Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
C O M M I S S I O N E D R E P O R T
Commissioned Report No.255
Identifying the Special Qualities of Scotland’s National Scenic Areas
(ROAME No. F05NC701)
For further information on this report please contact:
Simon Brooks Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House
INVERNESS IV3 8NW Telephone: 01463 725315 E-mail: [email protected]
This report should be quoted as:
David Tyldesley and Associates (2007). Identifying the Special Qualities of Scotland’s National Scenic Areas. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No.255 (ROAME No. F05NC701).
This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage.
© Scottish Natural Heritage 2007.
Leachkin Road
Identifying the Special Qualities of Scotland’s
National Scenic Areas Commissioned Report No. 255 (ROAME No. F05 701) Contractor: David Tyldesley and Associates Year of publication: 2007
NC
Background This study relates to the 40 National Scenic Areas (NSAs) designated in Scotland in 1978, by the Countryside Commission for Scotland (now SNH) and subsequently endorsed by the Scottish Government. The aim of this study is:
a) to develop an approach for the assessment of an initial list of the special qualities of NSAs, which can be used in later procedures relating to management strategies and public consultation;
b) to pilot this approach in five NSAs in order to test its appropriateness; and c) to produce written guidance that will enable application of the approach to other
NSAs. It is envisaged that the approach developed in this study and its written guidance will be applied to the remaining NSAs and will inform draft guidance on NSA Management Strategies. Main findings The research examined early work carried out in Scotland with a view to identifying scenic value and special areas. This developed into an analysis of how the NSAs in Scotland were identified and designated and a very broad analysis of the 40 NSAs. The study also examined a small number of previous projects that had identified the special qualities of NSAs, for different reasons. The research then looked more widely at how the special qualities of areas, designated or otherwise recognised for their landscape or scenic value, had been identified in Britain, global conventions, Europe and America. Research showed that special qualities may be grouped into categories such as landform, land use, land cover, settlement, authenticity and integrity, emotional response, visual experience, wildlife, history and culture. Experience elsewhere also showed that special places are not necessarily places where the rare or unusual occur. Those identifying special qualities elsewhere recognise that it is the way that the sometimes quite commonplace characteristics interact, or the way that they combine, that makes a particular area special. Those responsible for designating, or otherwise identifying, the special-ness of places simply assume that these qualities will be
i
COMMISSIONED REPORT
Summary
recognisable when they occur; by definition they are special and therefore ought not to be difficult to identify. Detailed or esoteric attempts to pre-define special qualities or tell people how to recognise them, or how to distinguish them from the ordinary are universally deemed to be unnecessary. There is a danger of presenting a methodology that gives the impression that the process is more sophisticated than it actually is. The method was developed through an iterative process of discussion, experimentation, trial and adaptation before and during the five pilot applications in the selected NSAs. The method proved satisfactory and capable of adaptation where necessary, whilst maintaining consistency. A team of two to four professionals work on every stage through a process of desk study, fieldwork and analysis to identify the special qualities by consensus. Landscape character assessment plays a valuable role in the process. Fieldwork is assisted by the use of pre-prepared maps and notes and by structured field sheets. The results of the desk study and fieldwork will produce a series of descriptions of the key characteristics of the NSA, or spatially variable units within it. From these the team selects those characteristics which alone or in combinations are ‘special’, those qualities that individually or when combined together make the area special in terms of its landscape or scenery. This is a challenging task but trials have demonstrated that outputs are realistic, repeatable, resonant, relevant to people, respected, robust and related to the scenery and landscape.
For further information on this project contact: Simon Brooks, SNH, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness IV3 8NW (01463 725315).
For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact: Policy & Advice Directorate Support, SNH, Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, IV3 8NW.
Tel: 01463–725 000 or [email protected]
ii
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the many officers who supplied relevant material or references to inform this report and to the following officers who discussed the issues by telephone: Peter Abbott, Peak District National Park Authority; Katherine Blake, Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project Manager; Jill Bullen, LANDMAP coordinator, Countryside Council for Wales; Anna Johnson Dumfries and Galloway NSA Project Officer; Sarah Parkinson Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority; and Christine Tudor, Natural England (the Countryside Agency, Landscape Access and Recreation at the time of the discussion). Thanks are also due to the Steering Group of SNH, comprising Simon Brooks (Chair) James Fenton and Ross Allan. Project Team
The project team from David Tyldesley and Associates comprised: David Tyldesley, Landscape Architect, Environmental Manager and Planner – project manager, research, method development and fieldwork leader for 2 NSAs. Anthony Brown, Landscape Architect and Planner – fieldwork leader for 3 NSAs. Graham Bradford, Environmental Planner – research, method development and fieldwork for 3 NSAs. Ros Deeming, Environmental Planner – research and fieldwork for 2 NSAs. Rachel Hoskin, Ecologist – research and fieldwork for 2 NSAs.
iii
CONTENTS Page
Summary.................................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgements.................................................................................................................iii PART A: RESEARCH REPORT ........................................................................................... 1 1. Outline of the Research and Evolution of the Method................................................. 2
The Brief ............................................................................................................... 2 Outline of Research Approach and this Report .................................................... 2 Special Qualities................................................................................................... 3
2. Early Work to Assess Scenic Value in Scotland ......................................................... 4 3. The Selection of Scotland’s National Scenic Areas .................................................... 6 4. The Forty National Scenic Areas ................................................................................ 9 5. Previous Projects Defining Special Qualities of the National Scenic Areas.............. 11
Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon NSA .................................................................... 11 Dumfries and Galloway NSAs, e.g. East Stewartry Coast NSA.......................... 11 Wester Ross........................................................................................................ 11
6. Identifying and Analysing Special Qualities .............................................................. 13 Work in Scotland ................................................................................................. 13 Work in the National Parks in England and Wales.............................................. 15 Work in the Areas of Outstanding National Beauty in England ......... 17 ..................Other evaluation methods in Britain .................................................................... 18 International Perspectives ................................................................................... 20 Discussions with specialists ................................................................................ 22 Conclusions from other work defining special qualities....................................... 23
7. Developing a Method to Identify Special Qualities.................................................... 25 Setting the parameters ........................................................................................ 25 Relationship with the designation criteria ............................................................ 25 The role of Landscape Character Assessment ................................................... 26 Why a wide community must participate ............................................................. 27 The scope of special qualities previously defined in other assessments ............ 28 The recommended approach .............................................................................. 30 Summary of the evolution of the method............................................................. 32 Resources ........................................................................................................... 35
PART B: GUIDANCE ON IDENTIFYING THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL SCENIC AREAS ............................................................................................... 37 8. Identifying the Special Qualities of National Scenic Areas........................................ 38
Step 1 – desk preparation ................................................................................... 39 Step 2 – drawing the boundary ........................................................................... 39 Step 3 – understanding the NSA......................................................................... 39 Step 4 – familiarisation survey ............................................................................ 43 Step 5 – period of reflection and initial listing of special qualities........................ 43 Step 6 – identifying survey viewpoints and routes in the NSA ............................ 45 Step 7 – detailed fieldwork .................................................................................. 46
v
Step 8 – deciding what is ‘special’....................................................................... 48 Step 9 – comparing with Scotland’s Scenic Heritage.......................................... 49 Step 10 – describing what is ‘special’.................................................................. 50
PART C: THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE PILOT NATIONAL SCENIC AREAS ......... 53 9. The Special Qualities of Assynt - Coigach National Scenic Area.............................. 54
10. The Special Qualities of Ben Nevis and Glencoe National Scenic Area................... 59 11. The Special Qualities of Knapdale National Scenic Area ......................................... 64 12. The Special Qualities of the Trossachs National Scenic Area .................................. 68 13. The Special Qualities of Upper Tweeddale National Scenic Area ............................ 72 References........................................................................................................................... 75 Research Bibliography....................................................................................................... 78
Figures 1. National Scenic Areas in Scotland ...................................................................... 10 2. Process Flowchart .............................................................................................. 38 3. Deciding what is special - a guide to the approach............................................. 49
Tables
1. Examples of special qualities previously defined: grouped by general topic....... 28 2. Examples of special qualities that may inform the method statement................. 29 3. How the special qualities could be identified....................................................... 31 4. Suggested time inputs......................................................................................... 36
Appendices 1. Fieldwork outputs Assynt - Coigach National Scenic Area .................................812. Fieldwork outputs Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area 3. Fieldwork outputs Knapdale National Scenic Area 4. Fieldwork outputs The Trossachs National Scenic Area 5. Fieldwork outputs Upper Tweeddale National Scenic Area 6. Recommended field sheets for use in fieldwork
vi
................................. 78
.................. 117......... 137..................
99
471611
................... .......
............................. ......
.........................................
............................
PART A: RESEARCH REPORT
1
1. OUTLINE OF THE RESEARCH AND EVOLUTION OF THE METHOD
The Brief
1.1 This study is commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). It relates to the 40 National Scenic Areas designated in Scotland in 1978, by the Countryside Commission for Scotland (now SNH) and subsequently endorsed by the Scottish Government.
1.2 The aim of this study is:
a) to develop an approach for the assessment of the special qualities of National Scenic Areas (NSAs), why these areas are considered of particular value;
b) to pilot this approach in five NSAs in order to test its appropriateness; and c) to produce written guidance that will enable application of the approach to
other NSAs. 1.3 This study is the first phase of a two-phase study, the second phase being the
application of the approach to assess the special qualities for the remainder of the NSA suite. It is envisaged that the approach developed in this study and its written guidance will also inform draft guidance on NSA Management Strategies that SNH is currently preparing.
Outline of the research approach and this report
1.4 The research commenced with an examination of the early work carried out in Scotland with a view to identifying scenic value and special areas (section 2 below). This developed into an analysis of how the NSAs in Scotland were identified and designated (section 3), and a very broad analysis of the 40 NSAs (section 4). A small number of previous projects had set out to identify the special qualities of NSAs, for differing reasons and these are summarised in section 5.
1.5 The research then progressed to look more widely at how the special qualities of
areas, designated or otherwise recognised for their landscape or scenic value, had been identified by others. Whilst the focus of this research was in Britain, examples were also drawn from global conventions, Europe and America (section 6).
1.6 Considerable discussion and experimentation led to the first suggested methodology,
which was discussed with the Steering Group. This method was further developed and refined, with some significant changes, and then discussed again with the steering group and also in structured telephone interviews with a number of informed professionals working in the field of special landscapes. Further evolution of the method preceded fieldwork, which started with a trial undertaken by four of the project team, working both individually and together, in the Trossachs NSA. The method proved satisfactory and was used in the remaining four pilot NSAs, although in each case adaptation was necessary. Section 7 describes the evolution of the methodology
1.7 The final version of the guidance on identifying special qualities was written after all
five pilots had been completed, to incorporate the experience gained (Part B, section 8). The special qualities of the five pilot NSAs are described in Part C (sections 9 – 13) and the fieldwork outputs are reproduced in appendices 1 – 5.
2
Special Qualities
1.8 It is helpful to define the meaning of key terms at the outset of this report. In the context of this study special qualities are simply defined in accordance with plain English: ‘special’ means “better, greater or otherwise different from what is usual”, and can also mean “belonging to a particular …. place”. The word ‘qualities’ means (in the singular) “a distinctive attribute or characteristic possessed by … something” (Pearsall, J. et al, 2001). Special qualities are here defined more widely than ‘scenic qualities’ would be, which may be defined as the distinctive attributes or characteristics related to scenery, the visual qualities that people see in the countryside. This study sets out to identify a wider range of qualities, which make the NSAs special, than just their visually scenic value. This is discussed more fully in sections 6 to 8 below.
3
2. EARLY WORK TO ASSESS SCENIC VALUE IN SCOTLAND 2.1 Recognising that the visual amenity of the countryside was important, attempts were
made in the late 1960s (Fines, 1967 and Linton, 1968) to develop methods for the evaluation and measurement of scenery. Professor D L Linton concluded that the scenic resources of an area depended on landform and land use, using the landform categories of the geomorphologist and applying the mantle of natural vegetation and human artefacts. This method was subsequently adapted for use in some area studies of countryside recreation.
2.2 Section 3 of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967, required the Countryside
Commission for Scotland (CCS) to keep under review all matters relating to the conservation and enhancement of the countryside’s natural beauty and amenity. In 1969, in order to further this duty, and encouraged by Government, CCS invited Land Use Consultants (LUC) to submit a proposal to show how the landscape of Scotland could be graded so as to promote its better protection and management.
2.3 LUC started the work in 1970, working on the underlying concepts of landscape
analysis and ways of classifying it. The consultants were to generate a method to be applied by CCS staff.
2.4 The report A Planning Classification of Scottish Landscape Resources (Land Use
Consultants, 1971) presented a rather complex methodology, based on the principle of ‘Landscape Tracts’. These were identified and recorded through a three stage process. Firstly, map based studies at 1/63,360 scale identified visually self-contained tracts with high relief ranges as a starting point. Primary landform characteristics were recorded from the maps, i.e. river, coast, valley, plateau etc. A general desk analysis of vegetation types and ground cover followed, i.e. moorland, woodland, enclosed farmland etc. Secondly, fieldwork surveys sought to clarify boundaries, ground cover detail and a determination of quality via a scoring method of primary and secondary elements and their influence on overall landscape. The third stage was an office based rationalisation of findings thus far, with landscape sub-types identified and quality classes emerging. Each tract was then allocated a final score and categorised as to its landscape importance accordingly.
2.5 The report A Planning Classification of Scottish Landscape Resources was published
for consultation in September 1971, but work on a pilot study by CCS’s own landscape architect had started in May 1971, assisted by the CCS Planning Officer. Serious difficulties became apparent, including the difficulty of achieving comparable results when the two officers independently applied the system in the same area. During that year, several university departments and planning schools also experimented with the LUC system, their observations reinforcing the views being expressed by Commission staff that the method was probably unworkable.
2.6 Nevertheless, CCS persisted with the trials and a further programme of pilot studies
was initiated in late 1971 to include testing of modifications suggested by the Planning Officers.
2.7 During 1972 meetings with the Nature Conservancy Council and Manchester
University were influential in the evolution of the method, the university being able to bring their experience of landscape classification work in England for the Countryside Commission. Aerial photograph analysis was also considered.
2.8 In December 1972, the Commission considered a progress report (CCS(72)83) which
included a summary of the LUC method; discussion of the visual tract concept;
4
criteria used for assessing landscape character; an analysis of the objectivity and precision of the survey; manpower and technical aids; further work required to complete the pilot study and organisation of the next stage of work.
2.9 During 1973 progress slowed but various alternative approaches were investigated to
overcome the growing difficulties experienced in using the LUC method. 2.10 In a three-part report completed in February 1974 the assistant Landscape Officer of
CCS concluded that the method for classifying landscape as recommended by LUC was unworkable and that as an alternative course, the Commission should carry out an inventory of landscape characteristics.
2.11 CCS(74)78, presented to the Commission in May 1974, recommended that further
investigation of the LUC method should cease but recognised the contribution that the LUC proposals had made to improving understanding of landscape issues.
2.12 At this time, the Commission’s work on the concept of a Parks System for Scotland,
described below, was also being developed with cross-fertilisation of ideas between the two approaches. The influence of the ‘Park System’ was considerable and eventually led to the evolution of NSAs.
2.13 During the evolution and testing of the LUC method (1970-74) the CCS was aware of
other work. Firstly, by Professor Linton of the Department of Geography, University of Edinburgh (1969-72) based on a gradation of 2km by 2km grid squares to assess the recreational value of landscape around Edinburgh. Secondly, the work of the Centre for Urban and Regional Research of University of Manchester (Robinson, 1970-75) for the Countryside Commission recommending two methodologies for landscape evaluation, one a predictive method constrained by the use of multiple regression analysis, the other a simpler system similar to that developed by LUC for CCS.
2.14 Upon the abandonment of the LUC approach described above, in 1974, CCS officers
considered an alternative approach to assess scenic quality and the visual character of landscape derived from an understanding of landscape character, referred to as an “inventory approach”. However, this too was considered to be impractical largely because of high cost. The parallel work on a Park System for Scotland was considered to be the best way forward and formed the basis of NSA designation as described below.
5
3. THE SELECTION OF SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL SCENIC AREAS 3.1 In May 1971 a Parliamentary Select Committee on Scottish Affairs (1972) was set up
by Government to consider land resource use in Scotland. The Select Committee invited the Commission to submit a paper setting out its views on the establishment of a national park system for Scotland and the management of scenic areas under recreational pressure.
3.2 A paper on this subject was prepared and considered by the Commission in March
1972, (CCS(72)4) and approved for submission to the Select Committee. At a special meeting in June 1972, the Commission agreed in principle that there was a case to be made for a spectrum of park provision in Scotland, although the detail had still to be worked out (CCS(72)15).
3.3 In view of the impending reorganisation of local government, the Commission
pressed ahead with the development of its earlier thinking and at its meeting in April 1973, considered a paper which suggested the development of a park system with four main elements (CCS(73)36):
Category 1: Areas of national significance These would generally be of outstanding landscape character and overall policy in them would be geared to the protection of that character, with conservation as the primary objective. Some of these areas would be relatively remote and, in whole or in part, might have a wilderness character. Category 2: Areas of regional significance These would generally be of high landscape character in a regional rather than a national context and they would take a greater intensity of resource-based recreational use and local development for the indigenous population. Category 3: Areas of local significance These would have some landscape character, but generally would be comparatively small in size and would be developed fairly intensively for informal recreation. Country parks would be within this category. Category 4: A linear network This would comprise the network of roads, tracks and footpaths linking the main areas of the park system to one another and to the towns from which the users would come. It would also include roadside recreation areas.
The Commission’s thinking envisaged control of areas of national significance lying with some national agency, including the possibility that this agency might be the Commission itself.
3.4 The paper was sent to the Under Secretary of State and the Scottish Development
Department (SDD). The Department encouraged the Commission to continue the development of their thinking, whilst expressing certain reservations. The Department wanted to see an emphasis on the recreational opportunities available in the various levels of park proposed. The Commission was also discouraged from promoting proposals which would reduce the control of planning authorities.
3.5 Following a consultation programme in 1973, CCS adapted the proposals to provide
for a system based upon a recreational strategy and for a separate proposal to be made to provide for greater national involvement in the protection of natural beauty
6
and amenity in areas thought to be of national significance. This was a watershed which shaped Commission policy, with equal priority given to landscape assessment work, leading to the eventual definition of National Scenic Areas. It also marked the coming together of the two parallel areas of research on a planning classification of landscape resources (section 1 above) and the park system concept (Countryside Commission for Scotland, 1974).
3.6 It was decided that further discussions on possible areas of national significance
would be helped by up to date information on a selection of places that might be suitable for designation. Fiona Leney was appointed to write a series of essays for ten selected study areas. These were selected on the basis of recommendations from earlier work –The Ramsay Committee (1945), The Hobhouse Committee (1947); W H Murray’s review of Highland Landscapes for the National Trust for Scotland (1962); and the Scottish Countryside Activities Council survey of wilderness for CCS in 1970.
3.7 The seven study areas derived from the earlier work were in the Highlands so three
other areas were selected in the Inner and Outer Hebrides and Galloway to provide a more representative sample of outstanding Scottish landscape. In time the ‘Park System’ approach as well as the ‘Resource Classification’ approach was abandoned.
3.8 Thus after several years persevering with more objective approaches, the CCS
embarked on a more intuitive, in-house, self justified, subjective analysis of scenic value, based on the experience of its own staff, supported by its own Board and drawing to a more limited extent on earlier works and descriptions of what was valued in the Scottish landscape. Thus, the essays helped to inform a developing programme of work that would lead to the intuitive selection of NSAs by the Commission and its staff, themselves.
3.9 In selecting the NSAs the Commission sought to identify scenery which best
combined those features which are most frequently regarded as beautiful. On the whole this meant that richly diverse landscapes which combine prominent landforms, coastline, sea and freshwater lochs, rivers, woodlands and moorlands with some admixture of cultivated land are generally the most prized. Not all of these features occur, however, in all the areas identified. Diversity of ground cover may be absent in some, but compensated for by especially spectacular landform or seascape. In Scotland, outstanding examples of such scenery are most frequently found north of or on the Highland Boundary Fault. Many of the more managed landscapes to the south and east, in areas of intensive agricultural activity were considered beautiful, but the CCS found it difficult to recognise many of these as being outstanding in a national or international sense. It examined the Southern Uplands carefully, aware that the subtler landforms and more managed landscapes found there made comparison with Highland scenery difficult. This kind of scenery was not replicated elsewhere and was considered to be pleasing to the eye attuned to it. CCS therefore sought to identify those parts of it which, while not exhibiting the same diversity of form as Highland Scotland, nevertheless combine pleasing physiography with varied land-use to provide “scenery of great charm and soft beauty”.
3.10 In many of the areas identified, the pattern of settlement was a contributing feature.
Crofting townships, ancient ecclesiastical settlements and the planned villages of the nineteenth century improvers were considered to add to the scene. Some small industrial towns or villages, dependent upon a major industry, were included because they were set in the midst of fine scenery and no useful purpose would be served by contriving to exclude them. This approach, carried out with care and consistency,
7
was considered by the CCS to be a reasonable course to follow in a subject “not amenable to measurement in scientific terms”.
