Rhidorroch Woods
Also within
Ross and Cromarty CountySutherland County 29. Rhiddoroch - Beinn Dearg - Ben Wyvis Wild Land Area
Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Beetle (Microrhagus pygmaeus) | Favourable | — | 2016-12-09 |
| F2 | Subalpine dry heath | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2024-03-25 |
| F3 | Native pinewood | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2024-03-25 |
| F4 | Upland birch woodland | Unfavourable Declining | — | 2024-03-25 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Peat habitats store centuries of carbon and depend on a stable, waterlogged water table. Warmer, drier summers dry out peat, making it far more vulnerable to wildfire and to carbon release — a pressure that can undo years of restoration work regardless of how well the site is otherwise managed.
Habitats
Geology & landscape
Landscape processes: Peatland / Mire
Description
Rhidorroch Woods Rhidorroch Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) lies in Glen Achall, 4km east of Ullapool, Wester Ross. This is a two part site. The site contains three nationally important habitats: native pinewood, upland birch woodland and subalpine dry heath, as well as the nationally rare false click beetle Microrhagus pygmaeus. Native pinewood This site has a nationally important fragment of the ancient native Scots pine forests of Pinus sylvestris var. scotica which are found only in the Highland and Grampian regions of Scotland. Seven genetically distinct regions of Scots pine have been identified in Scotland. Rhidorroch Woods SSSI has the largest stand of Scots Pine in the Northern region. These woods are typical of Scots pinewoods in the north west highlands, with a ground flora of abundant tall tussocky heather Calluna vulgaris, blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus and Sphagnum moss Sphagnum capillifolium. They also support uncommon pinewood species such as creeping lady’s tresses orchid, Goodyera repens. Upland birch woodland Birch-dominated woodlands occur throughout the site, supporting a range of native tree species including rowan Sorbus aucuparia, wych-elm Ulmus glabra, holly Ilex aquifolium, hazel Corylus avellana, aspen Populus tremula and alder Alnus glutinosa. The ground flora includes several uncommon species indicative of long-established ancient woodland: serrated wintergreen Orthilia secunda, chickweed wintergreen Trientalis europaea and wood vetch Vicia sylvatica. Dry heath The woodlands are interspersed with a mosaic of other vegetation communities including subalpine dry heath. The subalpine dry heath habitat on this site is well-developed on the steep, well-drained south-west facing slopes on the north side of Glen Achall. Here the heath is dominated by dense heather Calluna vulgaris with abundant bell heather Erica cinerea and some blaeberry Vaccinium myrtillus. Extensive moss carpets support species including Stair step moss Hylocomium splendens and Heath plait-moss Hypnum jutlandicum. The south-facing slope of Creag Ghrianach holds an excellent example of dry heath, dominated by heather Calluna vulgaris and bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. False click beetle Microrhagus pygmaeus Rhidorroch Woods SSSI is the only known Scottish site for the nationally rare false click beetle Microrhagus pygmaeus. This species occurs mainly in ancient broad-leaved woodland and is dependant on the availability of fallen and standing deadwood to complete its life-cycle.
