comm.). It is 

quite likely that once the vegetation in Glen Nevis begins to develop back into woodland and to look tall 

and lush, many deer and perhaps sheep from outwith the glen will move onto the better grazing there. It will 

probably be necessary to control the numbers of animals over a larger area than the SFGS area itself. 

It is important to remember that no grazing at all is as unnatural as the current overgrazing by unsustainable 

numbers of sheep and deer. There would always have been natural herbivores: red and roe deer, voles, 

hares and a wide range of plant-eating invertebrates and birds. In remote antiquity there would also have 

been beavers, brown bears, horses, wild boar, wild cattle and more species of deer (Tipping 2003). These 

animals would have been preyed on by an array of large predators such as wolves and lynx, and in a 

natural ecosystem it is unlikely that the numbers of herbivores would have risen above the carrying-capacity 

of the land. The effects of no grazing at all are often fascinating, but can result in vegetation which has less 

value for nature conservation than the grazed, much-modified precursor. For example, ungrazed grasslands 

can become tall and rank, and a few robust species can come to dominate at the expense of smaller 

grasses, herbs and bryophytes. It can also be difficult for dwarf shrubs and trees to establish in such thick 

turf. Ungrazed woodlands can develop such a dense canopy that the ground vegetation is almost entirely 

shaded out, and rich assemblages of grasses, ferns and herbs can be replaced by a sprinkling of etiolated 

plants over expanses of bare soil. There are good examples of this in the exclosures at Rassal NNR 

114

(Averis 2002). In milder climates the woodland understorey can develop into thickets of bracken and 

bramble which themselves may shade out many more interesting species. Ungrazed woods can become so 

dark that important populations of bryophytes and, especially, lichens are unable to survive. 

Although it may be necessary to exclude all grazing animals for a short period, in order to allow the 

regeneration of dwarf shrubs and trees, it is not advisable to exclude them indefinitely but rather to reduce 

their numbers to a level at which trees and shrubs can survive. The ideal is to find a balance where deer 

and even sheep can live as part of a healthy and sustainable ecosystem. 

5.6.3 Burning 


There was no evidence of recent burning in the study area except on the heathery slopes of the Lairig 

Leacach, where the heather has been burned in small patches. Some of the burnt patches are recent; other 

patches are recovering from being burnt a few years ago. In the past, the heaths and bogs throughout the 

study area would probably have been burned in large patches to provide young, nutritious growth for sheep, 

cattle and deer. 

The absence of liverwort-rich Calluna-Vaccinium-Sphagnum heaths H21b from almost all suitable-looking 

slopes, and the current restriction of juniper scrub H15 to cliff ledges, suggests that burning in the past may 

have been sufficiently extensive and severe to have modified the vegetation considerably. 

We do not consider burning to benefit the botanical interest in any part of the SSSI. 

5.6.4 Atmospheric pollution 

Surprisingly for a site in the Highlands, the study area suffers from acid rain and a moderate amount of nitrate 

pollution. This is partly because of the excessively high rainfall, but also because of its proximity to the town 

of Fort William. There is an aluminium smelter and a whisky distillery in the town. Atmospheric pollution from 

these factories is carried into the hills when the wind is from the west, and at such times Alison Averis was 

aware of a distinct chemical smell as far up the Allt a’ Mhuillin glen as the C.I.C. hut. Hamish Brown (1978) 

also remarked on the smell of factory fumes outside the C.I.C. hut. 

The lichen flora on the trees in the woods of Glen Nevis and along the northern edge of the site is less rich 

in large foliose plants, such as the Lobaria species, than one might expect in this part of the country. 

The same is true of woods along the western side of Loch Linnhe such as those at Doire Donn (Averis 2000); 

Brian Coppins (pers. comm.) recollects the flora of these Loch Linnhe woods being richer before the papermill 

was built at Corpach, and apparently there are lists made by Francis Rose to prove it. Since large foliose 

lichens are known to succumb to atmospheric pollution, it seems likely that they have declined in the 

Ben Nevis SSSI for this reason. 

It is hard to say whether there are other, more insidious effects of atmospheric pollution here. Snow-bed 

species are especially susceptible because snow patches can scavenge pollutants from mist and cloud 

blowing over them. As they melt, they release polluted water over the plants below (Woolgrove 1994). 

Studies in Glen Coe (Woolgrove & Woodin 1995) showed that this can cause such an increase in tissue 

nitrogen in some bryophytes, such as the Kiaeria species, that the plants die. 

115


5.6.5 Human views and recreation 

Until the middle of the 19th century the study area was probably used and seen by few people apart from 

cattle-drovers and locals who grazed their animals on the summer pasture or hunted the deer. The main road, 

such as it was, led from Fort William through to Spean Bridge in the north. 

Nobody knows who was the first person to stand on the summit of Ben Nevis. The botanist James Robertson 

made an ascent in 1771, and the geologist John Williams went up in 1774. In 1789 an English clergyman 

counted 30 cairns on the summit, so the present rash of them is nothing new. In the early years of the 

19th century, once it had been established that this was the highest hill in Britain, tourists started to visit. 

One of the earliest was the poet John Keats in 1818. He said that he felt like ‘a fly climbing up a wainscot’ 

– perhaps a slight exaggeration, but a valid comment on the vast scale of the landscape, which seems to 

diminish people and their endeavours almost to vanishing point. The ascent was made easier after 1883, 

when a track suitable for ponies was constructed to the summit and the Observatory built. In 1884 there 

were about 4000 visitors. 

The throngs still go there today. Throughout the summer there is a constant stream of walkers on the ‘tourist 

route’, and smaller numbers ascending by the Carn Mór Dearg arête or by the northern cliffs. The tourists 

are augmented by packs of hundreds doing mass ascents of the Three Peaks – Snowdon, Sca Fell and 

Ben Nevis. However, almost everybody keeps to the path and there is little erosion within the study area, 

although there is an unsightly path across the boggy col of Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe. The path on the rocky 

ridge of Carn Mór Dearg and the arête, though a popular route, is not obtrusive, as it crosses very little 

vegetation. There is little more than a stalker’s path leading up into Coire Giubhsachan, and no obvious 

paths up any of the north-facing glens and corries. Further east there is a discontinuous path between Aonach 

Mór and Aonach Beag, and a faint path along the ridge of the Grey Corries. Again, these summits and 

ridges are so rocky that the passing feet have left little evidence. The Grey Corries are certainly less visited 

than the bigger hills to the west. They are more remote, and many parts of the ridge are very narrow, so 

they need to be approached with more skill and respect. We spent many long days in the glens and corries 

of the study area without seeing anyone at all, and even the summits of Carn Dearg Meadhonach, Aonach Mór 

and Aonach Beag are far less frequented than Ben Nevis. It was a common experience in the summer of 

2003 to stand on the totally deserted plateau of Aonach Mór and count, thorough binoculars, more than 

one hundred people on and around the top of Ben Nevis. 

The main climbing cliffs are in Coire Leis, where some of the classic Scottish routes ascend the vast 

unvegetated buttresses. The gullies are generally climbed in winter, when they are long and challenging iceclimbs. 

The east-facing cliffs of the southern arm of Coire an Lochain on Aonach Mór are also popular for 

winter climbing. Indeed, Alison Averis found about £40 worth of discarded climbing hardware from the 

slopes at the foot of these cliffs. 

5.7 Assessment of the Upland Vegetation Survey vegetation map of Ben Nevis 

The vegetation map produced by the Upland Vegetation Survey (UVS) team of the Nature Conservancy 

Council in 1984 and 1987 (Nature Conservancy Council 1987) was presented as a series of overlays 

on a base of aerial photographs at a scale of 1:25,000. The vegetation of everything apart from the far 

eastern end of the Grey Corries was surveyed and mapped in 1984, using the upland vegetation 

116


classification of Birks & Ratcliffe (1980). The site was revisited in 1987, and some re-mapping was 

done using the newly-available National Vegetation Classification for mires and the Birks and Ratcliffe 

classification for all other types of vegetation. The scheme of Birks & Ratcliffe is not as detailed as the NVC, 

but it does distinguish most of the types of vegetation which occur in this area. The UVS survey work was 

carried out by A. Brown, D. Horsfield and R. Payne in September 1984, and by D. Horsfield and G. Dalby 

in 1987. The final vegetation map file (Nature Conservancy Council 1987) included a key to the vegetation 

types and a copy of Ratcliffe’s (1977) short account of the vegetation and flora of the area. 

It is unfair to be too critical of the Upland Vegetation Survey map of Ben Nevis. It was produced at the scale 

of 1:25,000, and it would have been impossible to show the amount of detail that we were able to show 

at the scale of 1:10,000. Also, most of the Upland Survey mapping was done using the Birks & Ratcliffe 

(1980) classification, which is much less detailed and allows for fewer communities than the NVC scheme. 

The vegetation on many of the hillsides in this study area is very complicated, with small patches of different 

types of vegetation growing in intimate mosaics. Yet it can look quite uniform even at close range. These 

patterns of vegetation are impossible to pick out on the black and white aerial photographs used by the 

UVS team. It was generally found during UVS surveys that the aerial photographs of less heathery hills 

showed little but featureless hillsides of a uniform texture and pale-grey tone. Some of the cliffs with tall-herb 

ledge vegetation are so thickly vegetated that they did not stand out well from the smooth slopes. And since 

there are no contours on photographs it was particularly difficult both to navigate and to plot stands of 

vegetation with any accuracy. Given this it is hardly surprising that the UVS surveyors found themselves 

unequal to the task of reconciling the vegetation and the photographs. Even with good-quality 1:10,000 maps 

and the guidance of the NVC the vegetation of the Ben Nevis SSSI is still bewilderingly complex and we, 

too, had to map many stands of vegetation as large mosaics of a lot of different types. 

Indeed, given that three of the surveyors were inexperienced persons in their first field season, the team did 

well to cover the ground and find so much interesting vegetation. For example, they noticed the late snowbed 

vegetation in the eastern corries of Aonach Mór and on the summit of Aonach Beag. They found the 

springs with Saxifraga rivularis in Coire an Lochain, though they used the Birks & Ratcliffe code ‘I4d’, for 

‘S. rivularis spring’ rather than ‘I4c’ which is the Pohlia walhlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33 and the 

correct classification. This is presumably because S. rivularis is easier to identify than P. wahlenbergii var. 

glacialis. They found the herb-rich grasslands, dwarf-herb vegetation and Dryas heath CG14 on Beinn na 

Socaich, and the P. wahlenbergii var. glacialis springs M33 on Stob Coire nan Easain, and they found 

several patches of Carex saxatilis mire M12. As in many other examples of UVS surveys, the maps are not 

blatantly incorrect (though there are a few remarkable errors) but they oversimplify the real diversity, miss 

many of the types of vegetation which occur, and lack detail. 

Some of the boundaries delineated between the zones of vegetation on the aerial photographs look very 

different from those on our paper maps, even when we are evidently outlining the same piece of ground. 

This is largely the result of the distortion implicit in aerial photographs. There is the foreshortening effect of 

the high ground being closer to the camera than the low ground. The image is distorted towards the edges 

of the photograph so that some hillsides appear strangely elongated and others are compressed almost to 

vanishing point. There is also the problem of shadow, especially on north-facing cliffs, which can obscure 

the details of the image and make it impossible to delineate vegetation boundaries. None of these problems 

occur with paper maps, which have the added great advantage of contour lines to show the shapes of 

117


otherwise featureless slopes. Maps do lack the different tones of the photographs. Variation in tone was 

fundamental to the way in which the vegetation was mapped by the UVS. However, Alison Averis, who 

worked for eight years on the Upland Survey team, has since been amazed at the erroneous mapping that 

can be produced by relying on differences in shades of grey. 

Using the Birks & Ratcliffe classification, the UVS team found 58 types of vegetation at this site. These can 

be equated with up to 92 NVC types. We found more than 140 distinct types of vegetation. This difference 

is partly because of the limitations of the Birks & Ratcliffe classification. For instance, the Birks & Ratcliffe 

code E3 for late-lying snow-beds was used for vegetation which can now be assigned to U11a, U11b, 

U12a, U12b, U12c and U14, to say nothing of the Pohlia ludwigii, Racomitrium heterostichum and 

UX mixed snow-bed communities which are not covered by either classification. All the dry Calluna heaths 

were covered by the single code B1a in the Birks & Ratcliffe scheme; these heaths at this site encompass 

seven NVC types – four sub-communities of Calluna-Erica heath H10 and three sub-communities of Calluna- 

Vaccinium heath H12. Vaccinium heaths are not served particularly well by either scheme, but the Birks & 

Ratcliffe types were found to be misleading in the field and the NVC types are easier to distinguish and 

make more ecological and floristic sense. 

Our survey may have been more thorough. There are instances where the UVS mapping seems to have been 

done from a distance, for example where patches of Oreopteris limbosperma have been labelled D7, which 

is bracken, and where patches of Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a have been labelled incorrectly 

as the Rhytididelphus sub-community U13b. The Juncus-Racomitrium community U9 on the ridge of the 

Grey Corries has been incorrectly mapped as either Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 or as Nardus-Carex 

grassland U7. Most of the willow scrub has been missed, especially on the Aghaidh Gharbh, where it is so 

extensive that it is hard to see how anybody could visit this part of the site and not see it. Indeed, the 

Aghaidh Gharbh and An Cùl Choire have been mapped as one large, undifferentiated unit with a label 

which omits some of the more conspicuous communities, such as the tall-herb ledge vegetation. It makes one 

wonder whether the surveyors actually went there at all. In the lower part of this glen, the east side of 

Coire an Eòin – a vast slope with a complicated mixture of vegetation which is predominantly Vacciniumrich 

Trichophorum-Erica heath M15d, Racomitrium-rich Trichophorum-Erica heath M15c and Vaccinium heath 

H18, interspersed with herb-rich swards and a whole array of flushes and springs – was mapped as 

sub-montane Nardus grassland with smaller amounts of Vaccinium heath. Nardus grassland is no more than 

a minor component of the vegetation on this slope and anyone who had actually been on the ground would 

have seen that. This is not really surprising, though, as this part of the site is so remote and difficult to reach. 

To get to the far end of the corrie from the north takes half an hour on a bicycle followed by three hours’ 

walking over trackless terrain and an ascent of about 700m. 

The summit plateau of Ben Nevis was mapped as rock debris completely devoid of vegetation, and 

Alison Averis was confidently assured by one of the original survey team that the summit was too high for 

vegetation and that nothing grew there. We found 10 different plant communities on the plateau, albeit in 

small patches. Similarly, in upper Coire Leis, we found 13 plant communities in what the UVS mapped as 

bare rock debris. 

One mystery of the UVS survey is that in Coire an Lochain they mapped large swards of the Rhytidiadelphus 

sub-community of Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13b, where we found the vegetation to belong to the 

Anthoxanthum-Alchemilla sub-community U13a with an unusually tall, dense, flowering sward of the grass. 

118


It is possible that grazing was heavier in the mid-1980s than it is today, and that there was less Deschampsia 

cespitosa and more moss in these swards. This would suggest that the relationship between the two 

sub-communities has more to do with grazing than with variation in the environment. It is impossible to tell, 

but would make an interesting research project. 

5.8 Extra note on birds and animals seen during this survey 

In the woods in Glen Nevis we noted buzzard, hooded crow, willow warbler, wood warbler, redstart, robin, 

tree pipit, wren, chaffinch, great tit, coal tit and pied wagtail. The birds of the open hillsides include 

wheatear, meadow pipit, mistle thrush, skylark, ring ouzel, grey wagtail, wren, dipper, snipe, golden plover, 

common sandpiper (a nest with 4 eggs was seen in Coire an Eòin on 15 June 2004), kestrel, merlin, 

sparrowhawk, buzzard, red grouse and ptarmigan. Swifts, swallows and house martins hunt over the 

hillsides. There are snow buntings on the summit of Ben Nevis, as well as herring gulls scavenging from 

the tourists. We also saw snow buntings in Coire an Lochan and Coire a’ Mhadaidh in 2004. A pair of 

golden eagles was seen over Coire an Eòin on several occasions in 2004. Young dotterel were seen on 

Aonach Mór in July and August 2003, and a male on Beinn na Socaich on 17 June 2004. There are foxes, 

mountain hares, field voles, frogs and common lizards in the study area. We saw small colonies of 

Mountain Ringlet butterflies in Glen Giubhsachan in July 2003, and in Coire na Gaibhre, Coire Cnamhan 

and lower Coire nan Easain in 2004. 

119

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122


Appendix 1 Quadrat data recorded in this survey of the vegetation Ben Nevis 

SSSI/SAC in 2003–2004 

Note: the definition of the word ‘quadrat’ as used by botanists and ecologists is different from that in the 

English dictionary, so a definition is provided here for the reader unfamiliar with its meaning in this context. 

This word used by botanists to mean a square-shaped area of ground defined for the purpose of recording 

information about the vegetation. This square area may be marked (eg with wooded pegs) so that it can be 

visited again in future to observe changes in the vegetation, or, as in this survey, it may be unmarked and 

defined only temporarily for the purpose of recording information about a typical or representative example 

of a particular type of vegetation. 

We recorded details about the vegetation in quadrats measuring 2m x 2m, except for the canopy layer 

(trees and shrubs) in woodland, for which we used a quadrat size of 10m x 10m (surrounding 2m x 2m 

quadrats of ground vegetation). 

Within each quadrat we recorded the approximate quantity of the aerial parts of each plant species seen, 

using the DOMIN scale: 

1 =


Quadrat number 1 2 3 

Easting 1558 1385 1310 

Northing 6824 7550 7144 

Altitude (m) 100 55 29 

Slope aspect (o) 360 330 220 

Slope gradient (o) 30 8 1 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 

Canopy: 

Alnus glutinosa height (m) 5–7 8–12 

Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) 30–50 35 

Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover 7 5 

Betula pubescens height (m) 5–6 6–8 8–10 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 40 10–30 10–25 

Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 7 8 9 

Shrub layer: 


Salix aurita height (m) 3 3–5 

Salix aurita DOMIN cover 1 5 

Field and ground layer (2m x 2m): 

Height of vegetation (cm) 40 40 30 

No. of 

Birch leaf litter (DOMIN) 4 quadrats 

Thuidium tamariscinum 4 7 6 3 

Molinia caerulea 8 8 2 

Sphagnum palustre 7 6 2 

Hylocomium splendens 5 4 2 

Agrostis canina 4 3 2 

Potentilla erecta 3 3 2 

Blechnum spicant 3 1 2 

Polytrichum formosum 2 2 2 

Agrostis capillaris 5 1 

Carex echinata 5 1 

Polytrichum commune 5 1 

Sphagnum subnitens 5 1 

Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 1 

Holcus mollis 4 1 

Juncus effusus 4 1 

Epilobium palustre 3 1 

Equisetum sylvaticum 3 1 

Hypnum jutlandicum 3 1 

Oreopteris limbosperma 3 1 

Phegopteris connectilis 3 1 

Pellia epiphylla 3 1 

124

W4b (continued) 



Quadrat number 1 2 3 quadrats 

Scleropodium purum 3 1 

Viola palustris 3 1 

Viola riviniana 3 1 

Hyocomium armoricum 2 1 

Lysimachia nemorum 2 1 

Myrica gale 2 1 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus 2 1 

Scapania gracilis 2 1 

Sphagnum fallax 2 1 

Succisa pratensis 2 1 

Conopodium majus 1 1 

Dryopteris filix-mas 1 1 

Mnium hornum 1 1 

Scapania nemorea 1 1 

Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) 1 1 

Total no. of field/ground layer spp. 18 11 16 36 

Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat 15 

125


Quadrat number 1 2 

Easting 1310 1310 

Northing 7144 7144 

Altitude (m) 29 29 

Slope aspect (o) 230 230 

Slope gradient (o) 1 1 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 

Canopy: 

Alnus glutinosa height (m) 8–12 8–12 

Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) 35 35 

Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover 5 5 

Betula pubescens height (m) 8–10 8–10 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 10–25 10–25 

Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 9 9 

Shrub layer: 


Salix aurita height (m) 3–5 3–5 

Salix aurita DOMIN cover 5 5 


Height of vegetation (cm) 30 30 


Birch leaf litter (DOMIN) quadrats 

Sphagnum fallax 7 7 2 

Sphagnum fimbriatum 7 7 2 


Sphagnum palustre 5 5 2 

Carex echinata 4 5 2 


Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) 1 1 2 


Thuidium tamariscinum 4 1 

Juncus bulbosus 3 1 

Agrostis canina 1 1 

Holcus mollis 1 1 



Total no. of field/ground layer spp. 10 11 14 

Mean no. in a 2x2m quadrat 10.5 

126

W7c Alnus glutinosa-Fraxinus excelsior-Lysimachia nemorum woodland, Deschampsia cespitosa 

sub-community 

Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 

Easting 1305 1312 1312 1725 1725 

Northing 7153 7133 7133 6925 6925 

Altitude (m) 23 24 24 115 115 

Slope aspect (o) 360 360 360 175 175 

Slope gradient (o) – – – 25 25 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 

Canopy: 

Alnus glutinosa height (m) 10–15 8–12 8–12 12–15 12–15 

Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) 25–40 30–40 30–40 25–70 25–70 

Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover 8 8 8 8 8 

Betula pubescens height (m) 10 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 25 

Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 4 

Fraxinus excelsior height (m) 10 10 4–8 4–8 

Fraxinus excelsior d.b.h. (cm) 30 30 5–15 5–15 

Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover 4 4 4 4 

Shrub layer: 


Corylus avellana height (m) 4–6 4–6 

Corylus avellana DOMIN cover 5 5 



Height of vegetation (cm) 60 70 70 40 40 quadrats 

Deschampsia cespitosa 9 10 9 8 8 5 

Agrostis capillaris 4 4 4 4 7 5 

Thuidium tamariscinum 7 7 6 6 4 

Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 4 4 7 2 4 

Anthoxanthum odoratum 3 3 4 3 

Atrichum undulatum 1 3 4 3 

Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) 2 1 1 3 

Dryopteris filix-mas 5 4 2 

Holcus lanatus 4 5 2 

Juncus effusus 4 4 2 

Oxalis acetosella 3 4 2 


Rhytidiadelphus loreus 3 4 2 

Holcus mollis 4 2 2 

Viola palustris 3 3 2 

Eurhynchium praelongum 2 3 2 

Lysimachia nemorum 2 3 2 

Carex pallescens 1 3 2 

127

W7c (continued) 



Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 quadrats 

Mnium hornum 2 2 2 

Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) 1 1 2 

Athyrium filix-femina 5 1 

Lophocolea bidentata 4 1 


Hylocomium brevirostre 3 1 

Isothecium myosuroides 3 1 



Polytrichum formosum 3 1 



Blechnum spicant 2 1 

Carex binervis 2 1 

Epilobium montanum 2 1 

Hylocomium splendens 2 1 

Molinia caerulea 2 1 

Tritomaria quinquedentata 2 1 


Carex viridula oedocarpa 1 1 

Cirsium palustre 1 1 

Galium saxatile 1 1 

Poa pratensis 1 1 

Ranunculus acris 1 1 

Total no. of field/ground layer spp. 8 11 19 18 19 42 


128

W9b Fraxinus excelsior-Sorbus aucuparia-Mercurialis perennis woodland, Crepis paludosa 

sub-community 


Easting 1733 1730 1730 1730 1730 

Northing 6930 6923 6923 6923 6923 

Altitude (m) 190 120 120 120 120 

Slope aspect (o) 225 200 200 200 200 

Slope gradient (o) 40 25 25 25 25 



Canopy: 

Betula pubescens height (m) 6–10 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 15–2 


Salix caprea height (m) 9 

Salix caprea d.b.h. (cm) 30 

Salix caprea DOMIN cover 5 

Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 4–8 

Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 10 

Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 5 

Alnus glutinosa height (m) 15 15 15 15 

Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) 30 30 30 30 

Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover 1 1 1 1 

Fraxinus excelsior height (m) 15 15 15 15 

Fraxinus excelsior d.b.h. (cm) 20–50 20–50 20–50 20–50 

Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover 8 8 8 8 

Ulmus glabra height (m) 8–15 8–15 8–15 8–15 

Ulmus glabra d.b.h. (cm) 25–100 25–100 25–100 25–100 

Ulmus glabra DOMIN cover 6 6 6 6 

Shrub layer: 


Corylus avellana height (m) 6 6 6 6 

Corylus avellana DOMIN cover 4 4 4 4 

Fraxinus excelsior height (m) 4 

Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover 1 


Height of vegetation (cm) 30 30 40 30 20 

Bare rock (DOMIN) 5 5 4 5 4 


quadrats 

Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) 1 3 3 4 3 5 

Athyrium filix-femina 5 6 5 4 4 

Isothecium myosuroides 6 4 4 5 4 

Thuidium tamariscinum 5 5 4 4 4 

Epilobium montanum 4 3 5 5 4 

Dryopteris filix-mas 4 4 4 4 4 

Isothecium alopecuroides 3 4 4 5 4 

Geum urbanum 4 3 2 4 4 

Geranium robertianum 4 2 3 2 4 

Oxalis acetosella 3 3 1 4 4 

129





Racomitrium aciculare 1 3 2 1 4 

Hypnum cupressiforme 6 4 4 3 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus 4 4 4 3 

Filipendula ulmaria 4 4 1 3 

Stachys sylvatica 6 1 2 3 

Brachythecium plumosum 4 1 3 3 

Rubus idaeus 2 4 2 3 

Prunella vulgaris 2 2 2 3 

Fragaria vesca 3 6 2 

Hylocomium brevirostre 4 5 2 


Atrichum undulatum 3 4 2 

Viola riviniana 4 3 2 

Fissidens dubius 3 3 2 

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus 2 3 2 

Ptychomitrium polyphyllum 1 1 2 

Dryopteris affinis 6 1 

Brachypodium sylvaticum 5 1 

Melica nutans 5 1 


Deschampsia cespitosa 4 1 


Potentilla erecta 4 1 

Sanicula europaea 4 1 

Eurhynchium praelongum 3 1 

Geranium sylvaticum 3 1 



Primula vulgaris 3 1 

Angelica sylvestris 2 1 

Cardamine flexuosa 2 1 

Plagiommnium undulatum 2 1 


Saccogyna viticulosa 2 1 

Solidago virgaurea 2 1 

Teucrium scorodonia 2 1 

Veronica serpyllifolia 2 1 


Dicranum majus 1 1 

Dicranum scoparium 1 1 

Erica cinerea 1 1 

Fraxinus excelsior (sapling) 1 1 

Frullania tamarisci 1 1 


Thuidium delicatulum 1 1 

Thymus polytrichus 1 1 



130

W11a Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, Dryopteris dilatata 

sub-community 

Quadrat number 1 

Easting 1709 

Northing 6913 

Altitude (m) 135 

Slope aspect (o) 157 

Slope gradient (o) 10 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 

Canopy: 



Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 25 


Corylus avellana height (m) 5 

Corylus avellana d.b.h. (cm) 15 

Corylus avellana DOMIN cover 4 


Height of vegetation (cm) 60 

Dryopteris filix-mas 7 

Thuidium tamariscinum 7 

Carex sylvatica 6 

Hylocomium umbratum 6 

Potentilla erecta 5 

Sorbus aucuparia seedling 4 

Viola riviniana 4 

Polytrichum commune 4 

Dryopteris dilatata 4 

Ajuga reptans 3 

Hylocomium splendens 3 

Conopodium majus 3 

Scapania gracilis 3 

Holcus mollis 3 

Hypericum perforatum 2 

Total no. of field/ground layer spp. 15 

131

W11b Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, Blechnum spicant 

sub-community 


Easting 1728 1728 







Canopy: 

Betula pubescens height (m) 7–10 7–10 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 15–25 15–25 


Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 6 6 

Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 10 10 

Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 3 3 

Fraxinus excelsior height (m) 10 10 

Fraxinus excelsior d.b.h. (cm) 30 30 

Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover 1 1 

Shrub layer: 