3.11 The method adopted for carrying out the survey was as follows. First, desk
appraisals of maps of the Scottish countryside at 1/50,000 scale were carried out to determine the likely extent and character of fine scenery. This work commenced with the five National Park Direction Areas, then moved on to the other areas that had been the subject of Fiona Leney’s essays and subsequently to further areas that commended themselves in the course of the survey, or which in the opinion of the surveyors from their extensive knowledge of the Scottish countryside were worthy of study. Although the method suggested by LUC was not applied in full, its approach to the analysis of map information was used as the basis for examining topographical maps. Literary sources were examined for opinions that had been expressed by others about the character of areas being considered. Planning documents produced by local authorities and by national agencies, such as the Nature Conservancy Council and the Forestry Commission, and by private bodies, such as the National Trust for Scotland, were also scrutinised for information on other designations such as Areas of Great Landscape Value, National Nature Reserves, Forest Parks and certain National Trust properties. With this basic appraisal of the likely extent of areas of fine scenery, the surveyors then made field inspections to form opinions as to the extent of landscape tracts which, for reasons of “diversity of landform, vegetation and/or ground cover, or other outstanding visual characteristics”, appeared to merit recognition as national assets.
3.12 An important aspect of this work was the ability of the Commission to use the same
surveyors throughout, thus providing consistency of view to the whole exercise. Not only had the same team carried out all the field survey work, with never less than two officers undertaking field examination of any particular area, but they had reported their findings to a senior staff steering group which had remained unchanged throughout the exercise. The proposals produced in this way had, in turn, been subjected to scrutiny by the Commission which included members with acknowledged expertise in the fields of assessment of scenic quality and rural land use.
3.13 The CCS deliberately did not analyse scenery in terms of its geology,
geomorphology, pedology, climate, natural history or cultural history. This is not because it thought these things unimportant in their influence on the scene, but because it believed that enjoyment of fine scenery is based on a perception of the whole which does not depend on more formal kinds of analysis. In particular, a conscious effort was made not to let individual specialisations influence choice: nor did it attempt to select scenery on a representative basis of all the different types of landscape which occur in Scotland. It was recognised that many attractive areas had to be omitted in the process of identifying and selecting only that which the CCS considered to be the very best.
3.14 The acceptance of this more subjective, consensus, well-informed judgement as to
what constituted the nationally important resource of scenery is implied by the adoption of the principle of NSAs in statute. Section 262C of the Town and Country Planning Act 1972 was inserted in 1986 to give statutory provision for NSAs, so that they could be referred to in other statutory provisions, such as exclusion from Simplified Planning Zones. Legislation refers to the requirements for the designation of a NSA to be an “area of outstanding scenic value and beauty in a national context”.
8
4. THE FORTY NATIONAL SCENIC AREAS 4.1 Thirty nine of the 40 NSAs can readily be grouped into six broad types. Knapdale
does not readily fall into any of the main groups although it could be regarded as either Group 2 or Group 3.
4.2 The classification of the NSAs in this way is not intended to be a formal
categorisation, based on a detailed landscape assessment, but merely a convenient way of looking at their basic types, so providing a modest signpost, via the underlying selection process, to the special qualities the selectors may have discerned.
4.3 The seven groups are as follows
Group 1: Islands (4) Shetland (Foula & Fair Isle) Small Isles (Canna, Eigg, Muck, Rhum) St Kilda Scarba, Lunga and the Garvellachs Group 2: Mountains with Coast (12) Assynt - Coigach Cuillin Hills Hoy and Mainland (Orkney) Jura Knoydart Kyle of Tongue North Arran North West Sutherland Shetland (part) South Lewis, Harris and North Uist Trotternish Wester Ross Group 3: Coastal (9) Dornoch Firth East Stewartry Coast Fleet Valley Kyles of Bute Loch na Keal Lynn of Lorn Morar, Moidart, Ardnamurchan Nith Estuary South Uist Machair Group 4: Mountain Massif (2) Ben Nevis and Glen Coe Cairngorm Group 5: Highland Glens and Lochs (11) Deeside and Lochnaggar Glen Affric Glen Strathfarrar Kintail Loch Lomond Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon Loch Shiel Loch Tummel River Earn (Comrie-St. Fillans) River Tay (Dunkeld) The Trossachs Group 6: Southern Upland Dales (2) Eildon and Leaderfoot Upper Tweeddale Group 7: Knapdale (1)
4.4 An examination of the 40 descriptions reveals the weight given in the selection
process to landform and broad land cover. It reveals the selectors’ eye for dramatic topography, sharp contrast, complexity of landscape features and the juxtaposition of land and sea or land and freshwater. The descriptions are short, rather sketchy, but nevertheless frequently evocative. There is little reference to settlements and settlement pattern and few references to history or culture.
9
4.5 The 40 descriptions tend to reinforce the true basis of selection being, as the selectors honestly described, a process of subjective judgements based on informed consensus.
4.6 The selected NSAs concentrate on Highland, upland and coastal landscapes. Thirty-
three are located north and west of the Highland boundary fault. Fourteen are islands or part of islands.
Figure 1 – National Scenic Areas in Scotland
10
5. PREVIOUS PROJECTS DEFINING SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE NSAs 5.1 Three previously published projects have included a description of what was
considered to be the special qualities of an NSA. The aim of the Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon Study of 1987 was to articulate clearly what essential features of the landscape needed to be conserved and enhanced, and to set out the steps whereby this aim could be realised. The Dumfries and Galloway and Wester Ross projects were intended to pilot the development of management strategies for NSAs as part of the drive to reinforce the designations. The special qualities were defined as follows:
5.2 Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon NSA (1987)
In Loch Rannoch area
Loch Rannoch Richly wooded loch shores Black Wood of Rannoch Conical peak of Schiehallion Dunalastair Water Reed beds, meadows, willows, woodland fringe
In Glen Lyon area
Deeply incised valley, strong sense of enclosure Diversity of landscape character (e.g. mountains, meadows, rivers, etc.) Mountain summit (and alpine area) Birch and other deciduous woodlands Heather and blaeberry moorland Caledonian pinewoods Ornamental policy plantings and avenues Tree-lined burns
5.3 Dumfries and Galloway NSAs, e.g. East Stewartry Coast NSA (undated,
assumed 2002)
Complexity Diversity Intimacy of scale Change/movement Light Composition Harmony Landmarks Sensory qualities (climate, sounds, smell, peacefulness, naturalness) Summarised as a “sheltered, enclosed coastal landscape, valued for its peacefulness, intimacy, and sea views across the Solway”. The irregular topography, indented coastline and variety of land cover form a managed landscape of great complexity and diversity.
5.4 Wester Ross (2002)
Expansive space and distance Sense of height and vertical scale Uneven shape Indented coastline Sense of mass Sense of naturalness Richness of detail Composition – juxtaposition and contrast; proportion; successive layering
5.5 How the scenic qualities are experienced was also discussed and led to a spatial
variation expressed in a distribution map combining the scenic qualities by showing areas of:
Seaward experience Mountain core Coastal edge Eastern Hills Moorland expanse
11
5.6 There are notable differences between the outputs. The 1987 Study of Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon NSA is heavily based on a landscape character approach, with objective, almost ‘detached’ descriptions, by professionals, of mainly physical characteristics – lochs, moorland, pinewoods etc.
5.7 By contrast, the East Stewartry Coast qualities are strongly influenced by local
people’s perceptions, through a participative project that successfully articulated an intimate, community analysis of the experience and sense of place of the NSA, with very little reference to its physical characteristics. The outputs of this work, in 2002 (repeated in the other Dumfries and Galloway NSAs – Fleet Valley and Nith Estuary) concentrated on the subjective experience of landscape visually as in descriptions such as complexity and diversity, and non-visually such as intimacy and peacefulness.
5.8 The Wester Ross NSA work of 2002 provided an in-depth, professional, qualitative,
subjective description of the visual experiences of scenery, strongly orientated to perceptions and personal responses which provide “a sense of ….”, and how the whole forms a special combination.
5.9 Each study reflects something from the original designation citations in some way.
Each has its own, but different, strengths. All recognised the importance of the combination of characteristics, acknowledging the complexity and diversity of physical landform and land cover and elements that provided harmony. Importantly, each study recognised that the NSAs were not homogenous in terms of the special qualities and identified spatial variations in the form of sub-areas.
12
6. IDENTIFYING AND ANALYSING SPECIAL QUALITIES
Work in Scotland
6.1 The Cairngorms National Park Authority (2005) undertook an analysis of the special qualities of the Park in 2004. It recognised that “each individual is likely to have a different perception of the special qualities, influenced by their connection to the area, knowledge and interests.” It concluded that the qualities expressed across a range of stakeholder interests and literary sources, fell into two broad categories: ‘natural’ and ‘cultural’. In respect of each, the National Park looked at ‘evidence based qualities’ and ‘experience based qualities’ and researched publications widely to draw on perceptions of the value of the area. It identified landscape, biodiversity and the human experience (including wildness, accessibility, tranquillity and recreation) as important themes of the natural heritage; and land use, people, traditions and recreation as important themes in the cultural heritage. It found a broad consensus existed between the communities and interest groups that shared the Cairngorms. “Above all, there appears to be a recognition that while there are many individual qualities, it is their particular combination that gives the area its unique identity. There are many qualities that the Cairngorms share with other areas, but their particular combination here is what makes the Park special.”
6.2 Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority has also undertaken
considerable work to define the ‘special qualities’ of the Park. This work formed part of the preparations for the production of the National Park Plan, but is seen as having wider application in the future. It aimed to describe the concept of special qualities and the methodology that had been used to identify important heritage features and evaluate these and their contribution to the special qualities within the National Park. The methodology adapted the ‘Quality of Life Capital’ approach, discussed further in paragraph 6.19 below, following a series of steps which are summarised in paragraph 6.3. However, whereas Quality of Life Capital assesses some socio-economic and recreational aspects, the National Park work limited consideration to:
• sense of place / scenic qualities based on Landscape Character Assessment;
• cultural Heritage based on Historic Land use Assessment and designated sites, buildings and monuments etc.;
• biodiversity based on designated sites and biodiversity audits;
• geology based on geological Sites of Special Scientific Interest; and
• associations based on a range of literary sources, community futures profiles
and other records.
It recognised that individual features, such as woodlands, contribute to more than one of the qualities.
6.3 The Park was already divided for planning and management purposes into four
widely recognised ‘Landscape Areas’: Argyll Forest; Breadalbane; Loch Lomond and The Trossachs. The first step in the process was to divide some of these areas further, into a total of nine ‘Park Character Zones’, based on broad variations of landscape character. This had the effect of embedding landscape character into the whole process, as a primary influence on the assessment of special qualities, because the zones were defined on the basis of the Landscape Character Assessment.
13
6.4 Step 2 broke down the 9 Park Character Zones into “more manageable units” based
on key variations in natural and cultural heritage, but in effect on the basis of the Landscape Character Types in the Landscape Character Assessment, merely recording for each Landscape Character Type the elements of the Historic Land use Assessment in the “key features and qualities”. Step 3 considered the benefits provided by the key features and qualities defined for each of the Landscape Character Types, in Step 2.
6.5 Step 4 sought to attach ‘importance’ to the features and qualities, where this was not
already evaluated (for example by a national or international designation). Where an evaluation had to be made, it was based on informed advice and professional judgement, using criteria that included distinctiveness, quality and condition, rarity, vulnerability, representativeness, setting, context, historical continuity, accessibility and popularity. Step 5 identified detectable trends or pressures acting on the key features and qualities, to help prioritise Park management. However, in practice little data was available and the analysis of change to the features and qualities relied on professional judgement, though this produced useful and rational outcomes. Step 6 drew up priorities for policy, based on the foregoing, and devised management objectives and opportunities for conservation or enhancement.
6.6 The key features and qualities could probably have been identified relatively easily by
local archaeological, ecological, geological, landscape and planning professionals. Outcomes strongly resemble the descriptions, pressures for change and guidelines sections of the Landscape Character Assessments in the Scotland-wide series, especially those that had stronger recognition of historical dimensions and historical change. For each Landscape Character Type there is only a handful of (usually only 2 – 6) objectives and opportunities.
6.7 Recognising the influence of the evaluation of benefits and prioritisation of
management objectives as a result of the work in Steps 3 – 6 is difficult in the first set of outcomes. Rather the work appears to address all the key features and qualities that have any indication of pressures for change, or opportunities, irrespective of their importance. Most would have been identified in the Guidelines section of a Landscape Character Assessment, usually with many others. Nevertheless, the work plays a valuable role in assembling a disparate range of datasets into a consistent and useful presentation, giving a rational explanation to the management objectives and opportunities on a consistent and (for the subjects covered) comprehensive basis across the Park. Its strength will be in this consistent expression of perceived features and qualities that non-environmental professionals would not be familiar with.
6.8 In the Guidance on Local Landscape Designations, SNH and Historic Scotland
(2005) also draw heavily on the combination of Landscape Character Assessment and Historic Land use Assessment, recommending that both are undertaken as a pre-requisite to refreshing the use of local landscape designations. These should help to identify what is locally typical, rare or unique and what condition the characteristics are in. The Guidance goes on to say (para 3.4) “In addition to these aspects of landscape character, a number of landscape qualities are also likely to be particularly relevant to the identification of valued landscapes for designation. While linked to the type, range and composition of the physical components of the landscape, these qualities are a function of our own personal response to landscape. Such qualities can be commonly recognised and valued, though they are influenced by a wide set of factors, including the prevailing social attitudes to landscapes”.
14
6.9 The landscape qualities comprise the four interrelated qualities of scenic; enjoyment; cultural and naturalness. The Guidance recommends the use of landscape criteria (significance, representativeness and relative merit) and practical criteria (need, integrity and support), the former being of more relevance in this context. The Glossary contains the following definition of “landscape qualities – less tangible and experiential aspects of a landscape such as the appreciation of its beauty or history, its sense of wildness, or its challenge for recreation. While these qualities are dependent on individual perception, they are commonly recognised and valued by people.”
6.10 In July 2003, the National Trust for Scotland published a paper entitled Acquisitions
and Disposals: Evaluation of Heritage Significance, which established criteria for assessing the heritage significance of assets in respect of acquisition and disposal by the Trust. The paper distinguished between some natural aspects of landscape under natural heritage and, in a separate category, aesthetics including natural beauty, visual and aesthetic appreciation of landscape and nature, including scenic or picturesque places. The criteria for assessing significance used indicators of extent / completeness; naturalness / undisturbed; diversity; authenticity; corpus of evidence / study; threat / fragility; and continuity of use / demonstration.
Work in the National Parks in England and Wales
6.11 There is a general distinction between the ways in which the National Parks of
England and Wales have sought to identify their special qualities and those of the majority of the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in England. The National Parks have generally been quite proactive in seeking public opinion as to what people, both residents and visitors, value. The AONBs, generally, have approached the definition of what is significant about the areas through a landscape character approach. Consequently, the published examples of descriptions of special qualities tend to be based either on subjective public responses or more descriptive character assessments.
6.12 The Research Bibliography provides a full list of documents examined in the
research. Whilst the following examples are drawn from the English Parks, similar illustrations could have been drawn from the Welsh Parks. The Lake District National Park canvassed public opinion twice, in 1997 during preparation of the Management Plan and again in 2002, as part of the research leading to World Heritage Site inscription. The National Park Authority (NPA) recognised that people’s responses depended on their definitions of ‘special’ and ‘quality’ and on their knowledge and experience of the Lake District compared to other places. However, the NPA could still identify qualities that, taken together, make the Lake District National Park special (see box 1).
Box 1: The Lake District National Park – “What’s so special? – Special Qualities”
Taken together, these are the special qualities
Complex geology Diverse landscape Concentration of Common Land Unique mosaic of lakes, tarns and rivers Wealth of habitats and wildlife Extensive semi-natural woodlands History of tourism and outdoor activities Opportunities for quiet enjoyment Open nature of the fells Rich archaeology Distinctive settlement pattern Celebrated social and cultural roots
15
6.13 Similar consultation exercises in other National Parks have led to succinct descriptions of the special qualities of other National Parks, with the authority of public endorsement, see Boxes 2 to 5.
Box 2: “The Special Qualities of Dartmoor” - Dartmoor National Park Management Plan
(2001)
Taken together, these are the special qualities Peace and quiet Remoteness and solitude Unspoilt natural beauty Wide open spaces Wildness and wildlife (habitats) Freedom to roam Box 3: “The Special Qualities” of the North York Moors National Park -“What makes this a
special place?” (2005) Taken together, these are the special qualities Great diversity of landscape and sudden dramatic contrasts associated with this. Wide sweeps of open heather moorland with distinctive dales, valleys and inland headlands. An abundance of forest and woodland and ancient trees and woodland rich in wildlife. Special landforms from the Ice Age and exceptional coastal geology. Majestic coastal cliffs and sheltered harbours; distinctive coastal headlands. A special mix of upland, lowland and coastal habitats and a wide variety of wildlife dependent on these. Settlements which reflect their agricultural, fishing or mining past and locally distinctive buildings and building materials. Long imprint of human activity, a wealth of archaeology from pre-history to the 20th Century. A rich and diverse countryside for recreation with an extensive network of public paths and tracks. Strong religious past and present with ruined abbeys and ancient churches. Strong feeling of remoteness; a place for spiritual refreshment. Tranquillity; dark skies at night and clear unpolluted air. Distinctive skills, dialects, songs and customs; a strong sense of community and friendly people. A place of artistic, literary and scientific inspiration with a heritage of authors, artists, scientists and explorers. Box 4: “A very special place with very special qualities” the Northumberland National Park
(2005)
Taken together, these are the special qualities As summarised by the pupils of Rothbury Middle School: Tranquillity Spirit History Culture Wildlife Landscape
To which others have added: openness; peace and quiet; natural / traditional / unspoilt; wild / wilderness; remote; silence / solitude and diversity
16
6.14 The Peak District National Park Plan brings together its special qualities as shown in box 5.
Box 5: The Special Qualities of the Peak District National Park - “What makes the Peak
District National Park a special place” (2002) Taken together, these are the special qualities Outstanding beauty and character of the landscape. Significant geological features. Sense of wildness and remoteness. Clean earth, air and water. Importance of wildlife and the area’s unique biodiversity. Thousands of years of human influence, which can be traced through the landscape. Distinctive character of villages and settlements. Wealth of historic buildings, gardens and parks. Opportunities for quiet enjoyment. Opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure. Easy accessibility for visitors from surrounding urban areas. Vibrancy and sense of community. Customs, legends, traditions and arts. Environmentally-friendly methods of farming and working the land. Craft and cottage industries. The special value attached to the National Park by surrounding urban communities.
Work in the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England 6.15 The Countryside Agency AONB Guidance (2002) states that AONB Management
Plans should include: “A Description of the AONB and an Assessment of its significance and special qualities. Information about the area itself should stress aspects that give unity to the AONB as a whole, while also identifying individual features or distinct zones within the AONB.” It does not, however, offer further guidance on how to identify the special qualities, or examples of what they might be.
6.16 Consequently, it is necessary to turn to examples of AONB Management Plans, to
see what special qualities have been identified and described in light of this guidance. The research bibliography provides a full list of documents examined in the research. It will be seen how the Surrey Hills concentrated almost exclusively on views; how a number of AONBs recognise the importance of landform, geology and geological / geomorphological features; the recognition of how building styles or materials lend harmony and distinctiveness to an area (e.g. the Cotswolds) and the value of diversity of land cover (especially woodlands) and the presence of water.
6.17 Despite the considerable diversity of examples, themselves representative of an even
greater diversity in the whole suite of AONBs, some general conclusions can be drawn. The special qualities of AONBs are primarily related to the harmony and / or contrast of their component landscape character types (moorland contrasting with valleys or the harmonious blend of river valley and estuarine areas); ‘richness’ and ‘diversity’; features characteristic of what is perceived to be an unspoilt typical ‘English’ upland or lowland landscape. For example, lowland hay meadows, large hedgerows enclosing small irregularly shaped fields, villages with tall church spires,
17
broadleaved woodlands or, in the uplands, rolling moorlands, hill fields with sheep enclosed by stone walls, barns and steadings, waterfalls along fast flowing rivers.
6.18 The North Norfolk Coast landscape character assessment of 1995, however,
researched a much wider base in its search for special qualities (Countryside Commission, 1995). It looked at the landscape as part of the national and regional resource, in a conventional approach to landscape character assessment, but also looked at its scenic qualities; how the landscape is perceived and valued (by the general public and by writers and others who may have been inspired by it); and other special values, reflected in historical and cultural associations, and special nature and historic conservation interests (designations).
Other evaluation methods in Britain
6.19 The Quality of Life Capital approach has been widely published and discussed so explanation here is limited to the key elements relevant to the identification of special qualities. It seeks to identify ‘what matters’, what is important, to whom; and what benefits natural and man-made features may bring; how important they are; how much of them there is; whether they are substitutable and what policy or management aims should be attributed to them. It is a useful approach in that it requires fundamental re-thinking about values attached to features that may, or may not, have been valued in the past. It is a matrix based approach and so has the benefits of being systematic. It is also regarded as potentially subjective and to some potential stakeholders, rather esoteric and difficult to apply, although it has made an important contribution to some evaluation processes (e.g. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Plan, as described above) and advanced the rigour and comprehensiveness of environmental assessment and monitoring.
6.20 In the late 1990s the Countryside Council for Wales, in association with the Wales
Landscape Partnership Group developed a landscape information resource under the title LANDMAP (‘Landscape Assessment and Decision Making Process’). It was launched as a unique tool within a European context which would present a pool of information on the multiple components which come together as the Welsh landscape and create its character and sense of place. It uses a highly systematic method of assessment so that all aspects of landscape are considered equally, and provides a ‘product’ which can be utilised for a broad range of landscape planning and management activities.
