Knockinnon Heath

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 58.2640, -3.4140

Also within

Caithness County

Condition (NatureScot)

Unfavourable No Change (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Lowland dry heath Unfavourable No Change 2014-01-10

Description

KNOCKINNON HEATH Knockinnon Heath Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located 2km north of Dunbeath. The site is notified for its species-rich lowland dry heath, which is a rare habitat in the Highlands. This is the largest species-rich dry heath on an SSSI in Caithness and is one of the most northerly lowland dry heaths in Britain. The rocky knolls support dry heathland, dominated by heather Calluna vulgaris, bell heather Erica cinerea, purple moor-grass Molinia caerulea, and tormentil Potentilla erecta. The heath is shrub-rich with creeping willow Salix repens, crowberry Empetrum nigrum and bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. The site is also rich in flowering plants, including fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea, mountain everlasting Antennaria dioica, bird’s-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, slender St John’s-wort Hypericum pulchrum and the nationally scarce intermediate wintergreen Pyrola media. Lichens (mainly Cladonia portentosa) occur throughout the site and are locally abundant.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
purple moor grass Molinia caerulea LC grass poaceae
mountain everlasting Antennaria dioica VU herb asteraceae
fragrant orchid Gymnadenia conopsea NT herb orchidaceae
slender St John's-wort Hypericum pulchrum LC herb hypericaceae
birdsfoot trefoil Lotus corniculatus LC herb fabaceae
tormentil Potentilla erecta LC herb rosaceae
intermediate wintergreens Pyrola media LC herb ericaceae
reindeer moss Cladonia portentosa LC lichen no common name
bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi LC shrub ericaceae
bell heather or ling Calluna vulgaris NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
crowberry Empetrum nigrum LC shrub dwarf empetraceae
bell heather Erica cinerea NT shrub dwarf ericaceae
creeping willow Salix repens NT tree shrub salicaceae

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.

SpeciesStatusVia host-plant
Black-veined moth
Siona lineata
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
New forest
Zygaena viciae
Critically Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Straw belle
Aspitates gilvaria
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Chequered skipper
Carterocephalus palaemon
Endangered Molinia caerulea
Dark bordered beauty
Epione vespertaria
Endangered Salix repens
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Salix spp.
Shoulder-striped clover
Heliothis maritima
Endangered Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
Wood white
Leptidea sinapis
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Salix spp.
Slender scotch
Zygaena loti
Endangered Lotus corniculatus
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Salix spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris
Scarce chocolate-tip
Clostera anachoreta
Vulnerable Salix spp.
Large heath
Coenonympha tullia
Vulnerable Molinia caerulea
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Salix spp.
Dingy skipper
Erynnis tages
Vulnerable Lotus corniculatus
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Calluna vulgaris, Hypericum spp., Salix spp.
True lover's knot
Lycophotia porphyrea
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Salix spp.
Silver studded blue
Plebejus argus
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Lotus corniculatus
Grizzled skipper
Pyrgus malvae
Vulnerable Potentilla erecta
The anomalous
Stilbia anomala
Vulnerable Molinia caerulea
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Salix spp.
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Salix spp.
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Salix spp.
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia
Near Threatened Salix spp.
Rosy marsh moth
Coenophila subrosea
Near Threatened Empetrum nigrum
Dingy mocha
Cyclophora pendularia
Near Threatened Salix repens
Silver barred
Deltote bankiana
Near Threatened Molinia caerulea
Grey scalloped
Dyscia fagaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Salix spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Salix repens
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Salix spp.
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Salix spp.
Weaver's wave
Idaea contiguaria
Near Threatened Calluna vulgaris, Empetrum nigrum
Scotch burnet
Zygaena exulans
Near Threatened Empetrum nigrum

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.

Plant communities

H4 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath, Upland dry heath

Ulex gallii-Agrostis curtisii heath

Matches 6 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Lotus corniculatus, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Salix repens

Salix repens, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Carex montana, Carex panicea, Carex pilulifera, Trichophorum cespitosum, Juncus squarrosus, Luzula multiflora, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Campylopus introflexus, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia subcervicornis, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Lotus corniculatus, Thymus praecox, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Viola lactea, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum

H7 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Scilla verna heath

Matches 6 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Lotus corniculatus, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta, Salix repens