Corylus avellana height (m) 4 4 





Bare rock 1 quadrats 


Anthoxanthum odoratum 7 6 2 


Thuidium tamariscinum 6 5 2 



Ranunculus acris 3 5 2 


Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 3 2 

Scleropodium purum 3 3 2 

Hypnum cupressiforme 1 4 2 


Prunella vulgaris 1 1 2 

Holcus lanatus 5 1 

Primula vulgaris 5 1 


Ptilium cristacastrensis 4 1 

132




Quadrat number 1 2 quadrats 


Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus 3 1 

Veronica chamaedrys 3 1 


Cirriphyllum piliferum 2 1 

Deschampsia flexuosa 2 1 



Epilobium montanum 1 1 

Fissidens taxifolius 1 1 

Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) 1 1 

Luzula multiflora 1 1 



Total no. of field/ground layer spp. 21 23 31 


133

W11 Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland, not classified to any 

sub-community 

Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Easting 1391 1289 1289 1289 1296 1296 1296 1302 1308 

Northing 7554 7170 7170 7170 7164 7164 7164 7163 7154 

Altitude (m) 59 21 21 21 22 22 22 23 25 

Slope aspect (o) 330 – – – 230 230 230 230 230 

Slope gradient (o) 5 – – – 5 10 1 1 1 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B B B B B 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 

Canopy: 

Betula pubescens height (m) 5–8 10 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 10–25 40 



Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 30 30 


Alnus glutinosa height (m) 6–8 6–8 6–8 6–8 6–8 7–9 6–10 6–10 

Alnus glutinosa d.b.h. (cm) 20–35 20–35 20–35 20–35 20–35 20–60 25–40 25–50 

Alnus glutinosa DOMIN cover 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 

Fraxinus excelsior height (m) 6 6 

Fraxinus excelsior d.b.h. (cm) 15 15 

Fraxinus excelsior DOMIN cover 4 4 

Shrub layer: 


Crataegus monogyna height (m) 6 

Crataegus monogyna DOMIN cover 1 

Salix aurita height (m) 3 

Salix aurita DOMIN cover 4 


Height of vegetation (cm) 35 40 50 40 40 40 30 30 30 


Bare ground (stones) (DOMIN) 5 quadrats 

Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 2 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 3 9 

Anthoxanthum odoratum 5 5 3 6 5 7 7 5 8 

Agrostis capillaris 5 3 5 6 8 4 7 4 8 

Holcus mollis 5 5 10 8 3 5 7 7 

Thuidium tamariscinum 6 3 5 4 4 6 6 

Potentilla erecta 4 4 3 5 4 


Polytrichum formosum 1 3 3 2 4 

Conopodium majus 1 3 2 2 4 

Hylocomium splendens 3 3 4 3 

Viola palustris 2 4 3 3 

Viola riviniana 5 1 1 3 

134

W11 (continued) 



Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 quadrats 

Ranunculus acris 1 2 3 3 



Deschampsia cespitosa 4 4 2 

Ranunculus repens 2 4 2 

Rumex acetosella 1 1 2 


Festuca rubra 5 1 


Lolium perenne 5 1 

Ajuga reptans 4 1 


Luzula sylvatica 4 1 


Rumex acetosa 4 1 

Hypnum cupressiforme 3 1 



Prunella vulgaris 3 1 

Trifolium repens 3 1 



Danthonia decumbens 2 1 


Pleurozium schreberi 2 1 



Brachythecium plumosum 1 1 

Racomitrium aciculare 1 1 

Racomitrium fasciculare 1 1 

Centaurea nigra 1 1 

Cladonia coniocraea 1 1 


Hyacinthoides non-scripta 1 1 

Hypochoeris radicata 1 1 



Plantago lanceolata 1 1 

Pteridium aquilinum 1 1 


Total no. of field/ground layer spp. 18 13 6 12 8 13 16 13 11 52 


135

W17a Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland, Isothecium myosuroides- 

Diplophyllum albicans sub-community 


Easting 1631 1631 1631 1626 2628 

Northing 6848 6848 6848 6831 7741 

Altitude (m) 200 200 200 245 370 

Slope aspect (o) 340 340 340 340 5 




Canopy: 


Betula pubescens height (m) 5–8 5–8 5–8 4–8 6–8 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 10–25 10–25 10–25 10–25 20–40 

Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 6 6 6 6 7 

Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 3–7 3–7 3–7 4–8 3–8 

Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 5–20 5–20 5–20 10–25 5–30 

Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 5 5 5 5 7 

Pinus sylvestris height (m) 3–7 

Pinus sylvestris d.b.h. (cm) 15–20 

Pinus sylvestris DOMIN cover 1 



Bare rock (DOMIN) 7 7 7 5 5 


quadrats 

Hymenophyllum wilsonii 5 4 5 4 1 5 

Hylocomium splendens 1 4 4 4 4 5 

Vaccinium myrtillus 3 4 4 4 2 5 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus 3 1 2 3 4 5 

Polytrichum formosum 3 2 2 2 1 5 

Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) 1 1 1 2 1 5 

Diplophyllum albicans 3 4 4 5 4 

Frullania tamarisci 4 4 3 5 4 

Hypnum jutlandicum 5 3 4 4 4 

Racomitrium lanuginosum 3 4 4 4 4 

Plagiochila spinulosa 5 2 3 4 4 

Deschampsia flexuosa 3 2 5 2 4 

Dicranum scoparium 2 3 3 3 4 

Dicranum majus 2 2 4 1 4 


Scapania gracilis 5 5 4 3 

Agrostis canina 4 4 5 3 

Sphagnum quinquefarium 4 5 4 3 

Molinia caerulea 4 4 4 3 

Racomitrium aquaticum 4 1 5 3 

Galium saxatile 3 3 3 3 

Bazzania tricrenata 3 1 4 3 

Thuidium tamariscinum 3 3 2 3 

Polypodium vulgare 1 1 2 3 

Cladonia subcervicornis 3 3 2 

Festuca vivipara 4 1 2 

Lepidozia pearsonii 2 3 2 

Pleurozium schreberi 3 2 2 

136

W17a (continued) 




Calluna vulgaris 3 1 2 

Plagiochila punctata 2 2 2 

Solidago virgaurea 2 2 2 

Cladonia coniocraea 1 2 2 

Dryopteris dilatata 2 1 2 

Erica cinerea 1 1 2 


Herbertus aduncus 5 1 

Pleurozia purpurea 5 1 


Scapania ornithopodioides 5 1 

Ctenidium molluscum 4 1 

Lejeunea patens 4 1 


Palustriella commutata 4 1 

Plagiochila carringtonii 4 1 

Tortella tortuosa 4 1 

Amphidium mougeotti 3 1 

Andreaea rupestris 3 1 

Anoectangium aestivum 3 1 

Bartramia pomiformis 3 1 

Breutelia chrysocoma 3 1 

Dicranodontium denudatum 3 1 

Douinia ovata 3 1 


Parmelia saxatilis 3 1 

Sphaerophorus globosus 3 1 


Anastrepta orcadensis 2 1 

Anemone nemorosa 2 1 

Aneura pinguis 2 1 

Dicranella heteromalla 2 1 

Hieracium sp. 2 1 

Lophozia ventricosa 2 1 


Mylia taylorii 2 1 

Peltigera sp. 2 1 

Rhizomnium punctatum 2 1 


Campylopus atrovirens 1 1 

Campylopus flexuosus 1 1 

Cladonia portentosa 1 1 

Dicranum scottianum 1 1 


Melampyrum pratense 1 1 


Plagiomnium undulatum 1 1 

Taraxacum agg. 1 1 



137



Easting 1743 

Northing 6891 






Canopy: 



Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 10–30 


Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 4 

Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 5–15 

Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 6 




Rhytidiadelphus loreus 8 

Vaccinium myrtillus 8 

Deschampsia flexuosa 5 

Pleurozium schreberi 5 

Dicranum scoparium 4 

Polytrichum formosum 4 


Agrostis capillaris 3 

Calluna vulgaris 3 

Carex binervis 3 

Hypnum jutlandicum 3 

Lepidozia reptans 3 

Plagiothecium undulatum 3 

Blechnum spicant 2 

Oxalis acetosella 2 

Sorbus aucuparia (

W17c Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland, Anthoxanthum odoratum- 

Agrostis capillaris sub-community 


Easting 1709 1727 





Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A 


Canopy: 


Betula pubescens height (m) 9 10 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 20 10–40 


Corylus avellana height (m) 5 6 

Corylus avellana d.b.h. (cm) 10 10–25 



Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 15 5–10 





Bare ground 4 quadrats 



Hylocomium umbratum 5 3 2 


Agrostis capillaris 4 2 2 










Isothecium alopecuroides 3 1 


Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 1 





Sorbus aucuparia (

W18d Pinus sylvestris-Hylocomium splendens woodland, Sphagnum capillifolium/ 

quinquefarium-Erica tetralix sub-community 

Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 

Easting 1617 1617 1627 1633 1631 1631 

Northing 6844 6844 6841 6843 6837 6837 

Altitude (m) 160 160 240 245 255 255 

Slope aspect (o) 300 300 275 345 225 225 

Slope gradient (o) 25 35 20 25 20 30 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B B 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 

Canopy: 

Betula pubescens height (m) 8 8 6 5–8 8–10 8–10 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 40 40 20 15–30 25–30 25–30 

Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 4 4 4 6 5 5 

Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 4 4–7 8 8 

Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 20 10–25 30 30 

Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 1 5 4 4 

Pinus sylvestris height (m) 8–10 8–10 8–12 10 10–12 10–12 

Pinus sylvestris d.b.h. (cm) 50–60 50–60 80 60–80 70–120 70–120 

Pinus sylvestris DOMIN cover 6 6 5 6 7 7 

Shrub layer: 


Pinus sylvestris height (m) 1–3 1–3 

Pinus sylvestris DOMIN cover 3 3 


Height of vegetation (cm) 40 40 50 30 40 40 


Bare rock (DOMIN) 4 6 5 quadrats 

Molinia caerulea 8 7 8 7 8 8 6 

Hypnum jutlandicum 4 5 4 5 5 5 6 

Deschampsia flexuosa 4 4 4 5 5 2 6 

Hylocomium splendens 3 3 4 3 5 5 6 

Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 



Dicranum majus 4 2 5 4 3 5 

Pteridium aquilinum 1 5 1 5 5 5 

Scapania gracilis 1 4 1 2 2 5 



Blechnum spicant 2 4 1 2 4 

Betula pubescens (seedling) 3 2 2 1 4 


Cladonia coniocraea 1 2 2 1 4 

Dicranum scoparium 1 2 2 3 

140

W18d (continued) 



Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 quadrats 


Sphagnum capillifolium 6 6 2 

Ptilium cristacastrensis 4 4 2 


Mylia taylorii 3 3 2 


Plagiothecium undulatum 3 2 2 


Campylopus flexuosus 2 3 2 


Odontoschisma denudatum 2 2 2 

Cladonia portentosa 1 1 2 

Dicranodontium denudatum 4 1 

Sphagnum quinquefarium 4 1 

Sphagnum papillosum 4 1 

Cladonia arbuscula 3 1 

Lepidozia reptans 3 1 




Narthecium ossifragum 2 1 


Cladonia subcervicornis 1 1 

Cladonia uncialis 1 1 



Polygala serpyllifolia 1 1 


Oxalis acetosella 1 1 


Total no. of field/ground layer spp. 22 24 25 20 16 18 47 


141



Easting 1633 1633 1633 

Northing 6843 6843 6843 

Altitude (m) 245 245 245 





Canopy: 


Betula pubescens height (m) 5–8 5–8 5–8 

Betula pubescens d.b.h. (cm) 15–30 15–30 15–30 

Betula pubescens DOMIN cover 6 6 6 

Sorbus aucuparia height (m) 4–7 4–7 4–7 

Sorbus aucuparia d.b.h. (cm) 10–25 10–25 10–25 

Sorbus aucuparia DOMIN cover 5 5 5 

Pinus sylvestris height (m) 10 10 10 

Pinus sylvestris d.b.h. (cm) 60–80 60–80 60–80 

Pinus sylvestris DOMIN cover 6 6 6 




Bare rock (DOMIN) 5 6 6 quadrats 


Vaccinium myrtillus 6 6 5 3 

Hypnum jutlandicum 5 5 4 3 

Diplophyllum albicans 4 3 5 3 

Mnium hornum 4 4 4 3 

Bazzania tricrenata 3 3 4 3 

Dicranodontium denudatum 4 2 3 3 

Sorbus aucuparia (seedling) 3 3 3 3 

Plagiothecium undulatum 3 4 1 3 

Mylia taylorii 5 4 2 

Sphagnum quinquefarium 4 4 2 


Hymenophyllum wilsonii 2 4 2 


Andreaea rupestris 2 3 2 



Plagiochila spinulosa 2 3 2 


Parmelia saxatilis 1 3 2 



142

W18e (continued) 




Herbertus aduncus 4 1 


Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 1 


Lepidozia reptans 3 1 


Gymnomitrion obtusum 2 1 

Hypogymnia physodes 2 1 

Lophozia incisa 2 1 


Racomitrium aciculare 2 1 



Dicranella heteromalla 1 1 


Platismatia glauca 1 1 


Total no. of field/ground layer spp. 18 25 25 39 


143




Easting 2167 2189 









quadrats 

Salix lapponum 8 8 2 


Luzula sylvatica 4 5 2 


Alchemilla alpina 3 5 2 


Sedum rosea 5 3 2 

Crepis paludosa 4 3 2 

Saxifraga stellaris 3 3 2 


Vaccinium myrtillus 7 1 

Thalictrum alpinum 6 1 





Diplophyllum albicans 4 1 


Sphagnum palustre 4 1 

Vaccinium uliginosum 4 1 

Calliergon sarmentosum 3 1 

Carex pulicaris 3 1 



Drepanocladus revolvens 3 1 

Eriophorum angustifolium 3 1 



Juncus articulatus 3 1 

Mnium stellare 3 1 



Oxyria digyna 3 1 


Persicaria vivipara 3 1 

Phegopteris connectilis 3 1 

Philonotis fontana 3 1 

Pinguicula vulgaris 3 1 



Dryopteris dilatata 2 1 

Huperzia selago 2 1 

Pohlia elongata 2 1 

Trichophorum cespitosum 2 1 

Total number of species 25 28 44 

Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 26.5 

144


W24 Rubus fruticosus-Holcus lanatus 

underscrub 


Easting 1447 

Northing 6851 


Slope aspect (o) – 

Slope gradient (o) – 




Rubus fruticosus 8 

Holcus lanatus 6 


Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 5 


Ranunculus acris 4 

Rumex acetosa 4 


Molinia caerulea 3 

Plantago lanceolata 3 

Ranunculus repens 2 

Corylus avellana seedling 1 

Total number of species 12 

145 

W25b Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus 

underscrub, Teucrium scorodonia 

sub-community 


Easting 1681 

Northing 6912 







Pteridium aquilinum 9 

Rubus idaeus 6 





Digitalis purpurea 3 

Trifolium repens 3 

Plantago major 3 

Rumex obtusifolius 3 



Urtica dioica 2 

Epilobium montanum 2 

Poa annua 2 

Calliergonella cuspidata 2 

Total number of species 16


H10a Calluna vulgaris- 

Erica cinerea heath, 

Typical sub-community 


Easting 1617 

Northing 6882 







Bare gravel 4 

Erica cinerea 8 






Euphrasia officinalis agg. 3 


Carex pilulifera 2 

Hieracium sp. 2 

Cladonia coccifera 2 


146 

H10b Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea 

heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum 

sub-community 


Easting 2666 

Northing 7669 









Racomitrium lanuginosum 8 

Cladonia portentosa 5 




Betula pubescens seedling 3 


Diphasiastrum alpinum 3 







Polygala serpyllifolia 1 




H10c Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath, 

Festuca ovina-Anthoxanthum 

odoratum sub-community 


Easting 1746 

Northing 6972 







Bare rock 3 




Anthoxanthum odoratum 6 

Festuca vivipara 6 



Agrostis canina 4 

Danthonia decumbens 4 

Galium saxatile 4 




Nardus stricta 3 




Luzula multiflora 2 



Succisa pratensis 2 


147 

H10d Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath, 

Thymus polytrichus-Carex pulicaris 

sub-community 


Easting 2816 

Northing 7463 








Alchemilla alpina 4 






Thymus polytrichus 4 



Hypericum pulchrum 3 

Phegopteris connectilis 3 





Anemone nemorosa 2 



Veronica officinalis 2 

Listera cordata 1 

Taraxacum officinale agg. 1 



H10c-H12c Heath intermediate between H10c Calluna vulgaris-Erica cinerea heath, Festuca 

ovina-Anthoxanthum odoratum sub-community and H12c Calluna vulgaris- 

Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Galium saxatile-Festuca ovina sub-community 


Easting 1774 1778 1779 

Northing 7529 7524 7519 

Altitude (m) 570 590 570 



Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A 



Height of vegetation (cm) 20 20 20 quadrats 

Calluna vulgaris 8 6 6 3 

Erica cinerea 7 6 6 3 

Pleurozium schreberi 5 4 7 3 


Deschampsia flexuosa 4 6 3 3 


Vaccinium vitis-idaea 3 4 5 3 

Potentilla erecta 3 4 4 3 


Racomitrium lanuginosum 5 6 2 

Carex binervis 3 6 2 


Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 4 4 2 


Campanula rotundifolia 4 3 2 

Galium saxatile 3 4 2 



Cladonia furcata 3 3 2 

Thymus polytrichus 3 3 2 

Cladonia uncialis 2 3 2 

Festuca vivipara 4 1 

Cetraria islandica 3 1 

Euphrasia officinalis 3 1 






Cladonia maxima 2 1 




Racomitrium ericoides 2 1 

Total number of species 22 26 16 34 

Mean no. of spp. in a quadrat 21 

148




Easting 2745 

Northing 7539 




















Juncus squarrosus 1 

Luzula sylvatica 1 


149


H12b Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Cladonia portentosa 

sub-community 


Easting 1697 2777 2762 

Northing 7482 7383 7353 

Altitude (m) 617 600 605 



Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A A 






Rhytidadelphus loreus 4 7 5 3 


Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 3 3 3 




Empetrum nigrum nigrum 4 3 2 


Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 4 1 

Carex bigelowii 3 1 


Luzula pilosa 3 1 

Polytrichum alpinum 3 1 




Juncus squarrosus 2 1 







150


H12bR Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus heath, Vaccinium vitis-idaea-Cladonia portentosa 

sub-community, form with much Racomitrium lanuginosum 


Easting 1659 1659 2677 

Northing 6997 6997 7548 

Altitude (m) 610 610 665 



Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B A 







Cladonia uncialis 3 3 3 3 


Vaccinium vitis-idaea 4 3 2 

Cladonia arbuscula 3 3 2 



Rhytidadelphus loreus 5 1 







Nardus stricta 2 1 




151




Easting 1791 

Northing 7007 









Vaccinum myrtillus 8 





Rhytiadelphus loreus 5 






Polytrichum formosum 2 

Oreopteris limbosperma 1 


152




Easting 2388 2745 



Slope aspect (o) – 208 

Slope gradient (o) – 5 




Height of vegetation (cm) 5 3 quadrats 





Vaccinium myrtillus 4 4 2 



Cladonia rangiferina 4 2 2 

Polytrichum alpinum 3 3 2 

Carex bigelowii 1 4 2 

Deschampsia flexuosa 3 2 2 

Trichophorum cespitosum 2 3 2 



Coelocaulon aculeatum 4 1 


Loiselurea procumbens 4 1 


Ochrolechia frigida 3 1 



Vaccinium vitis-idaea 3 1 




Ptilidium ciliare 2 1 


Carex pilulifera 1 1 




153



Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 

Easting 2031 1696 2157 2091 

Northing 7427 7470 7195 7532 

Altitude (m) 755 645 510 755 

Slope aspect (o) – – 13 225 

Slope gradient (o) – – 10 1 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B A B 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2004 2004 

Height of vegetation (cm) 2 6 5 5 

Bare rock (DOMIN) 5 5 No. of 

Bare soil (DOMIN) 5 8 5 quadrats 

Calluna vulgaris 8 8 6 5 4 


Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 5 4 4 5 4 

Vaccinium myrtillus 2 3 3 2 4 


Juncus trifidus 3 5 2 3 

Loiselurea procumbens 4 2 3 3 

Alchemilla alpina 5 1 2 3 

Festuca vivipara 3 2 3 3 


Diphasiastrum alpinum 4 5 2 


Ochrolechia frigida 3 4 2 




Coelocaulon aculeatum 2 3 2 

Cetraria islandica 2 2 2 

Hieracium sp. 2 2 2 

Nardus stricta 3 1 2 

Antennaria dioica 2 1 2 

Carex pilulifera 1 2 2 


Salix herbacea 4 1 




Campanula rotundifolia 2 1 




Gnaphalium supinum 2 1 

Lotus cormiculatus 2 1 







Total number of species 26 19 12 18 39 


154


H18a Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Hylocomium splendens-Rhytidiadelphus 



Easting 1640 

Northing 7007 




Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B 



Bare rock (DOMIN) 2 





Vaccinium vitis-idaea 5 














155


H18b Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Alchemilla alpina-Carex pilulifera 

sub-community 


Easting 1609 1407 









Bare rock (DOMIN) 4 quadrats 














Calluna vulgaris 4 1 















156


H18c Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia flexuosa heath, Racomitrium lanuginosum-Cladonia 

spp. sub-community 


Easting 1697 

Northing 7482 










Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 5 

Cladonia arbuscula 4 


Polytrichum alpinum 4 




Cladonia uncialis 3 







157




Easting 2317 2746 2091 

Northing 7490 7417 7532 

Altitude (m) 755 885 755 

Slope aspect (o) 9 196 – 

Slope gradient (o) 15 5 – 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A B 




Bare rock (DOMIN) 4 quadrats 

Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 8 4 5 3 


Cladonia arbuscula 4 6 5 3 

Carex bigelowii 4 4 4 3 


Nardus stricta 4 3 4 3 






Diphasiastrum alpinum 3 4 2 


Loiselurea procumbens 3 1 2 





Cladonia rangiferina 3 1 











Racomitrium heterostichum 2 1 




158


H20a Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Viola riviniana-Thymus polytrichus 

sub-community 


Easting 1634 

Northing 7368 







Bare rock 4 




Cladonia uncialis 4 

Diphasiastrum alpinum 4 


Loiselurea procumbens 4 

Ochrolechia frigida 4 


Carex bigelowii 3 






Racomitrium fasciculare 1 


159




Easting 2026 1570 1700 1708 1708 2603 

Northing 7415 7034 7431 7363 7363 7648 

Altitude (m) 775 880 730 995 995 756 

Slope aspect (o) – 90 360 315 315 360 

Slope gradient (o) – 25 1 2 2 3 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B B B B B 



Bare rock (DOMIN) 5 7 6 No. of 

Bare soil (DOMIN) 5 quadrats 

Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 7 8 6 6 9 6 

Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 6 7 5 8 7 4 6 

Carex bigelowii 3 3 4 4 3 5 

Festuca vivipara 3 4 3 3 3 5 


Diphasiastrum alpinum 6 2 4 3 

Cladonia arbuscula 4 4 3 3 


Racomitrium sudeticum 3 3 3 3 





Huperzia selago 3 1 1 3 

Cladonia gracilis 1 2 1 3 

Vaccinium uliginosum 7 7 2 

Loiselurea procumbens 5 3 2 




Hypnum jutlandicum 3 3 2 

Ptilidium ciliare 3 3 2 

Thamnolia vermicularis 3 3 2 



Juncus trifidus 4 1 2 

Alchemilla alpina 3 1 









Cladonia bellidiflora 1 1 

Total number of species 15 16 18 14 12 13 36 


160


H20c Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Bazzania tricrenata-Mylia taylori 

sub-community 


Easting 1823 1707 2016 1638 2675 

Northing 7319 7385 7018 7257 7416 

Altitude (m) 710 935 875 620 855 

Slope aspect (o) 49 335 315 15 289 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A B B A 




Bare rock 8 5 quadrats 



Bazzania tricrenata 5 4 4 3 3 5 

Diplophyllum albicans 3 4 4 4 2 5 

Cladonia uncialis 3 2 3 2 3 5 



Sphagnum capillifolium 4 6 5 3 4 

Mylia taylorii 5 3 5 3 4 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus 5 3 5 3 4 

Nardus stricta 4 3 3 3 4 

Cladonia arbuscula 3 1 3 3 4 

Huperzia selago 3 2 3 1 4 




Plagiochila carringtonii 4 2 2 3 

Anastrepta orcadensis 2 2 3 3 

Cladonia furcata 3 2 2 3 

Scapania gracilis 3 2 2 3 


Anastrophyllum donnianum 4 2 2 



Polytrichum commune 2 3 2 

Dicranodontium uncinatum 2 2 2 







Dicranum fuscescens 3 1 

161

H20c (continued) 







Barbilophozia floerkei 2 1 

Bazzania pearsonii 2 1 


Gymnomitrion crenulatum 2 1 


Scapania nimbosa 2 1 

Scapania ornithopodioides 2 1 

Cladonia gracilis 1 1 


Total number of species 19 25 22 22 22 45 


162


H20d Vaccinium myrtillus-Racomitrium lanuginosum heath, Rhytidiadelphus loreus- 

Hylocomium splendens sub-community 


Easting 1682 1619 





Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B 




















Diphasiastrum alpinum 2 1 




163


H21a Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Calluna vulgaris- 

Pteridium aquilinum sub-community 


Easting 1694 1694 2815 

Northing 7532 7532 73834 

Altitude (m) 455 455 485 








Sphagnum capillifolium 4 5 8 3 




Blechnum spicant 3 3 3 3 


Plagiothecium undulatum 3 3 3 3 






Cornus suecica 4 4 2 

Ptilium cristacastrensis 4 3 2 












Empetrum nigrum 2 1 






Sorbus aucuparia seedling 1 1 



164


H21b Calluna vulgaris-Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath, Mastigophora woodsii- 

Herbertus aduncus sub-community 


Easting 1798 

Northing 6816 









Sphagnum capillifolium 8 

Herbertus aduncus 5 



Solidago virgaurea 3 



Pleurozia purpurea 3 

Bazzania tricrenata 3 

Mastigophora woodsii 3 

Scapania gracilis 3 

Mylia taylorii 3 

Diplophyllum albicans 3 


Hymenophyllum wilsonii 3 


Anastrepta orcadensis 2 

Bazzania pearsonii 2 


Tritomaria quinquedentata 2 


Lepidozia pearsonii 1 

Saccogyna viticulosa 1 


165


H22a Vaccinium myrtillus-Rubus chamaemorus heath, Polytrichum commune-Galium saxatile 

sub-community 


Easting 1580 1773 2090 2090 1785 2009 

Northing 7287 7388 7541 7536 7505 6954 

Altitude (m) 595 650 725 740 565 550 

Slope aspect (o) 5 55 315 315 243 – 

Slope gradient (o) 20 10 20 25 20 – 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A B B A A 





Vaccinium myrtillus 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 

Sphagnum capillifolium 5 7 5 8 5 5 6 

Hylocomium splendens 7 4 6 4 8 4 6 

Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 5 5 3 7 6 6 6 

Rhytidadelphus loreus 7 3 5 4 4 4 6 


Polytrichum commune 1 3 2 3 2 5 

Pleurozium schreberi 3 5 3 4 8 5 


Vaccinium vitis-idaea 4 3 4 4 4 


Luzula sylvatica 4 3 3 3 



Vaccinium uliginosum 2 7 5 3 

Cornus suecica 2 3 4 3 


Anastrepta orcadensis 3 2 2 

Diplophyllum albicans 3 2 2 


Juncus squarrosus 4 2 2 







Eriophorum vaginatum 4 1 

Rubus chamaemorus 4 1 

Bazzania tricrenata 4 1 

Calypogeia muelleriana 3 1 



166

H22a (continued) 