6.21 Its core approach is one of making desk-top and field assessments of five core
elements of landscape: Geological Landscape; Landscape Habitats; Visual and Sensory qualities; Historic Landscape; and Cultural Landscape. Surveys are carried out at County or National Park scales. The methodology is rigorously defined into distinct stages and assessment criteria, with a further quality assurance stage adding rigour to the consistency between different area assessments. In a number of ways the system reflects Landscape Character Assessment as established within England and Scotland, but also embraces historical and cultural landscape issues in a more systematic way. At the main assessment stage, there is no reference to identifying and evaluating those character elements which may contribute to special qualities.
6.22 Within the ‘Visual and Sensory Qualities’ element of LANDMAP the assessor is
required to categorise the Aspect Areas (main spatial units) as being of outstanding, high, moderate, low or unknown quality under headings of Scenic Quality, Integrity, Character and Rarity. The Scenic Quality element is defined as ‘The area will have accessibly-viewed scenes which are of a picturesque quality, demonstrating aesthetically-pleasing elements in composition’. As a guide the methodological
18
guidance for LANDMAP (CCW 2003) suggests “outstanding” means of international or national Importance, and “high” as of regional or county importance. However there appears to be an absence of clear guidance to the assessor as to how scenic quality might be judged and categorised within this framework.
6.23 Hence special qualities - as a discreet concept or characteristic of the landscape are
not clearly acknowledged as core elements or components within the assessment technique. The assessment of visual and sensory qualities in the methodology invites assessment of less tangible or quantifiable elements of landscape, and requires assessors to have regard to factors such as ‘attractiveness’, ‘tranquillity’, ‘threat’, ‘wildness’ and ‘spiritual’ qualities of the aspect area. The guidance acknowledges the subjective nature of taking such judgements.
6.24 LANDMAP therefore offers a very detailed and widely accessible inventory of
landscape topographical and geomorphological characteristics, and human or cultural influences thereon, across Wales. However it does not seek to afford value to discreet landscape components. Whilst offering a broad and consistent assessment of landscape characteristics it does not embrace stakeholder opinion.
6.25 Landscape Evaluation in England, especially to justify non-statutory local
designations, following a somewhat discouraging approach in Government policy, can help to inform the process of identifying special qualities, even though it is heavily orientated to comparative designation analysis rather than analysis of what is special within a designated area. The Research Bibliography provides a full list of documents examined in the research. An example of a fairly complex, contemporary landscape evaluation is found in the work undertaken on behalf of Colchester Borough Council in the Review of Countryside Conservation Areas in Colchester Borough (2005). In re-assessing the basis for local landscape designations, in accordance with Planning Policy Statement 7 Sustainable Development in Rural Areas,(ODPM 2005) it adopted the following criteria: Landscape Quality, Scenic Quality, Rarity, Representativeness, Conservation Interests, Wildness / Tranquillity, and Associations; ranking each landscape unit as a high value landscape, a moderate or low value landscape. Whilst achieving its objective of justifying the local designations, this work exhibits some confusion in the selection and application of criteria, possibly because it attempts to combine seemingly incompatible elements (rarity and representativeness). There is the inherent danger of degrading the weight attached to good landscape design and planning in areas ranked as low value landscapes.
6.26 Other examples of similar work to review local designations, for example, Doncaster
Metropolitan Borough Council (1994), took a simpler and possibly more robust approach. It was based on a method that identified special landscape areas that were the most appropriate examples of each landscape character type, classified in a new landscape character assessment, on the grounds of integrity, spatial extent and representativeness. This endorsed the pre-existing designated areas, with some relatively minor boundary changes, and added a new area, based on the Thorne and Hatfield Moors, a low-lying area of peatlands of high natural heritage value not previously recognised in landscape assessments when compared with the Pennine fringes and limestone hills elsewhere in the Borough.
19
International perspectives
Global conventions 6.27 Examples of approaches to identifying special-ness in landscapes at the global level
are found in the criteria for UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription. There is an emphasis on human creations in and human influence on landscape, for example in criteria:
(i) to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius; (ii) to exhibit an important interchange of human values ….. (iii) to bear a unique, or at least exceptional, testimony to a cultural tradition or
to a civilisation that is living or has disappeared; (iv) to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or
technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history; and
(v) to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use or sea-use which is representative of a culture or human interaction with the environment ….
Other criteria focus on geological and other natural phenomena and biological diversity or ecosystems, for example, criteria:
(vi) to contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural
beauty and aesthetic importance; (vii) to be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth’s history,
including the record of life, significant ongoing geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features;
(viii) to be outstanding examples representing significant ongoing ecological or biological processes in the evolution of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals; and
(ix) to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in situ conservation of biological diversity …..
6.28 It will be noted, however, that criterion (vi) also includes “areas of exceptional natural
beauty and aesthetic importance” thus opening the door to inscription of landscapes for their scenic value. The revised Operational Guidelines (UNESCO, 2005), indicate that the protection, management, authenticity and integrity of candidates are also important considerations. This introduces, in terms of landscape and visual amenity, not only the factor of completeness / intactness / unspoilt qualities (integrity); but also that of distinctiveness (referred to as authenticity in the criteria). European Approaches
6.29 In Europe, the typical approach is found in the Council of Europe’s criteria for the European Diploma of Protected Areas (Council of Europe website). This is an initiative aimed at promoting the recognition of areas of outstanding natural heritage, in an international (European) context, with a view to promoting their management for conservation. It exhibits a strong emphasis on conservation of wildlife and natural features through protection, but also encourages the recognition of landscapes. Three candidacies are offered:
a) areas of particular importance for the conservation of biological diversity in
Europe;
b) areas aimed at conserving remarkable natural phenomena or geological or physiographic formations characteristic of the earth’s history; or
20
c) areas of particular importance for the conservation of landscape diversity in
Europe.
The latter may comprise:
a) sites or landscapes of outstanding aesthetic or cultural value or of a spectacular nature;
b) complexes conserved as evidence of the history of the countryside or woodland in Europe; or
c) country or wooded areas that are cultivated using extensive methods and containing typical examples of European landscapes.
6.30 Protected landscapes in many European countries are based heavily on wildlife /
biodiversity protection. For example, “The primary purpose of national parks is to safeguard the diversity of Finnish nature. When establishing national parks attention has also been paid to the protection of natural sights and Finnish history.” (Natural Heritage Services of Metsähallitus, 2006). However, there are exceptions, for example, Lithuania prioritises a more holistic view of landscape, epitomised by its description of the Dzukija National Park, of 55,000 ha designated in 1991. It refers first to the woodlands, rivers and views, to the ancient towns and other historical attractions, legends and folk tales, forest villages with their vernacular architecture, local crafts and traditions of gathering wild mushrooms and fruit on a commercial scale, with mention of the rare eagles and mammals such as deer, elk, wild boar and wolves at the end of the citation (Lithuanian Government, 2006). An American example
6.31 The United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service (2006), has extensive responsibility for designating and protecting a wider variety of heritage resources than just the National Parks. It has set criteria for the screening and selection of candidate park units (which may be relatively small areas or properties) to screen them for national significance. Criteria include a requirement to meet all four of the following:
a) an outstanding example of a particular type of resource; b) exceptional value of quality illustrating or interpreting the natural or cultural
themes of our Nation’s heritage; c) superlative opportunities for recreation for public use and enjoyment or for
scientific study; d) a high degree of integrity as a true accurate and relatively unspoiled example
of the resource. 6.32 Thus, again the influence of integrity is apparent, as well as high quality. Natural
area examples may include (the list is selective):
a) an outstanding site that illustrates the characteristics of landform or biotic area that is still widespread;
b) a rare remnant natural landscape or biotic area of a type that was once widespread;
c) a landform or biotic area that has always been extremely uncommon in the region or nation;
d) a site that possesses exceptional diversity of ecological components or geological features;
21
e) an area that has outstanding scenic qualities such as dramatic topographic features, unusual contrasts in landforms or vegetation, spectacular vistas or other special landscape features
Discussions with specialists
6.33 The research for this methodology included telephone interviews with a number of
practicing landscape, planning and conservation professionals working in the field of protected landscapes and management plan preparation. The discussions ranged from around 25 minutes to over an hour in duration. The discussions began with establishing whether Landscape Character Assessment was a good basis for the understanding of special and scenic qualities. The range of elements beyond landform and land use that could contribute to special qualities was then discussed. In particular the interviews addressed the combinations of factors which come together to make a place special and consideration as to whether individual elements could be of such note, in their own right, as to make a place special. Interviewees were also asked for their views about the need for assessing special qualities to be done by a landscape professional; how important were terminology and rigour in nomenclature; whether it was an intuitive process; and the importance of the opinion of local residents and visitors.
6.34 Whilst the discussions were wide ranging and detailed, and many individual points
helped to inform the overall conclusions of this report, there was considerable common ground in views held by various people. These discussions widely endorsed the following points.
a) A holistic approach to the definition of landscape and scenery should be
adopted, which should include historical, cultural and biological associations and influences.
b) Use of landscape character assessment is a good starting point to the
process of defining special qualities, indeed there is probably no other widely available tool to inform the process at an appropriate level.
c) Landscape and other environmental professionals should work as a team and
their work should form the basis of wider public consultation which is seen as essential.
d) Subjective professional judgement is necessary and so long as it is
systematic it provides a sound basis for defining special qualities. However, perception of what is special does change over time and will vary between communities; this is why wide and contemporary consultation is important.
e) Special qualities do not necessarily have to be rare qualities, but simply what
makes an area important and valued. It is often the combination of characteristics that is special.
f) There is a need for methodologies to be consistent and rigorous and for the
careful use of some terms. However, method statements should not appear to be esoteric, with over-precise language appearing to draw distinctions between words that most people would regard as synonymous. Methods need to be understandable and user-friendly.
g) What is special, described by some as the ‘wow factor’, is likely to be quite
apparent, if not obvious (that is why it is special) and the ability to recognise it
22
is not confined to landscape, or indeed any other, professionals. People can actually see what is special, though it may take a professional to articulate it.
6.35 Two further points arose from discussions that did not emerge from other research.
Firstly, ‘scenic’ is related to ‘scenery’, and scenery has a theatrical connotation that is relevant to landscapes; it is the setting for human activity. Secondly, one of the special qualities of many designated landscapes is that they are perceived by people to be more natural and unspoilt, even though apparently wild landscapes are not, in that sense, ‘natural’.
Conclusions from other work defining special qualities
6.36 Despite the enormous range of qualities identified as special, and the considerable
variation in levels of detail and emphasis, a number of features and expressions recur, at all levels – global to local: such as ‘contrast’, ‘diversity’, ‘harmony’, ‘authenticity’, ‘distinctiveness’ and ‘representativeness’. Certain descriptive qualities referred to are highly subjective and reliant on personal responses, such as ‘spectacular’, ‘dramatic’ or ‘wild’; no one seeks to define these descriptions, which are assumed to be recognisable, in the context where they occur. There is a distinction often drawn, explicitly or implicitly, between physical qualities (features and attributes) such as woodland, lakes, moorland or coast, which are frequent or widespread; and people’s responses to their particular characteristics or the way they combine to provide a scene that is ‘exhilarating’ or ‘inspiring’.
6.37 This leads to the contemplation that there may be two main types of special qualities
– physical ones and perceived ones. For physical qualities, special-ness may relate to rare, very fine, authentic or unspoilt examples or combinations of them, or to extremes of scale, shape or intensity, which qualities lead to them being described as ‘special’. In respect of perceived qualities, it may be these physical qualities in themselves, or in combination with other qualities related to the experience of a place, that evoke extremes of perception, again leading to them being described as ‘special’. There are slopes and cliffs in many places, they are special when they evoke descriptions such as ‘spectacular slopes’ and ‘dramatic cliffs’. This implies that special places are not necessarily places where we might find the rare or unusual, but rather that they can sometimes be places where the commonplace exhibit unusual extremes or come together in ways that invoke a response in people that is regarded as special – inspirational, romantic, wild, dramatic, spectacular, beautiful, tranquil or exhilarating. Those responsible for designating, or otherwise acknowledging, the special-ness of places simply assume that these qualities will be recognisable when they occur; they do not go into detailed or esoteric attempts to define the qualities or tell people how to recognise them, or how to distinguish them from the ordinary.
6.38 Special qualities can be a combination of matters of fact (physical features that can
be seen, counted and measured), and matters of degree, (the physical features are extreme in some way that appeals to people’s senses); or their composition is so unusual or extreme in a way that is so moving it invokes a description such as ‘beautiful’ or ‘inspiring’.
6.39 To this extent, experience overseas reinforces that in Britain, and reinforces the
subjective basis of NSA designation. It helps to direct attempts to define special qualities away from over-precise language; carefully tuned definitions; and away from a method that purports to be more sophisticated than the process of defining special qualities actually is. Defining special qualities in NSAs will be an essentially intuitive, largely subjective process, albeit one that is capable of being structured and
23
systematic. Subjectivity and intuition are positive, not negative, aspects of the work, they are essential and widely accepted. However, there is a need to guard against the influence of changing perceptions leaving identified special qualities out-of-date. It may be necessary to review special qualities over quite long periods of time, say 20 years or so, to validate their continued applicability in a changing world.
6.40 Special qualities can also be grouped into categories of similar characteristics, for
example related to visual experience, wildlife or experience of the landscape, as explained more fully in section 7 below. Thus the analysis of the results of others seeking to define special qualities enables us to begin to understand their scope and to structure their identification and description in a systematic way.
24
7. DEVELOPING A METHOD TO IDENTIFY SPECIAL QUALITIES
Setting the parameters
7.1 The method to identify special qualities should meet the following criteria.
(a) Realistic – achievable and practical in terms of skills, staff resources, finance and timescales.
(b) Repeatable – from one NSA to another, now and in the future with different
compositions of personnel.
(c) Resonant – understandable and meaningful to those who undertake it and those who use its outputs.
(d) Relevant to people – involving as wide a community of people as possible.
(e) Respected – capable of being adopted and perceived as a method
generating consensus through informed professional judgement and wide public opinion that is as free from dispute as possible.
(f) Robust – capable of withstanding scrutiny, learning lessons from past work
but nevertheless flexible and capable of adaptation over time; self evidently it should be applicable to all NSAs.
(g) Related to the scenery and landscape of NSAs.
7.2 The identification of special qualities needs to be stitched into the wider process of
producing, implementing and monitoring a management plan or strategy. It may be useful in the consideration of any further candidates for NSA status and in assessing the need for any boundary changes for existing NSAs. However, the task of this project is to generate a method of identifying special qualities of pre-determined areas, it should not be driven or overly influenced by relationships with designation criteria. Whilst this project is not a justification for each NSA it is seeking to explain why these areas have been identified.
Relationship with the designation criteria
7.3 It is a truism that everywhere is unique. The reasons for designation of any protected
landscape reflect the requirements or criteria of the statutory or other procedures that govern the designation process; they do not necessarily tell us all that is special about the area. In other words, once a designated area has been delineated, its special qualities may, and almost invariably do, extend beyond those qualities that it was necessary to demonstrate in order to achieve the designation. For example, English AONBs are designated on the basis of their ‘natural beauty and amenity’ but when those responsible for their management take a holistic approach to identifying their special qualities (that need to be understood in order to effectively manage the special-ness of the designated area) they identify a much wider range of qualities that are considered to be special. They emphasise how it is the combination of all of these, coming together in the way that only occurs in that AONB (or National Park) that makes the area special.
7.4 Given that the basis of designation of a NSA was scenic value, as opposed to, for
example, wildlife value or historic value, it is not necessary to know how the area met
25
a long list of criteria in order to define its scenic qualities. The two processes: applying designation criteria and identifying special qualities are different. This is helpful, given the sparse information we have about the reasons why one area was selected as a NSA whilst another may not have been. We are not revisiting the designation process, nor justifying the designation against some new criterion. We are taking the designation as read and searching for the special qualities that require protection, conservation, nurturing and good stewardship so that the area retains its national landscape importance.
7.5 Nevertheless, the descriptions in the citations in Scotland’s Scenic Heritage are
helpful pointers to the special characteristics recognised by those who selected and delineated them. Furthermore, because the potential range of special qualities is so wide, as shown in the examples in section 6 above and Table 1 below, it is necessary to bear in mind the reason for designation when considering the special qualities of a NSA. This helps to constrain the very wide choice of qualities. Otherwise it may result in selection of special qualities that are so far removed from the purpose of designation as to be irrelevant to the purpose of defining the qualities. On the other hand, the special qualities addressed in this report and method statement extend beyond the purely scenic, in its narrowest sense of what can be seen. Traditionally it has been the ‘scenic’ qualities of landscapes that have been valued and designated, for their amenity value or, as the statutes have defined it ‘natural beauty and amenity’. This approach still underpins NSAs and contributes importantly to National Park designation, but now there is a more explicit recognition of the contribution of cultural and natural heritage attributes to landscape and scenery and the qualities they engender. This approach intends to embrace them, without departing so far from the purpose of NSA designation that other elements bear no relation to the landscape or scenery.
The role of Landscape Character Assessment
7.6 Landscape Character Assessment is a valuable contribution to the identification
process and the basis of landscape description underpinning many aspects of the special qualities. Indeed, it is probably an indispensable tool in the recommended method. It will be an excellent starting point for identifying the characteristics of an area. The spatial expression of landscape character types in landscape character units is also an appropriate starting point for distinguishing the differences between the various parts of a NSA, and how the special qualities may vary spatially. This was the case in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park work, but less so in the Wester Ross work, described in sections 6 and 5 above respectively. However, the work in England shows that Landscape Character Assessment, alone, will not identify all that is regarded as special. Indeed, the process deliberately stops short of attempting to express people’s responses and reactions to landscape, in order to preserve a higher level of objectivity. It therefore cannot embrace human emotional response, such as exhilaration and inspiration; it will not represent people’s perceptions of recreational challenge and reward. It may not fully embrace the influence of people and community on the special-ness of an area, although some aspects of the assessments will contribute to understanding these qualities. The discussions in Sections 6 above and 8 below indicate that special qualities extend beyond the range of factors incorporated into Landscape Character Assessment.
26
Why a wide community must participate 7.7 In order to make the identification of special qualities relevant to people, resonant,
respected and robust (see 7.1 above), it is essential that a wide community of people contribute.
7.8 In retrospect one of the impediments to the wider and more immediate acceptance of
the existing suite of NSAs in the past may have been that they were seen by some as a rather intuitive, even idiosyncratic, product of a single body that had not consulted in the earlier stages of the evolution of the designation. This is particularly so in light of the acknowledged subjective nature of the selection process, which was self-justifying. The areas chosen were those considered to be the finest landscape, but by a relatively narrow, albeit well informed group. An obvious measure of special-ness, as recognised by a wider public, would be the numbers of visitors that an area attracted. The type of visitor may also be a consideration bearing in mind the differing demands of the mountaineer, compared to those of the car-based tourist. But the description of the selection of the NSAs is silent as to whether such matters were considered. After ten years, the NSAs were seen by many professionals as just another landscape designation of no special priority (Cobham Resource Consultants 1988).
7.9 The problem was not that the process of selection was subjective, because
subjective judgements are an essential, positive and widely accepted part of designation processes and of assessing what is special about designated areas. Rather, many of the problems associated with the NSA selection process relate to the exclusion of stakeholder and wider public opinion. Such a method is probably inconceivable today.
7.10 The Council for Europe Explanatory Report on the European Landscape Convention,
at paragraphs 54 – 57 emphasises the importance of the involvement of stakeholders in the assessment of the quality and qualities of landscapes. It explains that sub-paragraph C 1 b of the Convention “requires Parties to assess the qualities of the landscapes identified, taking into account the particular value of different kinds assigned to them by the general public and interested parties such as landowners and land users or land managers. The point of this evaluation is to provide a basis for judging what landscape features of an area are so valuable that they should be protected; what features need management in order to maintain the quality of the landscape; and what features or areas should be considered for enhancement. The process must take account of the concerned people’s opinion and the interests linked to sectoral policies, and here views may well be highly subjective and differ considerably. It may be worth performing the evaluation according to objective criteria first, then comparing the findings with the various assessments of the landscape by people concerned and other interest groups. If necessary the comparison could be carried out by public inquiry, with the interested parties having the right to express their opinion. Public participation in this type of procedure could be fostered by providing the public with information, consulting all representative bodies, using the media and conducting awareness-raising campaigns at all levels.”
7.11 The Brief anticipated this point by indicating (paragraph 5): “The work proposed here
is solely of a professional / expert nature, which does not involve public consultation nor seek to capture the views of wider stakeholders. SNH recognises the importance of these wider views, which can support and inform the assessments results, but it is intended that these will be captured at some future date when management strategies are prepared through an inclusive process for individual NSAs.”
27
The scope of special qualities previously defined in other assessments 7.12 Having examined over forty examples of relatively detailed, published definitions of
‘special qualities’ (in addition to reading the 40 NSA citations) for areas designated for their landscape and / or scenic amenity value, in England, Scotland and Wales, and bearing in mind the international perspectives described in section 6 above, and the differing approaches adopted by analysts elsewhere, the scope of special qualities may be grouped into eight general topics. These are listed in Table 1 below, with examples taken from actual cases.
