Tinto Hills
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Condition (NatureScot)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 | Quaternary of Scotland | Favourable | — | 2023-01-17 |
| F2 | Subalpine dry heath | Unfavourable No Change | — | 2015-03-26 |
| F3 | Upland assemblage | Favourable | — | 2009-07-23 |
Geology & landscape
Landscape processes: Glacial, Periglacial
Description
Tinto Hills Tinto Hills lie approximately 4km south west of Thankerton. They contain one of the finest examples of periglacial stone stripes in Scotland and support dry upland habitats with a good representation of sub-montane acidic dwarf-shrub heath and grassland. The periglacial stone stripes are developed in exposed locations on the high slopes of the hill. The stripes are actively forming, and the site is a key locality for studying current periglacial processes. The site also includes part of a sub-glacial meltwater drainage system, including meltwater channels that formed during the last glaciation. The sub-montane acidic dwarf-shrub heath and grassland are habitat types that were once universal throughout much of south west Scotland but are now largely modified by grazing or lost to forestry. Of particular importance is the comparatively large and unmodified extent of dry heather moorland. The area has a characteristic upland flora, which includes the montane plants stiff sedge Carex bigelowii and mountain crowberry Empetrum nigrum subsp. hermaphroditum.
Species mentioned
Show the 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| stiff sedge | Carex bigelowii | LC | sedge | cyperaceae |
| crowberry | Empetrum nigrum | LC | shrub dwarf | empetraceae |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rosy marsh moth Coenophila subrosea |
Near Threatened | Empetrum nigrum |
| Weaver's wave Idaea contiguaria |
Near Threatened | 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.