Trientalis europaea 3 1 


Cladonia furcata 3 1 



Plagiothecium undulatum 2 1 

Polytrichum strictum 2 1 




Stereocaulon vesuvianum 3 1 



Cladonia coccifera 2 1 





167


H22b Vaccinium myrtillus-Rubus chamaemorus heath, Plagiothecium undulatum-Anastrepta 

orcadensis sub-community 


Easting 2756 2707 





















Cornus suecica 5 1 

















168


HX Vaccinium myrtillus-Sphagnum capillifolium heath 


Easting 2015 

Northing 7650 





















Sorbus aucuparia (20cm tall) 1 


169




Easting 1521 1449 1449 

Northing 7463 7320 7320 

Altitude (m) 325 565 565 

Slope aspect (o) – – – 

Slope gradient (o) – – – 





Open water (DOMIN) 4 4 quadrats 

Sphagnum denticulatum 8 9 10 3 

Eriophorum angustifolium 4 3 3 3 

Sphagnum cuspidatum 6 1 




Erica tetralix 1 1 





Easting 1857 

Northing 6862 







Bare wet peat 8 

Eriophorum angustifolium 5 

Trichophorum cespitosum 3 

Carex panicea 3 

Juncus bulbosus 2 

Narthecium ossifragum 2 


170




Easting 1460 1514 2000 2242 2242 

Northing 7324 7479 6882 7394 7390 

Altitude (m) 560 309 270 405 405 

Slope aspect (o) 336 – 180 250 279 

Slope gradient (o) 2 – 1 1 5 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B B A A 




Open water (DOMIN) 5 quadrats 

Carex rostrata 7 8 7 7 8 5 

Carex nigra 3 4 6 4 5 5 

Carex echinata 7 4 1 4 5 5 

Eriophorum angustifolium 3 3 1 5 4 5 

Sphagnum fallax 4 5 9 9 4 





Polytrichum commune 1 4 3 3 

Euphrasia officinalis 2 3 2 

Juncus bulbosus 3 2 2 

Succisa pratensis 2 3 2 

Parnassia palustris 5 1 






Carex panicea 3 1 


Juncus acutiflorus 3 1 


Leontodon autumnalis 3 1 






Pedicularis sylvatica 2 1 

Drosera rotundifolia 1 1 




171




Easting 1460 

Northing 7324 







Carex echinata 9 

Sphagnum denticulatum 8 

Viola palustris 4 



Euphrasia officinalis 3 

Leontodon autumnalis 3 



Sphagnum palustre 3 

Erica tetralix 2 


Juncus bulbosus 2 


Pinguicula vulgaris 2 


172


M6b Carex echinata-Sphagnum fallax/denticulatum mire, Carex nigra-Nardus stricta sub-community 


Easting 1463 2707 2785 2262 2262 

Northing 7343 7600 7377 6918 6918 

Altitude (m) 530 480 570 348 348 

Slope aspect (o) 327 38 86 – – 

Slope gradient (o) 5 10 2 – – 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A B B 




Open water 3 quadrats 

Sphagnum fallax 8 3 3 8 8 5 

Carex echinata 4 6 8 5 5 5 

Carex nigra 8 4 5 5 5 5 

Sphagnum palustre 5 7 5 4 4 

Eriophorum angustifolium 4 6 4 5 4 


Juncus squarrosus 2 3 3 2 4 





Aulacomnium palustre 2 4 2 

Leontodon autumnalis 3 3 2 

Ranunculus flammula 3 3 2 

Sphagnum denticulatum 3 3 2 






Epilobium alsinifolium 3 1 






Selaginella selaginoides 3 1 








173




Easting 2262 2262 



Slope aspect (o) – – 

Slope gradient (o) – – 


Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2004 2004 No. of 




Carex nigra 6 5 2 

Holcus lanatus 3 2 2 


Rumex acetosa 2 2 2 









174




Easting 2000 2262 2262 

Northing 6882 6918 6918 

Altitude (m) 270 348 348 

Slope aspect (o) 180 – – 

Slope gradient (o) 1 – – 


Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2004 2004 No. of 


Juncus acutiflorus 7 8 8 3 

Sphagnum fallax 5 8 9 3 

Carex nigra 7 5 3 3 




Eriophorum angustifolium 1 3 2 


Sphagnum denticulatum 8 1 






Carex rostrata 1 1 






175




Easting 1871 2582 2624 2317 2320 

Northing 7259 7398 7501 7322 7303 

Altitude (m) 770 965 845 920 920 

Slope aspect (o) 286 290 57 274 264 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A 




Carex curta 6 8 8 7 8 5 



Sphagnum denticulatum 6 8 3 2 4 

Carex bigelowii 5 3 6 4 4 

Scapania undulata 2 3 6 2 4 

Sphagnum fallax 2 8 5 3 

Drepanocladus revolvens 3 5 3 3 

Deschampsia cespitosa 4 2 4 3 


Pinguicula vulgaris 3 2 3 3 


Thalictrum alpinum 4 5 2 

Carex viridula oedocarpa 3 3 2 

Sphagnum cuspidatum 3 3 2 









Sphagnum squarrosum 4 1 

Calliergonella cuspidata 3 1 

Caltha palustris 3 1 

Carex nigra 3 1 



Marsupella emarginata 3 1 




Scapania uliginosa 3 1 


176

M7 (continued) 





Dicranella palustris 2 1 











177


M9a Carex rostrata-Calliergonella cuspidata/Calliergon giganteum mire, Campylium stellatum- 

Scorpidium scorpioides sub-community 


Easting 1783 

Northing 7004 







Carex rostrata 7 



Carex viridula oedocarpa 4 


Thalictrum alpinum 4 

Carex nigra 3 


Ctenidium molluscum 3 








Blindia acuta 2 

Carex dioica 2 

Rhinanthus minor 2 


178


M10a Carex dioica-Pinguicula vulgaris mire, Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-Juncus bulbosus/ 

kochii sub-community 


Easting 1914 1914 2015 1280 2680 

Northing 6936 6936 7041 7231 7570 

Altitude (m) 430 430 852 40 665 

Slope aspect (o) 180 180 135 315 74 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B A 



Bare rock/stones (DOMIN) 4 4 5 7 8 


quadrats 

Carex panicea 3 4 1 4 4 5 

Narthecium ossifragum 2 2 1 3 2 5 

Scorpidium scorpioides 9 8 7 3 4 

Carex dioica 4 5 6 4 4 

Carex viridula oedocarpa 3 3 3 5 4 


Blindia acuta 1 2 4 4 4 

Carex hostiana 3 3 4 3 

Trichophorum cespitosum 1 4 5 3 


Erica tetralix 1 1 1 3 

Campylium stellatum 3 4 2 

Drepanocladus revolvens 4 3 2 

Juncus bulbosus 3 3 2 

Drosera rotundifolia 3 2 2 

Racomitrium fasciculare 1 4 2 

Aneura pinguis 2 2 2 


Sphagnum denticulatum 1 2 2 


Calliergon trifarium 7 1 






Parmelia omphalodes 2 1 


Rhynchospora alba 2 1 



Triglochin palustris 2 1 

Anthelia julacea 1 1 

Euphrasia agg. 1 1 

Fraxinus excelsior (seedling) 1 1 




Saxifraga aizoides 1 1 



179


M11a Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-Saxifraga aizoides mire, Thalictrum alpinum-Juncus 

triglumis sub-community 


Easting 1771 2242 2241 2241 2144 

Northing 6992 7390 7369 7369 7192 

Altitude (m) 550 405 435 435 525 

Slope aspect (o) 307 279 326 326 349 






Bare rock, stones and soil 6 5 8 6 quadrats 

Blindia acuta 5 6 7 5 6 5 

Saxifraga aizoides 5 6 6 5 4 5 

Carex viridula oedocarpa 6 6 3 5 5 5 


Carex pulicaris 4 3 5 4 4 

Pinguicula vulgaris 3 4 3 4 4 


Euphrasia officinalis agg. 2 3 3 3 

Selaginella selaginoides 3 2 3 3 

Carex dioica 6 4 2 


Drepanocladus revolvens 3 4 2 

Juncus triglumis 4 3 2 

Aneura pinguis 3 3 2 

Narthecium ossifragum 3 3 2 



Taraxacum agg. 2 3 2 


Scorpidium scorpioides 4 1 


Bryum pseudotriquetrum 3 1 


Lotus corniculatus 3 1 



Scapania undulata 3 1 



Crepis paludosa 2 1 




180

M11a (continued) 




Linum catharticum 2 1 





Thymus poytrichus 2 1 

Tofieldia pusilla 2 1 




Plantago maritima 1 1 



181


M11b Carex viridula ssp. oedocarpa-Saxifraga aizoides mire, Palustriella commutata- 

Eleocharis quinqueflora sub-community 


Easting 2374 

Northing 7517 







Rock/stones 6 

Scorpidium scorpioides 7 



Saxifraga aizoides 4 

Carex dioica 3 

Eriophorum latifolium 3 



Triglochin palustris 3 


Palustriella commutata 2 

Tofieldia pusilla 2 


182



Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

Easting 1868 1779 1878 1739 2021 2348 2625 

Northing 7247 7319 7222 7147 7051 7461 7464 

Altitude (m) 790 835 835 925 890 790 960 

Slope aspect (o) 305 70 230 305 180 40 46 

Slope gradient (o) 10 10 5 10 15 5 15 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A B A A 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 


Height of vegetation (cm) 15 20 5 5 20 15 15 quadrats 

Carex saxatilis 8 8 8 8 9 5 8 7 

Viola palustris 3 3 3 4 3 3 6 

Nardus stricta 6 4 4 5 3 5 

Deschampsia cespitosa 4 3 5 4 3 5 



Thalictrum alpinum 4 4 5 5 4 


Ranunculus acris 3 3 3 4 4 

Alchemilla alpina 3 3 3 3 4 



Anthelia julacea 4 5 2 3 


Calliergonella cuspidata 2 5 2 3 

Alchemilla glabra 3 2 3 3 







Marsupella emarginata 3 2 2 





Calliergon trifarium 4 1 


Carex dioica 4 1 






183




Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 quadrats 


Carex curta 3 1 


Epilobium anagallidifolium 3 1 



Saxifraga stellaris 3 1 

Silene acaulis 3 1 

Sphagnum contortum 3 1 

Taraxacum officinale agg. 3 1 



Coeloglossum viride 2 1 



Ranunculus flammula 2 1 

Sphagnum capillifolium 2 1 




Total number of species 23 10 20 10 16 19 17 55 


184




Easting 1600 1600 1325 1325 1596 1472 2435 

Northing 7033 7033 7134 7134 6837 6854 7595 

Altitude (m) 815 815 35 35 108 80 405 

Slope aspect (o) 1 1 230 230 315 209 270 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B B A B 


Height of vegetation (cm) 20 20 20 25 20 15 25 


Bare rock/wet peat/open water 4 4 1 7 quadrats 

Narthecium ossifragum 4 4 4 4 4 3 3 7 

Trichophorum cespitosum 6 7 5 5 6 5 

Sphagnum denticulatum 5 5 7 6 2 5 



Molinia caerulea 3 5 4 7 4 

Drosera rotundifolia 3 3 3 2 4 

Erica tetralix 3 3 1 3 4 

Rhynchospora alba 5 4 7 3 

Myrica gale 4 6 4 3 

Breutelia chrysocoma 3 4 4 3 

Carex viridula oedocarpa 3 5 3 3 

Juncus bulbosus 4 3 3 3 







Sphagnum papillosum 5 2 2 


Potamogeton polygonifolius 1 5 2 



Pedicularis sylvatica 1 2 2 

Selaginella selaginoides 1 1 2 

Nardia compressa 8 1 





Scorpidium scorpidioides 4 1 



185






Festuca ovina 3 1 






Ranunculius flammula 3 1 







Blindia acuta 2 1 



Lathyrus linifolius 2 1 






Carex capillaris 1 1 

Dactylorhiza maculata 1 1 



Salix aurita (20cm tall) 1 1 





186




Easting 1967 1967 2625 

Northing 6894 6894 7755 

Altitude (m) 265 265 355 










Narthecium ossifragum 3 3 5 3 



Sphagnum tenellum 2 4 2 


Polygala serpyllifolia 3 1 2 
















Juncus acutiflorus 1 1 





187




Easting 1687 1463 2089 2114 2625 

Northing 6943 7315 6875 7107 7755 

Altitude (m) 285 565 325 625 355 

Slope aspect (o) 180 360 – – 270 

Slope gradient (o) 25 1 – – 3 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B A B 





Racomitrium lanuginosum 8 6 7 8 5 5 


Calluna vulgaris 4 6 4 3 6 5 

Potentilla erecta 3 3 3 3 3 5 

Molinia caerulea 5 5 4 5 4 

Erica cinerea 4 4 5 3 


Erica tetralix 5 4 2 






Carex panicea 2 2 2 










Euphrasia officinalis agg. 3 1 













188




Easting 1698 1698 1612 1967 2092 

Northing 7493 7493 7416 6894 7531 

Altitude (m) 595 595 565 265 758 

Slope aspect (o) 360 360 315 180 45 



Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 No. of 



Juncus squarrosus 5 4 3 3 3 5 



Hylocomium splendens 6 5 5 4 4 


















Listera cordata 3 1 




Luzula multifora 2 1 







189


M17a Trichophorum cespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum blanket mire, Drosera rotundifolia- 

Sphagnum sub-community 


Easting 1415 1385 2089 2111 

Northing 7408 7268 6875 7121 

Altitude (m) 448 670 325 635 

Slope aspect (o) – – – – 

Slope gradient (o) – – – – 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B A 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2004 No. of 

Height of vegetation (cm) 25 20 30 25 quadrats 

Sphagnum papillosum 8 8 7 4 4 

Trichophorum cespitosum 5 7 6 8 4 




Narthecium ossifragum 3 3 3 3 4 

Eriophorum vaginatum 5 6 3 3 












Mylia anomala 3 1 




Carex pauciflora 2 1 







190


M17c Trichophorum cespitosum-Eriophorum vaginatum 


blanket mire, Juncus squarrosus- 


Easting 1364 2086 2092 2625 

Northing 7300 6875 7579 7755 

Altitude (m) 653 325 635 355 

Slope aspect (o) 260 – 315 – 

Slope gradient (o) 5 – 1 – 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B B B B 




Bare peat + open water (DOMIN) 4 quadrats 




Drosera rotundifolia 1 3 1 3 4 

Sphagnum papillosum 6 7 7 3 

Eriophorum vaginatum 6 6 6 3 









Pinguicula vulgaris 2 1 2 







Vaccinum myrtillus 4 1 




Mylia anomala 3 1 










191




Easting 1555 1415 









Eriophorum vaginatum 7 6 2 








Empetrum nigrum nigrum 4 1 







192


M19c Calluna vulgaris-Eriophorum vaginatum 

Hylocomium splendens sub-community 

blanket mire, Vaccinium vitis-idaea- 


Easting 1469 1698 1449 2503 2725 2706 2664 

Northing 7323 7503 7320 7392 7370 7579 7542 

Altitude (m) 565 565 565 820 725 520 700 

Slope aspect (o) – 360 – 308 196 42 4 

Slope gradient (o) – 10 – 5 5 5 2 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B B A A A A 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 No. of 


Eriophorum vaginatum 8 6 6 6 8 8 5 7 

Sphagnum capillifolium 5 5 5 9 4 7 7 7 

Hylocomium splendens 7 8 5 4 6 5 6 7 

Pleurozium schreberi 6 3 3 3 8 3 3 7 

Vaccinium myrtillus 5 4 2 4 4 4 6 7 

Calluna vulgaris 7 8 7 8 8 5 6 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus 5 4 5 6 4 7 6 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 3 2 3 3 4 4 6 



Rubus chamaemorus 4 6 4 5 4 


Cornus suecica 4 4 4 3 








Melampyrum pratense 2 3 2 









Sphagnum tenellum 3 1 









193


M23a Juncus effusus/acutiflorus- 

Galium palustre rush pasture, 

Juncus acutiflorus sub-community 


Easting 2266 

Northing 7595 







Juncus acutiflorus 7 









Carex nigra 3 

Cirsium palustre 3 

Crepis paludosa 3 

Epilobium palustre 3 

Filipendula ulmaria 3 


Juncus effusus 3 


Ranunculus flammula 3 


Sphagnum fallax 3 


Achillea ptarmica 2 

Galium palustre 2 


194 

M23b Juncus effusus/acutiflorus-Galium 

palustre rush pasture, Juncus effusus 

sub-community 


Easting 1813 

Northing 6856 












PseudoScleropodium purum 4 




Deschampsia cespitosa 3 

Digitalis purpurea 3 




Lophocolea bidentata 3 






Easting 2060 2060 

























195




Easting 2267 2267 


































196


M25c Molinia caerulea-Potentilla 

erecta mire, Angelica sylvestris 

sub-community 


Easting 2247 

Northing 7561 
















Lysimachia nemorum 3 


Parnassia palustris 3 


Prunella vulgaris 3 

Ranunculus flammula 3 




Dactylorhiza maculata 2 

Euphrasia agg. 2 


Pedicularis sylvatica 2 



Selaginella selaginoides 2 

Valeriana officinalis 2 

Carex rostrata 1 



197 

M27 Filipendula ulmaria- 

Angelica sylvestris tall-herb 

fen 


Easting 1449 

Northing 6858 








Athyrium filix-femina 4 



Epilobium palustre 3 



Cardamine pratensis 3 









Easting 1569 1868 1946 1994 2624 2316 2089 

Northing 7203 7247 7318 7325 7501 7353 7550 

Altitude (m) 1185 790 1145 935 845 850 695 

Slope aspect (o) 256 305 90 5 57 356 315 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A B 


Height of vegetation (cm) 2 5 2 5 5 5 10 


Bare peat + surface water 5 quadrats 

Anthelia julacea 8 7 9 8 8 9 6 7 

Deschampsia cespitosa 2 4 4 5 3 2 6 

Sphagnum denticulatum 3 3 2 2 4 5 




Narthecium ossifragum 2 3 6 3 

Saxifraga stellaris 4 3 3 3 

Polytrichum alpinum 2 3 3 3 





Carex saxatilis 3 3 2 


Oligotrichum hercynicum 4 2 2 





Huperzia selago 2 3 2 

Persicaria vivipara 3 2 2 

Salix herbacea 2 3 2 

Philonotis seriata 2 2 2 

Anthelia juratzkana 4 1 

Caltha palustris radicans 4 1 



Armeria maritima 3 1 

Cochlearia pyrenaica alpina 3 1 



Epilobium anagallidifolium 3 1 

Juncus trifidus 3 1 

198





Kiaeria starkei 3 1 


Pohlia ludwigii 3 1 

Polytrichum sexangulare 3 1 







Pleurocladula albescens 2 1 





Alchemilla glabra 1 1 






199




Easting 1888 1700 2615 2615 

Northing 7131 7431 7672 7672 

Altitude (m) 720 730 695 695 

Slope aspect (o) 298 360 360 360 

Slope gradient (o) 10 1 2 2 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B B B 




Polytrichum commune 3 2 5 5 4 

Saxifraga stellaris 2 2 2 3 4 



Scapania undulata 7 7 2 

Philonotis fontana 4 5 2 







Agrostis vineale 2 1 






Drepanocladus fluitans 1 1 



200


M32b Philonotis fontana-Saxifraga stellaris 

oppositifolium sub-community 

spring, Montia fontana-Chrysosplenium 


Easting 1923 2015 1967 2317 2328 

Northing 7335 7041 7202 7318 7296 

Altitude (m) 1180 852 910 920 930 

Slope aspect (o) 263 180 96 267 268 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B A A A 




Open water 4 4 quadrats 

Philonotis fontana 8 6 4 7 4 5 

Scapania undulata 4 6 3 3 4 5 

Saxifraga stellaris 4 3 3 4 3 5 

Dicranella palustris 6 4 3 5 4 

Deschampsia cespitosa alpina 3 3 3 3 4 


Thalictrum alpinum 5 3 4 3 

Epilobium anagallidifolium 2 2 4 3 

Drepanocladus fluitans 3 5 2 

Montia fontana 3 5 2 

Scapania uliginosa 4 3 2 

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium 3 3 2 



Philonotis seriata 9 1 

Epilobium alsinifolium 4 1 


Jungermannia exsertifolia 4 1 

Caltha palustris radicans 3 1 

Carex hostiana 3 1 

Cerastium cerastioides 3 1 











Equisetum arvense 1 1 



201




Easting 1741 1928 1933 2365 2365 

Northing 7141 7387 7414 7300 7300 

Altitude (m) 940 1100 1120 985 985 

Slope aspect (o) 333 95 109 88 88 






Bare stones 3 3 quadrats 

Pohlia wahlenbergii glacialis 7 10 8 10 10 5 

Saxifraga stellaris 3 3 4 3 3 5 

Deschampsia cespitosa alpina 3 3 3 3 

Cerastium cerastioides 3 2 3 3 

Philonotis fontana 2 4 2 

Pohlia ludwigii 2 3 2 

Saxifraga rivularis 1 4 2 





Dicranum glaciale 3 1 


Philonotis seriata 3 1 





Sibbaldia procumbens 2 1 

Trollius europaeus 2 1 

Veronica alpina 2 1 




202




Easting 2436 2373 2373 2281 2448 

Northing 7594 7507 7507 7483 7600 

Altitude (m) 410 600 600 640 460 

Slope aspect (o) 272 56 56 296 270 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A B 





Open water (DOMIN) 4 4 4 quadrats 

Palustriella commutata 9 9 9 7 8 5 

Bryum pseudotriquetrum 1 3 2 4 3 5 

Festuca rubra 5 4 4 3 4 

Saxifraga aizoides 4 2 2 4 4 





Taraxacum officinale 2 3 2 





Leiocolea bantriensis 3 1 

Montia fontana 3 1 



Brachythecium plumosum 2 1 




Blindia acuta 1 1 

Equisetum arvense 1 1 

Equisetum variegatum 1 1 



203


MX Herb-rich small-sedge mire 


Easting 1294 2242 2187 

Northing 7248 7390 7211 

Altitude (m) 120 405 510 






Succisa pratensis 2 3 3 3 


Calliergonella cuspidata 6 6 2 










Parnassia palustris 4 3 2 


Euprasia officinalis agg. 3 3 2 











Aulacomnium palusre 3 1 

Cardamine pratensis 3 1 










204

MX (continued) 





Carex hostiana 2 1 



Rhinanthus minor 2 1 







205




Easting 1868 

Northing 6879 











Polytichum commune 5 








206


CG10a Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland, Trifolium repens- 

Luzula campestris sub-community 


Easting 1798 2702 



Slope aspect (o) – 345 

Slope gradient (o) – 2 











Euphrasia officinalis agg. 3 3 2 



Luzula multiflora 3 2 2 




Carex caryophyllea 5 1 











Hypochoeris radicata 3 1 







Veronica officinalis 3 1 




Rumex acetosella 2 1 




207


CG10b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland, Carex pulicaris- 



Easting 1746 

Northing 6964 










Carex pulicaris 5 


Breutelia chrysocoma 4 

Carex caryophyllea 4 







Achillea millefolium 3 


Carex flacca 3 




Linum catharticum 3 







Anemone nemorosa 2 

Botrychium lunaria 2 





Geranium sylvaticum 1 


208


CG10c Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Thymus polytrichus grassland, Saxifraga aizoides- 

Ditrichum gracile sub-community 


Easting 2301 2245 2276 

Northing 7504 7510 7495 

Altitude (m) 650 440 580 







Thymus polytrichus 7 5 5 3 

Carex pulicaris 5 6 5 3 

Saxifraga aizoides 6 5 5 3 

Carex panicea 4 6 4 3 


Selaginella selaginoides 3 3 4 3 


Campanula rotundifolia 3 3 3 3 

Persicaria vivipara 3 3 3 3 


Alchemilla glabra 3 2 3 3 

Carex capillaris 3 3 2 3 

Ditrichum flexicaule 3 3 2 3 


Linum catharticum 3 2 3 3 

Euphrasia officinalis 1 3 3 3 


Ctenidium molluscum 6 7 2 

Saxifraga oppositifolia 4 5 2 


Danthonia decumbens 4 4 2 






Plantago lanceolata 3 3 2 





Carex vaginata 2 3 2 

Frullania tamarisci 2 3 2 

Galium boreale 2 3 2 

209

CG10c (continued) 




Oxyria digyna 3 2 2 

Rhinanthus minor 2 3 2 

Silene acaulis 2 3 2 

Geum rivale 2 2 2 





Carex flacca 3 1 

Dryas octopetala 3 1 

Hypnum lacunosum 3 1 

Plagiochila porelloides 3 1 


Preissia quadrata 3 1 


Saussurea alpina 3 1 





Alchemilla vestita 2 1 




Carex pallescens 2 1 

Filipendula ulmaria 2 1 








Plagiobryum zieri 2 1 



Valeriana officinalis 2 1 

Betula pubescens seedling 1 1 




210




Easting 1432 

Northing 7205 







Bare rock 4 












Polytrichum piliferum 3 



Andreaea rupestris 2 




Lotus corniculatus 1 

Racomitrium sudeticum 1 


211


CG11b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Alchemilla alpina 


grassland, Carex pulicaris- 


Easting 1775 2550 2550 2702 2282 

Northing 6992 7472 7472 7607 7473 

Altitude (m) 560 850 850 480 655 

Slope aspect (o) 317 258 258 45 272 





Alchemilla alpina 7 7 7 8 7 5 


Anthoxanthum odoratum 8 3 5 4 6 5 



Campanula rotundifolia 4 4 4 3 3 5 

Viola riviniana 4 4 3 3 4 5 

Selaginella selaginoides 3 3 3 3 3 5 


Thymus polytrichus 7 6 8 6 4 

Thalictrum alpinum 6 5 6 3 4 

Carex caryophyllea 3 3 5 3 4 

Galium saxatile 2 4 4 3 4 


Euphrasia officinalis 3 3 3 3 4 



Agrostis capillaris 3 4 4 3 



Deschampsia cespitosa cespitosa 3 3 3 3 

Carex pilulifera 3 2 3 3 










Cerastium fontanum 2 2 2 




212

CG11b (continued) 








Fissidens bryoides 3 1 

Geum rivale 3 1 















Gentianella campestris 2 1 







Saxifraga aizoides 2 1 








213




Easting 1874 2382 2068 2284 

Northing 7225 7313 7164 7467 

Altitude (m) 840 860 650 675 

Slope aspect (o) 272 94 87 216 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A 



Silene acaulis 6 9 8 8 4 

Thymus polytrichus 4 5 4 7 4 


Anthoxantum odoratum 5 3 3 3 4 


Campanula rotundifolia 3 3 3 3 4 

Selaginella selaginoides 3 2 3 3 4 










Ctenidium molluscum 4 3 2 


Trollius europaeus 4 3 2 


Euphrasia officinalis agg. 3 3 2 



Ditrichum flexicaule 2 3 2 



Andreaea alpina 2 2 2 











214

CG12 (continued) 



Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 quadrats 

Brachypodium sylvaticum 3 1 





Cerastium alpinum 3 1 

Cerastium fontanum 3 1 


Galium boreale 3 1 

Herbertus stramineus 3 1 







Saxifraga oppositifolia 3 1 




Campylium stellatum 2 1 


Cerastium arcticum 2 1 





Luzula spicata 2 1 






Veronica serpyllifolia humifusa 2 1 

Angelica sylvestris 1 1 



215




Easting 2346 2284 2284 

Northing 7460 7470 7467 

Altitude (m) 800 670 675 






Dryas octopetala 7 8 8 3 




Ctenidium molluscum 5 7 2 3 




Ditrichum flexicaule 3 3 2 3 

Persicaria vivipara 1 3 3 3 




Selaginella selaginoides 4 4 2 

Trollius europaeus 3 5 2 

Alchemilla glabra 3 4 2 

Linum catharticum 4 3 2 







Saxifraga oppositifolia 3 3 2 


Galium boreale 2 3 2 


Saussurea alpina 2 2 2 





Herbertus stramineus 4 1 


Carex capillaris 3 1 


216

CG14 (continued) 






Gentianella campestris 3 1 








Sorbus aucuparia seedling 3 1 


Taraxacum officinalis agg. 3 1 















217




Easting 1323 1323 2207 

Northing 7139 7139 7458 

Altitude (m) 35 35 375 

Slope aspect (o) 220 220 – 

Slope gradient (o) 2 2 – 






quadrats 





Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 6 7 4 3 



Danthonia decumbens 3 4 2 



Trifolium repens 4 1 2 










Achillea millefolium 2 1 










218


U4b Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Holcus lanatus-Trifolium 

repens sub-community 


Easting 2207 

Northing 7458 











Trifolium repens 6 











Plagiomnium undulatum 2 



219


U4d Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris- 

Galium saxatile grassland, 

Luzula multiflora-Rhytidiadelphus 



Easting 2642 

Northing 7353 







Rhytidadelphus loreus 9 








Polyrichum commune 3 








220 

U4e Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris- 

Galium saxatile grassland, 

Vaccinium myrtillus-Deschampsia 

flexuosa sub-community 


Easting 1736 

Northing 6978 















Racomitrium ericoides 3 






U4eA Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, Vaccinium myrtillus- 

Deschampsia flexuosa sub-community, Alchemilla alpina variant 


Easting 2702 

Northing 7607 















Campanula rotundifolia 3 


Danthonia decumbens 3 

Euphrasia agg. 3 





Veronica officinalis 3 









221


U4F Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland, provisional Filipendula ulmaria 

sub-community 


Easting 1867 2328 2610 

Northing 7033 7595 7745 

Altitude (m) 620 480 390 



Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A B 




Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 7 5 5 3 













Anemone nemorosa 5 1 2 

Carex pulicaris 3 3 2 


Conopodium majus 3 2 2 


Trifolium repens 3 1 2 






Cirsium heterophyllum 4 1 










222

U4F (continued) 







Ranunculus repens 3 1 



Crepis paludosa 2 1 

Lathyrus linifolius 2 1 





Betula pubescens (seedling) 1 1 





223




Easting 1366 

Northing 7443 























224


U5b Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile 

sub-community 

grassland, Agrostis canina-Polytrichum commune 


Easting 1398 1424 



























Ptilium cristacastrensis 3 1 









225




Easting 1873 2462 





Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A B 













Campanula rotundifolia 3 1 2 























Betula pubescens (10cm tall) 1 1 


Salix aurita (15cm tall) 1 1 



226




Easting 1709 1968 






































227




Easting 1702 1365 2611 

Northing 7436 7293 7691 

Altitude (m) 728 652 635 






Juncus squarrosus 8 8 8 3 



Agrostis canina 2 3 2 3 








Lophozia ventricosa 2 3 2 




























228




Easting 2611 

Northing 7691 












Cornus suecica 4 








Listera cordata 2 



Eriophorum vaginatum 1 



229




Easting 2060 2091 2259 

Northing 6859 7564 6998 

Altitude (m) 335 670 515 

Slope aspect (o) – 315 200 

Slope gradient (o) – 1 15 
















Dicranum scoparium 1 2 2 















Scapania umbrosa 1 1 

Q1: Calluna short but much recent growth straight. 