Table 1 – Examples of Special Qualities Previously Defined: Grouped by General Topic
General Topic
Examples of qualities expressed
Authenticity and integrity
Distinctive, intact, integrity, unspoilt, unharmed, distinct – not transitional, natural and naturalness, clean earth, air and water, pristine, clean, fresh, pollution-free
Emotional response
Influence of weather and light, influence of the sea, tranquil, secret, hidden, undiscovered, softness or hardness, smoothness or roughness, gentleness or ruggedness, dramatic, spectacular, comforting, reassuring, safe, intimate, rural idyll, exhilarating, exciting, inspiring, surprise, open, windswept, exposed, unified, harmonious, quiet, silent, calm, peaceful, peace and quiet, solitude, spiritual refreshment, wildness, freedom
Visual experience
Diverse, complex, varied, constantly changing scene, intricate, contrasting, juxtapositions, colourful, green, intensity and clarity of light, dominance of the sky, varied views, panoramic views from mountains, cliffs, hills, edges, escarpments; iconic viewpoints, landmarks and ‘beauty spots’; composition, proportion, mass, shape, movement
People and community
Vibrancy, sense of community, value attached to area by surrounding urban communities, friendly people, warm-hearted, caring people, delightful people, courteous people
History and culture
Distinctive skills, dialects, songs and customs; legends, folklore; religious associations, strong religious past and present, ruined abbeys and ancient churches; example of medieval land management; past industries including lead mining, wireworks, tin plate works, craft and cottage industries; strong associations with visual arts, literature, science or exploration; local produce including cheese, meat, fruits, beers, mushrooms; special or distinctive crops including lavender, hops and fruit orchards; distinctive or rare breeds of domestic horses, cattle, sheep or goats; distinctive boats, ships or barges; historic infrastructure including leats, bridges, harbours, water meadows, industrial archaeology including mills, factories and military buildings; archaeological monuments, castles, large houses and designed landscapes
Settlement Uninhabited, sparsely populated, remote, pretty villages, churches, vernacular buildings, distinctive building materials, building types and styles, settlement pattern especially related to natural features
Wildlife Large scale habitats such as heaths and moors, woods full of wildlife, hay meadows, mudflats, estuaries, cliffs, sea birds, wildfowl, migratory birds, mammals, butterflies, bird song and calls
Landform, land use, land cover
Topography, landform features including hills, drumlins, dunes, beaches, cliffs, scarps, gorges, ravines, clefts, valleys, lochs, lakes, rivers, streams, burns, waterfalls, ponds, fields and field patterns, woods, moors, alpine and montane areas; hedges, stone dykes, walls, shelterbelts, avenues; rich mixture of landscape features, myriad of detail, intricate mix, mosaic, patchwork
28
7.13 However, in most cases, the authors of the lists of these special qualities recognise that it is the way that they interact, or the way that they combine, that makes a particular area special. The qualities are special because of the way in which they contribute to unusual, impressive or distinctive combinations, not because they are themselves unique, or in some cases, even particularly rare.
7.14 There is also a strong inter-relationship between the various topics, indeed, some
qualities could fit easily into two or more topics and there are other ways of dividing or merging the topics, for example splitting history and culture or joining culture and community. There is flexibility in approach here, but the important point is to recognise the full and wide scope of special qualities, far beyond the immediate visual experience; and the fact that it is the combinations of them that makes different areas distinctive and special.
7.15 However, NSAs are designated for their outstanding scenery so special qualities that
may be identified for a National Park, for example, are not necessarily relevant to a NSA. A NSA may have a strong sense of community but that is not a special quality relevant to its scenic value, even if it was one that everyone agreed was otherwise important. Consequently, Table 1 is reworked in Table 2 to exclude people and community, to reduce the range of cultural and historical qualities to those with a relevance to scenery.
Table 2 – Examples of Special Qualities that may inform the method statement
General Topic Examples of qualities
Landform, land use, land cover
Topography, landform features including hills, drumlins, dunes, beaches, cliffs, scarps, gorges, ravines, clefts, valleys, lochs, lakes, voes, geos, fjords, rivers, streams, burns, waterfalls, ponds, fields, field patterns, woods, moors, alpine and montane areas, hedges, stone dykes, walls, shelterbelts, avenues, myriad of detail, intricate mix, mosaic, patchwork
Settlement and Features
Uninhabited, sparsely populated, castles, towers, kirks, vernacular buildings, distinctive building materials, building types and styles, settlement pattern especially related to natural features, point and linear features
Visual experience
Diverse, complex, varied, constantly changing scene, intricate, contrasting, juxtapositions, colourful, green, intensity and clarity of light, dominance of the sky, varied views, panoramic views from mountains, cliffs, hills, edges, escarpments; iconic viewpoints, landmarks and ‘beauty spots’; composition, proportion, mass, shape, movement,
Emotional response
Influence of weather and light, influence of the sea, tranquil, secret, hidden, undiscovered, dramatic, spectacular, comforting, reassuring, safe, intimate, idyllic, exhilarating, exciting, inspiring, open, windswept, exposed, unified, harmonious; quiet, silent, calm, peaceful, solitude, refreshment, wildness, freedom
Authenticity and integrity
Distinctive, sense of place, intact, integrity, unspoilt, unharmed, distinct – not transitional, natural and naturalness, pristine, clean, fresh, pollution-free
Wildlife Wildlife that makes a marked contribution to the scenery, e.g. sea bird colonies, machair grassland flowers
History and culture
Associations with visual arts or literature or historic events or periods that have a strong influence on scenery today, including but not limited to designed landscapes
29
7.16 The first six rows of Table 2 are clearly relevant to scenic value and should have an undisputed place in the identification of special qualities, although wildlife would need to be particularly important to the scene, not merely present as it is almost everywhere. The role of history and culture, however, is less easily related to scenic value, even though it has an established place in landscape character assessment. Artistic, cultural, historic and scientific associations can be important attributes of scenery and landscape and they are frequently referred to in definitions of special qualities elsewhere. Nevertheless, to be relevant to NSAs, there needs to be a link to the scenic value. Thus, an association with a writer per se is not in itself sufficient to make it a special quality for a NSA. However, if the writer wrote about the landscape and scenery, and / or set the story in the scenery of the NSA, which was described in the written work, and people therefore associate the story with the landscape, because of the way the author used the landscape, that association would be relevant to a NSA.
7.17 Similarly, historical association is not in itself sufficient to merit consideration as a
special quality in a NSA, but if the scenery of the NSA exhibits features associated with a historic event, or a historic period, an association could be relevant to special qualities. The most obvious example is architectural styles or designed landscapes, they represent examples of historic periods and often portray strong visual evidence of cultural and historic design, taste and fashion, they contribute to the scenic value of an area and influence its landscape and scenery. Landscapes exhibiting the evidence of historic agricultural practices or industrial enterprises, including abandoned crofting, and some improvement (enclosure) landscapes would similarly be important and could contribute to special qualities, with physical and visual manifestations in the present scenery.
7.18 Mere association with a battle, visits by monarchs, or a birthplace would not in
themselves qualify as special qualities for a NSA, whereas they may (and do) for a National Park with its cultural heritage dimension. However, where the battle story is embedded in the consciousness of those experiencing the landscape (e.g. Glen Coe), or where royal association has influenced the landscape itself, it could be regarded as a special quality. This approach is endorsed to some extent by Scotland’s Scenic Heritage. Whilst making no mention of the battle of Glen Coe (page 51), it refers specifically to the associations of Ruskin and Scott to Lake Katrine in the Trossachs (page 87) and the influence of Queen Victoria and subsequent monarchs on the scenery of Royal Deeside in Deeside and Lochnagar (page 61). The interaction between the scenery and the associations with a place, is a two way process; cultural and historical associations influence our perceptions of a place, and our experience of a place is influenced by our knowledge of such associations. We can view these associations and interpret historical events differently over time.
7.19 At the end of the day, this initial exercise of generating special qualities will include
the historical and cultural qualities that the professional teams will consider to be relevant and special to each NSA. Public consultation will add others that are considered by community and other stakeholders to be important, and may delete some that were initially selected. This process of revision and refinement will apply to historic and cultural qualities in the same way as all other qualities identified.
The recommended approach
7.20 The recommended approach to identifying special qualities, as part of the overall
management strategy process, is therefore to harness a blend of :
30
i) professional judgement, including that of qualified landscape architects but also engaging a range of disciplines with an interest in the amenity value of landscape (including but not limited to land use / development and spatial planners, ecologists, countryside recreation advisers and land managers), and
ii) public opinion.
7.21 The approach involves a mix of desk research, fieldwork and consultation. It is
informed by:
a) landscape character assessment to provide a systematic description and spatial analysis;
b) references to recorded accolades, where they exist;
c) relevant artistic, cultural and historical associations and references where
potentially relevant to the landscape;
d) professional judgement; and
e) public participation.
This approach was strongly endorsed when we discussed the early findings of the project with other specialists (see paragraphs 6.33 – 6.35 above).
7.22 The fundamental question at all times in the identification and analytical processes is
“What are the characteristics that individually or when combined together make the area special in terms of its landscape or scenery?” They do not necessarily have to be special – distinctive, important, unique or valued in themselves, it is their contribution to the special-ness of the whole area that is important.
Table 3 – How the Special Qualities could be Identified
General Topic Methods and sources
Landform, land use, land cover
Desk research, Landscape Character Assessment, Professional Fieldwork
Settlement Map research, Landscape Character Assessment, Professional Fieldwork
Authenticity and integrity
Desk Research, Professional Fieldwork
Emotional response Professional Fieldwork
Visual experience Landscape Character Assessment, Professional Fieldwork
Wildlife Desk research, Nature Conservation Records, Professional Fieldwork
History and culture Desk Research, Landscape Character Assessment, Historic Land Use Assessment, Professional Fieldwork
31
7.23 Table 3 explains how the special qualities summarised in Table 2 could be first identified, before the public consultation stages. All the special qualities categorised in Table 3 will, of course, be subject to validation, amendment, rejection or addition by wider stakeholder involvement in later consultation stages.
7.24 A structured approach to the initial identification of the special qualities of NSAs is set
out in the following guidance. It is intended to produce a list and description of special qualities for an NSA as a whole or, where more appropriate, for spatial units within each NSA. These special qualities will be the result of professional opinion, later endorsed or modified by public opinion. They are considered to include the qualities that underpin designation as a NSA.
7.25 The following section (Part B) comprises the guidance as to the methodology for
identifying the special qualities; it may be published or read as a free standing document so there is some limited repetition of material found elsewhere in this report.
Summary of the evolution of the method
7.26 Drawing on the research undertaken in the first part of the study, an initial suggested
methodology was prepared as a basis for discussion with the steering group. This was based on three principal stages: desk study, fieldwork and analysis. The three stages remained applicable throughout and are shown on Figure 2 in Section 8 below. The following is a commentary on the changes and evolution of the method. Steps in the guidance that did not change are not discussed here.
Desk Study
7.27 Desk study anticipated the use of landscape character assessment, historic land use assessment, biodiversity mapping (habitats and species), library and web research of historic and cultural associations, OS map study and reading of Scotland’s Scenic Heritage.
7.28 In practice desk study was reduced in terms of historic land use assessment because
it was difficult to interpret without expert guidance and, at the scale of NSAs, it was too detailed. The effort of ‘grossing up’ the areas into more generic classifications, even where this may be possible and appropriate, was beyond the resources of this study. It would probably be beyond the resources of SNH in the other NSAs. Further, a layer of additional expert interpretation and / or evaluation of the detailed material would also be required to ‘translate’ the historic land uses into historical and cultural qualities.
7.29 Similarly, nature conservation records such as habitat mapping, citations of
designated sites and species records added little to the value of desk study. In some cases, for example, the Moine Mhor NNR/SSSI/SAC citations in Knapdale NSA, did add to the understanding of the area, perhaps because of its unusual ecology and physiographic structure. However, it is anticipated that extensive analysis of nature conservation information adds little to the process overall. It is more likely to be better to research biological and geological records in response to particular queries or sites arising from (and therefore after) fieldwork rather than before. It is likely that, in any event, SNH staff will have a reasonable background knowledge of natural heritage designations and information that will inform the approach to identifying special qualities.
7.30 This point is illustrated by the frequent references to wildlife in the identified special
qualities in Part C below. Where colourful or distinctive flora, or woodland birdsong
32
or riverside or coastal wildlife is noted by the surveyors it was not necessary to know all the relevant species of flora or fauna to recognise that collectively they added to the species qualities.
7.31 Thus, the recommended desk study is limited to: Scotland’s Scenic Heritage, OS
Landranger and Explorer Maps (1:50,000 and 1:25,000), web research for cultural and historical associations and, most important of all, Landscape Character Assessment (LCA).
Landscape Character Assessment
7.32 Two points about LCA are worth recording here. Firstly, the initial methodology required the NSA team to read the LCA prior to fieldwork and to record on field sheets material that was actually available in the LCA descriptions. This was to encourage the team to observe and record all landscape features, as a way of ensuring the observation was diligent and detailed. After the first two trials this approach was changed. It was found to be unnecessary to record all landscape features in this way, the team was observing the landscape in sufficient detail anyway. The additional recording was unnecessary duplication. Rather, the desk study work was increased to produce a summary sheet for each landscape character type occurring in each NSA as described in the final guidance. This was a more effective preparation and reduced fieldwork time and effort at each viewpoint.
7.33 Secondly, amongst the five pilot NSAs the LCAs were variable in their level of detail,
approach and accuracy. The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs LCA was inconsistent with the others in terms of both approach and outputs, for example, tending to identify characteristic features rather than landscape types and identify differences between areas of the Trossachs, rather than classifying and mapping landscape character types. We believe SNH is aware of the problems associated with this particular LCA.
7.34 Variations of detail in the LCAs related, unsurprisingly, to scale of areas. There was
a lack of detail and some problems associated with NSA landscape character units differing from the generic landscape character type, because the type was very extensive and the NSA unit only one, or a small part, of the type. This was more apparent in Assynt - Coigach and Ben Nevis Glen Coe, as may be expected. The problem was easily remedied by fieldwork recording more accurately characteristics of the type in the NSA. Accuracy problems also related to the incorrect allocation of a landscape character type to a landscape character unit. This was considered to be the result of human error on allocating the ‘label’ rather than incompetent classification and was again remedied by fieldwork description.
Spatial Sub-Division of the NSA
7.35 The early stages of method development envisaged that it would be necessary to sub-divide the NSAs into manageable units. The early methodologies therefore experimented with the mapping of spatial units using two principal techniques. The first was based on landscape character types, mapping the units from the LCAs. The second was based on '’viewsheds”, that is the spatial unit encompassed generally in views within the NSA, for example, the enclosure or containment of views in a glen by the ridges of hills separating one glen from the next, similar to the concept of ‘watersheds’.
7.36 In the first pilot NSA quite a long time was devoted to the spatial division of the NSA,
using both techniques to see which was most successful (for example see Part C The Trossachs NSA).
33
7.37 Using LCA as a basis for sub-dividing the NSA involved the mapping of the LCA units for each landscape character type and considering whether any may be amalgamated. This process is described in section 8, Part B below, so it is not repeated here. From a practical point of view, it was anticipated that between one and ten spatial units would be likely to work well in most NSAs.
7.38 If the NSA has a strongly rhythmical form of glens (or loch basins) separated by
ridges or linear hill masses a ‘viewshed’ approach was thought to be more appropriate. The object would be to define the areas, or spaces, which are contained by landform and seen and experienced as a single visual entity. This may assist in identifying some, if not all of the special qualities that result from the interaction, juxtaposition or combination of areas that may be defined in a LCA as different landscape character types. For example, in the case of a sea loch, the loch and its shores may be one landscape character type, the slopes of the glen may be a second type and the high ridges or hill mass may be a third landscape character type. Nevertheless, the glen with its loch, enclosed by the hills and the skyline of the ridges may be one of the special qualities of the NSA, and it is the combination of the water and landform that is special. Defining a viewshed is done by drawing along the ridges, hill peaks or other watersheds to create a series of visually contained glens, valleys, plains, coastal edges or other areas that are perceived as a single visual entity, even if the whole cannot be seen from any particular point, owing to obstructions to views caused by local landform or woodlands.
7.39 In practice, by the time the five pilots were completed it was concluded that complete
spatial sub-division of each NSA is not always necessary. Although it is recognised that it is relatively small in area, the fifth pilot, Upper Tweeddale, is a diverse area. However, it was surveyed without any sub-division. It was sufficient to note the spatial distribution of the landscape character types. The LCA and the familiarisation survey effectively eliminated the need for any sub-division of the NSA other than that already provided by the LCA.
7.40 In the fourth pilot – Knapdale – a very broad mental sub-division of the NSA after the
familiarisation survey, into Flat Moss, Canal Corridor, Upper Forested Knapdale, Middle Moorland Knapdale and Lower and Coastal Knapdale (without drawing boundaries on the map) was sufficient to ensure that no special qualities would be missed. If two or more viewpoints (and a route in the case of Upper Forested Knapdale) in each of these general areas were selected, it was decided in the period of reflection and selection of viewpoints and routes (steps 5 and 6 in the guidance) that the NSA would be adequately assessed without formally recording these areas on a map.
7.41 Consequently, the guidance in part B does not require sub-division of the NSA.
Instead it emphasises the importance of selecting viewpoints, or sample viewpoints and routes where necessary, from which each landscape character type and all parts or examples of differing parts of the NSA will be seen. This was achieved by the process of familiarisation survey, reflection and drawing up an initial list of special qualities and the careful selection of viewpoints and routes for detailed survey (steps 4, 5 and 6 in the guidance).
7.42 Thus, amongst other things, the pilot work:
(a) reduced the importance of spatial division of the NSAs; (b) increased the importance of familiarisation survey;
34
(c) introduced the step whereby a period of reflection is used to consider an initial list of special qualities and how viewpoints and routes need to be selected to ensure comprehensive cover of the NSA;
(d) demonstrated that the special qualities can be identified from information
gathered at a series of carefully selected viewpoints or routes in the NSA, without necessarily mapping different spatial units across the NSA.
Fieldwork
7.43 Essentially fieldwork takes place in two stages with a period of reflection between them. However, the method is flexible and may need to be adapted. For example, the geography of Knapdale, essentially a series of very long peninsulas with single track roads, meant that it was not possible in the time and resources available to travel all round the NSA on a familiarisation survey and again to access the viewpoints. Consequently, the familiarisation survey was carried out as the team travelled down each peninsula; a brief reflection at the end of the journey considered the qualities, viewpoints and characteristics of that peninsula and the detailed fieldwork was undertaken on the return drive. It is considered that there was no disadvantage in doing the fieldwork in this way. The method was applied consistently but in a different sequence. SNH staff joined one of the peninsula ‘runs’ undertaken in the course of one day, so experiencing the work of the familiarisation survey and the detailed fieldwork.
Resources
7.44 Having completed the pilots it is recommended that a team of two to four people is used throughout the process. More than four adds little, if any, value. Only one person would be inadequate because the interaction with a colleague is a vital part of the process, at all stages. The choice between a team or two, three or four is a matter of resources. One member of the team in all pilots was a qualified landscape architect. Other disciplines can play a valuable part and environmental planners, ecologists and recreation/land managers would be useful team members. It is difficult to conclude that a landscape architect is essential. However, it would be useful always to include one to lend ‘gravitas’ to the professional mix of the team, as it may be perceived by others. The non-landscape team members of DTA and SNH had no difficulty in understanding or carrying out the work as effectively as the three landscape architects involved, but it is impossible to separate the influence the landscape professionals may have had on the team as a whole.
7.45 Time inputs are critical to the method meeting the expectations of the Brief. Time
inputs at all stages were initially underestimated because of the gradual evolution of the method and the piloting of different techniques such as viewshed analysis and reworking of LCA information. However, although still too low, the time inputs of the fourth and fifth pilots were closer to estimated inputs. Now that the method is established we suggest that the time inputs in Table 4 below would be realistic for experienced personnel, working in a team of two. If new team members are used for each NSA they would require more time for practice and familiarisation with the method.
7.46 Experience shows that there reaches a point in fieldwork where more time adds very
little value to the work. Experienced personnel completed all fieldwork (steps 4-7) for Upper Tweeddale NSA in 20.5 hours each (total of 41 person hours) excluding writing up time for the fieldwork information. Writing up time averages ½ to one hour per viewpoint or route, there were nine viewpoints in Upper Tweeddale. The team was satisfied that further time would not have generated more or different special
35
qualities, but would have continued to confirm or validate those identified in the time already devoted to it.
Table 4 – Suggested Time Inputs
Stage Large NSA person days
Smaller NSA person days
Desk Study Steps 1-3 2-3 (1-2 each) 2-4 (1-2 each)
Fieldwork Steps 4-7 10-14 (5-7 each) 6-8 (3-4 each)
Analysis and Listing including writing up Steps 8-10
3-4 (1½-2 each) 2-3 (1-1½ each)
Totals 15-21 10-15
36
PART B: GUIDANCE ON IDENTIFYING THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF
SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL SCENIC AREAS
37
8. IDENTIFICATION OF THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL SCENIC AREAS
Figure 2 – Process Flowchart
Step 1 Desk preparation
Step 2 Drawing the boundary
Step 3 Understanding the NSA
Step 7 Detailed fieldwork
Step 7A Objective analysis of landscape
Step 7B Visual analysis of landscape
Step 7C Personal responses to scenery
Input research about cultural and historical
associations
Step 8 Deciding what is special
Step 9 Comparing with Scotland’s Scenic Heritage
Step 10 Listing and describing the special
qualities of the NSA
Compile references and OS maps etc
Fieldwork
Analysis and Listing
Step 6 Identifying survey viewpoints and routes
Step 4 Familiarisation survey
Step 5 Period of reflection and initial listing of special qualities
Input Landscape Character
Assessment
Desk study
38
8.1 A team of two to four people should be involved in every step of the process, including this initial preparation. Ideally the team should comprise at least one qualified landscape architect and at least one other environmental professional, to diversify the discipline base and to ensure that the assessment of landscape is not expressed in language that may be difficult to follow for non-landscape professionals.
