Loth Gorge

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 58.0756, -3.7883

Also within

Sutherland County

Condition (NatureScot)

Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Upland birch woodland Unfavourable Recovering 2016-09-19

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine

Landscape processes: Fluvial

Description

Loth Gorge Loth Gorge Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located 7km northeast of Brora in east Sutherland. The site is designated for the nationally important upland birch woodland which grows in a ravine. The woodland grows in two blocks on the steep slopes of the Loth Gorge, separated by a relatively open section. The woodland is dominated by downy birch Betula pubescens, with hazel Corylus avellana and goat willow Salix cinerea. rowan Sorbus aucuparia is widespread but is less common. Bird cherry Prunus padus, aspen Populus tremula, juniper Juniperus communis and hawthorn Crataegus monogyna are also present, while alder Alnus glutinosa occupies more open areas. The moist and shaded woodland conditions within the gorge support a lush woodland ground flora, with hard shield fern Polystichum aculeatum, beech fern Phegopteris connectilis, greater woodrush Luzula sylvatica, wood anemone Anemone nemorosa and opposite-leaved golden-saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium. Notable species include the woodland grasses giant fescue Schedonorus giganteus and hairy brome Bromopsis ramosa, which are both uncommon in the north Highlands.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
beech fern Phegopteris connectilis LC fern thelypteridaceae
hard shield-fern Polystichum aculeatum LC fern dryopteridaceae
hairy brome Bromopsis ramosa LC grass poaceae
giant fescue Schedonorus giganteus LC grass poaceae
wood anemone Anemone nemorosa LC herb ranunculaceae
opposite-leaved golden- saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium LC herb saxifragaceae
great wood rush Luzula sylvatica LC rush juncaceae
hawthorn Crataegus monogyna LC shrub rosaceae
juniper Juniperus communis CR shrub cupressaceae
alder Alnus glutinosa LC tree salicaceae
downy birch Betula pubescens LC tree betulaceae
hazel Corylus avellana LC tree corylaceae
aspen Populus tremula LC tree salicaceae
bird cherry Prunus padus LC tree rosaceae
rowan Sorbus aucuparia LC tree rosaceae
grey willow Salix cinerea LC 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
Chequered skipper
Carterocephalus palaemon
Endangered Bromopsis ramosa
Figure of eight
Diloba caeruleocephala
Endangered Crataegus spp., Prunus spp.
Dark bordered beauty
Epione vespertaria
Endangered Populus tremula
The lappet
Gastropacha quercifolia
Endangered Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spp., Salix spp.
Scarce vapourer
Orgyia recens
Endangered Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Salix spp.
Mouse moth
Amphipyra tragopoginis
Vulnerable Crataegus spp.
The sprawler
Asteroscopus sphinx
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Populus spp., Prunus spp., Salix spp.
Broom moth
Ceramica pisi
Vulnerable Betula spp.
Scarce chocolate-tip
Clostera anachoreta
Vulnerable Populus spp., Populus tremula, Salix cinerea, Salix spp.
Mottled umber
Erannis defoliaria
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Populus tremula, Prunus padus, Salix spp., Sorbus aucuparia
Juniper pug
Eupithecia pusillata
Vulnerable Juniperus communis, Juniperus spp.
Satyr pug
Eupithecia satyrata
Vulnerable Salix spp.
The lackey
Malacosoma neustria
Vulnerable Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spp., Salix spp.
Pale brindled
Phigalia pilosaria
Vulnerable Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Populus spp.
Early moth
Theria primaria
Vulnerable Crataegus monogyna
Pale eggar
Trichiura crataegi
Vulnerable Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Populus spp., Salix spp.
No common name
Zeugophora turneri
Vulnerable Populus tremula
Flounced chestnut
Agrochola helvola
Near Threatened Betula spp., Crataegus monogyna, Salix spp.
Beaded chestnut
Agrochola lychnidis
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Salix spp.
Grey chi
Antitype chi
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna
Purple emperor
Apatura iris
Near Threatened Populus tremula, Salix cinerea
Garden tiger
Arctia caja
Near Threatened Salix cinerea, Sorbus aucuparia
Minor shoulder-knot
Brachylomia viminalis
Near Threatened Populus tremula, Salix cinerea
The sallow
Cirrhia icteritia
Near Threatened Populus spp., Salix spp.
Dingy mocha
Cyclophora pendularia
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Salix cinerea
Kentish glory
Endromis versicolora
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens
Large thorn
Ennomos autumnaria
Near Threatened Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., Corylus avellana, Crataegus spp., Populus spp., Prunus spp., Salix spp.
September thorn
Ennomos erosaria
Near Threatened Betula spp.
Autumnal rustic
Eugnorisma glareosa
Near Threatened Betula spp.
Grey pug
Eupithecia subfuscata
Near Threatened Crataegus monogyna, Populus tremula, Salix spp.
Double dart
Graphiphora augur
Near Threatened Betula spp., Crataegus spp., Salix spp.
White prominent
Leucodonta bicoloria
Regionally Extinct Betula 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.