230


U6d Juncus squarrosus-Festuca ovina 

sub-community 

grassland, Agrostis capillaris-Luzula multiflora 


Easting 1702 

Northing 7436 



























Sphagnum tenellum 1 


231




Easting 1827 2213 2753 

Northing 7346 7077 7497 

Altitude (m) 630 825 695 










Taraxacum officinale agg. 3 3 2 3 

Calliergonella cuspidata 6 5 2 







Alchemilla glabra 3 2 2 
















Parnassia palustris 3 1 


Ranunculus repens 3 1 





Chiloscyphos polyanthus 2 1 










232


U7a Nardus stricta-Carex bigelowii 

Cetraria islandica sub-community 

grass heath, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum- 


Easting 1713 2575 2743 2714 2090 1707 

Northing 7042 7430 7438 7458 7546 7345 

Altitude (m) 947 930 955 1000 710 980 

Slope aspect (o) 180 305 156 45 315 270 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A A A B B 



Bare stones 3 


quadrats 

Nardus stricta 8 7 8 8 7 9 5 

Carex bigelowii 5 5 5 5 3 5 5 


Vaccinium myrtillus 4 3 5 3 3 4 5 



Hylocomium splendens 4 3 5 6 3 



Cetraria islandica 3 3 3 3 3 


Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 2 3 3 3 

Galium saxatile 3 3 2 3 3 



























Sphagnum tenellum 1 1 




233




Easting 1572 1937 1723 1570 2315 2597 

Northing 7152 7193 7170 7073 7362 7638 

Altitude (m) 1175 1085 835 1032 835 772 

Slope aspect (o) 300 – 262 180 294 360 

Slope gradient (o) 5 – 5 15 10 1 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A B A B 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 No. of 

Height of vegetation (cm) 6 5 10 15 15 25 quadrats 

Nardus stricta 8 9 9 9 9 9 6 


Galium saxatile 4 3 3 4 5 2 6 

Pleurozium schreberi 3 5 4 5 3 5 











Dicranum scoparium 2 2 2 











Cryptogramma crispa 2 1 







234




Easting 1869 2714 
































Taraxacum officinale 3 1 



Carex saxatilis 2 1 






235




Easting 1775 1924 1935 1934 1934 1957 1957 

Northing 7219 7228 7304 7323 7323 7139 7139 

Altitude (m) 1220 1145 1215 1210 1210 1210 1210 

Slope aspect (o) – 199 – – – 270 270 

Slope gradient (o) – 10 – -– – 1 1 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A B B 



Carex bigelowii 6 8 8 8 8 7 8 7 


Cetraria islandica 4 3 3 3 4 5 

Polytrichum alpinum 4 8 9 6 4 

Dicranum fuscescens 2 8 8 8 4 

Oligotrichum hercynicum 4 4 2 4 4 


Racomitrium ericoides 4 4 3 3 


Anthelia juratzkana 4 4 2 

Luzula spicata 3 3 2 

Marsupella brevissima 3 3 2 








Conostomum tetragonum 3 1 







Racomitrium sudeticum 2 1 



236




Easting 1997 2525 2525 2688 2359 

Northing 7309 7311 7311 7459 7327 

Altitude (m) 1005 1070 1070 1085 995 

Slope aspect (o) 340 97 97 80 259 






Bare stones 4 3 quadrats 

Juncus trifidus 8 8 8 8 8 5 




Cladonia coniocraea 2 4 2 2 4 

Cladonia uncialis 3 3 2 2 4 















Dicranum fuscescens 3 1 



Oligotrichum hercynicum 3 1 








237




Easting 1728 2725 2725 

Northing 7035 7438 7438 

Altitude (m) 895 960 960 







Bare rock/stones 5 quadrats 


























238



Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

Easting 1572 1962 1935 1931 1713 1700 1713 1392 2601 

Northing 7152 7160 7267 7305 7360 7431 7326 7296 7644 

Altitude (m) 1175 1210 1205 1215 1000 730 1018 705 762 

Slope aspect (o) 300 306 191 290 – 270 300 230 360 

Slope gradient (o) 5 10 10 2 – 1 10 1 1 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A B B B B 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 

Height of vegetation (cm) 5 5 5 5 2 3 5 5 3 


Bare rock/stones 6 5 quadrats 

Racomitrium lanuginosum 9 8 10 10 8 10 8 9 10 9 

Carex bigelowii 4 4 4 4 3 2 3 5 3 9 


Polytrichum alpinum 4 4 3 3 1 2 6 


Salix herbacea 4 7 5 4 4 


Festuca vivipara 3 3 3 3 4 

Cladonia uncialis 2 2 3 2 4 










Racomitrium sudeticum 2 1 2 


Luzula arcuata 5 1 







Parmelia omphalodes 3 1 

Sphaerophorus globosus 3 1 






Cladonia gracilis 1 1 


Polytrichum piliferum 1 1 


Total number of species 8 9 8 5 13 9 10 21 11 38 


239




Easting 1534 1757 1760 1760 1936 1936 1709 

Northing 7150 7250 7267 7267 7182 7182 7185 

Altitude (m) 1060 1150 1175 1175 1090 1090 805 

Slope aspect (o) 292 273 – – 279 279 350 

Slope gradient (o) 5 5 – – 3 3 5 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A A 



Racomitrium lanuginosum 8 6 7 5 8 8 3 7 

Carex bigelowii 4 4 3 4 5 4 5 7 

Silene acaulis 5 8 7 4 6 8 6 


Alchemilla alpina 3 2 4 3 5 5 6 

Polytrichum alpinum 3 3 3 3 3 4 6 

Luzula spicata 4 3 3 4 4 5 

Salix herbacea 5 5 4 2 2 5 


Cladonia uncialis 3 3 2 2 3 5 

Dicranum scoparium 2 3 2 2 2 5 

Deschampsia cespitosa alpina 3 3 5 3 4 

Juncus trifidus 3 2 3 3 4 

Taraxacum officinale agg. 2 3 2 2 4 

Saxifraga stellaris 2 2 1 3 4 




Gnaphalium supinum 3 4 2 

Achillea millefolium 3 3 2 













Cerastium alpinum 3 1 

Euphrasia oficinalis 3 1 



240

U10c (continued) 













Conopodium tetragonum 2 1 


Marsupella sphacelata 2 1 






Solorina crocea 1 1 



241


U10cSP Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum moss heath, Silene acaulis sub-community, 

species-poor form 

Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

Easting 1745 1731 1728 2007 2360 2600 2591 2593 

Northing 7279 7298 7309 7088 7359 7560 7525 7517 

Altitude (m) 1140 1080 1070 1090 990 945 950 960 

Slope aspect (o) 284 276 274 225 338 225 360 360 

Slope gradient (o) 5 5 5 3 2 1 15 1 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A B A B B B 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 2004 2004 2004 

Height of vegetation (cm) 2 3 3 3 2 4 10 3 

Bare rock (DOMIN) 5 6 6 7 7 No. of 

Bare soil (DOMIN) 5 7 quadrats 

Juncus trifidus 4 5 4 5 5 6 5 7 

Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 5 3 8 4 4 5 7 



Salix herbacea 4 4 4 4 3 5 


Polytrichum alpinum 3 4 3 3 3 5 


Ochrolechia frigida 2 4 4 3 

Racomitrium heterostichum 4 3 2 3 




Polytrichum piliferum 3 3 2 

Diplophyllum albicans 2 3 2 

Cladonia bellidiflora 3 1 2 



Loiselurea procumbens 7 1 


Gymnomitrion concinnatum 4 1 

Nardia scalaris 4 1 





Cladonia subcervicornis 3 1 













Total number of species 17 13 12 13 12 7 6 8 39 


242




Easting 1759 1935 1936 1934 1934 1934 

Northing 7247 7293 7298 7300 7300 7300 

Altitude (m) 1155 1215 1220 1220 1220 1220 

Slope aspect (o) 295 – – – – – 

Slope gradient (o) 10 – – – – – 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A 



Racomitrium ericoides 8 8 8 9 8 9 6 




Polytrichum alpinum 4 3 6 2 4 


Cetraria islandica 3 3 2 3 




Gnaphalium supinum 4 1 2 









243




Easting 1938 1942 1924 1930 2360 2360 2360 

Northing 7329 7343 7378 7401 7300 7296 7296 

Altitude (m) 1190 1190 1140 1100 995 995 995 

Slope aspect (o) 90 92 90 92 72 92 92 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A A 





Kiaria starkei 8 7 7 3 7 7 6 7 

Kiaeria falcata 4 7 6 4 6 5 6 7 

Polytrichum sexangulare 3 3 3 8 6 4 6 7 

Saxifraga stellaris 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 7 

Kiaeria blyttii 4 4 3 4 4 4 6 

Oligotrichum hercynicum 4 4 3 4 2 3 6 

Gnaphalium supinum 3 3 3 2 3 3 6 

Deschampsia cespitosa alpina 4 4 4 2 3 5 

Polytrichum commune 2 2 5 3 4 

Salix herbacea 2 5 5 3 





Barbilophozia floerkei 3 4 2 



Oedopodium griffithianum 4 3 2 

Pohlia ludwigii 3 4 2 



Conostomum tetragonum 2 3 2 














Gymnomitrion concinnatum 2 1 


Lophozia opacifolia 2 1 

Marsupella adusta 2 1 

Marsupella boeckii 2 1 

Montia fontana 2 1 

Rhytidadelphus loreus 2 1 



244




Easting 1939 1795 1629 1717 

Northing 7177 7254 7184 7177 

Altitude (m) 1100 960 900 825 

Slope aspect (o) 346 87 53 325 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A 



Silene acaulis 6 5 7 6 4 




Deschampsia cespitosa alpina 3 3 4 3 

Gnaphalium supinum 2 4 3 3 


Oligotrichum hercynicum 2 3 3 3 

Huperzia selago 3 3 1 3 



Gymnomitrion concinnatum 4 4 2 

Kiaria starkei 4 3 2 



Sibbaldia procumbens 4 3 2 














Andreaea alpina 3 1 








245




Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 quadrats 







Kiaeria blyttii 2 1 

Kiaeria falcata 2 1 


Veronica alpina 1 1 



246


U12b Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Gymnomitrion concinnatum sub-community 


Easting 1937 2360 2360 2360 2407 2589 

Northing 7193 7300 7300 7300 7258 7541 

Altitude (m) 1085 995 995 995 1090 930 

Slope aspect (o) – 72 72 72 110 225 

Slope gradient (o) – 20 20 20 15 2 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A B 


Height of vegetation (cm) 2 2 2

U12b (continued) 






Diplophyllum taxifolium 2 1 

Polytrichum piliferum 2 1 



Thamnolia vermicularis 1 1 



248


U12c Salix herbacea-Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed, Marsupella brevissima sub-community 


Easting 1970 1968 1961 1957 

Northing 7149 7143 7151 7139 

Altitude (m) 1234 1230 1220 1210 

Slope aspect (o) – – 300 250 

Slope gradient (o) – – 2 1 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A B 




Bare rock/soil (DOMIN) 5 quadrats 

Marsupella brevissima 7 5 4 4 4 



Gymnomitrion concinnatum 4 8 8 3 


Conostomum tetragonum 3 3 3 3 

Kiaeria starkei 5 5 2 

Polytrichum sexangulare 4 4 2 

Nardia compressa 2 4 2 

Racomitrium heterostichum 3 3 2 




Luzula arcuata 4 1 








249




Easting 1945 1938 1935 1928 1941 

Northing 7172 7360 7361 7387 7326 

Altitude (m) 1140 1120 1130 1100 1170 

Slope aspect (o) 293 56 47 95 80 





Pohlia ludwigii 8 8 9 9 9 5 

Deschampsia cespitosa alpina 2 3 2 3 3 5 

Polytrichum sexangulare 6 4 5 3 

Kiaeria falcata 3 3 3 3 



Scapania uliginosa 2 4 2 



Brachythecium glaciale 3 1 






Marsupella adusta 2 1 



250




Easting 1599 1585 1582 

Northing 7137 7152 7178 

Altitude (m) 1240 1205 1190 










Anthelia juratzkana 4 2 2 


Deschampsia cespitosa alpina 2 3 2 


Andreaea alpina 4 1 











251




Easting 2635 

Northing 7400 






Height of vegetation (cm) 5–15 


Kiaeria starkei 6 

Kiaeria falcata 6 



Saxifraga stellaris 4 


Polytrichum sexangulare 4 

Cryptogramma crispa 4 

Gymnomitrion concinnatum 4 

Kiaeria blyttii 3 


Marsupella emarginata 3 

Salix herbacea 3 



Gnaphalium supinum 3 

Lophozia opacifolia 3 

Nardia compressa 3 

Nardia scalaris 3 



Juncus trifidus 3 

Marsupella sphacelata 3 


Cerastium cerastioides 2 

Cladonia coniocraea 2 

Polytrichum alpinum 2 

Sibbaldia procumbens 2 

Huperzia selago 2 


Pohlia ludwigii 2 

Oligotrichum hercynicum 2 

Conostomum tetragonum 2 


Andreaea alpina 2 

Marsupella brevissima 2 


Luzula spicata 2 


252


U13a Deschampsia cespitosa-Galium saxatile grassland, Anthoxanthum odoratum- 

Alchemilla alpina sub-community 


Easting 1938 1946 2134 

Northing 7418 7318 7079 

Altitude (m) 1085 1145 675 





































253




Easting 1585 1748 1868 1721 1728 2628 

Northing 7198 7295 7216 7174 7175 7458 

Altitude (m) 1215 1055 825 830 840 980 

Slope aspect (o) 262 28 264 265 261 20 


Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A 



Rhytidiadelphus loreus 8 9 9 9 9 9 6 

Deschampsia cespitosa alpina 6 4 4 5 5 4 6 



Viola palustris 3 3 2 3 2 5 

Agrostis capillaris 2 3 3 3 4 








Sibbaldia procumbens 4 4 2 























254


U13P Deschampsia cespitosa-Galium saxatile grassland; form with much Polytrichum alpinum; 

not assigned to a sub-community 


Easting 1957 1941 


Altitude (m) 1210 1170 









Racomitrium ericoides 3 4 2 









255



Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

Easting 1564 1718 1741 1868 1938 1613 1992 2693 

Northing 7142 7179 7143 7237 7418 7178 7288 7410 

Altitude (m) 1170 825 940 820 1085 960 915 815 

Slope aspect (o) 307 276 273 – 131 96 214 144 

Slope gradient (o) 5 5 5 – 25 20 5 2 

Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) A A A A A A A A 

Year of survey (2003 or 2004) 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2003 2004 No. of 

Height of vegetation (cm) 5 2 5 6 5 10 5 3 quadrats 

Alchemilla alpina 7 7 6 7 7 7 7 7 

Sibbaldia procumbens 7 5 7 6 8 8 6 7 

Deschampsia cespitosa alpina 5 3 6 5 5 4 3 7 


Racomitrium fasciculare 8 3 2 5 8 5 

Marsupella emarginata 4 6 2 3 4 


Kiaeria starkei 2 3 4 2 4 

Viola palustris 3 4 2 2 4 





Gnaphalium supinum 4 3 5 3 

Oligotrichum hercynicum 4 4 3 3 




Barbilophozia floerkei 3 4 2 







Andreaea alpina 3 2 2 











256

U14 (continued) 



Quadrat number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 quadrats 







Sedum rosea 3 1 







Gymnomitrion crenulatum 2 1 


Marsupella sphacelata 2 1 

Racomirium sudeticum 2 1 

Scapaniaundulata 2 1 

Total number of species 12 10 16 19 10 16 11 23 54 


257


U15 Saxifraga aizoides-Alchemilla 

glabra banks 


Easting 1775 

Northing 6992 







Bare rock 4 



Campylium stellatum 6 



Saxifraga oppositifolia 5 


Plagiobryum zieri 4 

Scapania undulata 4 

Silene acaulis 4 




Oxyria digyna 3 


Poa glauca 3 

Racomitrium heterostichum 3 

Saussaurea alpina 3 







258 

U16a Luzula sylvatica-Vaccinium myrtillus 

tall-herb community, Dryopteris dilatata- 

Dicranum majus sub-community 


Easting 2176 

Northing 7149 


















Phegopteris connectilis 4 

Scapania undulata 3 

Saxifraga stellaris 3 




Pellia epiphylla 2 



U16b Luzula sylvatica-Vaccinium 

myrtillus tall-herb community, 

Anthoxanthum odoratum- 

Festuca ovina sub-community 


Easting 2239 

Northing 7048 

























259 

U16c Luzula sylvatica-Vaccinium myrtillus 

tall-herb community, Species-poor 

sub-community 


Easting 1873 

Northing 7204 




















U17a Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Alchemilla glabra-Bryum 

pseudotriquetrum sub-community 


Easting 1771 

Northing 6988 










Trollius europaeus 6 








Herbertus stramineus 4 





Angelica sylvestris 3 

Antennaria dioica 3 


Ctenidium molluscum 3 


Fissidens bryoides 3 

Frullania tamarisci 3 


Geum rivale 3 





Persicaria vivipara 3 



Sedum rosea 3 




Tortella tortuosa 3 

Anoectangium aestivum 2 

Orchis mascula 2 

Saussurea alpina 1 


260




Easting 2065 

Northing 7158 







Sedum rosea 6 



Herbertus stramineus 4 



Carex flacca 4 



Alchemilla glabra 4 





Plantago maritima 3 


Carex hostiana 3 


Saussurea alpina 3 

Cystopteris fragilis 3 


Persicaria vivipara 3 


Geum rivale 3 

Rhizomnium punctatum 3 

Marsupella emarginata 3 



Andreaea rupestris 3 

Ditrichum flexicaule 3 




Angelica sylvestris 3 



261

U17b (continued) 




Anoectangium warburgii 2 



Sphagnum denticulatum 2 


Cerastium alpinum 2 


Galium boreale 2 

Racomitrium ericoides 2 








262


U17c Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Agrostis capillaris-Rhytidiadelphus 



Easting 1730 2231 












Geum rivale 4 3 2 

Cerastium fontanum 3 3 2 


























Cardamine pratensis 3 1 




263

U17c (continued) 



Quadrat number 1 2 quadrats 

Cirsium heterophyllum 3 1 

Galium boreale 3 1 







Pteridium aquilinum 3 1 









Veronica chamaedrys 3 1 

Carex saxatilis 2 1 



Polygala vulgaris 2 1 

Ptilium crista-castrensis 2 1 




264


U17d Luzula sylvatica-Geum rivale tall-herb community, Primula vulgaris-Hyperichum pulchrum 

sub-community 


Easting 1763 

Northing 6961 










Anoectangium aestivum 5 







Antennaria dioica 4 

Festuca rubra 4 

Frullania tamarisci 4 




Anthyllis vulneraria 3 




Ditrichum flexicaule 3 




Polygala vulgaris 3 




Fissidens bryoides 2 

Hyocomium armoricum 2 

Poa glauca 2 

Saccogyna viticulosa 2 


Tortella tortuosa 2 

Sedum rosea 1 



265




Easting 1850 1839 2575 2575 2575 

Northing 7247 7253 7400 7400 7400 

Altitude (m) 790 800 955 955 955 

Slope aspect (o) 13 31 289 289 289 






Rock 4 4 6 6 6 quadrats 

Galium saxatile 4 4 4 6 4 5 



Diplophyllum taxifolium 2 1 1 2 2 5 

Athyrium distentifolium 6 8 4 2 4 



Pleurozium schreberi 4 4 2 4 4 


Mylia taylorii 3 3 3 3 4 

Cladonia portentosa 3 3 3 2 4 

Cetraria islandica 2 2 3 3 4 

Scapania nimbosa 4 1 3 2 4 

Cladonia furcata 3 1 2 3 4 

Dicranum glaciale 2 2 3 2 4 

Huperzia selago 2 2 1 2 4 

Cryptogramma crispa 5 4 6 3 

Barbilophozia floerkei 3 5 3 3 




Cladonia bellidiflora 3 3 2 3 

Anastrophyllum donnianum 2 3 2 3 

Anastrepta orcadensis 2 2 2 3 

Scapania ornithopodioides 3 1 2 3 


Dryopteris oreades 5 4 2 

Phegopteris connectilis 5 4 2 



Dryopteris dilatata 4 3 2 


Bazzania tricrenata 3 3 2 


Racomitrium ericoides 3 3 2 

266

U18 (continued) 




Hylocomium umbratum 2 3 2 









Oligotrichum hercynicum 3 1 






Cladonia rangiferina 2 1 







Lophozia opacifolia 2 1 





Thamnolia vermicularis 2 1 

Gymnomitrion obtusum 1 1 

Lophozia sudetica 1 1 

Moerckia blyttii 1 1 





267




Easting 2628 

Northing 7741 







Fern litter (DOMIN) 4 


















Mnium hornum 2 


Hylocomium umbratum 2 







Dicranum majus 1 



Campylopus fragilis 1 

Betula pubescens (seedling) 1 

Anastrepta orcadensis 1 



268




Easting 1861 

Northing 6882 






















269




Easting 1705 2715 


Altitude (m) 1075 1010 



Recorder (Ben or Alison Averis) B A 




Bare rock/scree 8 8 quadrats 

Cryptogramma crispa 5 4 2 



Cladonia bellidiflora 3 2 2 

Racomitrium sudeticum 3 2 2 


















270




Easting 1870 

Northing 6883 







Dryopteris affinis 9 













Scleropodium purum 3 


271 



Easting 1450 

Northing 6851 







Urtica dioica 9 



Galium aparine 4 

Phleum arvense 4 

Dactylis glomerata 4 


Epilobium montanum 3 


Eurhynchium praelongum 3 




Fell-field 



Easting 1718 1718 1718 

Northing 7346 7346 7346 

Altitude (m) 1010 1010 1010 

Slope aspect (o) – – – 

Slope gradient (o) – – – 





Stones (DOMIN) 9 9 9 quadrats 



Racomitrium sudeticum 2 3 3 3 









272


Appendix 2 List of all plant species recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC 

This is a list of all species found by us during this survey of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC in 2003–2004, with 

additional species recorded here by other people before 2003 but not seen here by us. 

This list also gives a rough indication of the quantity of each species as found in this survey. To do this we 

used the categories 1 (rare), 2 (uncommon), 3 (common) and 4 (abundant). These equate with ‘rare’, 

‘occasional’, ‘frequent’ and ‘abundant’ as used by many botanists, but ‘occasional’ and ‘frequent’ are 

inappropriate for this purpose because they are specifically to do with time and not quantity. For records of 

species not seen here by us, a letter ‘X’ is used instead of a number 1, 2, 3 or 4; most or even all of these 

species are probably rare here. 

This species list also shows which species are recorded in each of the Ordnance Survey 10km x 10m grid 

squares containing this site. 

The left hand column gives the appropriate European phytogeographical group, following the classifications 

by Preston & Hill (1997) for vascular plants and Hill & Preston (1998) for bryophytes: 

11 Oceanic Arctic-montane 

12 Suboceanic Arctic-montane 

13 European Arctic-montane 

14 Eurosiberian Arctic-montane 

15 Eurasian Arctic-montane 

16 Circumpolar Arctic-montane 

21 Oceanic Boreo-arctic Montane 

22 Suboceanic Boreo-arctic Montane 

23 European Boreo-arctic Montane 

24 Eurosiberian Boreo-arctic Montane 

26 Circumpolar Boreo-arctic Montane 

32 Suboceanic Wide-boreal 

34 Eurosiberian Wide-boreal 

35 Eurasian Wide-boreal 

36 Circumpolar Wide-boreal 

41 Oceanic Boreal-montane 

42 Suboceanic Boreal-montane 

43 European Boreal-montane 

44 Eurosiberian Boreal-montane 

45 Eurasian Boreal-montane 

46 Circumpolar Boreal-montane 

51 Oceanic Boreo-temperate 

52 Suboceanic Boreo-temperate 

53 European Boreo-temperate 

An ‘i’ in the left hand column indicates an introduced (ie non native) species. 