Step 1 – desk preparation
8.2 Each member of the team should read the NSA entry in Scotland’s Scenic Heritage
and understand as far as possible the reasons why the area was selected and what it contains (and omits). Each should read this guidance and the research report published with it, together with the outputs of the pilot work, in order to become more familiar with the processes leading to designation of NSAs, and the ways in which other projects, in Scotland, elsewhere in Britain, Europe and America, and global conventions have sought to define special-ness in landscapes. It will be necessary to obtain relevant maps and the relevant Landscape Character Assessment (LCA), and reports on any previous work in the area identifying special qualities.
Step 2 – drawing the boundary
8.3 Each person involved in the team should study and preferably each should draw the
NSA boundary by hand onto Ordnance Survey maps. This will help to appreciate the nature of the boundary and further improve understanding of the reasons for designation.
8.4 The boundaries of larger NSAs (Assynt - Coigach, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe) should
be drawn at 1:50,000 scale. The boundaries to the smaller NSAs may be better represented on the 1:25,000 Explorer sheets. However, the greater detail offered by the 1:25,000 series will be necessary in the field for all NSAs.
8.5 This work will also be likely to raise questions as to why some areas were included or
excluded from the designated area, especially where the boundary is noticeably extended or indented to include or exclude specific areas. The answers may not be apparent until fieldwork is undertaken but it is useful to note these queries in preparation for fieldwork. The reason for this is because the inclusions or exclusions may relate to the presence or distribution of the special qualities. The drawing of the boundary will also highlight differences between the boundary on the SNH GIS, which should be the boundary drawn in this exercise, and both the written boundary descriptions in Scotland’s Scenic Heritage and the drawn boundary on the accompanying maps in that publication (which are of a more diagrammatic nature). Where variation in boundary lines occurs it should be drawn on to the maps at this stage, so differences can be noted in the field.
8.6 The output of this stage is one or more Ordnance Survey map at 1/25,000 or
1/50,000 scale, with the NSA boundary and any variations shown.
Step 3 – understanding the NSA 8.7 From the relevant Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) in the SNH Review
series, identify which Landscape Character Types (LCT) apply to the NSA. The description and other material for each relevant LCT should be studied by all team members. Each person should draw by hand the boundaries and annotate the names of the LCTs onto the OS Map used in step 2. This will further the understanding of the differences between the different parts of the NSA and aid
39
understanding of the character of the area more generally. For Shetland, this process will need to be repeated for each component part of the NSA.
8.8 A summary sheet should be compiled for each LCT that falls wholly or partly within
the NSA. This provides a useful fieldwork baseline of many characteristics of the NSA’s landscape as well as helping to paint an initial mental picture of the study area. Whilst the initial method had required pre-reading of the LCA followed by fieldwork where the NSA team recorded all characteristics themselves, to ensure they looked hard at all aspects of the landscape, in practice it is considered that the pre-preparation of a summary sheet from the LCA, by the NSA team, will serve the purpose. This summary is a record of what should be there and is validated by observation in the field.
8.9 An example of a LCT summary sheet is provided for the Coastal Parallel Ridges LCT
in Knapdale NSA, see Box 6 below. It should be noted that this is not simply a listing of the characteristics set out in the LCA but a fuller description drawn from the LCA and concentrating on the characteristics of the particular unit of this LCT that occurs in Knapdale, ignoring the descriptions of features in Islay, Mull and Jura where the LCT also occurs.
Box 6: Example of a Summary Sheet for a Landscape Character Type - Coastal Parallel
Ridges, Knapdale, from the Argyll Landscape Character Assessment Key Characteristics Distinctive, long, linear, narrow steep-sided rocky ridges with a strong SW – NE alignment formed by tightly folded metamorphic, Dalradian rocks A flooded coastline, where gullies / glens between ridges are deeply scoured by glaciers, over-deepening the narrow gullies which are inundated by the sea The ridges break down at the coast to form chains of rocky islands Horse-shoe shaped sandy bays and extensive intertidal boulder strewn mudflats Stunted oak-birch woodlands on the rocky ridges separating poorly drained narrow gullies / glens with marginal pastures, marshes or lochs Small blocks of coniferous plantations Stone dykes enclosing fields along narrow roads which tend to follow coast and run out as culs de sac at end of peninsulas Small settlements concentrated in coastal coves Small estates derelict crofts and cottages Rich variety of archaeological sites Part of the transition from sea to upland parallel ridges LCT
40
8.10 If some of the LCTs appear to be quite similar in nature it may be appropriate to consider merging some of them. The reason for this is to reduce the number of units to be summarised to a manageable number, consistent with resources available. Some LCAs were undertaken in more detail than others, and it is likely that in some cases areas with subtle differences, which in the LCA were sufficient to merit distinguishing between two landscape character types, would nevertheless share the same special qualities. When considering the merging of LCTs it will be important to focus on landform, land use and land cover. If there are only slight differences in these characteristics between two LCTs they may be suitable for amalgamation to reduce survey effort. In some cases the pre-existing LCTs will suffice unaltered and with no amalgamation.
8.11 Some research should be undertaken, proportional to the resources available, in
libraries and the internet, to identify any important associations with the landscape and scenery of the NSA. This work may be supplemented by visits to visitor and information centres and observations and discussions with local people, at the time of fieldwork. Artistic, cultural, historic and scientific associations can be important attributes to landscape character; they are frequently referred to in definitions of special qualities elsewhere. However, to be relevant to NSAs, there needs to be a link to the scenic value. Thus, an association with a writer per se is not in itself sufficient to make it a special quality for a NSA. However, if the writer wrote about the landscape and scenery, and / or set the story in the scenery of the NSA, which was described in the written work, that association could be relevant to a NSA. This is because people associate the story with the landscape, and because the author used the landscape.
8.12 Similarly, historical association is not in itself sufficient to merit consideration as a
special quality in a NSA, but if the scenery of the NSA exhibits features associated with a historic event, or a historic period, an association could be relevant to special qualities. The most obvious examples are architectural styles and designed landscapes, they represent examples of historic periods and often portray strong visual evidence of cultural and historic design, taste and fashion, they contribute to the scenic value of an area and influence its landscape and scenery. Landscapes exhibiting the evidence of historic agricultural practices or industrial enterprises, including abandoned crofting, and some improvement (enclosure) landscapes would similarly be important and could contribute to special qualities, with physical and visual manifestations in the present scenery.
8.13 Mere association with a battle, visits by monarchs, or a birthplace would not in
themselves qualify as special qualities for a NSA, whereas they may (and do) for a National Park with its cultural heritage dimension. However, where the battle story is embedded in the consciousness of those experiencing the landscape (e.g. Glen Coe), or where royal association has influenced the landscape itself, it could be regarded as a special quality. This approach is endorsed to some extent by Scotland’s Scenic Heritage. Whilst making no mention of the battle of Glen Coe (page 51), it refers specifically to the associations of Ruskin and Scott to Lake Katrine in the Trossachs (page 87) and the influence of Queen Victoria and subsequent monarchs on the scenery of Royal Deeside in Deeside and Lochnagar (page 61).
8.14 The outputs of this stage are a map (the one resulting from step 2) with the
landscape character types mapped and named, a summary sheet describing the key landscape characteristics of each landscape character type occurring in the NSA, drawn from the Landscape Character Assessment (e.g. see Box 6 above), and a summary of the historical and cultural associations that may be influential on the appreciation of the special qualities of the NSA (e.g. see Box 7 below).
41
Box 7: Example of summary notes on historical / cultural associations and other background
information - The Trossachs NSA
‘The Trossachs’ comes from the Gaelic ‘bristled country’, referring to its vegetation. The original boundary of the area known as The Trossachs extended from Ben A’an in the north, Ben Venue in the south, Loch Katrine to the west and Loch Achray to the east. The NSA boundary extends this area further southeast to include much of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and the ridge of the Menteith Hills. Today the area widely known as The Trossachs extends still further beyond the NSA boundary. Others writing about the area have observed that the area’s historical and cultural interest adds to the natural beauty, rural scenery and wildlife, animating and offering a romantic introduction to The Trossachs for many of today’s visitors. Countless writers, poets and artists have been drawn to its loch shores, including William and Dorothy Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, James Hogg and John Ruskin. But it was the publishing of Sir Walter Scott’s romantic poem ‘Lady of the Lake’ in 1810 and ‘Rob Roy’ in 1817 that the scenic charms of the area came to popularity and established The Trossachs as a major tourist attraction. In his poem ‘Lady of the Lake’, which refers to Loch Katrine, Scott wrote: “So wondrous wild, the whole might seem The scenery of a fairy dream” And specifically about Loch Katrine he wrote: “Where, gleaming with the setting sun, One burnished sheet of living gold, Loch Katrine lay beneath him roll’d In all her length far winding lay, With promontory, creek and bay, And islands that, empurpled bright, Floated amid a livelier light, And mountains, that like giants stand, To sentinel enchanted land” In his novel ‘Rob Roy’, Scott wrote of the tales of Rob Roy MacGregor and the ‘children of the mist’, referring to his followers the Clan MacGregor who lived amidst the wild hills. Rob Roy was born in Glen Gyle at the western end of Loch Katrine and is buried near by. The famous Duke’s Pass is named after Rob Roy’s arch rival, the Duke of Montrose. Bordering the NSA to the north, Glen Finglas was possibly one of the most popular of the royal hunting forests, with many Kings and Scottish Earls hunting there between the early 1300’s to the 1700’s. Many veteran trees still remain. Queen Victoria visited the area on many occasions, and loved it so much she had a holiday house built overlooking Loch Katrine. She is known to have stayed in what is now the Tigh Mor Trossachs hotel, a private, high quality hotel for members of the Holiday Property Bond, with its distinctive turrets and splendid location overlooking Loch Achray. The very routes once followed by Rob Roy’s cattle drovers and the horse-drawn carriages of 19th Century tourists, have become the main arteries, which now carry modern traffic over Duke’s Pass. The Trossachs Trail is a signposted car tour that takes drivers north from Aberfoyle and over the Dukes Pass to take in the spectacular views of an area commonly regarded as ‘the highlands in miniature’. Since Sir Walter Scott’s time, Loch Katrine has changed as a result of it being dammed in 1859 at its eastern end to provide a clean water supply to Glasgow. The loch’s popularity now owes much to the presence of the last steam driven passenger vessel operating in the UK, fittingly named the Steam Ship SS Sir Walter Scott, which sails up and down Loch Katrine.
42
Step 4 – familiarisation survey 8.15 The survey team should undertake a comprehensive familiarisation survey of the
NSA prior to detailed fieldwork. It is important that this element is afforded sufficient time because it should not merely comprise a quick look round, but should be the basis of a systematic series of descriptive observations to follow later. A minimum half day is required in the smallest NSAs, but two to three days is required for the largest, so that a familiarisation of all reasonably accessible parts of the NSA and their characteristics (and their spatial distribution and interrelationships) can take place, enabling the combinations of characteristics to ‘seep’ into the consciousness of the team members.
8.16 The familiarisation survey should seek to cover as much of the accessible parts of
the NSA as feasible and in all cases should seek to view and experience all the component Landscape Character Types. To cover the ground in the timescale a car is necessary but frequent stops help, some with short excursions to view points. Digital photographs help to record the variation and character of the NSA, they are used again in later stages. Sketching is useful, but time consuming. Whilst it is not proposed to use each Landscape Character Type as a survey unit they do present a sound basis for ensuring that all representative landscape elements are understood and accounted for in subsequent stages of survey. Reference to the pre-prepared Landscape Character Type summaries will be an important element in this familiarisation process.
8.17 The familiarisation survey offers a valuable and comprehensive ‘read’ of the NSA as
an entity. The outputs of this stage are a series of annotated maps, notes, sketches and photographs, with a retained mental note as to the likely number and location of viewpoints necessary to capture all of the special qualities of the NSA, and whether assessment of routes will also be necessary and if so which routes would best serve the purpose. As explained in paragraph 8.21 below, routes are not necessarily essential, if viewpoints will capture all the special qualities of an area. Routes are useful to embrace the experience of moving through the scenery of the NSA, which may provide additional qualities to those experienced from static viewpoints. Routes are likely to be useful where the experience of an NSA ‘unfolds’ as one travels through it, or where scenery changes noticeably in relatively short distances; or where a series of ‘surprise’ views open up along a road or path.
Step 5 – period of reflection and initial listing of special qualities
8.18 A period of reflection by the team should be taken between the familiarisation survey
and the fieldwork. If necessary, as it was in the field trials, the reflection could be very short, overnight, with a discussion the following morning before immediately starting detailed fieldwork.
8.19 This period should afford the team, as a unit and as individuals, the opportunity to
reflect and consolidate their understanding and appreciation of the tangible and less tangible characteristics of the NSA. It involves both private thought and group discussion. An initial listing of the NSA’s special qualities should be recorded by the team at this stage (which will later be refined). This initial distillation of special qualities will be based upon the desk study, the landscape character assessment, the familiarisation survey and the wider understanding of the NSA’s historic and cultural associations. A revisiting of Scotland’s Scenic Heritage citation at this point may also prove useful in the light of experiencing the NSA at first hand. Some of the text can become more meaningful after seeing the area and thinking about it. For example, the reference in the Trossachs to the juxtaposition with lowlands matched the actual
43
perception of the area being something of a ‘transition’ or ‘gateway’ from lowland to highland. The significance of the reference to the hills of ‘great stature’ was made clear when the importance of the backdrop of larger hills behind the valley slopes of Upper Tweeddale was experienced first hand.
8.20 The spatial variation of the qualities that are emerging should also be considered.
This will determine whether and how the NSA may need to be divided into different spatial units to aid the identification of special qualities. Much will depend on local circumstances, the size and homogeneity of the NSA and the nature and distribution of the landscape character types.
8.21 The qualities are likely to have a hierarchy of importance, even if these are not
ultimately set down they are, nevertheless, present in the consciousness. For example, there are qualities of Assynt - Coigach that are special but found in many other places, whereas there are qualities which draw people to it, specifically, which are at least rarer if not unique, e.g. the association with geology and the highly distinctive ‘lone peaks’. There will be qualities that are important in general terms, for example the panoramic vistas of most of the NSAs, the ridges of Knapdale, the ever present afforested hills of the Trossachs and Upper Tweeddale, whereas others are there in the detail of the scenery, the colour of rocks and flowers close to the observer, all of which contribute to the special-ness of the place.
8.22 The outputs of this stage are a preliminary list of special qualities, an example of
which is provided in Box 8 below. Box 8: Example of an initial list of special qualities drawn up following familiarisation work - Assynt -
Coigach NSA
Dramatic, rugged, exposed, isolated landscape. The scale and extent – large unspoilt areas – of the landform. Unique seascape with a combination of scattered islands close to the shore. ‘Edge of world’ experience on the rugged, exposed coast. Sparsely populated, with few small settlements and dispersed crofting areas, yet accessible by determined tourists, walkers and anglers prepared to travel. Larger settlements such as Ullapool (just outside the NSA) and Lochinver comprise sheltered harbours. Other settlements are on flatter land where enclosed grazing and cultivation is easier. Here the brighter greens of pastures contrast with the monotone more sombre heather moorland (colours dependent on season but contrast in colour would remain). Narrow, long, winding roads follow the base of the mountains and loch shorelines, offering dramatic views of ever changing scenery. Extensive areas are inaccessible except on foot, giving a sense of remoteness and quiet. Feeling at one with the natural landscape. A core of wild land. Lack of trees. Coniferous forests are notable by their absence, names such as Inverpolly Forest, Drumrunie Forest and Inchnadamph Forest refer to open deer forests. Steep-sided glens, with narrow bands of sheltered broadleaved woodland, hidden away in the landscape but when encountered they break up the wider, more exposed, prevailing landscape. Strong cnocan landscape of exposed, hummocky terrain with extensive lochs / lochans, over much of the central part of the NSA – mysterious, secretive, unsettling.
44
Internationally famous diverse geological character, being the birthplace of major geological thinking by Benjamin Peach and John Horne. Extensive areas of Lewisian Gneiss and Cambrian Limestone contrast with Sandstones, Quartzite and Syenite. Steep, dramatic, exposed sheer cliffs at Inchnadamph and Knockan are unique examples of the Moine Thrust, where overlying schists have been thrust westwards over much older rocks. Visitor attraction at Knockan Crag that tells the story of the unique geology. Dramatic mountainous lone peaks with unique outlines and distinctive shapes which are easily recognisable and referred to by their individual names eg Ben Mor Coigach, Ben More Assynt, Suilven, Canisp and Stac Pollaidh. Provide recognisable land marks throughout the area Unique combination of smooth moorland and peat bog running into rocky moorland / cnocan running up to irregular hill ranges and lone mountain peaks. Exposed, huge glacial erratics give a rugged and desolate beauty. Unique? combination of mysterious, majestic peaks often with caps of white quartzite and light grey lichen, and often shrouded in mist and low cloud, contrasting with the deep, dark, horizontally flat lochs. More managed areas of traditional crofting, where sheep grazing and muir burn dictate the changing appearance of the landscape, such as at Ben Mor Coigach. Wildlife, such as in the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s reserve at Ben Mor Coigach, where northern buckler-fern, trailing azalea and dwarf juniper are less common plants to be found. Ravens and ring ouzels nest in the hills, and red grouse, ptarmigan and twite feed amongst the heather. Stonechat, whinchat, redpoll and wheatear are found down on the crofts. Grey seals and otter frequent the shoreline and islets.
Step 6 – identifying survey viewpoints and routes in the NSA 8.23 The essence of the approach to the identification of the special qualities in the
detailed fieldwork to follow is the identification of a series of representative viewpoints, or routes from where the NSA can be observed, described and what is special in the scenery analysed. To ensure that this is comprehensive of the qualities, it is necessary to establish sufficient viewpoints (and routes), which are appropriately distributed spatially (in both vertical and horizontal planes), to cover all parts of the NSA, or to be representative of all parts of the NSA. Thus, if a particular type of landscape occurs extensively, or in more than one location, it may be sufficient, especially in the larger NSAs where access to all parts is not possible in terms of time resources, to select sample viewpoints. To ensure that the variations of all parts of the NSA are covered it may be necessary to draw up spatial units so that it can be demonstrated that all parts are covered, or sampled. Routes are not necessarily essential, if viewpoints will capture all the special qualities of an area. Routes are useful to embrace the experience of moving through the scenery of the NSA, which may provide additional qualities to those experienced from static viewpoints (see also paragraph 8.17 above for examples).
8.24 It is proposed that identification of survey viewpoints and routes is made on the day
following the completion of the familiarisation survey, irrespective of when the later fieldwork may be undertaken. It is likely that memory will be a sufficient record of what was seen in the familiarisation survey, but photographs and notes will assist.
8.25 In the detailed fieldwork, the field sheet must be completed (obviously in the field),
but it will not be possible to visit every part of every NSA, sampling may be undertaken as appropriate to the resources available and scale and variation of the
45
area. The choice of viewpoints will depend on the nature of the area. For example, some parts of an NSA may be assessed from elevated viewpoints, other areas from a series of viewpoints along a road or path crossing the NSA. Equally the sheet may be completed after traversing part of the NSA, without stopping, but observing and mentally noting the features as you travel through the area.
8.26 The selection of viewpoints should consider important viewpoints shown on the OS
Landranger maps, together with other obvious viewpoints such as mountain summits, bridges or headlands and even sequential views as you travel along roads and paths.
8.27 Outputs of this step are a list of the general or precise location of viewpoints and the
location of any routes which will be used as a basis for detailed fieldwork in step 7.
Step 7 – detailed fieldwork Introduction
8.28 In order to inform the process of identifying special qualities it is necessary to consider three main aspects of the scenery, which may be described as the objective analysis of the landscape; the visual analysis of the landscape and personal responses to the scenery. Each of these is recorded in turn for each viewpoint or route in the NSA. In order to provide a structured approach to this detailed fieldwork, and to provide consistency between viewpoints within each NSA and consistency of approach between NSAs, field sheets are used as an aide memoir for this work (see Appendix 6). In practice the completed field sheets comprise a series of scribbled notes that may be legible only to the surveyor. They tend to be heavily annotated and have deletions, examples are not therefore provided here, but Appendices 1 to 5 provide comprehensive examples of the content of the field sheets, in a more structured and legible form, under each of the three main aspects – objective, visual and personal.
8.29 For each of the viewpoints or routes complete the description of key characteristics
set out on field sheet 2. The field sheets should be used simply as prompts and you should use your own terminology where the prompts do not fit well with what you see and experience. The nature of the view should also be recorded. The weather can have profound effects on scenery by changes in the intensity, direction, elevation and clarity of light, the sky can be a dominant or co-dominant element. Whilst you can only record the effects of weather that you see on the visit, from your own knowledge and experience you will be able to anticipate the range of effects and where the weather, light and sky are likely to be important characteristics of landscape Step 7A – objective analysis of the landscape
8.30 For each of the viewpoints or routes complete the description of key characteristics set out on Field sheet 1. If the Field sheet does not fit the particular characteristics of a NSA, the field sheet should be adapted or notes annotated to better record the landform etc. The object of this step is to make as objective a record as possible of the key characteristics of the landscape, with emphasis on the visible and physical characteristics. You are not at this stage trying to decide what is special or important, but what is either: typical / characteristic of the NSA; or rare / unusual / untypical. You will not be trying to record every variation and every detail. The field sheet groups the characteristics under the following headings, which relate directly to the range of qualities identified as potentially relevant from an analysis of special qualities defined for other designated areas: Landform, Land cover / land use, Settlement pattern, Specific features and Wildlife.