Plant communities

W11 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland

Matches 7 species from the description above: Anemone nemorosa, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Juniperus communis, Luzula sylvatica, Sorbus aucuparia

Acer campestre, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Larix decidua, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Juniperus communis, Vaccinium myrtillus, Cytisus scoparius, Crataegus monogyna, Rubus saxatilis, Carex pilulifera, Luzula campestris, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Mnium hornum, Plagiomnium affine, Plagiomnium undulatum, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Cirriphyllum piliferum, Eurhynchium striatum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum cupressiforme, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Polytrichum longisetum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila spinulosa, Angelica sylvestris, Conopodium majus, Campanula rotundifolia, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cerastium fontanum, Stellaria holostea, Pyrola minor, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Lathyrus montanus, Geranium robertianum, Hypericum pulchrum, Ajuga reptans, Teucrium scorodonia, Convallaria majalis, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Veronica chamaedrys, Veronica officinalis, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Primula vulgaris, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Ranunculus repens, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa pratensis, Poa trivialis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina

W17 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture

Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland

Matches 7 species from the description above: Anemone nemorosa, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Juniperus communis, Luzula sylvatica, Sorbus aucuparia

Hedera helix, Salix caprea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Sorbus aucuparia, Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, Erica tetralix, Juniperus communis, Rhododendron ponticum, Vaccinium myrtillus, Crataegus monogyna, Carex pilulifera, Luzula multiflora, Luzula pilosa, Luzula sylvatica, Andreaea rupestris, Mnium hornum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranodontium denudatum, Dicranum fuscescens, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Dicranum scottianum, Leucobryum glaucum, Ptychomitrium polyphyllum, Racomitrium fasciculare, Racomitrium heterostichum, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Eurhynchium striatum, Heterocladium heteropterum, Hylocomiastrum umbratum, Hylocomium armoricum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Isothecium myosuroides, Kindbergia praelonga, Loeskeobryum brevirostre, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sematophyllum demissum, Sematophyllum micans, Thuidium delicatulum, Thuidium tamariscinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fimbriatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum subnitens, Tetraphis pellucida, Adelanthus decipiens, Anastrepta orcadensis, Barbilophozia attenuata, Barbilophozia floerkei, Bazzania tricrenata, Bazzania trilobata, Blepharostoma trichophyllum, Calypogeia fissa, Calypogeia muelleriana, Cephalozia bicuspidata, Diplophyllum albicans, Frullania tamarisci, Fuscocephaloziopsis lunulifolia, Harpanthus scutatus, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Jungermannia gracillima, Lepidozia pearsonii, Lepidozia reptans, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Lophozia ventricosa, Marsupella emarginata, Microlejeunea ulicina, Mylia taylorii, Nowellia curvifolia, Plagiochila asplenioides, Plagiochila atlantica, Plagiochila killarniensis, Plagiochila porelloides, Plagiochila punctata, Plagiochila spinulosa, Ptilidium ciliare, Saccogyna viticulosa, Scapania gracilis, Scapania nemorea, Scapania umbrosa, Tritomaria exsectiformis, Tritomaria quinquedentata, Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia digitata, Cladonia furcata, Cladonia impexa, Cladonia polydactyla, Cladonia squamosa, Cladonia squamules, Cladonia subcervicornis, Parmelia saxatilis, Sphaerophorus fragilis, Sphaerophorus globosus, Solidago virgaurea, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Cornus suecica, Hypericum pulchrum, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Goodyera repens, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Rumex acetosa, Lysimachia nemorum, Trientalis europaea, Anemone nemorosa, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium saxatile, Melanpyrum pratense, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Agrostis vinealis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa nemoralis, Poa pratensis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris aemula, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata, Dryopteris filix-mas, Hymenophyllum tunbrigense, Hymenophyllum wilsonii, Polypodium vulgare, Thelypteris limbosperma, Athyrium filix-femina

W4 — Raised bog, Upland birch wood, Wet woodland

Betula pubescens-Molinia caerulea woodland

Matches 6 species from the description above: Alnus glutinosa, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Crataegus monogyna, Salix cinerea, Sorbus aucuparia

Hedera helix, Salix aurita, Salix caprea, Salix cinerea, Salix pentandra, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Corylus avellana, Quercus hybrid, Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Alnus glutinosa, Calluna vulgaris, Erica tetralix, Myrica gale, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Crataegus monogyna, Carex laevigata, Carex nigra, Carex rostrata, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum vaginatum, Juncus acutiflorus, Juncus effusus, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Orthodontium lineare, Pohlia nutans, Campylopus flexuosus, Dicranella heteromalla, Dicranum scoparium, Leucobryum glaucum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Drepanocladus fluitans, Hypnum cupressiforme, Hypnum jutlandicum, Kindbergia praelonga, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Pseudoscleropodium purum, Pseudotaxiphyllum elegans, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Straminergon stramineum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum formosum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum cuspidatum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum fimbriatum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Calypogeia fissa, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Lophocolea bidentata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Angelica sylvestris, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Cirsium palustre, Lonicera periclymenum, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Lotus pedunculatus, Menyanthes trifoliata, Chamerion angustifolium, Epilobium palustre, Oxalis acetosella, Rumex acetosa, Comarum palustre, Filipendula ulmaria, Potentilla erecta, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium palustre, Galium saxatile, Galium uliginosum, Viola palustris, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Molinia caerulea, Poa trivialis, Blechnum spicant, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris carthusiana, Dryopteris cristata, Dryopteris dilatata, Athyrium filix-femina