273 

54 Eurosiberian Boreo-temperate 

55 Eurasian Boreo-temperate 

56 Circumpolar Boreo-temperate 

63 European Wide-temperate 

64 Eurosiberian Wide-temperate 

65 Eurasian Wide-temperate 

66 Circumpolar Wide-temperate 

70 Hyperoceanic Temperate 

71 Oceanic Temperate 

72 Suboceanic Temperate 

73 European Temperate 

74 Eurosiberian Temperate 

75 Eurasian Temperate 

76 Circumpolar Temperate 

80 Hyperoceanic Southern-temperate 

81 Oceanic Southern-temperate 

82 Suboceanic Southern-temperate 

83 European Southern-temperate 

84 Eurosiberian Southern-temperate 

85 Eurasian Southern-temperate 

86 Circumpolar Southern-temperate 

91 Mediterranean-Atlantic 

92 Submediterranean-Subatlantic 

93 Mediterranean-montane


Appendix 2 (continued) 

Whole 

Phyt Species name (vascular plants) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 

i Acer pseudoplatanus 1 1 1 

55 Achillea millefolium 1 1 1 1 1 

55 Achillea ptarmica 1 1 

56 Agrostis canina 4 4 4 4 4 

54 Agrostis capillaris 3 3 3 4 4 

66 Agrostis stolonifera X 

73 Agrostis vinealis 1 1 1 1 1 

73 Ajuga reptans 1 1 1 1 

13 Alchemilla alpina 3 3 4 2 4 

43 Alchemilla filicaulis vestita 1 1 

53 Alchemilla glabra 2 2 2 2 2 

73 Allium ursinum 1 1 

74 Alnus glutinosa 1 2 2 1 

74 Anemone nemorosa 1 2 2 1 

54 Angelica sylvestris 1 1 1 1 

55 Antennaria dioica 1 1 1 1 1 

64 Anthoxanthum odoratum 4 4 4 4 4 

53 Anthyllis vulnereria 1 1 

56 Arabis hirsuta X 

15 Arabis petraea X X 

16 Arctostaphylos alpinus 1 1 1 

36 Armeria maritima 1 1 1 

73 Arrhenatherum elatius 1 1 1 1 1 

73 Asplenium adiantum-nigrum 1 1 

86 Asplenium trichomanes 1 1 1 

46 Asplenium viride 1 1 X 

16 Athyrium distentifolium 1 1 1 

56 Athyrium filix-femina 1 2 1 1 

73 Bellis perennis 1 1 1 1 1 

54 Betula pendula 1 1 1 

54 Betula pubescens 2 3 3 1 2 

73 Blechnum spicant 4 4 4 4 4 

56 Botrychium lunaria 1 1 

73 Brachypodium sylvaticum 1 1 1 

53 Calluna vulgaris 4 4 4 3 4 

36 Caltha palustris 1 1 

56 Campanula rotundifolia 2 2 2 2 2 

73 Cardamine flexuosa 1 1 1 1 1 

84 Cardamine hirsuta X 

36 Cardamine pratensis 1 1 1 1 1 

26 Carex atrata X 

16 Carex bigelowii 2 1 3 2 3 

71 Carex binervis 3 3 3 3 3 

26 Carex capillaris 1 1 

74 Carex caryophyllea 1 1 1 1 1 

46 Carex curta 1 1 1 

26 Carex dioica 1 1 1 1 1 

274



Whole 


53 Carex echinata 3 3 3 3 3 

83 Carex flacca 1 1 1 1 1 

73 Carex hostiana 1 1 1 1 1 

16 Carex lachenalii X X 

71 Carex laevigata X 

54 Carex nigra 3 3 3 3 3 

54 Carex ovalis 1 1 1 1 1 

54 Carex pallescens 1 1 1 1 1 

53 Carex panicea 4 4 4 4 4 

46 Carex pauciflora 1 1 1 1 

73 Carex pilulifera 3 3 3 2 3 

72 Carex pulicaris 1 1 1 1 1 

73 Carex remota 1 1 

56 Carex rostrata 1 1 1 1 

16 Carex saxatilis 1 2 2 

75 Carex sylvatica 1 1 

26 Carex vaginata 1 1 

56 Carex viridula 2 2 2 2 2 

81 Carum verticillatum 1 2 1 

72 Centaurea nigra 1 1 1 1 1 

13 Cerastium alpinum 1 1 1 

13 Cerastium arcticum 1 2 2 

13 Cerastium cerastoides 1 2 2 

54 Cerastium fontanum 2 2 2 2 2 

56 Chamerion angustifolium 1 1 1 1 

72 Chrysosplenium oppositifolium 1 1 1 1 1 

73 Circaea x intermedia 1 1 

73 Circaea lutetiana 1 1 

75 Cirsium arvense 1 1 1 1 1 

44 Cirsium heterophyllum 1 1 1 1 

54 Cirsium palustre 2 2 2 2 2 

74 Cirsium vulgare 1 1 1 

36 Cochlearia officinalis X 

11 Cochlearia micacea X X 

13 Cochlearia pyrenaica 1 1 1 

46 Coeloglossum viride 1 1 

71 Conopodium majus 2 2 2 2 2 

23 Cornus suecica 2 2 2 2 

73 Corylus avellana 1 1 1 1 

73 Crataegus monogyna 1 1 1 1 

53 Crepis paludosa 1 1 1 1 

43 Cryptogramma crispa 1 1 2 1 

36 Cystopteris fragilis 1 1 1 

46 Cystopteris montana 1 1 

84 Dactylis glomerata 1 1 1 1 

54 Dactylorhiza maculata 2 2 2 2 2 

73 Danthonia decumbens 1 1 1 1 1 

275



Whole 


36 Deschampsia cespitosa 3 3 3 3 3 

53 Deschampsia flexuosa 3 3 3 3 3 

82 Digitalis purpurea 1 1 1 1 1 

16 Diphasiastrum alpinum 1 1 2 1 2 

56 Drosera rotundifolia 2 2 3 2 2 

16 Dryas octopetala 1 1 

71 Dryopteris aemula X 

73 Dryopteris affinis 2 2 2 2 

73 Dryopteris dilatata 3 3 3 3 3 

46 Dryopteris expansa X 

76 Dryopteris filix-mas 2 2 2 2 2 

42 Dryopteris oreades 1 1 1 

65 Eleocharis palustris 1 1 1 

53 Eleocharis quinqueflora 1 1 1 1 

26 Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum 3 2 4 2 4 

26 Empetrum nigrum nigrum 2 2 2 2 2 

13 Epilobium alsinifolium 1 1 1 

16 Epilobium anagadillifolium 1 1 1 

i Epilobium brunnescens 1 2 2 1 1 

73 Epilobium montanum 1 2 2 

56 Epilobium palustre 2 2 2 1 2 

36 Equisetum arvense 1 1 

56 Equisetum fluviatile 1 1 

56 Equisetum sylvaticum 1 1 

26 Equisetum variegatum 1 1 

71 Erica cinerea 4 4 4 4 4 

72 Erica tetralix 4 4 4 4 4 

36 Eriophorum angustifolium 4 4 4 4 4 

53 Eriophorum latifolium 1 1 

26 Eriophorum vaginatum 3 2 3 3 3 

73 Eupatorium cannabinum X 

73 Euphrasia officinalis agg. 2 2 2 2 2 

51 Euphrasia arctica X 

14 Euphrasia frigida 1 1 1 1 1 

73 Euphrasia micrantha 1 2 2 

i Fagus sylvatica 1 1 

55 Festuca ovina 3 3 3 3 2 

36 Festuca rubra 2 2 2 2 2 

26 Festuca vivipara 4 4 4 4 4 

55 Filipendula ulmaria 2 2 2 1 2 

74 Fragaria vesca 1 1 

73 Fraxinus excelsior 1 2 2 1 

73 Galium aparine 1 1 1 

56 Galium boreale 1 1 1 

73 Galium odoratum 1 1 

54 Galium palustre 2 2 2 2 

72 Galium saxatile 4 4 4 4 4 

276



Whole 


53 Gentianella campestris 1 1 

73 Geranium robertianum 1 1 1 1 

44 Geranium sylvaticum 1 1 1 1 

54 Geum rivale 2 2 2 1 2 

74 Geum urbanum 1 1 

72 Glyceria declinata X 

73 Glyceria fluitans 1 1 

13 Gnaphalium supinum 2 3 3 

55 Gymnadaenia conopsea 1 1 1 1 

56 Gymnocarpium dryopteris 1 1 

83 Hedera helix 1 1 

73 Helictotrichon pratense X 

55 Heracleum sphondylium 1 1 1 1 

36 Hieracium agg. 1 1 1 1 1 

83 Holcus lanatus 2 2 2 2 2 

73 Holcus mollis 3 3 3 3 3 

26 Huperzia selago 2 2 3 2 3 

71 Hyacinthoides non-scripta 2 2 2 2 

51 Hymenophyllum wilsonii 1 2 1 1 

72 Hypericum pulchrum 2 2 2 2 2 

83 Hypochaeris radicata 1 1 1 1 

82 Ilex aquifolium 1 2 2 1 

73 Juncus acutiflorus 3 3 3 2 3 

84 Juncus articulatus 2 2 2 2 2 

16 Juncus biglumis X X 

66 Juncus bufonius 1 1 1 1 1 

53 Juncus bulbosus 2 2 2 2 2 

16 Juncus castaneus X X 

73 Juncus conglomeratus 1 2 2 

83 Juncus effusus 2 3 2 2 2 

72 Juncus squarrosus 4 4 4 4 4 

14 Juncus trifidus 2 1 3 3 

16 Juncus triglumis 1 1 2 

26 Juniperus communis nana 1 1 1 

73 Lapsana communis 1 1 1 

i Larix sp. 1 1 

73 Lathyrus linifolius montanus 1 1 1 1 1 

53 Leontodon autumnalis 1 1 1 1 1 

73 Linum catharticum 2 2 2 1 2 

46 Listera cordata 1 1 1 

72 Littorella uniflora 1 1 

43 Lobelia dortmanna 1 1 

16 Loiseleuria procumbens 1 1 2 

83 Lolium perenne 1 1 1 

82 Lonicera periclymenum 1 1 1 1 

85 Lotus corniculatus 2 2 2 1 2 

13 Luzula arcuata 1 1 

277



Whole 


73 Luzula campestris 1 1 1 1 1 

36 Luzula multiflora 3 3 3 3 3 

54 Luzula pilosa 1 1 1 1 1 

13 Luzula spicata 1 2 2 

73 Luzula sylvatica 2 2 2 2 2 

26 Lycopodium annotinum 1 1 1 

56 Lycopodium clavatum 1 1 1 

72 Lysimachia nemorum 2 2 2 1 2 

54 Melampyrum pratense 1 1 1 

55 Melica nutans 1 1 1 

73 Melica uniflora X 

56 Menyanthes trifoliata 1 1 1 

73 Mercurialis perennis 1 1 

13 Minuartia sedoides X 

54 Molinia caerulea 4 4 4 4 4 

53 Montia fontana 1 1 1 1 1 

16 Myosotis alpestris X 

52 Myrica gale 3 3 3 2 3 

53 Nardus stricta 4 4 4 4 4 

51 Narthecium ossifragum 4 4 4 4 4 

73 Orchis mascula 1 1 1 1 

73 Oreopteris limbosperma 3 3 3 2 3 

46 Orthilia secunda X 

55 Oxalis acetosella 3 3 3 3 

16 Oxyria digyna 2 2 2 2 

56 Parnassia palustris 1 1 1 

73 Pedicularis sylvatica 3 3 3 1 3 

26 Persicaria vivipara 1 1 2 1 2 

56 Phegopteris connectilis 1 1 1 1 

26 Phleum alpinum 1 1 

74 Phleum pratense 1 1 

73 Pilosella officinarum 1 1 

71 Pinguicula lusitanica 1 1 

46 Pinguicula vulgaris 3 3 3 3 3 

45 Pinus sylvestris 1 2 1 

84 Plantago lanceolata 1 1 1 1 1 

65 Plantago major 1 1 1 1 1 

34 Plantago maritima 1 1 1 1 1 

55 Platanthera bifolia 1 1 

16 Poa alpina 1 1 1 1 

64 Poa annua 1 1 1 1 1 

13 Poa flexuosa X X 

13 Poa x jemtlandica X X 

26 Poa glauca 1 1 1 1 

66 Poa pratensis 2 2 2 2 2 

64 Poa trivialis 2 2 2 1 2 

72 Polygala serpyllifolia 3 3 3 3 3 

278



Whole 


73 Polygala vulgaris 1 1 

53 Polypodium vulgare 1 2 1 1 2 

75 Polystichum aculeatum 1 1 

46 Polystichum lonchitis 1 1 1 

55 Populus tremula 1 1 1 

56 Potamogeton natans 1 1 1 

72 Potamogeton polygonifolius 1 1 1 1 1 

54 Potentilla erecta 4 4 4 4 4 

56 Potentilla palustris X X 

72 Potentilla sterilis 1 1 1 1 

73 Primula vulgaris 1 1 1 1 1 

66 Prunella vulgaris 2 2 2 2 2 

55 Prunus padus 1 1 

43 Pseudorchis albida 1 1 

76 Pteridium aquilinum 3 3 3 2 3 

44 Pyrola media X 

46 Pyrola minor X 

73 Quercus petraea X 

73 Quercus robur 1 2 2 

35 Ranunculus acris 3 3 3 2 3 

83 Ranunculus ficaria 2 2 2 2 2 

73 Ranunculus flammula 2 2 2 2 2 

55 Ranunculus repens 1 1 1 1 1 

53 Rhinanthus minor 1 1 1 1 

56 Rhynchospora alba 1 1 2 1 

73 Rosa canina 1 1 1 1 

46 Rubus chamaemorus 1 1 1 

83 Rubus fruticosus 1 1 1 1 

56 Rubus idaeus 1 1 1 

55 Rubus saxatilis 1 1 1 

54 Rumex acetosa 2 2 2 2 2 

64 Rumex acetosella 1 1 1 1 1 

84 Rumex crispus 1 1 

73 Rumex obtusifolius 1 1 1 1 

54 Sagina procumbens 1 1 1 1 1 

16 Sagina saginoides X 

53 Salix aurita 2 2 2 2 2 

55 Salix caprea 1 1 1 

54 Salix cinerea 1 1 1 1 1 

13 Salix herbacea 1 1 2 1 2 

24 Salix lapponum 1 1 1 1 

13 Salix myrsinites 1 ? 

26 Salix phylicifolia X 

54 Salix repens 1 1 1 1 

16 Salix reticulata X 

73 Sanicula europaea 1 1 

15 Saussurea alpina 1 1 1 1 

13 Saxifraga aizoides 1 1 2 2 

279



Whole 


16 Saxifraga cernua 1 1 

16 Saxifraga cespitosa 1 1 1 

41 Saxifraga hypnoides 1 1 1 1 

16 Saxifraga nivalis 1 1 X 1 

16 Saxifraga oppositifolia 1 1 1 1 

16 Saxifraga rivularis X X X 

13 Saxifraga stellaris 2 2 2 1 2 

74 Scrophularia nodosa 1 1 

16 Sedum rosea 2 2 2 2 

46 Selaginella selaginoides 1 1 1 

74 Senecio jacobea 1 1 1 1 1 

16 Sibbaldia procumbens 2 3 2 

13 Silene acaulis 1 2 2 

53 Silene dioica 1 1 1 1 

52 Silene uniflora X 

55 Solidago virgaurea 2 2 2 1 2 

55 Sorbus aucuparia 2 3 2 1 2 

74 Stachys sylvatica 1 1 

74 Stellaria holostea X 

73 Stellaria uliginosa X 

74 Succisa pratensis 3 3 3 3 3 

66 Taraxacum officinale agg. 2 2 2 1 2 

82 Teucrium scorodonia 2 2 2 1 2 

16 Thalictrum alpinum 1 1 1 1 1 

55 Thalictrum minus X 

53 Thymus polytrichus 2 2 2 1 2 

i Tilia cordata X 

16 Tofieldia pusilla 1 1 1 2 

46 Trichophorum cespitosum 4 4 4 4 4 

46 Trientalis europaea 1 1 

54 Trifolium repens 2 2 2 2 2 

56 Triglochin palustre 1 1 1 

43 Trollius europaeus 1 1 1 1 

54 Tussilago farfara 1 1 

71 Ulex europaeus X 

73 Ulmus glabra 1 1 

54 Urtica dioica 1 1 1 

44 Vaccinium myrtillus 4 3 4 4 4 

26 Vaccinium uliginosum 2 2 3 

26 Vaccinium vitis-idaea 3 3 3 2 3 

55 Valeriana officinalis 1 1 1 1 

14 Veronica alpina 1 2 2 

54 Veronica chamaedrys 1 2 2 1 

73 Veronica montana X 

53 Veronica officinalis 2 2 2 1 2 

56 Veronica serpyllifolia 1 1 1 1 1 

53 Viola palustris 2 2 2 2 2 

73 Viola riviniana 2 3 2 2 3 

280



Whole 

Phyt Species name (mosses) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 

26 Amphidium lapponicum X X X 

46 Amphidium mougeotii 2 2 2 1 2 

41 Andreaea alpina 2 2 3 1 3 

16 Andreaea blyttii X X 

43 Andreaea frigida X X 

41 Andreaea mutabilis X X 

13 Andreaea nivalis 1 2 

53 Andreaea rothii 4 4 4 2 4 

26 Andreaea rupestris 4 4 4 2 4 

43 Anoectangium aestivum 1 1 

46 Anomobryum filiforme 1 1 

53 Antitrichia curtipendula 1 1 

13 Arctoa fulvella X X 

56 Atrichum undulatum 1 2 1 1 1 

36 Aulacomnium palustre 1 2 2 1 1 

16 Aulacomnium turgidum X X 

43 Bartramia hallerana 1 1 

26 Bartramia ithiphylla 1 1 

56 Bartramia pomiformis 1 1 1 1 

26 Blindia acuta 2 2 2 1 2 

16 Brachythecium glaciale 1 2 

56 Brachythecium plumosum 3 3 3 2 3 

46 Brachythecium reflexum X X 

56 Brachythecium rivulare 2 2 2 1 2 

73 Brachythecium rutabulum 1 1 1 

46 Brachythecium starkei X 

16 Brachythecium trachypodium X 

70 Breutelia chrysocoma 3 3 3 2 3 

41 Bryoerythrophyllum caledonicum X X 

44 Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens X X 

56 Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum 1 1 

73 Bryum alpinum 2 2 2 1 

56 Bryum capillare 1 1 

42 Bryum dixonii X X 

43 Bryum muehlenbeckii X X 

36 Bryum pallens 1 1 1 

36 Bryum pseudotriquetrum 2 2 2 1 2 

70 Bryum riparium X X 

26 Calliergon sarmentosum 1 1 1 

26 Calliergon trifarium 1 1 

76 Calliergonella cuspidata 1 1 1 1 1 

56 Campylium stellatum 2 2 2 1 2 

70 Campylopus atrovirens 3 3 3 2 3 

72 Campylopus flexuosus 2 2 2 1 2 

72 Campylopus fragilis 1 1 

42 Campylopus gracilis X X 

i Campylopus introflexus 1 1 

36 Ceratodon purpureus 1 1 

56 Cirriphyllum piliferum 1 1 

36 Climacium dendroides ? 

16 Conostomum tetragonum 2 2 2 

281



Whole 


53 Ctenidium molluscum 2 2 2 1 2 

26 Dichodontium pellucidum 1 1 1 1 

56 Dicranella heteromalla 1 1 1 

43 Dicranella palustris 1 1 2 1 2 

56 Dicranella rufescens X 

43 Dicranodontium denudatum 1 1 1 

42 Dicranodontium uncinatum 1 1 1 

26 Dicranoweisia crispula X X X 

26 Dicranum fuscescens 1 1 1 1 

56 Dicranum majus 2 2 2 2 

36 Dicranum scoparium 4 4 4 3 4 

80 Dicranum scottianum 1 1 

53 Didymodon ferrugineus X X 

53 Diphyscium foliosum 1 1 

26 Distichium capillaceum 1 1 

66 Ditrichum gracile 1 1 

53 Ditrichum heteromallum 1 1 1 

43 Ditrichum lineare X 

13 Ditrichum zonatum X X 

26 Drepanocladus revolvens 2 2 2 1 2 

43 Dryptodon patens 1 1 

46 Encalypta ciliata 1 1 

73 Eurhynchium praelongum 1 1 

73 Eurhynchium striatum 1 1 

56 Fissidens adianthoides 1 1 1 1 1 

76 Fissidens bryoides 1 1 

73 Fissidens dubius 1 1 1 1 

26 Fissidens osmundoides 1 1 1 

83 Fissidens taxifolius 1 1 1 

56 Fontinalis antipyretica 1 1 

23 Grimmia torquata 1 1 

73 Hedwigia stellata 2 2 2 2 

72 Heterocladium heteropterum 1 1 1 1 

84 Homalothecium sericeum 1 1 

72 Hookeria lucens 1 1 

56 Hygrohypnum luridum 1 1 

26 Hygrohypnum ochraceum 1 1 X 

73 Hylocomium brevirostre 1 1 1 

46 Hylocomium pyrenaicum X X 

36 Hylocomium splendens 4 4 4 4 4 

43 Hylocomium umbratum 2 2 2 2 

56 Hymenostylium recurvirostrum X 

71 Hyocomium armoricum 2 2 2 1 2 

72 Hypnum andoi 2 2 2 2 

26 Hypnum callichroum 1 1 1 

66 Hypnum cupressiforme 3 3 3 2 3 

72 Hypnum jutlandicum 4 4 4 4 4 

66 Hypnum lacunosum 2 2 2 2 

72 Hypnum resupinatum 1 1 1 

26 Isopterygiopsis pulchella X X 

42 Isopterygiopsis muelleriana X 

282



Whole 


53 Isothecium alopecuroides 1 1 1 

52 Isothecium myosuroides 2 3 2 1 2 

23 Kiaeria blyttii 2 2 2 

13 Kiaeria falcata 2 2 2 

16 Kiaeria glaciale 1 1 

16 Kiaeria starkei 2 1 3 2 

73 Leucobryum glaucum 1 2 1 1 1 

26 Meesia uliginosa X X 

73 Mnium hornum 2 2 2 1 2 

56 Mnium marginatum 1 1 

56 Mnium stellare 1 1 

41 Molendoa warburgii 1 1 

53 Neckera complanata 1 1 

73 Neckera crispa 1 1 

41 Oedipodium griffithianum 1 1 

26 Oligotrichum hercynicum 2 2 2 1 2 

23 Orthothecium intricatum 1 1 

26 Orthothecium rufescens 1 1 X 

53 Orthotrichum affine 1 1 1 

56 Palustriella commutata 1 1 1 1 

41 Paraleptodontium recurvifolium 1 X X 

66 Philonotis fontana 3 3 3 2 3 

24 Philonotis seriata 1 1 

16 Philonotis tomentella X X 

26 Plagiobryum zieri 1 1 

73 Plagiomnium undulatum 1 2 1 1 

26 Plagiopus oederianus X 

56 Plagiothecium denticulatum 1 1 

54 Plagiothecium succulentum 1 2 1 1 

52 Plagiothecium undulatum 4 4 4 3 4 

56 Pleurozium schreberi 4 4 4 4 4 

53 Pogonatum aloides 1 2 2 1 

26 Pogonatum urnigerum 2 2 2 1 2 

26 Pohlia cruda 1 1 1 1 

26 Pohlia drummondii X X 

46 Pohlia elongata 1 1 

16 Pohlia ludwigii 2 3 1 

36 Pohlia nutans 1 1 

46 Pohlia wahlenbergi var. glacialis 2 1 2 1 

26 Polytrichum alpinum 4 4 4 2 4 

36 Polytrichum commune 2 2 2 2 2 

56 Polytrichum formosum 2 2 2 2 

36 Polytrichum juniperinum 2 1 1 1 1 

36 Polytrichum piliferum 2 1 1 1 1 

13 Polytrichum sexangulare 1 2 1 

26 Polytrichum strictum 2 2 2 2 2 

46 Pseudobryum cinclidioides X X 

43 Pseudoleskea patens X 

52 Pseudotaxyphyllum elegans 2 2 2 1 2 

46 Pterigynandrum filiforme X X 

46 Ptilium crista-castrensis 2 2 1 1 

81 Ptychomitrium polyphyllum 1 1 

283



Whole 


52 Racomitrium aciculare 3 3 3 2 3 

72 Racomitrium aquaticum 3 3 3 1 3 

41 Racomitrium ellipticum 1 1 

52 Racomitrium elongatum X 

32 Racomitrium ericoides 2 2 2 1 2 

53 Racomitrium fasciculare 4 4 4 4 4 

52 Racomitrium heterostichum 4 4 4 4 4 

26 Racomitrium lanuginosum 4 4 4 4 4 

26 Racomitrium sudeticum 4 4 4 2 4 

41 Rhabdoweisia crenulata 1 1 

42 Rhabdoweisia crispata 1 1 

43 Rhizomnium magnifolium 1 1 

56 Rhizomnium punctatum 2 2 2 1 2 

86 Rhynchostegium riparioides 1 1 1 1 

52 Rhytidiadelphus loreus 4 4 4 3 4 

53 Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus 3 3 3 3 3 

56 Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus 2 2 2 1 2 

66 Schistidium apocarpum 1 1 1 

26 Schistidium strictum X X 

73 Scleropodium purum 2 2 2 1 2 

26 Scorpidium scorpioides 2 2 2 1 2 

42 Sphagnum affine 1 1 

56 Sphagnum capillifolium 4 4 4 4 4 

56 Sphagnum compactum 2 2 2 2 2 

46 Sphagnum contortum 1 1 

53 Sphagnum cuspidatum 2 2 2 2 2 

53 Sphagnum denticulatum 4 4 4 4 4 

53 Sphagnum fallax 2 2 2 2 2 

36 Sphagnum fimbriatum 1 1 

26 Sphagnum fuscum 1 1 

46 Sphagnum magellanicum 1 1 

56 Sphagnum palustre 2 2 2 2 2 

53 Sphagnum papillosum 3 3 3 2 3 

42 Sphagnum quinquefarium 2 2 2 2 

36 Sphagnum squarrosum 1 1 1 

70 Sphagnum strictum 1 2 1 1 

52 Sphagnum subnitens 2 2 2 2 2 

52 Sphagnum tenellum 2 2 2 2 2 

56 Tetraphis pellucida 1 1 

46 Tetraplodon angustatus X 

26 Tetraplodon mnioides X X 

73 Thamnobryum alopecurum 1 1 

76 Thuidium delicatulum 1 1 

73 Thuidium tamariscinum 3 3 3 2 3 

56 Tortella tortuosa 2 2 2 1 2 

92 Trichostomum brachydontium 1 1 

56 Trichostomum tenuirostre 1 1 1 1 

73 Ulota crispa 2 2 2 1 2 

42 Ulota drummondii 1 1 

42 Ulota hutchinsiae 1 1 

56 Warnstorfia exannulata 1 1 X 1 

56 Warnstorfia fluitans 1 1 1 

284



Whole 

Phyt Species name (liverworts) site NN16 NN17 NN26 NN27 

42 Anastrepta orcadensis 2 2 2 2 

41 Anastrophyllum donnianum 1 2 2 

26 Anastrophyllum minutum 1 1 1 

36 Aneura pinguis 2 2 2 1 2 

16 Anthelia julacea 2 2 2 1 2 

16 Anthelia juratzkana 2 1 2 2 

43 Apometzgeria pubescens X X 

42 Barbilophozia atlantica 1 1 

46 Barbilophozia floerkei 2 2 3 1 3 

26 Barbilophozia lycopodioides X X X 

41 Bazzania pearsonii 1 2 1 

43 Bazzania tricrenata 2 3 3 2 

72 Bazzania trilobata 1 1 

26 Blepharostoma trichophyllum 1 1 

92 Calypogeia arguta 1 1 

52 Calypogeia azurea X X 

72 Calypogeia fissa 1 1 

56 Calypogeia muelleriana 1 1 1 1 

56 Cephalozia bicuspidata 1 1 1 1 

56 Cephalozia lunulifolia 1 1 

56 Cephaloziella divaricata 1 1 1 

52 Diplophyllum albicans 3 3 3 1 3 

26 Diplophyllum taxifolium 1 2 X 

71 Douinia ovata 1 1 1 1 

85 Frullania dilatata 1 1 1 

72 Frullania fragilifolia 1 1 

52 Frullania tamarisci 3 3 3 1 3 

80 Frullania teneriffae 1 1 

16 Gymnomitrion apiculatum X X 

16 Gymnomitrion concinnatum 2 1 3 2 

41 Gymnomitrion crenulatum 2 2 2 2 

43 Gymnomitrion obtusum 2 2 2 2 

43 Haplomitrium hookeri X X 

80 Harpalejeunea molleri 1 1 

26 Harpanthus flotovianus X X 

43 Harpanthus scutatus X 

41 Herbertus aduncus 1 2 1 

41 Herbertus stramineus 1 1 

42 Hygrobiella laxifolia X X 

56 Jamesoniella autumnalis 1 1 

53 Jungermannia atrovirens 1 1 

16 Jungermannia borealis X X 

43 Jungermannia exsertifolia 1 1 1 1 

53 Jungermannia gracillima 1 1 1 1 

56 Jungermannia hyalina X X 

43 Jungermannia obovata X X 

26 Jungermannia sphaerocarpa X 

285



Whole 


42 Kurzia trichoclados 1 1 

53 Lejeunea cavifolia 1 1 

80 Lejeunea patens 1 2 1 1 

80 Lepidozia cupressina X X 

70 Lepidozia pearsonii 1 1 1 1 

56 Lepidozia reptans 1 1 1 1 

80 Leptoscyphus cuneifolius 1 1 

73 Lophocolea bidentata 2 2 2 1 2 

16 Lophozia opacifolia 1 1 

26 Lophozia sudetica 1 1 

53 Lophozia ventricosa 2 2 2 1 2 

22 Marsupella adusta 2 2 

12 Marsupella alpina 2 2 

16 Marsupella boeckii 1 1 

13 Marsupella brevissima 2 2 

13 Marsupella condensata 1 1 

53 Marsupella emarginata 4 4 4 2 4 

23 Marsupella sphacelata 2 2 

26 Marsupella sprucei X X 

41 Mastigophora woodsii 1 2 

53 Metzgeria conjugata 1 1 1 

53 Metzgeria furcata 1 2 1 1 

72 Microlejeunea ulicina 1 1 1 

14 Moerckia blyttii 1 1 X 

46 Mylia anomala 1 1 

42 Mylia taylorii 2 2 2 1 2 

16 Nardia breidleri X X 

42 Nardia compressa 2 1 2 2 

26 Nardia geoscyphus X X 

53 Nardia scalaris 2 2 2 1 2 

53 Nowellia curvifolia 1 1 1 1 

16 Odontoschisma macounii X X 

72 Odontoschisma sphagni 2 1 2 2 2 

56 Pellia epiphylla 1 2 1 1 

73 Plagiochila asplenioides 1 1 

70 Plagiochila atlantica 1 1 

41 Plagiochila carringtonii 1 1 2 1 

80 Plagiochila killarniensis 1 1 

56 Plagiochila porelloides 1 1 1 1 

80 Plagiochila punctata 2 3 2 1 

80 Plagiochila spinulosa 2 3 2 2 

16 Pleurocladula albescens 1 2 X 

41 Pleurozia purpurea 2 2 2 2 2 

26 Preissia quadrata 1 1 

26 Ptilidium ciliare 1 1 1 1 

80 Radula aquilegia X X 

286



Whole 


56 Radula complanata 1 1 

53 Riccardia chamedryfolia 1 1 1 

56 Riccardia multifida 1 1 1 

46 Riccardia palmata 1 1 1 

81 Saccogyna viticulosa 1 1 1 

23 Scapania aequiloba 1 1 

53 Scapania aspera X X 

26 Scapania calcicola X X 

92 Scapania compacta 1 1 

46 Scapania degenii X X 

80 Scapania gracilis 3 3 3 2 3 

53 Scapania nemorea 1 1 1 

41 Scapania nimbosa 1 1 X 

41 Scapania ornithopodioides 1 1 1 X 

26 Scapania paludosa 1 1 

16 Scapania uliginosa 1 2 

43 Scapania umbrosa 1 1 

53 Scapania undulata 3 3 3 2 3 

16 Tetralophozia setiformis X X 

46 Tritomaria exsecta 1 1 

16 Tritomaria polita 1 1 X 

26 Tritomaria quinquedentata 1 1 1 1 

287


Appendix 3 Target notes recorded in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC 

Each of these Target Notes has a prefix letter and a number. The prefix letters are as follows: 

A records from this survey by Ben and Alison Averis in 2003–2004 (Appendix 3A) 

R records from the vascular plant Site Condition Monitoring survey by Rothero (2002) (Appendix 3B) 

E extra records from other (pre-2002) surveys or visits (Appendix 3C) 

The numbers form a series within each of these three sets of Target Notes. 