46
8.31 Landform should be described in bold terms, ignoring minor variations but recording subtler changes to landform where these are distinctive and characteristic. Often the landform in NSAs exhibits important contrasts – steep slopes falling to a flat floodplain, steep cliffs at the edge of wide, flat plateaux, the relationship between topographical features is important to record. Land cover / land use determines the surface vegetation in NSAs ranging from bare rock to dense woodland and from saltmarsh to moorland. Ignore minor land uses but look out for pockets of contrasting land cover as these can add to the variety and diversity of areas often cited in the NSA descriptions.
8.32 Settlement pattern includes all kinds of built development and infrastructure in the
landscape, so it includes the few towns (e.g. Melrose and Stromness), but also the pattern of steadings and individual houses and crofts, and the occurrence of noticeable buildings such as castles, kirks and monuments such as obelisks. Absence of settlement and evidence of previous settlement is important to record. The observed or apparent relationship of buildings and settlement to features in the landscape such as rivers, spring lines, shorelines, bridges and other crossing points etc is also important to record.
8.33 Water may be in the form of the sea, sea lochs and freshwater lochs, rivers, burns
etc and all their features including especially waterfalls, rapids, shores, intertidal features etc. You should record not merely presence but characteristics of the water, speed of flow, sound, tidal movement, and the effects of light and any contrasts with the shape colour or texture of the land.
8.34 Some NSAs may have specific features that may be single points (lighthouse or
tower) or linear (roads or former shorelines) that are characteristic of the area. 8.35 Wildlife should be recorded where it has a strong influence on the character of the
landscape, for example, the sea bird colonies of Shetland, the colourful flower rich areas of the South Uist Machair, the herds of deer on Deeside. Step 7B – visual analysis of the landscape
8.36 The field sheet is broadly divided into Visual Relationships and Visual Experience. Some Visual Relationships will already be recorded on Field sheet 1, in relation, for example, to location of settlement to topography or juxtaposition of landform features. However, this step should continue to look for further relationships, bearing in mind it is often the way in which characteristics combine or interact that make a NSA special. It is an important way in which commonplace features can become special. Look for important compositions, links, juxtapositions and contrasts in the landscape.
8.37 Visual Experience involves more subjective characteristics of a NSA but is usually at
the heart of its selection for designation. To structure the description a series of prompts are suggested under the headings of Scale, Openness, Diversity, Colour and Texture, Mass and line, Movement, Weather, Views.
Step 7C – personal responses to the scenery
8.38 For each of the viewpoints and routes complete the description of key characteristics set out on field sheet 3. This is the most subjective element of the work and is a record of your personal response, in order to make the identification and description of special qualities more meaningful, resonant and evocative. It goes well beyond the normal parameters of LCA by introducing evocative language and personal reactions, normally deliberately excluded from LCA to maintain maximum objectivity.
47
8.39 Inevitably, this will introduce more variation to descriptions as different people respond differently. It should be borne in mind that your descriptions will be considered later by a wide community of stakeholders. So excessive or generally inappropriate descriptions are likely to be challenged and modified. Consequently, it is important that you consider the descriptive words carefully, but that you are not inhibited by the prospect that others may not agree with your descriptions. Describe the scenery as you experience it, not as you think others might experience it; others will speak for themselves.
Step 8 – deciding what is ‘special’
8.40 In deciding what is special it is useful to bear in mind that special places are not
necessarily places where the rare or unusual occur, but rather that they can sometimes be places where the commonplace exhibit unusual extremes or come together in ways that invoke a response in people that is regarded as special – inspirational, romantic, wild, dramatic, spectacular, beautiful, tranquil or exhilarating. You should also be aware that those responsible for identifying the special-ness of other places expect you to be able to recognise special qualities when they occur; by definition they are special and therefore ought not to be difficult to identify. Your identification of special qualities will, include subjective judgements. In many ways it will reflect the intuitive, subjective nature of the designation process and, like that process, will also be based on informed consensus.
8.41 You now have a series of descriptions of the key characteristics of the NSA; they will
all be of importance, in the sense that they contribute to the character of the landscape and experience of the scenery. You must now decide which of them, or which combinations / interactions of them, are ‘special’, what do you consider are the characteristics that individually or when combined together make the area special in terms of its landscape or scenery?
8.42 It is likely that most special qualities are relevant to all or several parts of the NSA,
especially those that relate to the combinations, juxtapositions and contrasts between characteristic areas. Some special qualities will relate to parts of the NSA, for example, the uplands or valleys, which are different to other parts. Some special qualities may relate to a single point or location in the NSA, for example, a castle and its setting. Teasing out the special qualities is a challenging task, there is no one now better placed to do it than the team that has completed the assessment work. It will be for others to consider your outputs and add or change the qualities according to their differing perspectives, yours is the systematic, professional definition of special qualities and you will be able to explain your conclusions on a rational and consistent basis. The diagram in Figure 3 may help you to tease out the special qualities from the many characteristics and their relationships that you have identified.
8.43 The whole process should have been undertaken by at least two people and it is
particularly important to undertake this step, defining what is special about the NSA, as a team either together in discussion or by merging separate lists and descriptions generated by each team member separately.
8.44 It may be concluded from Figure 3 that there could be some criteria that can be used
to guide judgements about special qualities. Indeed, fairly obviously, characteristics that are individually rare, outstanding, extraordinary or dramatic would be likely to be special. It is important to look for combinations, juxtapositions, contrasts, harmonies and complexities because research has shown that these are important aspects of identifying special qualities elsewhere. However, it should not be assumed that these
48
considerations will always and invariably apply, nor should it be assumed that all special qualities will always fit into one or other of these characteristics. Figure 3 should be seen rather as a signpost to the process of thinking about and drawing out the special qualities, rather than a prescriptive process that contains all relevant criteria or considerations. Again, it is emphasised that the team that has undertaken the work so far will be able to identify the special qualities without a carefully defined and explicitly described process.
Figure 3 – Deciding what is special – a guide to the approach
Step 9 – comparing with Scotland’s Scenic Heritage
Characteristics
Objective Analysis Characteristics Field sheet 1
Visual ExperienceCharacteristics Field sheet 2
Personal Responses
Field sheet 3
Are any characteristics
individually rare / outstanding / extraordinary / dramatic etc?
Visual Relationships Fieldsheet 2 Do any of the characteristics contribute to or create special:
- combinations - juxtapositions - contrasts - harmony - diversity - complexity etc.
Interactions between landscape and
associations informed by fieldwork
Consider what qualities are emerging as special; can you define, describe and justify
them?
List and describe the Special Qualities of the NSA, test against checklist for
comprehensiveness
Associations From Desk Research
8.45 Compare the special qualities that you have identified and described with those in Scotland’s Scenic Heritage (SSH). Do not expect a perfect match but the identification of special qualities will be further informed by the following comparison.
• Which of the special qualities that you have defined are cited (explicitly or
implicitly) in SSH?
49
• Which of the special qualities that you have defined are not cited (explicitly or implicitly) in SSH?
• Are there any special qualities cited in SSH that you have not identified?
Step 10 – describing what is ‘special’
8.46 List and describe the special qualities selected and provide any commentary or notes
that you consider appropriate. There are many ways in which the special qualities can be presented in lists and descriptions, as illustrated in the outputs of the five pilot areas, described in Part C below. None are right or wrong and different people will have different opinions. Short, staccato, bullet point descriptions can be helpful in identifying management objectives, because they are focused and sharply defined. More evocative and poetic descriptions are useful in promotion work because they are more inspirational and evoke interest and resonance in people. Illustrations such as photographs can be useful to supplement the descriptions.
8.47 There was considerable discussion in the study as to whether some special qualities
were more special than others. There may be a hierarchy of special qualities; some may be very important, unique to the area or defining of its distinctiveness, others may be secondary, more widespread but nevertheless adding to the special-ness of the area. Where there are clear distinctions between these ‘headline’ qualities and ‘detailed’ qualities it may be appropriate to distinguish between them, but this will not always be possible or necessary. The consultants wrote the descriptions of the five pilot NSAs, reproduced in Part C, on the basis that the full text expressed all that was special about the areas. Nothing described in the text was not a special quality, or was not something that needed to be described in order to elucidate the special-ness of the NSA. SNH felt that the descriptions of the special qualities were not sufficiently focused on the important qualities and that some highlighting was necessary to make the descriptions useful. The consultants felt that this would detract from the importance of the combination and integration of all that contributed to the special-ness of the NSA, which relied on the way that these qualities all came together. It was agreed, therefore, that in order for both views to be available, the text would remain and SNH staff would highlight what they considered to be the more important elements of the qualities. This is why much of the text in Part C is in bold font.
8.48 As indicated above, there may be important variations in the spatial distribution of
special qualities, many will relate to all or several parts of the NSA, such as those that highlight contrasts between characteristic areas. Some special qualities will relate only to particular parts of the NSA, for example, the uplands or valleys, which are different to other parts. Some special qualities may relate to a single location in the NSA, for example, a gorge or flat moss.
8.49 Some special qualities, such as land cover and settlement pattern, will be capable of
being changed, by management or development, others will be fixed, such as landform. All should be recorded even if they may not be directly relevant to management strategy actions and policies.
8.50 Check that the list of special qualities covers the full scope and range of potential
qualities. It is possible that under some headings, for example, wildlife, there is nothing special in a particular NSA, but it is worth checking against the following list. Are there any special qualities relating to:
50
landform including geomorphology, natural processes and systems and water;
land use and land cover especially their relationship with landform and
settlement;
settlement including villages, steadings, crofts, houses, industrial and agricultural infrastructure, road and other transport structures;
authenticity and integrity expressed, for example, as areas of distinctiveness,
sense of place and unspoilt character; visual experience, especially the combinations, contrasts, harmony, variety
and complexity of the scene;
emotional response such as perceptions of remoteness, secrecy, wildness, exhilaration, safety, shelter etc
wildlife where flora and fauna make a special contribution to the scenery
without necessarily expressing them in habitat or species specific terms or scientific language; and
history and culture, especially where historical land use, buildings, artefacts,
or monuments, or archaeological sites such as prehistoric forts, contribute significantly to the landscape character and scenery.
8.51 However, try not to write up the descriptions and lists under these headings because
it produces a repetitive format that does not portray interest and evocative descriptions that come more readily from text that runs the topics together to emphasise their interrelationships, combinations etc. The best way to highlight the contrasts and diversity of many of the NSAs will be to blend the descriptions of the more physical characteristics of landform, land cover and settlement with the more evocative descriptions of visual experience and emotional response. Consistency can be achieved by checking the evocative descriptions are inclusive, without reproducing the checklist.
51
52
PART C:
THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE PILOT NATIONAL SCENIC AREAS
53
9. THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF ASSYNT - COIGACH NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
The lone mountains and mountain scenery
9.1 The central and southern parts of the NSA are a land with lone mountains rising dramatically from the cnocan and moorland. They dominate the Assynt - Coigach scenery and stay in the memory long after departing. The peaks are afforded a platform, a broad stage from which they thrust upwards, often with striking, steep-sided profiles which are recognisable from many miles away. Of these, perhaps it is Suilven which most encapsulates the splendour and mystique of Assynt - Coigach. Other Scottish mountains may offer greater elevation and concentration, but few can challenge their grandeur, distinctiveness and impact on the viewer.
9.2 Whilst distinctive by the notable separation of the mountains, owing to the complexity
of the geology, the scenery of Assynt - Coigach also offers great variety of topography, colour, water, vegetation cover, land use and recreational potential. Within the NSA the lone mountains stand as the hallmark of the area, but there are also bluffs, sweeping moorlands, sea cliffs, lush grassy slopes with rocky outcrops, massive boulder fields and scree slopes, caves and shallow gorges, sink holes, jagged pinnacles and broad, powerful sweeping summits. Colours range from dark solid sandstone to extensive, dominant limestone greys.
9.3 There is a distinct transition in landform and elevation from the coastal fringe and
peninsulas of low lying crofts and cnocan through lone mountains of the central plain and upwards to the eastern extent of the NSA across the Ben More Assynt massif, stretching from the head of Loch Glendhu south to the Benmore Forest.
54
9.4 The wider, open and less steep country of uninhabited rough cnocan and smooth moorland emphasises the remoteness of the mountains, offers a stage from which they are best admired and yet also presents a deceptively tough obstacle to their entry. They present a stark but complementary and harmonious juxtaposition of mountain and moorland landscapes.
Cnocan
9.5 The cnocan has a strange, unwelcoming character. It is extensive, secretive and mysterious, but its extent is not appreciated until viewed from higher ground such as the tops of the cnoc mounds or the lone peaks. The ancient Lewisian gneiss appears deceptively flat, in comparison to its backdrop of high peaks, but it has a coarse, rough surface hiding many hollows and gullies making access difficult, once off the miles of single-track road. Penetration is further impeded by the vegetation which is dominated by heather, gorse and grasses on boggy soils between exposed rock and boulders, rarely giving shelter. Locally, the Coigach area reflects a smoother moorland characteristic but the harshness of the Assynt cnocan is readily viewed from the coastal road and the area behind the settlements of Drumbeg and Clachtoll which are held in its grip.
Remoteness and an open landscape
9.6 The juxtaposition of cnocan, sweeping moorland and concentrated pockets of unenclosed pasture emphasises the extreme openness of Assynt - Coigach. Apart from the heart of the Coigach range around Beinn Mor Coigach, and the hidden steep sided folds of wooded valleys on the Assynt Coast Road (B869), this is a landscape of vast open space and exposure. There are few trees and the skies are often expansive, particularly on the coastal fringe. Human activity and population is notable by its absence in most areas, emphasising the feelings of openness, remoteness and emptiness. This is notable particularly between Inchnadamph and the Elphin area.
9.7 Lack of traffic or transport infrastructure further imbues a sense of
remoteness, further emphasised by the effort required to reach Assynt - Coigach, enhancing the feeling of being towards the edge of Europe. Access into many areas of Assynt - Coigach away from the skeletal road network is limited to walking. Significant tracts of land reveal little evidence of human presence or use. The eastern highlands of Ben More Assynt, the high Coigach Massif and the western cnocan fringe, behind the crofting settlements, have a wild land character. The road network is sinuous and rarely conspicuous in the scenery, apart from the striking Kylesku bridge. Small single track roads provide the road user with a very close and intimate experience of their surroundings.
55
The coast and seascapes
9.8 The majesty of the mountains, steep, rocky, individual and dramatic is framed not only by the flats of cnocan, moor and pasture, but also by the sea. It is as though there is an epic struggle for superiority between the Atlantic ocean and the ancient landmass, especially at Badcall Bay and to the south from Coigach to the Summer Isles. Here the profusion of islands and islets, bays and coves affords a sometimes confused mosaic, blurring the transition from land to sea. Often, from low elevations, these islands falsely suggest unbroken land far into the sea, or appear as monumental stepping-stones out from the shore. The meeting of sea and land is sometimes dramatic and abrupt. The Stoer Peninsular, crowned by its whitewashed lighthouse and adorned by its great eponymous sea stack, further emphasises remoteness. Here the noise of the relentless north Atlantic waves and tides meet some of the oldest rocks on earth and the movement and noise this affords is in stark contrast to the quiet stillness of the area’s interior.
9.9 The seascapes of Assynt - Coigach are not always fierce or dramatic. On occasion
the weather affords still conditions and blue skies which reveal an idyllic coastal refuge of small bays and tight sandy coves, particularly on the Coigach peninsular.
Settlements and activity
9.10 These bays are often framed in part by strings of small crofts on the fringes of inbye land by the seashore. The depth of the beaches at low tide is often in excess of their width, nestled within tight but soft and low headlands. Lobster pots, fishing boats and netting reveal the importance of the sea to the remote crofting and fishing communities. The low-rising and generally flat cnocan landscape of the peninsulas of Assynt, and of Coigach, screen inland views from the small settlements which perch on the slopes down to the rocky shore or silvery beaches. From the shore the same cottages and crofts can appear perched and standing firm in the face of the prevailing elements.
9.11 Concentrations of pasture around small crofting settlements on the coast and inland
around Elphin, occasionally offer a sense of relief from the drama and dominance of the wildness of the landscape. Here human activity is at its most obvious but still widely scattered and always subservient to the wider landscape of wild moor and dramatic peak.
Lochs and lochans
9.12 Only the long, linear, narrow Loch Assynt and the twin sea lochs of Glencoul and Glendhu offer significant expanses of deep water in the shadows of Quinag and Glas Bhenn. The mountains here fall steeply through their moorland skirts to plunge
56
to the water’s edge, with little change in character, land use or vegetation along the way.
9.13 Elsewhere, there is an intricate multitude of lochs and lochans in the cnocan and
moorland interior and coastal fringe. Often extensive tracts of rough and rugged gorse, heather and peat bog contain significant networks of medium and small lochans and burns, with intricate irregular form, interlocking with the low land around them and creating a significant challenge to the cross-country walker. The lochans suggest a relatively shallow depth surrounded by worked peatlands. The true extent of this water network is mostly apparent from the elevated vantage points of the lone mountains. Loch Lurgainn, Loch Sionascaig and Loch Veyatie in the heart of Coigach may appear to rival Loch Assynt in terms of their extent, but their shorelines’ complexity and presence of small isles serve to diffuse their scale on the scenery.
Woodland
9.14 Trees are scarce in the NSA with many eastern parts virtually treeless, the ‘forest’ names of Inverpolly, Drunrunie and Inchnadamph referring to the open deer forest. It is the cnocan, especially that of Assynt which hides the most unexpected and extensive tracts of semi-natural woodland. Here the deep folds in the Lewisian gneiss, which generally run north-west to south-east afford some shelter and sufficient soils for linear woodlands of birch and willow to flow along the landform. These stand in stark contrast and welcome relief to the openness and hostility of the cnocan.
Geology
9.15 The geological complexities of the area were gradually unravelled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries through extensive study around Inchnadamph, and helped establish the modern understanding of earth sciences. This complexity and drama of the geology is there for all to view, from skilled geologist to casual observer and affords distinction to the area.
Wildlife
9.16 The flora and fauna of the NSA contribute more subtly to its special qualities. The delicacy of the mountain alpines, bog plants and lichens attract attention at each footfall. Stonechat, ring ousel, cuckoo and wheatear catch the eye and the ear in often silent surroundings. At the opposite extremes, golden eagle, proud herds of red deer, seals and whales close to shore offer the possibility of sighting exciting and spectacular animal life.
A still, quiet landscape
9.17 Assynt - Coigach is a landscape where human movement tends to be minimal. In contrast the skyscape, governed by the north Atlantic weather systems, provides almost constant change, often characterised by heavy cloud scudding across the landscape, in turn obscuring the higher peaks and providing a more horizontal emphasis to the scene. At other times this movement reveals, sometimes fleetingly, the same peaks, to remind the observer of the drama thus obscured. The extensive waters of the NSA offer a constant, if subtle, sense of movement and change, fuelled by the relentless march of the ocean’s weather systems. The absence of significant tree cover in the landscape, as well as the openness, remoteness and lack of traffic also contribute to this being a very ‘still’ landscape. Small inshore craft slowly working the bays of the peninsula offer occasional movement across the sea.
57
9.18 The special qualities that combine to make the Assynt - Coigach NSA of national importance are largely embraced by the NSA boundary. However, the boundary line to the east and south east of the NSA appears to be arbitrary, following grid lines rather than topographic features or scenic composition. The special qualities of the NSA are likely to extend beyond this boundary but considerable fieldwork over extensive tracts of difficult-to-access land would be required to draw a more appropriate boundary.
58
10. THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF BEN NEVIS AND GLENCOE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
Upland grandeur and variety
10.1 This is a landscape of massive proportions, breathtaking grandeur and great
variety. It is a land of classic highland vistas, offering the greatest altitude (and relative vertical relief) in Britain, but also one where, with each crossing of a glen or watershed, the scenery dramatically changes. It is the inter-relationships as well as individual qualities of the mountains, moors, glens and lochs that elevate the landscape scenery of Ben Nevis and (particularly) Glen Coe, to iconic status.
10.2 This is a landscape where man’s
influence is sometimes marked, sometimes negligible. It is a landscape where settlement is concentrated on loch-side straths, such as at Kinlochleven, Glencoe and Ballachulish; where the road and ski infrastructure penetrate deeply into the mountains and moorlands. Even the coast of Loch Leven, is characterised by aquaculture, inshore fishing and pleasure craft activities. The mountains, moors and glens are visited by many those in search of the outstanding scenic experience, or outdoor exhilaration and challenge. It is not remote by distance or time from major settlement, particularly Fort William, and a sense of true remoteness must be searched for, human contact in the upper glens and moors is to be expected. Nevertheless, scenic quality and drama prevails, and human settlement and activity does not seriously challenge its grandeur. A journey of contrasts
10.3 The most striking landscape drama,
contrast and juxtaposition of moor, mountain and seascape is experienced as the visitor crosses from south-east to north-west across the NSA along the A82. The route from Bridge of Orchy rises gradually from the Tulla basin to the lip of Rannoch Moor, revealing an expanse of barren and wet peat moorland which seems prehistoric in its character. The road bisects the moor on a true and straight line; there is a sense that departure from its line would lead to isolation and exposure in an inaccessible, intricate mosaic of high, but gently profiled, wet moorland and shallow peaty lochans. The framing of the moor by the highland peaks which funnel towards Glen Coe is striking. The Black Mount range rises ominously to the south, gradually encroaching upon the moor until
59
the entrance of the glen presents a striking contrast to the openness of Rannoch Moor.
