Craigs of Succoth
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Calaminarian grassland and serpentine heath | Favourable | — | 2012-01-30 |
| F2 | Subalpine flushes | Favourable | — | 2012-01-30 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Rock Outcrop
Description
CRAIGS OF SUCCOTH The Craigs of Succoth, located between Glass and Huntly, is one of a few sites in north east Scotland where serpentine rocks outcrop at the surface. These rocks contain relatively high concentrations of certain minerals and give rise to rare serpentine habitats: open rocks with an unusual flora and serpentine heath. Other habitats influenced by serpentine minerals include species-rich grassland and flushes. The unusual flora of serpentine is best developed on the open rocks where spring sandwort Minuartia verna and the serpentine form of black spleenwort Asplenium adiantum-nigrum are found. Mosses associated with serpentine are also found, including Grimmia species. The more widespread influence of serpentine is shown by the occurrence of species that thrive on soils rich in these minerals. These include smooth oat grass Avenula pratensis, lady’s bedstraw Galium verum and glaucous sedge Carex flacca, in various habitats widely occurring across the site, and common scurvy-grass Cochlearia officinalis, northern bedstraw Galium boreale, globe flower Trollius europaeus and moonwort Botrychium lunaria. Juniper Juniperus communis is also found.
Species mentioned
Show the 10 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| black spleenwort | Asplenium adiantum-nigrum | LC | fern | aspleniaceae |
| moonwort | Botrychium lunaria | VU | fern | ophioglossaceae |
| meadow oat grass | Avenula pratensis | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| scurvy grass | Cochlearia officinalis | LC | herb | brassicaceae |
| northern bedstraw | Galium boreale | LC | herb | rubiaceae |
| lady's bedstraw | Galium verum | LC | herb | rubiaceae |
| spring sandwort | Minuartia verna | Not listed in GB list | herb | carophyllaceae |
| globe flower | Trollius europaeus | VU | herb | ranunculaceae |
| glaucus sedge | Carex flacca | LC | sedge | cyperaceae |
| juniper | Juniperus communis | CR | shrub | cupressaceae |
Insects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Least minor Photedes captiuncula |
Endangered | Carex flacca |
| Golden plusia Polychrysia moneta |
Endangered | Trollius europaeus |
| Juniper pug Eupithecia pusillata |
Vulnerable | Juniperus communis, Juniperus spp. |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Galium spp. |
| White-line dart Euxoa tritici |
Vulnerable | Galium verum |
| Bedstraw hawk-moth Hyles gallii |
Vulnerable | Galium spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Galium spp. |
| Rosy minor Litoligia literosa |
Near Threatened | Carex flacca |
| Dark-barred twin-spot carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata |
Near Threatened | Galium spp. |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.