The location of each Target Note is marked on Maps 2a–2w (scale 1:10,000) in Appendix 5. The location 

is shown by a circled dot. This is labelled with a code (eg A1, A2, A3 etc), which is the same code as that 

which appears in the text of Appendices 3A, 3B and 3C below. 

The text here in Appendices 3A, 3B and 3C gives information about the species found at each Target Note 

location. In this text we have given an 8-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference for each Target Note, to make 

cross-referencing the text and maps easier and clearer. 

Finally, Appendix 3D gives information about each population of each Nationally Rare and Nationally 

Scarce vascular plant species. This information is copied from the relevant parts of Appendices 3A, 3B and 

3C, and ordered by species instead of by location. 

288


Appendix 3A Target Notes recorded in this survey of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC by 

Ben and Alison Averis in 2003–2004 

Each Target Note has a code prefix ‘A’, which stands for ‘Averis’, followed by a number in a series from 1–266. This is followed by 

an 8-figure Ordnance Survey grid reference, then the botanical details, and finally the year in which the Target Note was recorded. 

A1. NN 1291 7181. Rhynchospora alba abundant in flushes (M15a). 2003. 

A2. NN 1334 7202. Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna bushes near path. 2003. 

A3. NN 1393 7431. Flora of crags includes rowan and moss Racomitrium ellipticum. 2003. 

A4. NN 1395 7301. Summit flora of Meall an t-Suidhe includes Loiselurea procumbens, Empetrum nigrum 

ssp. hermaphroditum, Carex bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Salix herbacea and Polytrichum alpinum. 

2003. 

A5. N 1430 7190. Oxyria digyna on gravel and among rocks beside the Red Burn, presumably from 

seeds washed down from higher up the hill. 2003. 

A6. NN 1456 7430. Listera cordata in bog (M19a). 2003. 

A7. NN 1459 7459. Carex pauciflora in bog (M17a). 2003. 

A8. NN 1506 7453. Trees along the Allt a’ Mhuillin include birch Betula pubescens, rowan Sorbus aucuparia, 

Salix cinerea, S. aurita and S. caprea. 2003. 

A9. NN 1523 6852. Gymnadaenia conopsea on slopes N of road. 2003. 

A10. NN 1535 6880. Pinus sylvestris scattered widely among woodland and rock outcrops on this steep 

S-SE-facing slope. 2003. 

A11. NN 1558 7141. Veronica alpina and Cerastium cerastioides in Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath 

H20a. 2003. 

A12. NN 1562 7065. Carn Dearg. Species around here, on exposed spur, include Sibbaldia procumbens, 

Cerastium cerastioides, Thalictrum alpinum, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. 

alpina, Carex bigelowii and the moss Calliergon sarmentosum. 2003. 

A13. NN 1562 7173. Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32b with Philonotis seriata, and patches of lichen 

heath up to a metre or two square, consisting of Cetraria islandica and Cladonia uncialis dotted 

with Racomitrium lanuginosum, Carex bigelowii, Alchemilla alpina and Polytrichum alpinum. 2003. 

A14. NN 1563 7141. Sibbaldia procumbens and Cerastium cerastioides in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia 

vegetation U14. 2003. 

A15. NN 1564 7142. Sibbaldia procumbens in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14. 2003. 

A16. NN 1569 7203. Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina in Anthelia-Sphagnum spring M31. 2003. 

A17. NN 1580 7149. Good patches of the moss Andreaea nivalis found around here in this survey, 

with other species including the mosses Kiaeria starkei, Polytrichum sexangulare and Conostomum 

tetragonum, and the liverwort Pleurocladula albescens. 2003. 

289


Appendix 3A (continued) 

A18. NN 1582 7178. Sibbaldia procumbens in Racomitrium heterostichum snow-bed. 2003. 

A19. NN 1584 7170. Salix herbacea at the top of No. 2 gully. 2003. 

A20. NN 1585 6836. Carum verticillatum common on flushed lower slopes. 2003. 

A21. NN 1585 7198. Sibbaldia procumbens in Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-bed U13b. 2003. 

A22. NN 1592 7272. Mylia taylorii, Scapania gracilis, S. ornithopodioides, Anastrepta orcadensis, 

Bazzania tricrenata, Pleurozia purpurea and Plagiochila carringtonii in Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath 

H20c. 2003. 

A23. NN 1600 7305. Carex bigelowii flushes within Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17a. 2003. 

A24. NN 1612 7176. Veronica alpina, Sibbaldia procumbens, Thymus polytrichus, Thalictrum alpinum, 

Alchemilla glabra, Ranunculus acris, Oxyria digyna, Athyrium distentifolium, Selaginella selaginoides, 

Sedum rosea, Gnaphalium supinum, Saxifraga stellaris, Solidago virgaurea, Chrysosplenium 

oppositifolium, Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Trollius europaeus, Cerastium arcticum and 

Philonotis seriata along the base of the cliff. 2003. 


A26. NN 1626 6831. Hymenophyllum wilsonii and oceanic liverworts Herbertus aduncus, Plagiochila 

carringtonii, P. spinulosa, Lepidozia pearsonii, Pleurozia purpurea, Scapania gracilis and 

S. ornithopodioides in W17a birch woodland on steep N-facing slope. 2003. 

A27. NN 1631 6840. Pinus sylvestris scattered widely on these N-NW-facing slopes. 2003. 

A28. NN 1631 6848. Hymenophyllum wilsonii and oceanic moss Dicranum scottianum in W17a birch 

woodland. 2003. 

A29. NN 1636 7117. Small patches of bryophyte-dominated late snow-bed vegetation on the plateau 

of Ben Nevis, with Kiaeria starkei, K. falcata, K. blyttii, Racomitrium ericoides, R. sudeticum, 

Polytrichum sexangulare, Oligotrichum hercynicum, Pohlia ludwigii, Anthelia julacea, A. juratzkana 

and Pleurocladula albescens. The only vascular plants are Saxifraga stelaris and Huperzia selago. 

2003. 

A30. NN 1643 7575. Sibbaldia procumbens (3 plants, 2 of which were flowering) growing with 

Plantago major, Trifolium repens, Rubus fruticosus, Salix aurita and Holcus lanatus in track. At 300m 

this is an unusually low altitude for Sibbaldia. 2003. 

A31. NN 1651 7204. Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis in Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a and 

Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32b. 2003. 

A32. NN 1668 7362. The montane flora on the upper west-facing end of the ridge includes Carex 

bigelowii, Cornus suecica, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Loiselurea procumbens, 

Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Salix herbacea, Luzula spicata, Juncus trifidus, the moss 

Conostomum tetragonum and the lichens Solorina crocea and Thamnolia vermicularis. 2003. 

A33. NN 1677 7223. Juniperus communis ssp. nana on banks of stream. 2003. 

290



A34. NN 1677 7566. Listera cordata in heath. 2003. 

A35. NN 1677 7577. Salix aurita common near river. 2003. 

A36. NN 1683 7188. Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa, Bazzania tricrenata and 

Mylia taylorii in screes below the Douglas Boulder. 2003. 

A37. NN 1694 6935. Gymnadaenia conopsea and moss Sphagnum strictum plentiful in wet heath. 2003. 

A38. NN 1694 7532. Listera cordata and Cornus suecica in heath. 2003. 

A39. NN 1699 7565. Scattered rowans and Salix aurita bushes near river. 2003. 

A40. NN 1702 7460. Loiselurea procumbens in heath. 2003. 

A41. NN 1706 7444. Arctostaphylos alpinus, Loiselurea procumbens, Vaccinium uliginosum and 

Salix herbacea in H20 Vaccinium heath and U5e heathy Nardus grassland. 2003. 

A42. NN 1709 7182. Silene acaulis tufts pulled out by grazing sheep in herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium 

heath U10c. 2003. 

A43. NN 1717 7177. Sibbaldia procumbens in herb-rich Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12a. 2003. 

A44. NN 1719 7173. Rare montane liverwort Marsupella condensata in Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed 

U12b in incised stream gully. 2003. 

A45. NN 1729 7158. Athyrium distentifolium, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa, 

S. ornithopodioides, S. gracilis, Bazzania tricrenata and Mylia taylorii in Cryptogramma-Athyrium 

fern community U18. 2003. 

A46. NN 1729 7164. Young Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis among boulders in fern-dominated snow-bed 

U18, growing in a mat of Anastrophyllum donnianum and Mylia taylorii, with other species 

including Athyrium distentifolium. 2003. 

A47. NN 1731 6922. Flora of woodland around here includes Betula pubescens, Sorbus aucuparia, 

Salix caprea, S. aurita, Alnus glutinosa, Fraxinus excelsior, Ulmus glabra, Corylus avellana, Pinus 

sylvestris (on both sides of the river), Hymenophyllum wilsonii, Melica nutans, Geum urbanum, 

Geranium sylvaticum, G. robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Filipendula ulmaria, Rubus idaeus, 

Brachypodium sylvaticum, Sanicula europaea, Lysimachia nemorum, Angelica sylvestris, Carex 

pallescens, Athyrium filix-femina, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Luzula sylvatica, the mosses 

Anoectangium aestivum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Campylopus atrovirens, Distichium capillaceum, 

Encalypta ciliata, Hylocomium umbratum, Hyocomium armoricum, Neckera pumila, Ptilium 

cristacastrensis, Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, Rhabdoweisia crenulata, R. crispata and Thuidium 

delicatulum, and the liverworts Douinia ovata, Frullania fragilifolia, Gymnomitrion crenulatum, 

Harpalejeunea molleri, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Lejeunea patens, Plagiochila atlantica, 

P. killarniensis, P. spinulosa, Preissia quadrata, Riccardia palmata, Saccogyna viticulosa and 

Scapania gracilis. 2003. 

A48. NN 1738 7143. Scapania uliginosa in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring and Sibbaldia procumbens by 

the tiny lochan. 2003. 

291



A49. NN 1739 7147. Carex saxatilis in C. saxatilis mire M12. 2003. 

A50. NN 1739 7304. Mixed snow-bed vegetation UX on the steep upper slopes of the corrie. Species 

include Cryptogramma crispa, Gnaphalium supinum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Juncus trifidus, Carex 

bigelowii, Salix herbacea, Saxifraga stellaris, Huperzia selago, Diphasiastrum alpinum, Luzula 

spicata, Nardus stricta, Galium saxatile, Viola palustris, Blechnum spicant, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, 

Hypnum jutlandicum, Dicranum fuscescens, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Bazzania tricrenata, 

Anastrepta orcadensis and Diplophyllum albicans. There are Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32 

dominated by P. seriata rather than P. fontana. 2003. 

A51. NN 1741 7141. Cerastium cerastioides in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33. 2003. 


A53. NN 1757 7254. Uncommon lichen Thamnolia vermicularis in summit heath. 2003. 

A54. NN 1759 7025. SE spur of Ben Nevis. Juniperus communis ssp. nana on rocky ground. 2003. 

A55. NN 1763 6961. Poa glauca in heathy Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation U17d. 2003. 

A56. NN 1764 6958. Limestone west-facing cliffs of Meall Cumhann with tall-herb ledge vegetation 

U17. Species include Poa glauca, Alchemilla alpina, Thymus polytrichus, Geranium sylvaticum, 

Antennaria dioica, Anthyllis vulneraria, Lotus corniculatus, Carex pulicaris, Selaginella selaginoides, 

Sedum rosea, Trollius europaeus, Filipendula ulmaria, Primula vulgaris, Lysimachia nemorum, Cirsium 

heterophyllum, Geum rivale, Valeriana officinalis, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Hieracium 

spp., Saxifraga oppositifolia, Linum catharticum, Breutelia chrysocoma, Hylocomium splendens, 

Anoectangium aestivum, Hyocomium armoricum, Ditrichum flexicaule, Tortella tortuosa, Fissidens 

bryoides, Saccogyna viticulosa and Ptilidium ciliare. 2003. 

A57. NN 1767 6988. Herb-rich Nardus grassland U5c with Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, 

Geum rivale, Taraxacum officinale, Ranunculus acris and Thalictrum alpinum. 2003. 

A58. NN 1768 7253. Large amounts of Cerastium cerastioides in mossy snow-beds U11 and U12 on 

the steep screes at the back of the corrie. Pohlia ludwigii, Polytrichum sexangulare, Conostomum 

tetragonum and Marsupella adusta are common too. 2003. 

A59. NN 1771 6991. North-facing limestone cliffs of Meall Cumhann with montane willow scrub W20, 

herb-rich Luzula-Geum vegetation U17, Alchemilla-Saxifraga vegetation U15 and Festuca- 

Alchemilla-Silene vegetation CG12. Species here include Salix lapponum, Saxifraga aizoides, 

S. hypnoides, S. oppositifolia, Poa glauca, Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, 

Persicaria vivipara, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Trollius europaeus, Ranunculus acris, 

Saussurea alpina, Selaginella selaginoides, Angelica sylvestris, Botrychium lunaria, Sedum rosea, 

Oxyria digyna, Orchis mascula, Carex flacca, C. pulicaris, C. panicea, C. viridula ssp. oedocarpa, 

Huperzia selago, Antennaria dioica, Geranium sylvaticum, Linum catharticum, Galium boreale, 

Rhinanthus minor, Plantago maritima, Filipendula ulmaria, Cerastium alpinum, Geum rivale and 

Tofieldia pusilla and the bryophytes Ctenidium molluscum, Neckera crispa, Blindia acuta, 

Campylium stellatum, Tortella tortuosa, Ditrichum flexicaule, Plagiobryum zieri, Amphidium mougeotii, 

Ptilium cristacastrensis, Plagiochila spinulosa and Herbertus stramineus. 2003. 

292



A60. NN 1774 7254. Much Cerastium cerastioides in Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12b in the small 

hollow at the head of the stream. 2003. 

A61. NN 1775 6992. Poa glauca in Alchemilla-Saxifraga banks U15. 2003. 

A62. NN 1776 7262. Cerastium cerastioides and Sibbaldia procumbens among rocks. 2003. 

A63. NN 1776 7391. Montane Calluna-Vaccinium heath with much Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum 

nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Carex bigelowii, Diphasiastrum alpinum and Racomitrium lanuginosum. 

2003. 


A65. NN 1786 6818. Oceanic liverwort Mastigophora woodsii in rocky birch woodland (W17). 2003. 

A66. NN 1788 7511. Uncommon lichen Cladonia maxima in montane Vaccinium-Rubus heath H22a. 

2003. 

A67. NN 1790 7252. Much Veronica alpina and Sibbaldia procumbens in incised stream gully. 2003. 

A68. NN 1795 7254. Sibbaldia procumbens and Veronica alpina in herb-rich Salix-Racomitrium snowbed 

U12a. 2003. 

A69. NN 1804 7253. Sibbaldia procumbens, Oxyria digyna, Silene acaulis, Thalictrum alpinum, 

Persicaria vivipara and Marsupella alpina in incised stream gully. 2003. 

A70. NN 1805 6821. Flora of birch woodland (W17) near waterfall includes Hymenophyllum wilsonii, 

oceanic liverworts Herbertus aduncus, Pleurozia purpurea, Scapania ornithopodioides, S. gracilis, 

Plagiochila carringtonii and P. spinulosa, and (on birch) lichen Platismatia norvegica. 2003. 

A71. NN 1805 6864. Some aspen and oak on very steep, heathy slope/cliff with scattered trees and 

patches of woodland. 2003. 

A72. NN 1812 7341. Lycopodium annotinum among rocks by stream. 2003. 

A73. NN 1831 7249. Sibbaldia procumbens beside the stream. 2003. 

A74. NN 1831 7272. Cerastium arcticum beside stream in Nardus-Carex snow-bed grassland U7. 2003. 

A75. NN 1839 7253. Athyrium distentifolium in Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-bed U18 among boulders. 

2003. 

A76. NN 1850 7247. Athyrium distentifolium in Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-bed U18 among boulders. 

2003. 

A77. NN 1852 7063. Low cliffs and outcrops of basic rock on the east side of Coire Giubhsachan 

with montane willow scrub W20. Species include Salix lapponum, Saussurea alpina, Geum rivale, 

Thalictrum alpinum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Juncus triglumis, Oxyria digyna, Silene acaulis, Persicaria 

vivipara, Angelica sylvestris, Sedum rosea and Rhinanthus minor. There are also patches of the more 

acid form of W20, with Salix lapponum growing in mats of Racomitrium lanuginosum with 

Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Alchemilla alpina, Solidago virgaurea 

and Succisa pratensis. 2003. 

293



A78. NN 1866 7236. Cerastium cerastoides on flushed eroding granite gravel just on the north side of 

the col 2003. 

A79. NN 1867 7212. Sibbaldia procumbens and the lichen Solorina crocea on the incised banks of a 

stream gully on the col at the head of Coire Giubhsachan. 2003. 

A80. NN 1868 7216. Sibbaldia procumbens in Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-bed U13b. 2003. 

A81. NN 1868 7237. Sibbaldia procumbens in Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14. 


A83. NN 1869 7229. Luzula spicata and Solorina crocea on scree. 2003. 

A84. NN 1872 7225. Col at the head of Coire Giubhsachan. Carex saxatilis mires M12 with Epilobium 

anagallidifolium, Silene acaulis, Thalictrum alpinum and Deschampsia cespitosa var. alpina, and 

Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene swards with S. acaulis, Armeria maritima, Thalictrum alpinum, Trollius 

europaeus, Persicaria vivipara, Carex pulicaris, Selaginella selaginoides, Alchemilla glabra, 

A. alpina, Luzula spicata and Carex bigelowii. Rare moss Kiaeria glaciale in boulders nearby. 2003. 


A86. NN 1875 7231. Sibbaldia procumbens where the ground flattens out onto the col. There is much 

Carex saxatilis mire M12 here, too. 2003. 

A87. NN 1887 7113. Luzula spicata and Juncus trifidus in eroding stream gully. 2003. 

A88. NN 1900 7190. Athyrium distentifolium in fern-dominated snow-beds U18 and Saussurea alpina 

in Carex-Pinguicula mire M10a. 2003. 

A89. NN 1915 7377. Cerastium cerastioides in U13b snow-bed vegetation. 2003. 

A90. NN 1920 7226. Cerastium cerastioides in U10–U13 mossy vegetation. 2003. 

A91. NN 1926 7370. Much Cerastium cerastioides in snow-bed vegetation on upper corrie slopes. 2003. 

A92. NN 1928 7387. Saxifraga rivularis in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33. 2003. 

A93. NN 1930 7401. Sibbaldia procumbens in Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11a. 2003. 

A94. NN 1933 7414. Cerastium cerastioides, Saxifraga rivularis, Sibbaldia procumbens, Veronica alpina 

and Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33. 2003. 

A95. NN 1934 7111. Aonach Beag. Eight plants of Luzula arcuata growing on exposed stony ground. 

2003. 

A96. NN 1936 7182. Cerastium alpinum and Sibbaldia procumbens in herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium 

heath U10c. 2003. 

A97. NN 1937 7179. Herb-rich Racomitrium heath U10c on the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach 

Beag, with species including Silene acaulis, Luzula spicata, Alchemilla alpina, Achillea millefolium, 

Salix herbacea, Persicaria vivipara, Sibbaldia procumbens, Gnaphalium supinum, Saussurea 

alpina, Cerastium alpinum, Thalictrum alpinum and the montane lichens Ochrolechia frigida and 

Solorina crocea. 2003. 

294



A98. NN 1938 7200. A few plants of Luzula arcuata growing in open stony U10 moss heath. 2003. 

A99. NN 1938 7414. Many tens of plants of Saxifraga rivularis in a corner of the cliffs, with Cerastium 

arcticum, Persicaria vivipara and Solorina crocea in wet tall-herb vegetation U17a, Pohlia wahlenbergii 

var. glacialis spring M33 and on wet gravel and ledges. 2003. 

A100. NN 1938 7418. Cerastium cerastioides and Sibbaldia procumbens in Deschampsia-Galium 

grassland U13a and Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14. 2003. 

A101. NN 1941 7180. North-facing cliffs and col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. One of 

the richest parts of the study area for montane calcicoles and snow-bed plants. Species here include 

Saxifraga cernua, S. stellaris, S. oppositifolia, Sibbaldia procumbens, Veronica alpina, Cystopteris 

montana, Cerastium cerastioides, C. arcticum, C. alpinum, Poa alpina, P. glauca, Luzula arcuata, 

L. spicata, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Oxyria digyna, Ranunculus acris, Trollius europaeus, 

Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Gnaphalium supinum, Sedum rosea, 

Persicaria vivipara, Silene acaulis, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, Salix herbacea, Oxalis acetosella, 

Achillea millefolium, Saussurea alpina, Thalictrum alpinum and Carex bigelowii, the bryophytes 

Philonotis seriata, Oedopodium griffithianum, Polytrichum sexangulare, P. alpinum, Kiaeria starkei, 

K. falcata, K. blyttii, K. glaciale, Calliergon sarmentosum, Orthothecium intricatum, Brachythecium 

glaciale, Conostomum tetragonum, Pohlia ludwigii, P. wahlenbergii var. glacialis, Moerckia blyttii, 

Scapania uliginosa, S. ornithopodioides, Gymnomitrion concinnatum, Marsupella adusta, 

M. alpina, M. brevissima, Anthelia julacea, A. juratzkana, Pleurocladula albescens, Diplophyllum 

taxifolium, Nardia compressa and Tritomaria polita, and the lichens Ochrolechia frigida and 

Solorina crocea. 2003. 

A102. NN 1947 7054. S of Aonach Beag. Juniperus communis ssp. nana on steep, rocky slope. 2003. 


A104. NN 1953 7171. Luzula arcuata and Sibbaldia procumbens plentiful on the north-facing, shaly 

slopes and solifluction terraces of Aonach Beag. 2003. 


A106. NN 1957 7208. Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis, Philonotis seriata, Scapania uliginosa and 

Epilobium anagallidifolium in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b. In montane Deschampsia-Galium 

grassland U13a nearby there is Veronica alpina, Cerastium arcticum, C. cerastioides and Phleum 

alpinum. 2003. 

A107. NN 1962 7160. Luzula arcuata in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b. 2003. 

A108. NN 1962 7357. Veronica alpina, Persicaria vivipara, Carex saxatilis, Sibbaldia procumbens and 

Anastrophyllum donnianum are common in Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a and Carex saxatilis 

mire M12 on steep slopes. 2003. 

A109. NN 1966 7294. Athyrium distentifolium on east-facing slope of corrie. 2003. 

A110. NN 1967 7202. Cerastium cerastioides in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b. 2003. 

295



A111. NN 1968 7143. Luzula arcuata in Marsupella brevissima snow-bed U12c. 2003. 

A112. NN 1969 7419. Uncommon lichen Cladonia maxima in Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath H20. 

2003. 

A113. NN 1976 7198. Uncommon montane liverwort Moerckia blyttii in Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed 

U12b. 2004. 

A114. NN 1978 7326. Bazzania tricrenata, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa, 

S. ornithopodioides, Gymnomitrion obtusifolium, Pleurocladula albescens, Solorina crocea, 

Sibbaldia procumbens, Persicaria vivipara, Athyrium distentifolium and Luzula spicata in boulderfields. 

2003. 

A115. NN 1979 7341. Philonotis seriata, Pohlia ludwigii and Scapania uliginosa in Philonotis-Saxifraga 

spring M32b. 2003. 

A116. NN 1980 7287. Cerastium cerastioides, Sibbaldia procumbens, Epilobium anagallidifolium and 

Pohlia ludwigii in incised stream gully. 2004. 

A117. NN 1986 7194. Scapania nimbosa, Saxifraga oppositifolia and Juncus triglumis on cliff ledges. 

2004. 

A118. NN 1986 7244. Rowans Sorbus aucuparia on cliff ledges in An Cùl Choire. 2004. 


A120. NN 1996 7199. Bazzania tricrenata, Mylia taylorii, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Plagiochila 

carringtonii, Diplophyllum taxifolium, Scapania nimbosa, Anastrepta orcadensis, Carex saxatilis, 

Dryopteris oreades and Athyrium distentifolium among boulders at the foot of the North-East ridge 

of Aonach Beag. 2004. 

A121. NN 2002 7261. Calluna-Juniperus communis ssp. nana scrub H15 on cliffs. 2004. 