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Erica vagans, Juniperus communis, Ulex europaeus, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex nigra, Carex panicea, Carex pulicaris, Carex serotina, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Selaginella selaginoides, Hypnum cupressiforme, Frullania tamarisci, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia rangiformis, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, Hypochaeris radicata, Leontodon saxatilis, Leucanthemum vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Serratula tinctoria, Jasione montana, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium diffusum, Cerastium fontanum, Silene uniflora, Sedum anglicum, Anthyllis vulneraria, Astragalus danicus, Genista pilosa, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Centaurium erythraea, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Dactylorhiza purpurella, Euphrasia officinalis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Polygala vulgaris, Rumex acetosa, Primula vulgaris, Filipendula vulgaris, Potentilla erecta, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Koeleria macrantha, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Chara curta

H8 — Hard cliff and cliff slope, Lowland dry heath, Upland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex gallii heath

Matches 6 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Hypericum pulchrum, Lotus corniculatus, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Carex binervis, Carex caryophyllea, Carex flacca, Carex pilulifera, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia squamosa, Hypochaeris radicata, Jasione montana, Lotus corniculatus, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Thymus praecox, Scilla verna, Linum catharticum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Polygala serpyllifolia, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Poterium sanguisorba, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola lactea, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis curtisii, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Aira praecox, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Avenula pubescens, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Danthonia decumbens, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Molinia caerulea, Nardus stricta, Pteridium aquilinum, Chara curta

H11 — Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Carex arenaria heath

Matches 5 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Lotus corniculatus, Potentilla erecta, Salix repens

Salix repens, Empetrum nigrum subsp.nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex gallii, Rosa spinosissima, Carex arenaria, Luzula campestris, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus introflexus, Ceratodon purpureus, Dicranum scoparium, Racomitrium canescens sens.lat., Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Lophocolea bidentata, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia foliacea, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia gracilis, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia rangiformis, Cladonia subcervicornis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Peltigera canina, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Pilosella officinarum, Teesdalia nudicaulis, Campanula rotundifolia, Jasione montana, Cerastium fontanum, Sedum anglicum, Lotus corniculatus, Ononis repens, Trifolium repens, Thymus praecox, Rumex acetosella, Potentilla erecta, Galium saxatile, Galium verum, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Ammophila arenaria, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Poa pratensis

H3 — Lowland dry heath, Lowland wet heath

Ulex minor-Agrostis curtisii heath

Matches 5 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Hypericum pulchrum, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta

Quercus robur, Calluna vulgaris, Erica ciliaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Ulex europaeus, Ulex minor, Carex pilulifera, Schoenus nigricans, Campylopus brevipilus, Campylopus flexuosus, Leucobryum glaucum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Kurzia spp., Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia crispata, Cladonia floerkeana, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia uncialis, Cuscuta epithymum, Hypericum pulchrum, Polygala serpyllifolia, Potentilla erecta, Viola lactea, Agrostis curtisii, Danthonia decumbens, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum, Zygogonium ericetorum

H2 — Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Ulex minor heath

Matches 4 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta

Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Vaccinium myrtillus, Ulex europaeus, Ulex gallii, Ulex minor, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum jutlandicum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Kurzia spp., Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cuscuta epithymum, Genista anglica, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Agrostis canina, Agrostis curtisii, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Molinia caerulea, Pteridium aquilinum

M14 — Lowland dry heath, Upland wet heath

Schoenus nigricans-Narthecium ossifragum mire

Matches 3 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Molinia caerulea, Potentilla erecta

Pinus sylvestris, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Ulex gallii, Carex panicea, Eriophorum angustifolium, Rhynchospora alba, Schoenus nigricans, Eleocharis multicaulis, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus bulbosus, Ctenidium molluscum, Hypnum jutlandicum, Scorpidium revolvens, Scorpidium scorpioides, Sphagnum auriculatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum tenellum, Calypogeia fissa, Kurzia pauciflora, Ordontoschisma sphagni, Aneura pinguis, Riccardia multifida, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Pinguicula lusitanica, Narthecium ossifragum, Pedicularis sylvatica, Polygala serpyllifolia, Anagallis tenella, Potentilla erecta, Molinia caerulea

H1 — Lowland dry heath

Calluna vulgaris-Festuca ovina heath

Matches 2 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea

Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Ulex europaeus, Carex arenaria, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Polytrichum juniperinum, Ptilidium ciliare, Hypogymnia physodes, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia coniocraea, Cladonia fimbriata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia macilenta, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia tenuis, Cladonia uncialis, Cornicularia aculeata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Campanula rotundifolia, Cerastium fontanum, Teucrium scorodonia, Rumex acetosella, Galium saxatile, Agrostis capillaris, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Pteridium aquilinum