Rhidorroch Woods

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 57.8939, -4.9663

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (1) Unfavourable Declining (3)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (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.

Peatland

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.

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

English name
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Latin name
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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.

SpeciesStatusVia 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

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

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

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

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

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