A122. NN 2004 7381. Phegopteris connectilis and Cryptogramma crispa on north-facing cliffs. There is 

C. crispa, Athyrium distentifolium and Juncus trifidus in U18 fern beds below the cliff. 2003. 

A123. NN 2010 6881. Remains of old pines among peaty ground. 2003. 

A124. NN 2016 7018. Oceanic liverworts Plagiochila carringtonii, Scapania gracilis and S. nimbosa, 

and other western bryophytes Dicranodontium uncinatum, Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata 

and Mylia taylorii in H20c Vaccinium heath on NW slope of Sgurr a’ Bhuic. 2003. 

A125. NN 2020 6971. Montane and perhaps near-natural Juncus squarrosus bog with Sphagna and 

Vaccinium uliginosum. 2003. 

A126. NN 2021 7051. Carex saxatilis in M12 mires on S-facing slope. 2003. 

A127. NN 2022 6881. Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum on large boulder at a relatively low 

altitude for this species. 2003. 

A128. NN 2023 7622. Scattered Salix aurita in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15b and M15c. 2004. 

296



A129. NN 2024 7467. Rowans Sorbus aucuparia on crag at 740m. 2003. 

A130. NN 2036 7270. Montane oceanic liverworts Anastrophyllum donnianum and Scapania ornithopodioides 

among large boulders on south-facing slope. An unusual habitat for these species which normally 

grow on the most sheltered, shaded slopes facing between north-west and east. 2004. 

A131. NN 2040 6875. Carex pauciflora in M17a bog. 2003. 

A132. NN 2040 6994. Small patches of Salix lapponum scrub W20 on basic rock outcrops, with 

Calluna vulgaris, Succisa pratensis, Alchemilla alpina, Angelica sylvestris, Narthecium ossifragum, 

Vaccinium myrtillus, V. vitis-idaea, V. uliginosum, Hieracium spp., Leontodon autumnalis, 

Deschampsia flexuosa, Hypericum pulchrum, Galium saxatile, Luzula sylvatica, Potentilla erecta, 

Breutelia chrysocoma, Pleurozium schreberi, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Sphagnum palustre, 

Racomitrium lanuginosum and Cladonia arbuscula. 2003. 


A134. NN 2042 7552. Juniperus communis ssp. nana in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15c on rocky 

ground. 2004. 

A135. NN 2042 7645. Trientalis europaeus in bracken U20 and Oreopteris limbosperma vegetation 

U19. 2004. 

A136. NN 2044 7543. Loiselurea procumbens in heath. 2004. 


A138. NN 2053 6997. Tall-herb ledge vegetation U17 on steep limestone outcrop with Angelica sylvestris, 

Luzula sylvatica, Sedum rosea, Deschampsia cespitosa, D. flexuosa, Anthoxanthum odoratum, 

Rhinanthus minor, Thymus polytrichus, Salix lapponum, Hieracium ssp., Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, 

Campanula rotundifolia, Ranunculus acris, Hypericum pulchrum, Calluna vulgaris, Saxifraga stellaris, 

S. oppositifolia, Polystichum lonchitis, Cystopteris fragilis, Selaginella selaginoides, Geranium sylvaticum, 

Silene acaulis, Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum, Thalictrum alpinum, Betula pubescens, Lotus 

corniculatus, Pinguicula vulgaris, Persicaria vivipara, Antennaria dioica, Homalothecium sericeum, 

Tortella tortuosa, Breutelia chrysocoma and Ctendium molluscum. There are young plants of 

Salix lapponum on bare ground at the foot of the cliff – so the mature plants on the ledges must set 

seed. 2003. 

A139. NN 2059 7172. Oceanic liverworts Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa and 

Herbertus stramineus among rocks. 2004. 

A140. NN 2065 7158. Cerastium alpinum in Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation U17b. 2004. 

A141. NN 2067 7093. Salix lapponum (and Salix scrub W20) is extensive on this steep crag. 2004. 

A142. NN 2068 7164. Cerastium alpinum and C. arcticum in Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene dwarf-herb 

vegetation CG12. 2004. 

A143. NN 2073 6865. Carex pauciflora in M17a bog. 2003. 

297



A144. NN 2075 7426. Sibbaldia procumbens in Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a and Nardus- 

Carex snow-bed U7b in gully. 2004. 

A145. NN 2077 7460. Much Loiselurea procumbens in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b and Calluna- 

Racomitrium heath H14. 2004. 

A146. NN 2077 7529. Loiselurea procumbens scattered in heaths. 2004. 

A147. NN 2090 7086. Salix lapponum scattered on cliffs. 2004. 

A148. NN 2090 7510. Juncus trifidus, Loiselurea procumbens, Luzula spicata and Vaccinium uliginosum 

in heaths. 2004. 

A149. NN 2090 7527. Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum and Carex bigelowii 

in heaths. 2004. 

A150. NN 2091 7532. Juncus trifidus, Loiselurea procumbens and Vaccinium uliginosum in H14 and 

H19 heaths. 2004. 

A151. NN 2100 7384. Tall-herb ledge vegetation on cliffs in Coire Fhir Dhuibhe with Thalictrum alpinum, 

Alchemilla alpina, Trollius europaeus, Filipendula ulmaria, Crepis paludosa, Carex pulicaris, Thymus 

polytrichus, Sedum rosea, Saxifraga stellaris, Selaginella selaginoides, Ranunculus acris, Luzula 

sylvatica, Geum rivale, Pellia epiphylla, Fissidens adianthoides and Anoectangium aestivum. 2004. 

A152. NN 2125 6913. Sphagnum strictum in wet heath. 2003. 

A153. NN 2126 6899. Sphagnum strictum and S. affine in wet heathy flush. 2003. 

A154. NN 2128 7066. Loiselurea procumbens in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b on the col between 

Sgurr Chòinnich Beag and Sgurr a’ Bhuic. 2003. 

A155. NN 2129 7075. Chamerion angustifolium growing with Salix lapponum on cliffs at the head of 

the corrie. 2004. 

A156. NN 2129 7289. Tall-herb ledge vegetation U17b on streamside rock with Vaccinium myrtillus, 

Luzula sylvatica, Geranium sylvaticum, Oreopteris limbosperma, Dryopteris filix-mas, Alchemilla glabra, 

A. alpina, Viola riviniana, Crepis paludosa, Cardamine pratensis, Ranunculus acris, Valeriana officinalis, 

Hypericum pulchrum, Saxifraga stellaris and Breutelia chrysocoma. 2004. 

A157. NN 2143 7198. Birch Betula pubescens, rowan Sorbus aucuparia and aspen Populus tremula 

on cliffs. 2004. 

A158. NN 2149 7250. Aspens Populus tremula on crags. 2004. 

A159. NN 2160 7166. Salix lapponum on cliffs. There is much Lycopodium annotinum in quartzite scree 

below this cliff. 2004. 

A160. NN 2165 7182. Salix lapponum on streamside rocks. 2004. 

A161. NN 2166 7165. Salix lapponum on cliffs. 2004. 

A162. NN 2167 7164. Salix lapponum in montane willow scrub W20. 2004. 

298



A163. NN 2170 7157. Salix lapponum on cliffs. 2004. 


A165. NN 2182 ,7281. Salix lapponum on streamside rock. 2004. 

A166. NN 2184 7151. Mature and young plants of Salix lapponum on cliffs, together with rowans 

Sorbus aucuparia. 2004. 

A167. NN 2184 7423. Aspens Populus tremula on crags. 2004. 

A168. NN 2186 7279. Carex pauciflora in Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17a. 2004. 

A169. NN 2189 7157. Salix lapponum in montane willow scrub W20. 2004. 

A170. NN 2190 7039. Vaccinium uliginosum plentiful in montane Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c. 2003. 

A171. NN 2191 7552. Cirsium heterophyllum in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15b. 2004. 

A172. NN 2212 6907. Carex pauciflora in bog and wet heath (M17a and M15a). 2003. 

A173. NN 2228 7106. Loiselurea procumbens in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b. 2004. 

A174. NN 2227 7574. Betula pubescens and Myrica gale in Trichophorum-Eriophorum bog M17a. 2004. 

A175. NN 2231 7125. Cochlearia pyrenaica ssp. alpina in grassy Luzula-Geum tall-herb vegetation 

U17c. 2004. 

A176. NN 2235 7089. Epilobium anagallidifolium and Saxifraga oppositifolia in Philonotis-Saxifraga 

spring M32b. 2004. 

A177. NN 2237 7128. Large expanse of Salix lapponum scrub W20 on cliffs, with an understory 

varying from acid mixtures of Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum and Racomitrium lanuginosum 

to herb-rich assemblages of Silene acaulis, Sedum rosea, Oxyria digyna, Geranium sylvaticum, 

Selaginella selaginoides, Rhinanthus minor, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Crepis paludosa, 

Deschampsia cespitosa, Carex pulicaris, Phegopteris connectilis, Epilobium anagallidifolium, 

Ranunculus acris, Valeriana officinalis, Saxifraga hypnoides, Juncus triglumis and the scarce Cerastium 

arcticum. The rock looks like quartzite and is covered with a thick, blackish layer of algae and 

lichens. 2004. 

A178. NN 2241 7371. Juncus triglumis in Carex-Saxifraga mires M11a. 2004. 

A179. NN 2245 7510. Carex capillaris and C. vaginata in wet Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland 

CG10c. 2004. 

A180. NN 2253 7587. Gymnadenia conopsea in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15b. 2004. 

A181. NN 2254 7578. Pinus sylvestris beside the river. 2004. 

A182. NN 2258 7124. Herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath without cushion-forming herbs but with 

much Salix herbacea, Alchemilla alpina, Thymus polytrichus, Euphrasia officinalis agg., Persicaria 

vivipara, Viola palustris, Luzula spicata, Campanula rotundifolia and Hypnum jutlandicum as well 

as Racomitrium lanuginosum. The leaves of Salix herbacea are infected with insect galls. 2004. 

299



A183. NN 2264 7289. Much Salix lapponum on steep rocky banks at the confluence of two streams. 

There are many mature and young plants on low cliffs and on steep broken ground. Associated 

species include Thalictrum alpinum, Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla alpina, A. glabra, Hieracium 

spp., Rhinanthus minor, Geum rivale, Selaginella selaginoides, Persicaria vivipara, Carex dioica, 

Rubus saxatilis, Sedum rosea, Saxifraga aizoides, Oxyria digyna, Saussurea alpina, Geranium 

sylvaticum, Dryopteris filix-mas and Athyrium filix-femina, though many of the willows are actually 

growing in more acid Racomitrium-rich Vaccinium-Deschampsia heath H18b. Juniperus communis 

ssp. nana grows here too. 2004. 

A184. NN 2265 6988. Crepis paludosa in M6b sedge mire. 2004. 

A185. NN 2276 7495. Carex capillaris, C. vaginata and Dryas octopetala in wet Festuca-Agrostis- 

Thymus grassland CG10c. 2004. 

A186. NN 2284 7467. Dryas octopetala and Carex capillaris in Dryas-Silene community CG14. 2004. 

A187. NN 2284 7470. Dryas octopetala in Dryas-Silene community CG14. 2004. 

A188. NN 2284 7598. Very moribund wood with sparse ancient huge birches Betula pubescens and a 

few pines Pinus sylvestris. 2004. 

A189. NN 2285 6976. Birch and rowan along stream. 2004. 

A190. NN 2288 7432. Salix lapponum on rock outcrop. 2004. 

A191. NN 2298 7503. Polystichum lonchitis and Coeloglossum viride on rocky ground in wet Festuca- 

Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c. 2004. 

A192. NN 2301 7504. Carex capillaris in wet Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c. 2004. 

A193. NN 2315 7198. Diplophyllum taxifolium and Scapania nimbosa in snow-beds on the col 2004. 

A194. NN 2319 7489. Arctostaphylos alpinus in Vaccinium-Cladonia heath H19. 2004. 

A195. NN 2346 7460. Dryas octopetala in Dryas-Silene community CG14. 2004. 


A197. NN 2353 7316. Diplophyllum taxifolium, Oedopodium griffithianum, Polytrichum sexangulare, 

Conostomum tetragonum, Kiaeria glaciale, Barbilophozia floerkei, Tritomaria quinquedentata and 

Ptilidium ciliare in gully where snow collects in winter. 2004. 

A198. NN 2354 7223. Salix lapponum growing in Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c and Nardus-Carex 

grassland U7a on the floor of Coire nan Easain. 2004. 

A199. NN 2360 7296. Cerastium cerastioides in Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11a. 2004. 

A200. NN 2365 7300. Cerastium cerastioides in Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis spring M33. 2004. 

A201. NN 2373 7507. Equisetum variegatum in Palustriella-Festuca spring M37. 2004. 

A202. NN 2380 7282. Cerastium cerastioides, Epilobium anagallidifolium and Pohlia wahlenbergii var. 

glacialis in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b in corrie. 2004. 

300



A203. NN 2380 7398. Juniperus communis ssp. nana on rock ledges. 2004. 

A204. NN 2382 7506. Tofieldia pusilla growing in Racomitrium-rich Trichophorum-Erica heath M15c. 2004. 

A205. NN 2392 7355. Salix lapponum with an acid understory on cliffs. There is much Carex saxatilis 

in M12 flushes below the cliffs here. 2004. 

A206. NN 2400 7344. Montane willow scrub W20 with Salix lapponum, Sedum rosea, Trollius europaeus, 

Vaccinium myrtillus, Dryopteris filix-mas, Trichophorum cespitosum, Carex bigelowii, Alchemilla alpina, 

Thalictrum alpinum, Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga oppositifolia, S. stellaris, Oxyria digyna, Deschampsia 

cespitosa, Luzula sylvatica and Racomitrium lanuginosum. 2004. 

A207. NN 2400 7633. Much Gymnadenia conopsea in Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15b. 2004. 

A208. NN 2410 7642. Sphagnum strictum in M15a wet heath. 2004. 

A209. NN 2422 7634. Trollius europaeus, Filipendula ulmaria and Thymus polytrichus in grassy heath 

(U5c–M15). 2004. 

A210. NN 2423 7086. Rowans by stream. 2004. 

A211. NN 2425 7358. Juncus triglumis in montane Carex-Pinguicula mire M10a on flushed slope. 

Carex saxatilis in M12 mires in this general area. 2004. 

A212. NN 2426 7629. Eriophorum latifolium and low-grown Salix aurita in M15a wet heath. 2004. 

A213. NN 2429 7301. Dryopteris oreades in Cryptogramma-Athyrium snow-beds U18. 2004. 

A214. NN 2431 7178. Loiselurea procumbens in U7b Nardus grassland. 2004. 

A215. NN 2435 7595. Base-enriched flushes (M11 and M15a) with species including Carex capillaris, 

Tofieldia pusilla, Eriophorum latifolium, Drosera intermedia, Dactylorhiza incarnata, Trollius europaeus, 

Thalictrum alpinum and Thymus polytrichus. 2004. 

A216. NN 2437 7324. Stone stripes on level corrie floor. 2004. 

A217. NN 2448 7554. Salix lapponum on streamside rocks. 2004. 

A218. NN 2450 7223. Sphagnum fuscum in M19c bog. 2004. 

A219. NN 2472 7553. Birch and rowan near stream. 2004. 

A220. NN 2476 7478. Salix lapponum scattered along stream sides. Big, ungrazed bushes with an acid 

underlayer. There are young bushes too, and a few rowan trees Sorbus aucuparia. 2004. 

A221. NN 2493 7323. Cerastium cerastoides in Philonotis-Saxifraga spring M32b. Also flowering 

Rubus chamaemorus in damp Nardus-Carex grassland U7a. 2004. 

A222. NN 2494 7343. Cerastium cerastioides on mossy rocks in stream. 2004. 

A223. NN 2498 7351. Athyrium distentifolium in Salix-Racomitrium snow-bed U12b in incised stream 

gully. 2004. 

A224. NN 2499 7441. Salix lapponum on streamside rock. 2004. 

301



A225. NN 2514 7143. Scattered birch Betula pubescens trees along side of stream. 2004. 

A226. NN 2539 7612. Arctostaphylos alpinus, Salix herbacea, Juncus trifidus and Loiselurea procumbens 

in Nardus grassland (U7b), Vaccinium heath (H20b) and Racomitrium heath (U10b). 2004. 

A227. NN 2549 7585. Loiselurea procumbens in Nardus grassland (U7). 2004. 

A228. NN 2572 7283. Lichen Thamnolia vermicularis in Nardus grassland (U7b). 2004. 

A229. NN 2575 7400. Athyrium distentifolium and Cerastium cerastoides in Cryptogramma-Athyrium 

snow-bed U18 among boulders. 2004. 

A230. NN 2579 7391. Cerastium cerastioides in Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32b and Rubus chamaemorus 

in damp Nardus-Carex grassland U7a. 2004. 

A231. NN 2580 7371. Athyrium distentifolium in Cryptogramma-Athyrium fern community U18. 2004. 

A232. NN 2581 7387. Oceanic liverworts Bazzania tricrenata, Mylia taylorii, Anastrophyllum donnianum, 

Scapania nimbosa and S. ornithopodioides growing with Barbilophozia floerkei, Scapania uliginosa 

and Lophozia opacifolia among boulders. 2004. 

A233. NN 2587 7366. Cerastium cerastioides in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b on the ridge. 2004. 

A234. NN 2600 7628. Salix lapponum in Juncus squarrosus vegetation (U6a/c). 2004. 

A235. NN 2603 7679. Vaccinium uliginosum, Cornus suecica, Rubus chamaemorus and Trientalis europaea 

in wet heath. 2004. 

A236. NN 2610 7745. Species in herb-rich grassland (U4F) include Persicaria vivipara, Geranium sylvaticum 

and Trollius europaeus. 2004. 

A237. NN 2613 7723. Arctostaphylos alpinus, Salix herbacea, Vaccinium uliginosum and Carex bigelowii 

in heath. 2004. 

A238. NN 2617 7634. Bare landslip with much Salix lapponum, montane Salix scrub W20 and wet 

Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c. 2004. 

A239. NN 2620 7651. Arctostaphylos alpinus in Calluna-Cladonia heath H13. 2004. 

A240. NN 2621 7388. The bright green lichen Rhizocarpon geographicum is common on the summit 

rocks of Stob Coire Claurigh. 2004. 

A241. NN 2622 7407. Cerastium cerastioides in Carex-Racomitrium heath U10b on ridge. 2004. 


A243. NN 2628 7750. Carex pauciflora, C. dioica and Sphagnum contortum in wet heath (M17a) and 

bog (M17a). 2004. 

A244. NN 2634 7406. Scapania nimbosa, S. ornithopodioides, Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata, 

Mylia taylorii, Plagiochila carringtonii and Anastrophyllum donnianum among boulders. Philonotis 

seriata, Scapania uliginosa and Epilobium anagallidifolium in Philonotis-Saxifraga springs M32b. 

2004. 

302



A245. NN 2635 7400. Cerastium cerastioides and Sibbaldia procumbens in mixed snow-bed UX. 2004. 

A246. NN 2637 7403. Cerastium cerastioides in snow-bed vegetation. 2004. 

A247. NN 2641 7469. Bryophytes Kiaeria glaciale, Mylia taylorii, Bazzania tricrenata, Diplophyllum 

taxifolium, Scapania uliginosa and the oceanic montane Anastrophyllum donnianum among 

boulders. Athyrium distentifolium and Dryopteris oreades in Cryptogramma-Athyrium fern community 

U18. 2004. 

A248. NN 2645 7295. Loiselurea procumbens in Nardus grassland (U7). 2004. 

A249. NN 2647 7422. Cerastium cerastioides, Diplophyllum taxifolium and Moerckia blyttii among rocks 

in a snow-bed hollow. 2004. 

A250. NN 2650 7505. Athyrium distentifolium in scree. 2004. 

A251. NN 2666 7417. Salix lapponum on cliff ledges. 2004. 

A252. NN 2672 7675. Carex capillaris in wet Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10c. 2004. 

A253. NN 2673 7422. Athyrium distentifolium in Cryptogramma-Athyrium fern community U18. 2004. 

A254. NN 2677 7552. Very montane Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c with much Empetrum nigrum ssp. 

hermaphroditum and Vaccinium uliginosum as well as Calluna vulgaris, Vaccinium myrtillus and 

V. vitis-idaea. There is also much Rubus chamaemorus and Cornus suecica. The sward is short and 

open with the dark red underlayer of Sphagnum capillifolium showing through. 2004. 


A256. NN 2702 7575. Listera cordata in Calluna-Eriophorum bog M19c beside the Allt Coire na Ceannain. 

2004. 

A257. NN 2734 7446. Many sheep tracks and droppings. All grasses and sedges grazed and tufts of 

Racomitrium pulled out of grassy Carex-Racomitrium heath U10a. 2004. 

A258. NN 2749 7504. Young Salix lapponum in Carex-Saxifraga mire M11a and Carex saxatilis mire 

M12 below cliffs. 2004. 

A259. NN 2752 7449. Anastrepta orcadensis, Bazzania tricrenata, Mylia taylorii and Plagiochila carringtonii 

among rocks. 2004. 

A260. NN 2755 7330. Carex pauciflora in wet heath (M15a). Sphagnum fuscum in bog (M19c). 2004. 

A261. NN 2757 7393. Juniperus communis ssp. nana on broken cliffs. 2004. 

A262. NN 2757 7497. Interesting mixture of Salix lapponum and S. cinerea on cliffs. Rubus saxatilis 

grows here too. These species grow in mixed tall scrub in Norway and this may be a remnant of 

the natural transition from sub-montane to montane scrub. 2004. 

A263. NN 2759 7386. Salix lapponum and possible S. myrsinites on schisty rock with much Sedum 

rosea, Alchemilla alpina, Salix herbacea, Calluna vulgaris, Thalictrum alpinum, Thymus polytrichus, 

Saxifraga stellaris and Racomitrium lanuginosum. 2004. 

A264. NN 2770 7328. Salix lapponum and Juniperus communis in H21a heath by rocky stream. 2004. 

303



A265. NN 2783 7333. Ravine with woodland (W17), birch, rowan, Salix aurita and rich flora rather 

similar to that about 300m downstream around NN 2809 7346 (see Target Note A266 below). 

2004. 

A266. NN 2809 7346. Flora of ravine includes Betula pubescens, Sorbus aucuparia, Salix aurita, 

Alchemilla alpina, Oxyria digyna, Geum rivale, Oreopteris limbosperma, Geranium sylvaticum, 

Angelica sylvestris, Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga aizoides, Crepis paludosa, Rubus saxatilis, 

Valeriana officinalis, Gymncarpium dryopteris, Phegopteris connectilis, Filipendula ulmaria, 

Conopodium majus, Sedum rosea and liverworts Scapania gracilis, Bazzania tricrenata and 

Mylia taylorii. 2004. 

304


Appendix 3B Summary table of Site Condition Monitoring data for vascular 

plants in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC, recorded by Gordon Rothero in 

July-September 2002 

These data are copied from the vascular plant Site Condition Monitoring survey report by Rothero (2002). The site code numbers in 

the left hand column are added by us for the purpose of cross-referencing the tables and maps. The prefix ‘R’ distinguishes them from 

the other Target Notes in this report. 

* No. of plants, patches, flowering stems etc (depending on species). Population forms by Rothero (2002) (held by Scottish Natural 

Heritage) give an explanation of the units used for each species. 

Code Grid ref Alt. Stand Flowers Seed- Vegetative Damage 

no. (NN) Species (m) size * ? heads? regen? ? 

R1 1570 7225 Sibbaldia procumbens 1100 5 y N 

R2 1574 7231 Cerastium cerastoides 1100 22 y y n N 

R2 1574 7231 Saxifraga rivularis 1100 17 y y N 


R3 1584 7171 Cerastium arcticum 1180 50 y y n N 


R3 1584 7171 Poa alpina 1180 100 y y N 

R3 1584 7171 Saxifraga cernua 1180 73 y N 

R3 1584 7171 Saxifraga cespitosa 1180 39 y y y N 

R3 1584 7171 Saxifraga rivularis 1180 112 y y y Y 


R3 1584 7171 Veronica alpina 1180 250 y y N 

R4 1592 7145 Saxifraga rivularis 1200 ?? N 

R5 1610 7180 Athyrium distentifolium 1000 75 N 

R5 1610 7180 Carex lachenalii 1000 51 y y y N 


R5 1610 7180 Sibbaldia procumbens 900 100 N 













R12 1642 7231 Carex saxatilis 760 160 y y y N 





R16 1689 7174 Poa flexuosa 840 16 y y N 










305


Appendix 3B – Site Condition Monitoring data (continued) 

Recorded by Gordon Rothero in July-September 2002 (Rothero 2002) 

* Stand size – see population forms for explanation of units used here 



R23 1763 7252 Phleum alpinum 1100 4 y Y 


R23 1763 7252 Saxifraga rivularis 1100 65 y y y N 










R28 1776 6938 Saxifraga nivalis 620 10 y N 


R30 1779 6974 Poa glauca 620 50 y y y N 






R34 1802 7324 Lycopodium annotinum 740 12 y N 









R38 1930 7400 Sibbaldia procumbens 1000 250 y y N 



















306







R44 1937 7179 Saxifraga cernua 1090 343 y N 







R47 1942 7173 Luzula arcuata 1150 10000 y y N 


R48 1944 7179 Cystopteris montana 1070 48 N 













R54 1982 7192 Cerastium alpinum 850 5 y y n N 






R55 1991 7206 Juncus biglumis 830 7 y N 



R55 1991 7206 Saxifraga cernua 830 4 N 










R59 2001 7113 Cystopteris montana 1050 40 N 







307



















R67 2064 7121 Carex vaginata 750 20 y y y N 

R68 2066 7113 Carex x grahamii 800 200 y y N 






R69 2067 7084 Saxifraga nivalis 950 14 y y N 






R70 2067 7113 Salix lapponum 800 50 y y N 






R73 2070 7087 Sagina x normaniana 950 100 y y N 


R74 2070 7095 Sagina x normaniana 900 24 y y N 

R75 2070 7098 Carex atrata 850 20 y y y N 














308














R88 2231 7122 Juncus castaneus 850 7 y y N 


R89 2237 7173 Salix lapponum 850 46 N 

R90 2323 7458 Arctostaphylos alpinus 820 100 y N 

R91 2323 7485 Dryas octopetala 840 5 n n y N 


R93 2337 7471 Dryas octopetala 780 10 y y y N 




R97 2344 7481 Arctostaphylos alpinus 730 30 y N 






R102 2361 7404 Dryas octopetala 760 10 n n y Y 

R103 2368 7537 Equisetum variegetum 550 50 y N 


R105 2375 7511 Dryas octopetala 580 15 y y y Y 





R109 2384 7544 Equisetum variegetum 510 50 y N 









R116 2427 7279 Saxifraga cespitosa 1000 2 y y y N 








309


Appendix 3C Extra records of species of interest from earlier botanical surveys 

in Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC (before the surveys by Ben and Alison Averis 

in 2003–2004 and Gordon Rothero in 2002) 

These are records made by various people before 2002, and which are not duplicated by the findings by ourselves in 2003–2004 

or by Gordon Rothero in his Site Condition Monitoring vascular plant survey in 2002. They have the prefix ‘E’ (= ‘Extra’) to distinguish 

them from the other Target Notes here in Appendix 3. 

E1. NN 1580 7149. Rare liverwort Gymnomitrion apiculatum found on gravelly ground here, by 

J.B. Duncan and H.H. Knight in 1908, and by Gordon Rothero in 1990. 

E2. NN 1584 7171. Rare vascular species recorded by Rothero (2002), but also: c.200 plants of 

Poa x jemtlandica recorded by D.M. Parker on 10 October 1978 (growing with P. alpina); 

bryophytes recorded by P. Harrold on 10 July 1977 and D.M. Parker, H.A. McAllister and 

C. Ingram on 19 October 1978 include Brachythecium glaciale, Pseuoleskeela patens, 

Hymenostylium recurvirostrum, Andreaea nivalis and Plagiopus oederianus. 