Species mentioned
Show the 19 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| click beetle | Microrhagus pygmaeus | Not listed in GB list | beetle click | eucnemidae |
| creeping lady's tresses | Goodyera repens | LC | herb | orchidaceae |
| serrated wintergreen | Orthilia secunda | VU | herb | ericaceae |
| chickweed wintergreen | Trientalis europaea | Not listed in GB list | herb | primulaceae |
| wood vetch | Vicia sylvatica | Not listed in GB list | herb | fabaceae |
| glittering wood moss | Hylocomium splendens | LC | moss | hypnales |
| heath plait moss | Hypnum jutlandicum | LC | moss | hypnales |
| acute leaved bog moss | Sphagnum capillifolium | LC | moss | sphagnales |
| bearberry | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi | LC | shrub | ericaceae |
| billberry | Vaccinium myrtillus | LC | shrub | ericaceae |
| bell heather or ling | Calluna vulgaris | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
| bell heather | Erica cinerea | NT | shrub dwarf | ericaceae |
| alder | Alnus glutinosa | LC | tree | salicaceae |
| hazel | Corylus avellana | LC | tree | corylaceae |
| holly | Ilex aquifolium | LC | tree | aquifoliaceae |
| Scot's pine | Pinus sylvestris | LC | tree | pinaceae |
| aspen | Populus tremula | LC | tree | salicaceae |
| rowan | Sorbus aucuparia | LC | tree | rosaceae |
| wych elm | Ulmus glabra | LC | tree | ulmaceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Speckled footman Coscinia cribraria |
Critically Endangered | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Dark bordered beauty Epione vespertaria |
Endangered | Populus tremula |
| Shoulder-striped clover Heliothis maritima |
Endangered | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Scarce vapourer Orgyia recens |
Endangered | Alnus glutinosa, Corylus avellana, Ulmus spp. |
| White-letter hairstreak Satyrium w-album |
Endangered | Ulmus glabra, Ulmus spp. |
| The sprawler Asteroscopus sphinx |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Populus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Pinus spp., Ulmus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Scarce chocolate-tip Clostera anachoreta |
Vulnerable | Populus spp., Populus tremula |
| Mottled umber Erannis defoliaria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Populus tremula, Sorbus aucuparia, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Calluna vulgaris |
| True lover's knot Lycophotia porphyrea |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| The lackey Malacosoma neustria |
Vulnerable | Corylus avellana, Ulmus spp. |
| Pale brindled Phigalia pilosaria |
Vulnerable | Alnus glutinosa, Corylus avellana, Populus spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Early moth Theria primaria |
Vulnerable | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi |
Vulnerable | Calluna vulgaris, Corylus avellana, Erica cinerea, Populus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| No common name Zeugophora turneri |
Vulnerable | Populus tremula |
| Flounced chestnut Agrochola helvola |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Purple emperor Apatura iris |
Near Threatened | Populus tremula |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia |
| Minor shoulder-knot Brachylomia viminalis |
Near Threatened | Populus tremula |
| Dusky-lemon sallow Cirrhia gilvago |
Near Threatened | Ulmus glabra |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Populus spp., Ulmus glabra |
| Rosy marsh moth Coenophila subrosea |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Dingy mocha Cyclophora pendularia |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa |
| Pine-tree lappet Dendrolimus pini |
Near Threatened | Pinus sylvestris |
| Grey scalloped Dyscia fagaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Kentish glory Endromis versicolora |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa |
| Large thorn Ennomos autumnaria |
Near Threatened | Alnus glutinosa, Corylus avellana, Populus spp., Ulmus spp. |
| The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea |
| Grey pug Eupithecia subfuscata |
Near Threatened | Populus tremula |
| Double dart Graphiphora augur |
Near Threatened | Ulmus spp. |
| Weaver's wave Idaea contiguaria |
Near Threatened | Calluna vulgaris |
| Scotch burnet Zygaena exulans |
Near Threatened | Vaccinium myrtillus |
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
W17 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture
Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland
Matches 11 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Corylus avellana, Erica cinerea, Goodyera repens, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum jutlandicum, Ilex aquifolium, Sorbus aucuparia, Sphagnum capillifolium, Trientalis europaea, Vaccinium myrtillus
Show 165 indicator speciesHedera 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
W11 — Altantic hazel wood, Atlantic oak wood, Caledonian forest, Upland birch wood, Wood pasture
Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Oxalis acetosella woodland
Matches 9 species from the description above: Calluna vulgaris, Corylus avellana, Erica cinerea, Hylocomium splendens, Ilex aquifolium, Sorbus aucuparia, Sphagnum capillifolium, Trientalis europaea, Vaccinium myrtillus
Show 106 indicator speciesAcer 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
W4 — Raised bog, Upland birch wood, Wet woodland
Betula pubescens-Molinia caerulea woodland
Matches 9 species from the description above: Alnus glutinosa, Calluna vulgaris, Corylus avellana, Hypnum jutlandicum, Ilex aquifolium, Pinus sylvestris, Sorbus aucuparia, Sphagnum capillifolium, Vaccinium myrtillus
Show 101 indicator speciesHedera 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