10.4 As this classic journey across the NSA progresses, the soaring, dramatic
splendour of Glen Coe alters the traveller’s experience and a sense of deep enclosure prevails, whilst the scenery increases yet in splendour and drama as the glen is traversed. The pyramidal profile of the mountain of Buachaille is striking as it stands sentry to the glen’s entrance, but is challenged by numerous other distinctive peaked summits along the glen’s twin ridges, one of which is the 10 kilometres long, notched ridge of Aonach Eagach. From here the steep and high sided rocky, rugged mountains soar from the generously proportioned flat valley floor, adorned with scree fans, vertical outcrops and hanging valleys. Access to the foot of the slopes is straightforward, but their high, vast, sheer slopes require skill, energy and determination to scale. The usually broad glen floor of grassland and heather falls gradually to the north-west and the river Coe masks its seasonal powers as it cascades through gorges and across stony washlands, fed by many waterfalls and lively mountain burns which spill almost vertically into the glen from their lofty source. In the lower reaches of the glen the river plays only a minor role in the summer-time scenery, but its broad and braided gravel beds and boulder debris tell of a thundering power in spate.
10.5 Glen Coe’s splendour is not diminished as it falls to sea level and meets Loch Leven,
albeit some way from the open sea. The meeting of the glen and the loch is enhanced by the suddenness of the transition between high mountain pass and the lightly wooded strath which separates the two dominant landscape elements. The twisting line of the glen afforded by the western sentinels of Meall Mor and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh emphasises the suddenness of the transition and from the north serves to obscure the entrance to the mighty breach through the mountains.
10.6 The final element to this classic journey is the skirting of Loch Leven, a fjord-like sea
loch which strikes deep into the upland of the NSA’s core. The A82 meets the loch close to its opening out to the sea beyond the distinctive bridge and narrows, and sees a concentration of settlement of Glencoe and Ballachulish villages. Here the deep enclosure of the glen is relieved by the narrow, lightly wooded strath with meadows and plantations aside the loch which prevails as the dominant element in the coastal scene. The wooded slopes of the north shore, the peak of the ‘Pap of Glencoe’ and the forested southern valley sides provide a less dramatic sense of enclosure, which the bridge contributes to by affording a visual barrier to the openness of the outer loch. Here the islands of the middle loch add to the detail of the waterscape and provide natural refuge and shelter for mooring pleasure craft and fishing boats. The expanse of calm waters affords a far brighter light to pervade than across the moor or within the Glen, and this glistening reflection, particularly in early or evening hours adds a magical air to the place.
60
Ben Nevis 10.7 The huge Ben Nevis range dominates the setting of Fort William, lying just outside
the NSA. The brooding mountain and its massive rolling shoulders attracts a wide variety of walkers and climbers some drawn to its challenging north east approach up the dramatic, rocky precipices of Coire Leis and Carn Mor Dearg, others will simply want to reach the highest point in Britain, irrespective of its beauty, drama or splendour. The Ben Nevis range differs markedly from the Glen Coe range both in physical character and geological origins. It is a rolling rounded massif (except when approached from the north), bisected with deep, smooth sided glens cut by mountain burns such as that of Allt Daim. Vegetation is simple, grass and heather moorland flowing over convex slopes. Boulder fields and outcrops proliferate with increasing altitude, but this remains a simple, exposed, open massive mountain landscape.
Glen Nevis
10.8 The glen separates the Ben Nevis range from the Mamores and Mamore Forest –
open rolling moorland and rounded, rocky mountains exhibiting wild integrity and unspoilt character. The glen offers a striking transition from the pastoral lower valley where the river Nevis meanders into Fort William, lined with alder woodlands and stands of mature oak, flanked by gentle meadow, but bounded by the mass of the Ben’s foothills. Tenuous groups of willow and birch cling to burn sides in vertical green fingers. Travelling eastwards into the mid glen the valley floor narrows and the steepness and the broken character of the glen sides gradually increases, the hillside profiles become more rugged, with rocky outcrops prevailing. Here the lightly forested glen sides are complemented by remnants of ancient, gnarled Scots pine woods, clinging precariously between boulder and outcrop, and dominating the less dramatic willow, birch and alder woodlands. Here the river energetically tumbles through an increasingly rocky, boulder-strewn and secretive gorge, affording, in the words of Scotland’s Scenic Heritage a ‘Himalayan’ character to the scene. The upper glen is secretive inviting exploration of its extremely flat alpine meadow, bounded by steep upper slopes of the Ben and the Mamores. The drama of the Steall waterfalls is complemented by the peacefulness of the enclosure and detail of the cotton grass and broad, gravelly river beds.
Upper Loch Leven
10.9 Here a long, linear, narrow,
fjord-like and u-shaped upper sea loch penetrates deep into the mountain setting. Its sides are often concave and banded from the water’s edge through thick broadleaved and coniferous woodland, to the open moors of the Mamores and northern Glen Coe ridge. Vistas from sea level, or from its upper slopes, are stunning, with the distinct conical peaks betraying its point as transition between the rounded northern ranges and the pinnacle
61
and drama of the Glen Coe range. At its head lies the isolated settlement of Kinlochleven, a small town built on mining, industry and power generation. The settlement has a particular charm enhanced by its long access route and an air of self-sufficiency.
Glen Etive
10.10 This glen runs south from the upper reaches of Glen Coe flanked by the towering
peaks of the Buachailles and the great slabs of Ben Starav. It is a generally smooth-sided and extremely long, cleft valley, gradually sloping to the head of Loch Etive, a remote, relatively inaccessible sea loch. This glen affords tranquillity and peacefulness, with a narrow sinuous single track road extending to the shore, where it abruptly ends at the disused pier. From here the narrow, elegant loch stretches seawards, free of obvious human infrastructure, settlement or intrusion. There is a harmonious transition from the broad lower valley floor of the braided river Etive to the open water of the sea loch. The simple profile of the glen is nevertheless dramatic, with smooth, high, u-shaped valleys meeting the main glen. The upper slopes give way from grass to rocky conical summits, and their sides characterised by steep streambeds opening out to rocky fans of scree. The glen’s vegetation is predominantly of smooth grassland, with trees in small, sporadic stands or plantations, particularly in its lower reaches. However, in places rhododendron colonises the western valley sides detracting from the semi-natural vegetation but adding striking colour in the early summer months. The upper reaches of the river Etive offer interesting and sharply contrasting detail to the overall simplicity of the landscape. Its shallow, gorged profile within the sweeping, smooth grassland draws attention, emphasised by the crystal pools and waterfalls over a complex geological bedrock. Settlement in this glen is minimal, with a single hunting lodge dominating the lower reaches, and the occasional cottage. A dark heritage
10.11 The grandeur and drama of the NSA is undeniable and irresistible, and modern
development seems not to have diluted this grand scenery. However the village of Glencoe at the foot of the glen itself carries with it a history of betrayal and massacre which remains pertinent to the area’s character and ambience. The murder of 38 of the Clan Macdonald in 1692 by order of the crown, and the subsequent loss of life of women and children from exposure after the King’s soldiers had lodged within the village for several nights, engenders feelings of sorrow and disquiet. Whilst infamous for the massacre the glen also carries with it legend of cattle rustling and banditry between clans and government, secret refuges in hidden valleys and tales of incredible hardship. All weave together with the scenery of the area to present a dramatic and fascinating experience to the visitor.
62
Extent of the special qualities
10.12 The special qualities that combine to make the Ben Nevis and Glen Coe NSA of national importance do not generally extend beyond the boundaries, with the possible exception of the southern boundary, in the vicinity of Glen Kinglass. Here the boundary may be considered to be drawn conservatively and could, for example, follow a line along the peaks and the viewshed boundary afforded by Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh, Beinn Eunaich and Ben Cruachan, across Loch Etive at Bonawe, and then northwards to meet the current boundary to the south of Glen Coe across the peaks of Beinn Mheadhonach, Creach Bheinn and Beinn Sgulaird.
63
11. THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF KNAPDALE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
11.1 A landscape of long, linear, narrow, steep-sided ridges with a strong south-west to
north-east direction formed by the tightly folded metamorphic, Dalradian rocks which sweep down to the coast and plunge beneath the sea, reappearing as chains of rocky islands off-shore. These distinctive ridges have a strong identity and are dramatically juxtaposed to the flat expanse of the Moine Mhor bog crossed by the sinuous line of the river Add slowly flowing to the equally unusual morphology of the double bay at Crinan.
11.2 Thus, the northern part of the
NSA is a distinctive flat moss, with occasional, sheer, volcanic ‘plugs’ such as Dunadd and oak-wooded, lower, outlying ridges protruding out of the bog. To the west is the coastal bay at Crinan with its extensive intertidal mud and sand flats, an inner and outer bay each with its own character and a variety of coastal grassland and wetland habitats merging into the toe of the bog.
11.3 The rest of the NSA is the parallel ridges evocative of this part of Argyll. The
upper, northern parts of the ridges are almost entirely blanketed with coniferous plantations obscuring the landform and hiding the secret lochans within the afforested trenches of the deeply folded ridges, forming rich oases for wildlife and portraying a rather magical, slightly unsettling but calm, secluded, intimate tranquillity. The small lochs appear almost as if they are large wildlife ponds, or a secret garden reminiscent of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ with a disorientation of scale.
11.4 Further south, in middle Knapdale, the forest subsides and is replaced by the
billowing crowns of Atlantic oakwoods or open grassy or bracken covered moorlands with a variety of textures and colours. Here the shape of the ridgelines is revealed providing a dynamic, sweeping strongly horizontal skyline enclosing the loch-filled trenches.
64
11.5 Lower, southern and coastal
Knapdale is dominated by the presence of the sea and dramatic sea views from the comfort and safety of sheltered bays, inlets and sea lochs, looking across to sparkling or misty offshore islands and the massive, looming, bulk of Jura, with Islay in the distance. The coast is interesting, often quite active with the movement of people, boats and vehicles, but always peaceful and relaxing with a seaside holiday ambience heightened by children playing and people camping.
11.6 The visitor is compelled to explore right to the end of the seemingly endless
peninsulas, just to see what is there. The journey, along the winding road through the trenches of upper Knapdale and along the loch shore is slow, with views ever changing and unfolding; sometimes the landform or woodland suddenly opens to present surprise vistas across the hills and sea. The reward is the sea views and the remoteness, isolation and seclusion of the peninsula, a place to stay and contemplate, at the end of the road. The peninsula feeling is as strong as that of disembarking onto an island after a sea journey. The sea views are exhilarating, mysterious, sometimes dramatic yet enjoyed without effort, risk or exposure.
11.7 At the foot of the steep edge of
the ridges and at the edge of the bog, wends the historic and fully restored sometimes quite busy, basin of the Crinan Canal, which adds to the special-ness and distinctiveness of Knapdale, nowhere else is there this juxtaposition of ridge-land, canal and flat moss close to coastal bays.
11.8 Knapdale is a landscape of
contrasts, between the steep flanks of the ridges and flat lochs trapped in the glens by the scouring glaciers, which formed linear, fjord-like, sea lochs in a drowned coastline; or the contrast between the sheer edges of the ridges and the wide, flat expanse of the moss. There are contrasts everywhere, including those of scale between the close-up detail of the coastal flora against a backdrop of large ridges and dramatic topography, or the close-up detail of the flora of the moss in the context of its vast expanse.
11.9 It is a landscape dominated by skylines, providing strong linear features within
the landscape, framing and enclosing views, particularly from the sea lochs and within the ridge-framed basin of the moss. In upper, forested Knapdale the
65
skyline is of blunt or jagged lines of conifers at the top of parallel ridges; in middle, moorland Knapdale the ridges are often bare rock or grassy moorland where the variety of skylines are revealed as rounded, undulating, sweeping, crenulated or toothed moorland. In lower coastal Knapdale the ridges fall to the sea forming a steep, rugged coast interspersed with sandy coves, and sea-weed strewn rocky shores.
11.10 The Atlantic oak woodland is characteristic and adds a wild and natural
dimension to many views throughout middle and lower, coastal Knapdale; it rolls around the hills, clings to the cliffs and scarps, flows into the gullies and dips of the burns, billows and wraps around the ridges and occasionally clothes the skyline. It provides a rich haven for wildlife and peaceful, seclusion for people. The woods lend harmony to the scene, a further contrast to the plantations in upper Knapdale, which never quite seem to fit the ridges in the same natural way. The coniferous-covered ridges have different flora and fauna, they can be silent or still and can feel dominating and disorientating, an awareness increased by their height and imposing stature, exaggerated by the height of the trees. They present a sense of adventure throwing a challenge to explore their depths, whereas the oakwoods offer a more welcoming, safe and natural invitation.
11.11 Contrasts are further enriched by the variety of colours, sounds and smells in the
differing parts of the NSA. The hills and woods adopt an ever changing, dynamic of patterns created by sunlight or cloud, rain or mist, sometimes casting light and brightness on the foreground contrasting with the darker ridges, alternately hidden and revealed as the mists or cloud lift and fall. Along the coast is the contrast of the bright greens of pastures and iris beds with a backdrop of dark green or grey moorland. Birdsongs and calls from woodland, moorland and bog are complemented by the cries of seabirds and waves gently lapping in the bays and coves. Inland, the water moves slowly along sinuous rivers, marked by riparian tree belts, or lies still in the drains of the bog, or rests mirror like in the canal until the lock gates are released. Smells add considerably to the landscape, especially the smells of the sea, the shore, the dank coniferous woodlands, damp oakwoods, bog myrtle and iris beds on and near the moss, and the freshness of the moors.
11.12 The combination of the
distinctive ridged landform and the loch filled trenches of the deeply folded rocks epitomise the Knapdale landscape. The lochs in middle and lower, coastal Knapdale penetrate finger-like, deeply into the land, to create the distinctive peninsulas, each subtly different to the others. The lochs form gateways and corridors to the sea. The tidal edge adds interest and diversity as well as a cyclical change to the shorelines. The surface of the lochs is continuously moving with ripples or waves, usually quiet and calm, owing to the deep shelter of the incised glens of which they form the floor. The shorelines provide as strong horizontal lines as those of the ridged skylines.
66
11.13 Despite the dramatic edges of the different landforms of ridge and moss, sea
and slopes, the vegetation has more gradual transitions between habitats, from forestry plantation, to woodland, bracken, grass moorland, pastures, coastal wetlands, shorelines and intertidal. The colours and striking flora of the iris beds, saltmarsh, rush pasture, wet cotton grass and short turf of grazed rocky outcrops adds to the sense of place and naturalness of the scenery.
11.14 The sense of place and history is profound stretching from prehistory, through
the centuries to the ancient kingdom of Dalradia. The iconic landmark viewpoint of Dunadd provides a breathtaking 360 degree panorama, more spectacular than its modest height might portray. Here and across the northern part of the NSA, in the Glens of Kilmichael and Kilmartin are found some of the finest examples in Scotland of standing stones, reclining stones, stone circles, cup and ring marked slabs and other prehistoric landscape features. Dunadd may have been a viewpoint used to define the boundary of the NSA as it expands beyond Bridgend and follows the ridges and hills that define the view from the coronation rock. This is a profoundly evocative, ancient place where everyone will draw some inspiration, sense of space or history; a landscape of great historical continuity.
11.15 Other, more contemporary human influences on the scenery include activities
in a working landscape of fishing, farming, crofting, forestry, sailing or boating along the canal, all strongly related to the natural heritage and appearing as quiet, harmonious and sustainable. Small cottages nestle into the landscape; steadings are hidden by their sheltering tree groups. Small villages lie in the plain of the river Add or hide in remote coastal coves. There is a sense of pride and identity in the area with neat, white painted or grey stone buildings capped with slate, and the carefully restored waterway with its bright cottages, and gardens, yet another contrast to the remote wildness of the coastal moorlands at the ends of the peninsulas.
11.16 The special qualities that combine to make the Knapdale NSA of national importance
do not generally extend beyond the boundaries.
67
12. THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
12.1 The special character of the Trossachs is a product of an intricate blend of
elements; not necessarily outstanding in their own right, but when concentrated in a small area, offer a distinctive and very attractive landscape that is in effect familiarly recognised as a gateway to the Highlands, the epitome of the romantic Scottish landscape encapsulated in a relatively small and accessible area.
12.2 The three core components of the Trossachs’ scenic quality are the tight
concentration of loch, woodland and open hill/mountain. These merge harmoniously with broad-leaved woodland framing the lochs, particularly attractive around Achray and eastern Katrine; and framing the open hillsides, particularly those of the dominant Ben Venue. Sometimes the change from water to woodland and woodland to open hillside is transitional, broken and intricate, like eastern Katrine’s relationship with Ben Venue, whilst in others the change is abrupt, as in upper Gleann Riabhach’s plantations.
12.3 Frequently the three core elements reflect a ‘banding’ to the landscape, which affords
a stepped appearance to the glen sides. This is emphasised or diminished dependant on season and the colour and extent of the deciduous tree cover which characterises the lower slopes of the Trossachs.
12.4 From all road approaches to the Trossachs’ core (but not the water-borne
approaches on Loch Katrine) the alpine-like profile of the upper reaches of Ben Venue suggests a mountain of greater stature and challenge than its actual height. It is, nevertheless, the centrepiece of the Trossachs and guards the narrow entrance to the beauty of Loch Katrine and the expanse of Highlands beyond.
68
12.5 The five main water bodies of
the Trossachs are essential components of the overall blend, yet each has its own distinct character. Only Achray can make claim to being a natural entity, with the others all shaped to varying degrees by water supply infrastructure.
12.6 Achray and Venachar Lochs are
easily accessible and offer a soft blend of tranquillity and relief from treed enclosure as they shelter within their lush framing of broad-leaved woodland. Glen Finglas reservoir, hidden behind the tight and wooded entrance to the glen and separated by a higher relief than the other Lochs provides the setting for the north-eastern boundary of the NSA and exudes peacefulness and isolation, belying its accessibility and artificial nature.
12.7 Loch Drunkie hides within coniferous plantations with only hints of a broad-leaved
woodland frame softening its edges. However its setting has gently sloping woodlands, long interlocking fingers of land, water, grassland and marsh all of which blend to form a tranquil place, sheltered from the winds of the larger lochs and glens, and constantly enticing the viewer to discover the next turn of path or track.
12.8 Loch Katrine is perceived as the queen of the Trossachs. Dominated by Ben Venue,
it offers the viewer both intimate close vistas of inlet and dense woodland, hinting at its depth, and yet also the chance of further travel beyond the comfort of the Trossachs and into the openness of the glens beyond.
12.9 The weather is highly influential in setting the mood in the Trossachs. The
water surfaces of the Lochs can be still, glasslike and reflective, perfectly setting off the woodlands and hillsides above, lulling the viewer into a sense of deep tranquillity and Scottish idyll and a wondering of what might lie beneath. Yet the ever-changing winds, channelled and sheltered by relief and woodland, can create a myriad of changes to colour and movement, at once changing the mood from sheltered warmth and tranquillity to darker melancholy.
12.10 The heavily wooded lower slopes of the Trossachs vary considerably in their
character and contribution to the scenery. Broadleaved woodland is extensive and broadleaved trees line the edges of the plantations, but large areas of the NSA are covered by coniferous plantation. The contribution that these relatively recent forests make to the wider scenery varies. Where the plantations’ edges have been managed and shaped to ‘dissolve’ as they give way to open hillside, such as in Glen Finglas, or where they blend seamlessly with indigenous broad-leaved birch, oak and beech woods, their contribution to scenic quality is considerable. In other areas, notably around the Duke’s Pass and Gleann Riabhach, edges to the forest are harsh and straight, diminishing the naturalness and romance of the scenery and the sense of a wild or ancient landscape. Felling the Trossach’s plantations has resulted in significant changes to character.
69
12.11 This is a generally quiet landscape except for the murmuring burns and passing road traffic. Built development is sparse.
12.12 The importance of the Trossachs in part lies in the way that it occupies a small area
that is widely considered to define the transition from settled, pastoral lowland Scotland to the more rugged upland of the Highland glens and lochs. It offers the first hint of the ‘wilder’ lands north and west, but offers a far safer, accessible and concentrated experience than the lands beyond. This ‘potted’ classic highland scenery is occasionally spectacular and generally regarded as very attractive and comforting. It is widely acknowledged to be quintessential Scotland, accessible to the urban areas of the central lowlands. It is at once a gateway to the Highlands, and also a goal, beyond which many will choose not to venture, instead sampling this inviting Scottish idyll. Its accessibility is in part its strength as it plays an important role in national identity.
12.13 Fiona Leney encapsulated the essence of the Trossachs special qualities:
“Although the terrain is extremely broken, the tree cover and quiet water bring a gentleness to the rugged landscape. Compared with the adjacent lowlands, the area is wild and rugged, yet compared with the northern Highlands, its small scale and dense tree cover reduce its grandeur, though contributing to variety and beauty. For many people the scenery …. epitomises the landscape of Scotland.” (Leney, 1973).
12.14 Travelling through the Trossachs provides a series of changing vistas,
characterised by views looking down the expanse of Loch Katrine to the mass of Ben Venue, or glimpsing loch or hillside through gaps in the trees, or turning to discover surprise views as the woodland gives way to open moorland. The woodlands are intimately enclosed, sheltered, quiet, still landscapes contrasting with open, exposed, hills, from which 360 degree panoramic views of the NSA and far beyond may be enjoyed, for example, from the summit of Ben Venue.