E3. NN 1657 7200. Bryophytes recorded in this area by the British Bryological Society in 1986 

include Anastrophyllum donnianum, Anastrepta orcadensis, Scapania nimbosa, S. ornithopodioides, 

Barbilophozia lycopodioides, Marsupella alpina and Haplomitrium hookeri. 

E4. NN 1688 7190. 200–300 flowering plants of Poa flexuosa recorded in screes here by 

H.A. McAllister on 7 August 1974. 

E5. NN 1689 7174. Bryophytes recorded by the British Bryological Society in 1986 in screes and 

snow-beds around here include Andreaea nivalis, Arctoa fulvella, Ditrichum zonatum, Oedipodium 

griffithianum, Pohlia ludwigii, P. wahlenbergii glacialis, Polytrichum sexangulare, Tetraplodon 

mnioides, Lophozia opacifolia, Marsupella adusta, M. sprucei and Pleurocladula albescens. 

E6. NN 1746 7158. Luzula arcuata recorded by Lamb (1987) in screes. 

E7. NN 1767 6920. Bryophytes of interest recorded by Gordon Rothero in his bryophyte survey 

on the western side of Meall Cumhann in July 1987: mosses Antitrichia curtipendula, 

Bryoerythrophyllum ferruginascens, Bartramia hallerana, Dicranoweisia crispula, Dryptodon patens, 

Encalypta ciliata, Grimmia torquata, Hypnum callichroum, Isopterygiopsis pulchella, Kiaeria blyttii, 

Mnium marginatum, Molendoa warburgii, Neckera crispa, Pohlia elongata, Pterigynandrum filiforme, 

Racomitrium ellipticum, Schistidium strictum and Ulota hutchinsiae, and liverworts Anastrepta 

orcadensis, Apometzgeria pubescens, Calypogeia trichomanis, Gymnomitrion crenulatum, Herbertus 

aduncus, H. stramineus, Nardia compressa, N. geoscyphus, Radula aquilegia, Scapania aequiloba 

and S. aspera. JMT12 

E8. NN 1940 7189. 24 plants of Saxifraga cernua recorded by P. Harrold on 11 July 1977. Other species 

seen on this occasion include S. oppositifolia, Poa alpina, Silene acaulis and Cerastium arcticum. 

E9. NN 1941 7180. Several species of interest recorded in this area by us in 2003–2004, and by 

Rothero in 2002 (see Appendices 3A and 3B), but some older records (1970s-1980s) not refound 

in these recent surveys: Carex lachenalii and Saxifraga nivalis. 

E10. NN 1959 7310. Carex lachenalii, Cerastium arcticum, Poa alpina and Veronica alpina recorded 

here by Gordon Rothero in 1989. 

310


Appendix 3C (continued) 

E11. NN 1969 7184. Saxifraga cernua (3 plants), S. oppositifolia, Cerastium arcticum and Cochlearia 

micacea recorded here by D.M. Parker and H.A. McAllister on 6 August 1979; S. rivularis and 

Poa x jemtlandica recorded by H. McAllister in 1978, Festuca rubra ssp. arctica and Scapania 

paludosa recorded by H. McAllister in1969 and bryophytes Andreaea nivalis, Ditrichum zonatum, 

Bryum dixonii, Amphidium lapponicum, Brachythecium glaciale, Hylocomnium pyrenaicum, 

Orthothecium rufescens, Polytrichum sexangulare, Philonotis tomentella, Harpanthus flotovianus, 

Marsupella alpina, M. boeckii, Pleurocladula albescens and Plagiochila carringtonii recorded by 

British Bryological Society in 1986. 

E12. NN 1970 7149. Flora of summit of Aonach Beag includes bryophytes Ditrichum zonatum and 

Nardia breidleri, found by the British Bryological Society in 1986. 

E13. NN 1990 7145. Carex lachenalii recorded by Donald McVean in 1957 in a quadrat in 

vegetation classed as ‘dwarf herb nodum’ (McVean & Ratcliffe (1962). 

E14. NN 2000 7200. Bryophytes recorded here by the British Bryological Society in 1996 include 

Meesia uliginosa, Paraleptodontium recurvifolium, Isopterygiopsis muelleriana, Bryoerythrophyllum 

caledonicum, Anastrophyllum donnianum, Scapania nimbosa, S. ornithopodioides, S. calcicola, 

Odontoschisma macounii and Tritomaria polita. 

E15. NN 2070 7100. Approximate location where Dryas octopetala was recorded in tall herb 

vegetation by Lamb (1987). 

E16. NN 2070 7358. Carex saxatilis recorded here by David Horsfield in 1984. 

E17. NN 2370 7370. Plant species recorded in this general area on the eastern side of Beinn na Socaich 

include Polystichum lonchitis, Thalictrum alpinum, Silene acaulis, Persicaria vivipara, Saussurea alpina, 

Saxifraga oppositifolia, Carex saxatilis, Juncus triglumis, Epilobium anagallidifolium (found by 

David Horsfield in 1984) and the bryophytes Amphidium lapponicum, Aulacomnium turgidum, 

Bryum riparium, Campylopus gracilis, Rhizomnium magnifolium, Barbilophozia lycopodioides, 

Diplophyllum taxifolium, Jungermannia borealis and Plagiochila carringtonii (found by the British 

Bryological Society in 1986). 

E18. NN 2380 7282. Bryophytes recorded here by British Bryological Society in 1986 include 

Dicranoweisia crispula, Anthelia juratzkana and good colonies of Moerckia blyttii. 

E19. NN 2380 7300. 5 plants of Saxifraga cespitosa recorded here (just E of a Philonotis flush W of 

a stream) by J. Bevan and J.M. Mullin on 27 June 1977. Cerastium cerastioides, C. alpinum, 

Epilobium alsinifolium, Silene acaulis and Thalictrum alpinum recorded nearby on that same 

occasion. 

311


Appendix 3D Summary table of locations where Nationally Rare and Nationally 

Scarce vascular plant species have been recorded in Ben Nevis 

SSSI/SAC 

This table contains information about Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular plant species. It is 

copied from Appendices 3A (Target Notes from survey by Ben and Alison Averis in 2003–2004; prefix ‘A’) 

and 3B (Site Condition Monitoring survey by Gordon Rothero in 2002; prefix ‘R’), and re-ordered by 

species instead of location. 

The Code No. column (second from left) gives the code number of the Target Note, to allow easy reference 

to the appropriate Target Note in Appendix 3A, 3B or 3C. 

* Stand size/no. of plants column: 

For Rothero’s (2002) data, units vary between species, from numbers of flowering stems to 

numbers of plants or patches. These units are explained in his individual population forms 

which are held by Scottish Natural Heritage. 

Entries for our records are written in italics to distinguish them from those of Rothero (2002) 

and others. In most cases our main task of mapping vegetation did not leave us enough time 

to attempt to make an accurate count of numbers of plants, so where we have recorded 

something it is often a general indication such as few or many. 

312


Appendix 3D – Ben Nevis: target notes for Nationally Rare and Nationally Scarce vascular plants 

Stand 

size*/ Vegeta- Year 

Code Grid ref Alt. no. of Flowers Seed- tive Damage of 

Species no. (NN) (m) plants ? heads? regen? ? survey 

Arctostaphylos alpinus A041 1706 7444 717 few y n 2003 





Arctostaphylos alpinus R090 2323 7458 820 100 y n 2002 

Arctostaphylos alpinus R097 2344 7481 730 30 y n 2002 

Athyrium distentifolium A024 1612 7176 960 n 2003 














Athyrium distentifolium R005 1610 7180 1000 75 n 2002 


















Carex atrata R075 2070 7098 850 20 y y y n 2002 

Carex capillaris A179 2245 7510 440


Appendix 3D – Ben Nevis: target notes (continued) 

Stand 




Carex capillaris A252 2672 7675 450



Stand 




Carex vaginata R096 2340 7480 800 80 y y y n 2002 

Carex x grahamii R068 2066 7113 800 200 y y n 2002 



Cerastium alpinum A059 1771 6991 560



Stand 




Cerastium arcticum R114 2424 7277 1000 200 y y n n 2002 

Cerastium cerastioides A011 1558 7141 1155 many y y n n 2003 

















Cerastium cerastioides E19 2380 7300 890 1977 


Cerastium cerastoides A078 1866 7236 820 many y y n n 2003 











Cerastium cerastoides R002 1574 7231 1100 22 y y n n 2002 
















316



Stand 







Cochlearia micacea E11 1969 7184 970 1979 

Cochlearia pyrenaica A012 1562 7065 1010



Stand 




Pinus sylvestris A010 1535 6880 220 widespr. y y n 2003 



Pinus sylvestris A181 2254 7578 370 few y y n 2004 

Pinus sylvestris A188 2284 7598 285 few y y n 2004 

Poa alpina A101 1941 7180 1080 many y y n 2003 

Poa alpina E08 1940 7189 1080 1977 

Poa alpina E10 1959 7310 1075 1989 

Poa alpina R003 1584 7171 1180 100 y y n 2002 

















Poa flexuosa E04 1688 7190 790 c.250 1974 

Poa flexuosa R016 1689 7174 840 16 y y n 2002 

Poa glauca A055 1763 6961 500 many y y y n 2003 





Poa glauca R030 1779 6974 620 50 y y y n 2002 






Poa x jemtlandica E02 1584 7171 1180 c.200 1978 

Poa x jemtlandica E11 1969 7184 970 1978 

Sagina x normaniana R073 2070 7087 950 100 y y n 2002 

Sagina x normaniana R074 2070 7095 900 24 y y n 2002 

Salix lapponum A059 1771 6991 560 2003 




Salix lapponum A141 2067 7093 930 many 2004 

318



Stand 




Salix lapponum A147 2090 7086 670 scattered 2004 



















Salix lapponum A234 2600 7628 780 y 2004 






Salix lapponum A264 2770 7328 540 y 2004 

Salix lapponum R070 2067 7113 800 50 y y n 2002 







Salix lapponum R089 2237 7173 850 46 n 2002 




Salix myrsinites? A263 2759 7386 740 1 bush n 2004 

Saxifraga cernua A101 1941 7180 1080 many y n 2003 

Saxifraga cernua E08 1940 7189 1080 24 1977 

Saxifraga cernua E11 1969 7184 970 3 1979 

Saxifraga cernua R003 1584 7171 1180 73 y n 2002 

Saxifraga cernua R044 1937 7179 1090 343 y n 2002 

Saxifraga cernua R055 1991 7206 830 4 n 2002 

Saxifraga cespitosa E19 2380 7300 890 5 1977 

Saxifraga cespitosa R003 1584 7171 1180 39 y y y n 2002 

Saxifraga cespitosa R116 2427 7279 1000 2 y y y n 2002 

319



Stand 




Saxifraga nivalis E09 1941 7180 1080 1970–80s 

Saxifraga nivalis R028 1776 6938 620 10 y n 2002 

Saxifraga nivalis R069 2067 7084 950 14 y y n 2002 




Saxifraga rivularis A092 1928 7387 1050 few 2003 

Saxifraga rivularis A094 1933 7414 1100 few 2003 

Saxifraga rivularis A099 1938 7414 1075 many 2003 

Saxifraga rivularis E11 1969 7184 970 1978 

Saxifraga rivularis R002 1574 7231 1100 17 y y n 2002 

Saxifraga rivularis R003 1584 7171 1180 112 y y y y 2002 

Saxifraga rivularis R004 1592 7145 1200 ?? n 2002 


Saxifraga rivularis R023 1763 7252 1100 65 y y y n 2002 













Sibbaldia procumbens A012 1562 7065 1010 many n 2003 







Sibbaldia procumbens A030 1643 7575 300 3 y n 2003 













320



Stand 


















Sibbaldia procumbens R001 1570 7225 1100 5 y n 2002 



Sibbaldia procumbens R005 1610 7180 900 100 n 2002 









Sibbaldia procumbens R038 1930 7400 1000 250 y y n 2002 











Tofieldia pusilla A059 1771 6991 560 several n 2003 



Veronica alpina A011 1558 7141 1155 y n 2003 


Veronica alpina A067 1790 7252 985 many y n 2003 





321



Stand 




Veronica alpina A108 1962 7357 1020 many y n 2003 

Veronica alpina E10 1959 7310 1075 1989 

Veronica alpina R003 1584 7171 1180 250 y y n 2002 

































322


Appendix 4 Photographs 

These photographs show most of the main types of vegetation which occur in the Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC. 

They are ordered more or less from west to east. They were taken by Alison and Ben Averis in 2003 and 

2004 with a Nikon Coolpix 990 digital camera. 

323


Photograph 1 NN 127 723. View looking SE in lower Glen Nevis, showing wet heath (M15), grassland 

(U4), bracken (U20) and patches of birch woodland (W11). July 2003. 

Photograph 2 NN 168 722. The view west into Coire na Ciste, on the north-east face of Ben Nevis, 

from Coire Leis. This shows the tremendous, barely vegetated cliffs and the rocky, scree-clad 

slopes and snow-bed vegetation below the crags. No snow at all on these cliffs where it 

normally lingers – 16 August 2003. 

325


Photograph 3 NN 169 721. The stunning colours of a Philonotis-saxifraga spring M32b set in a matrix of 

Typical Carex-Racomitrium heath U10 and damp Nardus-Carex snow-bed U7a. The species 

include Philonotis fontana, Calliergonella cuspidata, Sphagnum fallax, Scapania undulata, 

Deschampsia cespitosa and Saxifraga stellaris. August 2003. 

Photograph 4 NN 169 719. Coire Leis. Luzula-Silene sub-community U12a of the Carex-Racomitrium 

snow-bed, with Silene acaulis, Deschampsia cespitosa, Alchemilla alpina, Salix herbacea, 

Juncus trifidus, Gnaphalium supinum, Sibbaldia procumbens, Huperzia selago, Carex 

bigelowii, Racomitrium fasciculare, Anthelia juratzkana, Oligotrichum hercynicum and 

Polytrichum sexangulare. August 2003. 

326


Photograph 5 NN 171 719. Coire Leis. Anthelia-Sphagnum snow-bed M31 among snow-bed vegetation. 

Greyish masses of Anthelia julacea with Racomitrium ericoides, Sphagnum denticulatum, 

Polytrichum sexangulare, Scapania undulata, Marsupella brevissima, M. alpina, Salix herbacea 

and Deschampsia cespitosa. August 2003. 

Photograph 6 NN 172 718. Looking south to the head of Coire Leis and the Carn Mór Dearg arête. 

The vegetation in the foreground is Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. The scenery throughout 

the Grey Corries is also very much like this. August 2003. 

327


Photograph 7 NN 174 717. Coire Leis. Rhytidiadelphus loreus snow-bed U13b; the typical vegetation 

of upper slopes and corrie sides. Deschampsia cespitosa grows sparsely in a turf of 

Rhytidiadelphus loreus. August 2003. 

Photograph 8 NN 174 717. Coire Leis. A patch of Nardus-Carex snow-bed U7b within Carex-Racomitrium 

heath U10b. August 2003. 

328


Photograph 9 NN 187 744. Pale mint-green massed shoots of Pohlia wahlenbergii var. glacialis 

in P. w. glacialis spring M33 at about 1000m in Coire an t-Sneachda, Aonach Mór. 

August 2003. 

Photograph 10 NN 193 740. View looking south in Coire an Lochain on the upper eastern slopes of 

Aonach Mór, showing snow patches among mosaics of various types of bryophte-dominated 

snow-bed vegetation and (greener areas on smooth slopes below cliffs and in foreground) 

U13 Deschampsia cespitosa grassland. 

329


Photograph 11 NN 195 735. Herb-rich Carex-Racomitrium heath U10c on the plateau of Aonach Mór, 

with much Silene acaulis, Salix herbacea and Carex bigelowii among the Racomitrium 

lanuginosum. August 2003. 

Photograph 12 NN 193 734. Carex-Polytrichum sedge heath U8 on the plateau of Aonach Mór, showing 

the dense, species-poor sward of Carex bigelowii, Festuca vivipara, Deschampsia flexuosa, 

Dicranum fuscescens and Racomitrium ericoides. August 2003. 

330


Photograph 13 NN 195 733. Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed on the eastern upper slopes of Aonach Mór. 

Polytrichum sexangulare, Conostomum tetragonum and Kiaeria species grow in the green 

turf of Pohlia ludwigii. August 2003. 

Photograph 14 NN 195 733. Damage to snow-bed vegetation. Sheep coming up onto the plateau of 

Aonach Mór from Coire an Lochain have created a multiplicity of eroded tracks through 

Kiaeria-Polytrichum snow-bed U11a and Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed. August 2003. 

331


Photograph 15 NN 193 713. The view north along the plateau of Aonach Mór, showing well this 

unusually narrow and level piece of montane plateau clothed with Carex-Racomitrium 

heath U10. August 2003. 

Photograph 16 NN 194 731. Species-poor example of Typical Carex bigelowii-Racomitrium lanuginosum 

heath U10b, with nothing apart from these two species, on the windswept western side of 

the plateau of Aonach Mór. August 2003. 

332


Photograph 17 NN 193 729. View looking NW across U8 Carex-Polytrichum snow-bed (in foreground) 

and Racomitrium ericoides heath (just above and above-right of centre) to cairn at the 

summit of Aonach Mór. July 2004. 

Photograph 18 NN 194 728. View looking SSE from eastern edge of summit ridge of Aonach Mór, to very 

steep, rocky eastern slopes of Aonach Beag. Summit of Aonach Beag in distance at upper 

right. Vegetation on upper eastern slopes of Aonach Mór (lower-right half of photo) mainly 

U11a, U12b, Pohlia ludwigii and Racomitrium heterostichum bryophyte-dominated snow-beds, 

grading downslope into mosaics of Nardus and Deschampsia cespitosa grasslands (U7 and 

U13), Vaccinium heath (H20) and herb-rich Festuca-Agrostis grassland (CG11). July 2004. 

333


Photograph 19 NN 193 725. Looking WSW across Carex-Racomitrium heath (U10b) on summit plateau 

of Aonach Mór. Ben Nevis in the distance, with its summit in cloud. July 2004. 

Photograph 20 NN 194 724. Close view of U12b bryophyte-dominated snow-bed vegetation on eastern 

side of Aonach Mór, with greyish patches of small liverworts dotted with yellow-green 

cushions of the moss Conostomum tetragonum. July 2004. 

334


Photograph 21 NN 192 723. View looking N from W side of ridge of Aonach Mór, showing summit 

plateau at upper right, and steep, rocky western slopes of this hill, with extensive H20 

Vaccinium-Racomitrium heath. July 2004. 

Photograph 22 NN 192 723. View looking NW from W side of ridge of Aonach Mór, looking down into 

the glen of the Allt Daim. Vaccinium and Racomitrium heaths on upper western slopes of 

Aonach Mór in foreground. Wet heath, bog and grassland in the bottom of the Allt Daim 

glen. Wet heath, dry heaths and Nardus grasslands on NE slopes of Carn Beag Dearg in 

upper left half of photo. July 2004. 

335


Photograph 23 NN 193 721. View looking north on upper ridge of Aonach Mór, showing stony 

Carex-Racomitrium moss heath U10, Nardus snow-bed grassland U7 and orange-tinged 

patches of Juncus trifidus heath U9b. 

Photograph 24 NN 194 719. Alchemilla-Sibbaldia snow-bed U14 with Alchemilla alpina, Sibbaldia 

procumbens, Gnaphalium supinum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Juncus trifidus, Festuca vivipara, 

Carex bigelowii, Silene acaulis, Racomitrium ericoides, R. lanuginosum, Conostomum 

tetragonum and Oligotrichum hercynicum on the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach 

Beag. August 2003. 

336


Photograph 25 NN 195 718. Close view of U11a moss-dominated Kiaeria-Polytrichum snow-bed 

vegetation on ENE-facing slope just downslope from eastern side of col between 

Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. July 2004. 

Photograph 26 NN 195 718. View looking east, downslope from the col between Aonach Mór and 

Aonach Beag, showing large snow-patch among screes. North-east cliffs of Aonach Beag 

at right. Grey Corries in distance. July 2004. 

337


Photograph 27 NN 195 718. The rare Saxifraga cernua in Pohlia ludwigii snow-bed on the rocks to the 

east of the col between Aonach Mór and Aonach Beag. August 2003. 

Photograph 28 NN 196 718. Mixture of Polytrichum-Kiaeria snow-bed U11a and Pohlia ludwigii snowbed 

at about 1000m on the upper slopes of the corrie between Aonach Mór and Aonach 

Beag. The vegetation covers steep rock outcrops as well as gravelly ground and marks out 

the location of the latest-lying snow. August 2003. 

338


Photograph 29 NN 195 717. The north-facing upper slope of Aonach Beag, showing the habitat of 

Luzula arcuata on eroding, shaly solifluction terraces with Kiaeria-Polytrichum snow-beds U11a, 

Salix-Racomitrium snow-beds U12b and Carex-Racomitrium heath U10. In the background 

is the ridge of Carn Mór Dearg. August 2003. 

Photograph 30 NN 196 716. The view east from the summit of Aonach Beag, showing the ridge of the 

Grey Corries. August 2003. 

339


Photograph 31 NN 196 715. The summit of Aonach Beag. The ground between the stones is clothed with 

the Marsupella brevissima snow-bed U12c, with green patches of Carex-Polytrichum heath 

U8 beyond. August 2003. 

Photograph 32 NN 162 683. Bright orange patches of oceanic liverworts Herbertus aduncus and 

Pleurozia purpurea in birch woodland (W4 and W17) on steep, rocky N-facing slope 

on S side of Glen Nevis. July 2003. 

340


Photograph 33 NN 162 685. View looking NW to S-facing slopes on N side of Glen Nevis, with mosaics 

of woodland, wet heath and rock. July 2003. 

Photograph 34 NN 163 685. View looking ENE across wet heath (M15), Molinia (M25) and birch/pine 

woodland (W17 and W18) on steep NW-facing slopes, to Meall Cumhann with woodland, 

grassland and cliffs on its steep western slope. July 2003. 

341


Photograph 35 NN 176 698. Festuca-Agrostis-Alchemilla grassland CG11b on Meall Cumhann, with 

Carex pulicaris, C. pallescens, Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, Lotus 

corniculatus, Ranunculus acris, Campanula rotundifolia, Prunella vulgaris, Geum rivale 

and Plantago lanceolata in a sward of Festuca ovina, Agrostis capillaris and Anthoxanthum 

odoratum. July 2004. 

Photograph 36 NN 177 699. Bealach Cumhann. Herb-rich Nardus grassland U5c with Alchemilla glabra, 

Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Taraxacum officinale agg., Ranunculus acris and 

Thalictrum alpinum. July 2004. 

342


Photograph 37 NN 178 699. Tall-herb ledge vegetation U17 on Meall Cumhann with Angelica sylvestris, 

Trollius europaeus, geranium sylvaticum, Saxifraga aizoides, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina, 

Sedum rosea, Deschampsia cespitosa and a Hieracium species. July 2004. 

Photograph 38 NN 178 699. The Festuca-Alchemilla-Silene community CG12 on Meall Cumhann. 

Dense cushions of Silene acaulis with much Thymus polytrichus, Alchemilla alpina, 

Ranunculus acris, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Thalictrum alpinum, Selaginella selaginoides 

and Linum catharticum. July 2004. 

343


Photograph 39 NN 178 701. Bealach Cumhann. Stony Carex-Saxifraga flush M11a with Saxifraga 

aizoides, Pinguicula vulgaris, Tofieldia pusilla, Carex dioica, C. panicea, C. viridula ssp. 

oedocarpa and Blindia acuta. July 2004. 

Photograph 40 NN 179 703. Western side of Coire Giubhsachan. Trichophorum-Erica wet heath M15 

with a mixed sward of Trichophorum cespitosum, Molinia caerulea, Calluna vulgaris and 

Erica tetralix. M15 is one of the most common types of vegetation in the study area. This 

example contains abundant Vaccinium myrtillus and belongs to the Vaccinium sub-community 

M15d. July 2004. 

344


Photograph 41 NN 183 701. Dry Festuca-Agrostis-Thymus grassland CG10a on the river shingle in 

Coire Giubhsachan with much Thymus polytrichus. July 2004. 

Photograph 42 NN 184 704. Eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan. Herb-rich Festuca-Agrostis-Galium grassland 

U4F with Luzula sylvatica, Alchemilla glabra, A. alpina and Thalictrum alpinum in a sward 

of Festuca ovina, Anthoxanthum odoratum and a little Deschampsia flexuosa. July 2004. 

345


Photograph 43 NN 185 703. Eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan. Tall, lightly-grazed, flowering swards of 

Deschampsia-Galium grassland U13a. July 2004. 

Photograph 44 NN 186 704. Eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan. The more herb-rich form of Salix 

lapponum scrub W20, with much Thalictrum alpinum, Persicaria vivipara, Luzula sylvatica, 

Armeria maritima, Geum rivale, Oxyria digyna, Ranunculus acris, Alchemilla alpina, 

Carex pulicaris, Juncus triglumis and Hylocomium splendens. July 2004. 

346


Photograph 45 NN 187 703. Eastern side of Coire Giubhsachan. The less herb-rich form of Salix lapponum 

scrub W20, with a silvery canopy of S. lapponum over a ground layer of Racomitrium 

lanuginosum, Vaccinium myrtillus, V. uliginosum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Oxyria digyna, 

Alchemilla alpina and Racomitrium lanuginosum. July 2004. 

Photograph 46 NN 181 685. View looking south to Steall waterfall, showing bryophyte-rich birch 

woodland (W17) and heath (H21b) on steep, rocky north-facing slopes. July 2003. 

347


Photograph 47 NN 207 686. Eroded bog (M17) with remains of old pine trees in exposed bare peat. 

July 2003. 

Photograph 48 NN 207 686. Bog (M17) in upper Glen Nevis, with wet heath (M15) on slopes beyond. 

Sgurr Choinnich Beag in distance. July 2003. 

348


Photograph 49 NN 207 686. View looking north to Sgurr a’ Bhuic, showing bog (M17) in foreground, 

wet heath (M15) and patches of bracken (U20) on lower slopes, grading upslope into 

mosaics of grassland (U4, U5, U7 and CG11) and Vaccinium heath (H20) on upper slopes. 

July 2003. 

Photograph 50 NN 270 766. Looking north to Ruigh na Gualainn showing blanket bog M17 and wet 

heath M15 on the slopes, and fragments of birch woodland W17 confined to crags. 

July 2004. 

349

Appendix 5 Maps: see Volume 2 

The maps are presented separately in Volume 2 which is an A3-sized loose leaf binder. The series of maps 

contained in Volume 2 is as follows: 

Maps A, B, C and D 

Each of these maps shows the whole of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC at the scale of 1:50,000 

Map A Boundary of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC, showing extent of vegetation survey by Ben and Alison Averis 

in 2003–2004, and a key to the twenty-three A3 sheets (a–w) covered by each of Maps 1–4 

Map B Map of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC, divided according to year of vegetation survey (2003 or 2004) 

by Ben and Alison Averis 

Map C Locations where photographs were taken in vegetation survey of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC by 

Ben and Alison Averis in 2003–2004 

Map D Ownership of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC in 2003–2004 

Maps 1, 2, 3 and 4 


These maps are at the scale of 1:10,000; each map consists of a series of twenty-three A3 sheets (1a–1w, 

2a–2w, 3a–3w and 4a–4w) 

Map 1 Vegetation of Ben Nevis SSSI/SAC, surveyed by Ben and Alison Averis in 2003–2004 using 

the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) 

Map 2 Locations where quadrats and target notes were recorded in vegetation survey of Ben Nevis 

SSSI/SAC by Ben and Alison Averis in 2003–2004 

Map 3 Distribution of EC Annex I habitats (excluding rock and scree habitats) recorded in vegetation 

survey by Ben and Alison Averis in 2003–2004 

Map 4 Distribution of EC Annex I rock and scree habitats recorded in vegetation survey by Ben and 

Alison Averis in 2003–2004 

350

A survey of the vegetation of Ben Nevis - Scottish Natural Heritage

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