12.15 As already hinted above, most of the Trossachs lochs are the result of 19th
century engineering projects to provide water to the Glasgow conurbation and hydro electric power. Loch Katrine was dammed in 1859, at its eastern end, and its popularity now owes much to the presence of the last steam driven passenger vessel operating in Britain, fittingly named the Steam Ship Sir Walter Scott. Many writers, poets and artists have been drawn to the romantic shores of Katrine, including William and Dorothy Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, James Hogg and John Ruskin. But it was the publishing of Sir Walter Scott’s romantic poem ‘Lady of the Lake’ in 1810 and ‘Rob Roy’ in 1817 that brought fame and popularity to the scenery of the area, establishing the Trossachs as a major tourist attraction, perhaps the epitome of the romantic highland landscape.
12.16 In his poem ‘Lady of the Lake’, which refers to Loch Katrine, Scott wrote: “So wondrous wild, the whole might seem The scenery of a fairy dream.”
And specifically about Loch Katrine he wrote: “Where, gleaming with the setting sun, One burnished sheet of living gold, Loch Katrine lay beneath him roll’d In all her length far winding lay, With promontory, creek and bay, And islands that, empurpled bright,
70
Floated amid a livelier light, And mountains, that like giants stand, To sentinel enchanted land.” 12.17 In his novel ‘Rob Roy’, Scott wrote of the tales of Rob Roy MacGregor and the
‘children of the mist’, referring to his followers the Clan MacGregor who lived amidst the wild hills. Rob Roy was born in Glen Gyle at the western end of Loch Katrine and is buried near by. The famous Duke’s Pass is named after Rob Roy’s arch rival, the Duke of Montrose. The routes once followed by Rob Roy’s cattle drovers and the horse-drawn carriages of 19th Century tourists, have become the main arteries, which now carry modern traffic over Duke’s Pass. The Trossachs Trail is a signposted car tour that takes drivers north from Aberfoyle and over the Dukes Pass to take in the spectacular views of an area described as ‘the highlands in miniature’.
12.18 Bordering the NSA to the north, Glen Finglas was one of the more popular of the
royal hunting forests, with many Kings and Scottish Earls hunting there between the early 1300’s and the 1700’s. Many veteran trees still remain. Queen Victoria visited the area on many occasions and had a holiday house built overlooking Loch Katrine.
12.19 The special qualities that combine to make the Trossachs NSA of national
importance do not generally extend beyond the boundaries.
71
13. THE SPECIAL QUALITIES OF UPPER TWEEDDALE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
13.1 Upper Tweeddale is a NSA undoubtedly designated for its rich diversity, prominent landforms combining with rivers, woods and moorlands, to produce a ‘pleasing physiography with varied land use’ and ‘scenery of great charm and soft beauty’ (Countryside Commission for Scotland 1978). The NSA is distinguished by being, physically, the most sharply defined, densely wooded valleys with the higher, steeper, darker rather more rugged and wilder surrounding hills providing greater enclosure compared to the wider, gentler, more open valleys elsewhere in this part of the Scottish Borders.
13.2 The valley profiles are typically flat bottomed, often narrow, shallow ‘V’ shaped,
green, pastoral valleys with the Tweed flowing smoothly down the middle of a narrow floodplain. The valleys have even slopes steepening as they rise to scree-strewn ridges or rolling, rounded wooded hills with a backdrop of interlocking moorland slopes or high, rolling moorland hill massifs.
13.3 Sometimes there are wider, flat-bottomed, green pastoral valleys with the river on
one side of the valley floor eating away at the hillfoot below a precipitously steep, rocky edge to the high moorland massif. The valley floors widen at the confluences of the Tweed with the Holm, Manor and Lyne Waters which run as small rivers or large burns, giving views up the tributary glens.
13.4 Everywhere across the valleys are coniferous or mixed plantations, mature
broadleaved trees, groups of trees around steadings and houses, large billowing crowns of trees marking the sinuous line of the otherwise often inconspicuous rivers and burns crossed by distinctive but disused railway bridges and old stone arched or modern flat road bridges. In several places, small designed landscapes with a strong parkland ambience enrich the variety of woodlands and trees.
72
13.5 In contrast to the sinuous line of
the river, picked out by mature riparian trees, the improved grasslands are laid out in large, regular, geometrically-shaped, flat or gently sloping fields, divided by straight stone dykes or occasional fences and hedges. The field pattern is locally emphasised by mature shelterbelts.
13.6 Buildings comprise steadings,
most of which are compact and traditional in style, splendid houses of Victorian ‘baronial’ architecture, lodges and cottages strung along the roads as they wind through the valleys. The predominant building materials are a distinctive, mellow grey stone and slate, or contrasting white rendering with slate.
13.7 There are no lakes, ponds or waterfalls but the rivers and burns are clean and fast-
flowing over pebbly, boulder-strewn or sandy and gravelly beds with natural weirs and riffles. In places the Tweed is wider and flows more sedately with a smooth surface that reflects the sky or clouds, and trees and buildings close by. The sounds of the river are complemented by those of grazing animals, insects and wading birds; birdsong is seasonally ubiquitous in the valleys. Apart from the sounds and movement of traffic on the roads that pass down the dales, the valleys are calm, quiet, still, tranquil landscapes with occasional agricultural activity or sometimes an angler or walker.
13.8 The valleys are varied, locally diverse or complex, safe, inviting, interesting,
settled landscapes with innumerable remnants and reminders of the historic past scattered throughout the dales. The many towers, castles, sheepfolds, stone and hut circles, standing stones, cultivation terraces, ancient settlements, cairns and forts emphasise the historical continuity of settlement and timelessness of the valleys. The forts are often located atop conspicuous promontories which offered commanding fortification sites and now the best vantage points to enjoy the scenery.
13.9 The intimate, sheltered valleys are tightly enclosed by wooded or open moorland
slopes along the flanks of the dales, rising more steeply with elevation to either a gently undulating series of hill tops or a dale-long series of interlocking ridges, in turn often backed by a hill massif. The valleys are also invariably enclosed at each end, usually by massive humps of steep-sided, seemingly free-standing hills that block and guard the ends of the dales; the moorland on these hills sharpening the contrast with the rich pastoral fields and woods of the dales.
73
13.10 A relatively short, sharp, steep scramble up bracken, heather or grassy moorland slopes will lift the walker to a peak with a 360 degree, panoramic view across the Southern Uplands. From here and other viewpoints above the valley floor and lower slopes, the sinuous line of the rivers and burns are more conspicuous. From the hill tops and ridges the view may be spectacular in its sun-lit clarity with deep summer purples, greens, browns, grey and gold, or blue and hazy, or covered in crisp, white snow, or misty, or darkly overcast, depending on season and weather. The tops of the hills are vast, open, exposed windswept, inspiring, exhilarating, inviting and rewarding landscapes. The NSA is distinguished by being the most densely wooded valleys with the higher, steeper, darker rather more rugged and wilder surrounding hills providing greater enclosure.
13.11 The enclosing hills appear as great
guardians of the valleys, their height and mass often appearing greater than they actually are because of the contrast with the valleys. From the tops of the hills and ridges, and especially from the few landmark summits such as Black Meldon (right), the views are panoramic, round 360 degrees, across a vast rolling hill mass covered in grass and heather moorland, with occasional bare rock and scree adding variety to the colours and textures of the varied hills which appear to recede endlessly to the horizon, way beyond the boundaries of the NSA. The hills are varied in their landform; there are interlocking lines of steep-sided ridges sweeping from the surrounding hill mass into the valleys, gently undulating or rolling, smooth, rounded, massive, bulky, steep-sided hills with stone-piled cairns visible from far away and mysterious, evocative names such as Hammer Knowe, Horse Hope Hill, Hundleshope Heights, Stob Law, Trahenna Hill and White Meldon.
13.12 These valleys and hills were the
chosen home of John Buchan, author of ‘The thirty-nine steps’, who described them in some of his work. The valleys have been photographed and painted by innumerable artists but perhaps the most enduring fame of Upper Tweeddale is that of its history as a great salmon river, epitomised today by the sight of an angler casting over the river from its grassy banks.
13.13 Equally inviting, the walker may
choose between the intimate shelter of the quiet, tranquil, wooded pastoral valleys and the short rewarding climb up the slopes to the welcoming tops with their exhilarating panoramas across the valleys and the hill massifs.
13.14 The special qualities that combine to make the Upper Tweeddale NSA of national
importance do not generally extend beyond the boundaries.
74
REFERENCES Cairngorms National Park Authority, 2005. Review of the Special Qualities of the Cairngorms National Park. Cobham Resource Consultants, 1988. Effectiveness of Landscape Designations Report to CCS, Countryside Commission for Scotland. Colchester Borough Council, 2005. Review of Countryside Conservation Areas in Colchester Borough, report by Chris Blandford Associates. Council of Europe, accessed 2006. Criteria for the award of the European Diploma of Protected Areas at http:www.coe.int/t/e/Cultural Co-operation/Environment/Nature and biological diversity/Ecological networks/The European Diploma/06criteria.asp Council of Europe, accessed 2006. Exploratory Report on the European Landscape Convention ETS No. 176 at http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Reports/html/176.htm Countryside Agency, 2002. CA23, AONB Management Plans: A Guide. Countryside Commission, 1995. CCP486, The Norfolk Coast Landscape: An Assessment of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, The Significance of the Norfolk Coast Landscape. Countryside Commission for Scotland, 1970-1978. Various Committee reports, papers and commissioned research reports leading up to the designation of NSAs. Countryside Commission for Scotland, 1974. A Park System for Scotland. Countryside Commission for Scotland, 1978. Scotland’s Scenic Heritage. Countryside Council for Wales, 2003. Landscape Assessment and Decision Making Process LANDMAP see http://landmap.ccw.gov.uk/methodology/ Dartmoor National Park Authority, 2001. Dartmoor National Park Management Plan, Part 2 A vision for Dartmoor National Park. Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, 1994. Landscape Character Assessment of Doncaster Borough, report by David Tyldesley and Associates for Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. Dumfries and Galloway Council, 2002. East Stewartry Coast, National Scenic Area Management Strategy, Dumfries and Galloway Council. Dumfries and Galloway Council, 2002. Wester Ross National Scenic Area Revised Draft Management Strategy, The Highland Council. Hobhouse Committee, 1947. Command 7121, 1947, Report of the National Parks Committee, HMSO. Lake District National Park Authority, accessed 2006. Lake District National Park Management Plan, Section 2 Special Qualities of the Lake District National Park http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/index/understanding/specialqualities.htm Land Use Consultants, 1971. A Planning Classification of Scottish Landscape Resources, report to Countryside Commission for Scotland
75
Leney, F., 1973. Essays on Landscape of Scotland unpublished report to Countryside Commission for Scotland Linton, D., 1968. The Assessment of Scenery as a National Resource, Scottish Geographical Magazine. Lithuanian Government, accessed 2006. Lithuanian National Parks at http://www.ktl.mii.lt/tourism/parks/aukstaitija.html and http://www.ktl.mii.lt/tourism/parks/dzukija.html Murray, W.H., 1962. Highland Landscape: a Survey National Trust for Scotland. National Trust for Scotland, 2003. Acquisitions and Disposals, Evaluation of Heritage Significance. Natural Heritage Services of Metsähallitus, accessed 2006. Finland’s National Parks, at http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=25160 North York Moors National Park Authority, 2005. North York Moors National Park Management Plan, Appendix D Special Qualities of the North York Moors. Northumberland National Park Authority, 2005. Northumberland National Park Management Plan, Part One A very special place with very special qualities Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, 2005. Planning Policy Statement 7 Sustainable Development in Rural Areas. Parliamentary Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, 1972. Land Resource Use in Scotland. Peak District National Park Authority, 2002. Peak District National Park Management Plan 2002-2005, Section 4 Special Qualities, page 7. Pearsall, J. et al ed., 2001, The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford University Press Ramsay Committee, 1945. Command 6631, National Parks, a Scottish Survey: Report of the Ramsay Committee, HMSO. Robinson, D.G., Ed 1970-75. The landscape evaluation research project, University of Manchester. Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Scotland, 2005, Guidance on Local Landscape Designations, SNH Inverness United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), accessed 2006. Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, Bureau of the World Heritage Committee, 20th session, 24-29 June 1996, Report of the Expert Meeting on European Cultural Landscapes of Outstanding Universal Value http://whc.unesco.org/archive/europe7.htm United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), accessed 2006. Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, World Heritage Centre – The Criteria for Selection, Operational Guidelines 2005 at http://whc.unesco.org/en/criteria
76
United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, accessed 2006. Criteria for Parkland, National Significance at http://www.nps.gov/legacy/criteria.html University of Edinburgh, Department of Geography, 1971, report entitled “Leisure + Countryside = ”
77
RESEARCH BIBLIOGRAPHY Accessed or read as part of the research but not referred to in the text Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Brecon Beacons National Park Management Plan, 2002-2005, Chapter 3 Landscape and Special Qualities Chilterns Shadow Conservation Board, Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Strategy 2002-2007, Section 1.2 Special Landscape Qualities Countryside Agency, 2004, Board Paper AP04/36 The New Forest National Park Decision and the Implications for the South Downs Countryside Agency, Landscape Access and Recreation, 2005, Quality of Life Assessment, Quality of Life Capital, The What Matters and Why Matrix Countryside Commission for Scotland, 1987, A Landscape Strategy for Loch Rannoch and Glen Lyon NSA Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee, Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Management Strategy 2004-2009 Finland’s National Parks – Virtual Finland at http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=25160 Forest of Bowland AONB, undated. Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan, Statement of Significance Geographia d’Europa: textos de suport, Landscape Conservation and Strategies at http://www.ub.es/medame/conspais.html The High Weald: Why it is outstanding at http://www.highweald.org/text.asp?PageId=6 Howardian Hills AONB, 2004. Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan, 2004, pages 19 - 20 International Centre for Protected Landscapes (ICPL) useful links at http://www.protected-landscapes.org/links.html Mendip Hills AONB, accessed 2006. Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan, at http://www.mendiphillsaonb.org.uk National Trust for Scotland, 2002, Property Statements, Revised Guidelines Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Authority, 2004, Broads Plan 2006, Page 4 Special Features Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Management Plan, 2003-2007, page 11 Scottish Executive Rural Group, 2006, Paper 2006/2 Enhancing Our Care of Scotland’s Landscapes, A Consultation Paper Scottish Natural Heritage, 1998, National Parks for Scotland, A Consultation Paper Scottish Natural Heritage, 1998, National Scenic Areas, A Consultation Paper
78
Scottish Natural Heritage, 1999 National Scenic Areas, SNH’s Advice to Government Scottish Natural Heritage, 2003, Scotland’s Future Landscapes, Encouraging a Wider Debate Sissons, J.B., 1967. The Evolution of Scotland’s Scenery, Oliver and Boyd. Suffolk Coast and Heaths Partnership, 2002, Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Strategy, page 24 Statement of Significance Surrey County Council, Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan, section 2 Statement of Significance Tamar Valley AONB, accessed 2006. Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan, 2004 – 2009, pages 17-23 http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/DL/national_parks http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/DL/new_designations/newforest http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Landscape/DL/new_designations/southdowns http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Who/pressCentre/new_forest_order.asp http://www.countryside.gov.uk/LAR/Who/pressCentre/pressrelease_41_2003.asp http://www.moors.uk.net/content.php?nID=6 – What makes this a special place? North York Moors National Park http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/anpa_core/work_of_the_parks/understanding_and_enjoyment – Promoting understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the national parks Wye Valley AONB, accessed 2006. Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan, 2004 – 2009 section 3, State of the AONB Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, 2000. Today and Tomorrow 2000-2005, The Yorkshire Dales National Park Management Plan, page 2 The Yorkshire Dales National Park: A Special Place http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/index/learning/special_qualities.htm
79
APPENDICES 1. FIELDWORK OUTPUTS ASSYNT - COIGACH NATIONAL SCENIC AREA 2. FIELDWORK OUTPUTS BEN NEVIS & GLEN COE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA 3. FIELDWORK OUTPUTS KNAPDALE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA 4. FIELDWORK OUTPUTS THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL SCENIC AREA 5. FIELDWORK OUTPUTS UPPER TWEEDDALE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA 6. RECOMMENDED FIELDSHEETS FOR USE IN FIELDWORK
80
A
PPEN
DIX
1
FI
ELD
WO
RK
OU
TPU
TS
ASS
YNT
- CO
IGA
CH
NA
TIO
NA
L SC
ENIC
AR
EA
81
Ass
ynt -
Coi
gach
NSA
– V
iew
scap
e: W
est a
nd S
outh
ove
r Bad
call
Bay
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e A
tran
sitio
n fro
m la
nd to
ope
n se
a, b
ut o
ne w
here
the
chan
ge is
gra
dual
due
to th
e pr
esen
ce o
f man
y is
land
s an
d is
lets
bet
wee
n th
e tw
o. L
andf
orm
and
cov
er to
the
mai
nlan
d is
of a
coa
stal
cno
can,
refle
cted
by
the
form
of
the
low
rock
y is
land
s in
the
bay.
Th
e m
ainl
and
slop
es
stea
dily
to th
e se
a, b
ut in
a b
roke
n an
d ru
gged
form
ty
pica
l of A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch’s
cno
can
tract
s. I
t is
char
acte
rised
by
heat
her a
nd g
rass
moo
rland
ve
geta
tion,
with
ver
y sp
arse
ly s
catte
red
smal
l shr
ubs
and
trees
. The
land
cov
er m
osai
c is
furth
er c
ompr
ised
of
scat
tere
d ba
re ro
cks
and
outc
rop
and
som
e w
et s
edge
. D
espi
te th
e tra
nsiti
on fr
om la
nd to
sea
, the
re is
littl
e in
th
e w
ay o
f bea
ch, s
and
or s
hing
le. T
idal
rang
e ap
pear
s na
rrow
and
rock
y an
d ch
arac
teris
ed b
y da
rk li
nes
of
seaw
eed
and
inte
r-tid
al o
rgan
ism
s.
The
wat
ersc
ape
is a
pro
min
ent,
but i
s pe
rhap
s su
rpris
ingl
y no
t the
dom
inan
t ele
men
t of t
he v
iew
shed
. La
nd a
nd w
ater
are
rela
tivel
y ev
enly
pre
sent
in th
e vi
ewsh
ed,
Land
and
wat
er c
halle
nge
for d
omin
ance
with
in th
e tra
nsiti
on
from
one
to th
e ot
her.
With
the
bay’
s w
ater
s, c
oves
and
isla
nds
vyin
g qu
ite e
venl
y fo
r sup
erio
rity,
par
ticul
arly
whe
n on
e ap
proa
ches
tow
ards
sea
leve
l and
the
vist
a to
sea
is o
ne w
here
th
e is
land
s se
em to
form
a n
etw
ork
of g
iant
ste
ppin
g st
ones
af
ford
ing
acce
ss o
n fo
ot o
ut to
sea
far f
urth
er th
an is
the
actu
ality
. It
sugg
ests
a p
atch
wor
k of
wat
er a
nd la
nd.
The
horiz
ons
are
gene
rally
low
, with
a m
ore
horiz
onta
l em
phas
is a
nd a
bsen
ce o
f ste
ep s
lope
s or
har
sh p
rofil
e. T
he
land
is h
owev
er fa
r fro
m e
ven,
and
with
in th
is lo
w -l
ying
coa
stal
fri
nge
the
surfa
ce is
dis
tinct
ly u
ndul
atin
g an
d at
tim
es b
roke
n.
This
is a
land
scap
e of
an
open
med
ium
sca
le, w
here
des
pite
th
e pr
oxim
ity to
ope
n oc
ean,
the
horiz
ons
are
inte
rrupt
ed b
y is
land
s, s
ervi
ng to
dilu
te th
e se
nse
of b
eing
at t
he la
nd’s
end
. It
is h
owev
er a
rem
ote
land
scap
e, w
ith v
ery
low
-key
act
ivity
, wel
l hi
dden
bey
ond
deep
ly u
ndul
atin
g cn
ocan
and
the
lifel
ine
of th
e A
894.
It i
s se
clud
ed, a
lmos
t hid
den.
The
mix
of w
ater
and
land
cr
eate
s an
intri
cate
land
scap
e w
ith m
any
com
plex
sm
all s
cale
va
riatio
n, b
ut it
s ba
sic
com
pone
nts
rem
ain
sim
ple.
Rem
ote,
alm
ost s
ecre
t, qu
iet a
nd c
alm
ing,
Bad
call
Bay
can
pres
ent a
ver
y pe
acef
ul s
cene
, bel
ying
the
hars
hnes
s of
the
coas
tal e
nviro
nmen
t, w
ave,
win
d an
d tid
al a
ssau
lt on
the
land
. It
at o
nce
offe
rs s
helte
r and
hav
en fr
om th
e op
en
ocea
n, b
ut a
lso
offe
rs ro
utes
out
thro
ugh
the
isla
nds
to o
cean
wat
ers
whi
ch m
ust b
e en
dure
d to
har
vest
th
e se
as.
It is
a tr
ansi
tiona
l zon
e be
twee
n la
nd a
nd
sea,
but
als
o be
twee
n sa
fety
and
risk
, and
hun
ger o
r bo
unty
. Th
e sh
elte
r of t
he b
ay is
nev
er fu
lly
sepa
rate
d fro
m th
e da
nger
or t
hrea
t of t
he e
lem
ents
be
yond
. It
is th
e in
timac
y of
the
land
scap
e ju
xtap
osed
with
the
pres
ence
of w
ild s
eas
whi
ch a
fford
s th
is v
iew
scap
e its
gre
ates
t val
ue.
It is
not
spe
ctac
ular
but
is
extre
mel
y al
lurin
g, te
mpt
ing
the
trave
ller t
o lin
ger a
nd
find
peac
e w
ithin
a m
ultit
ude
of c
oves
or r
ocky
sh
elte
r. A
t the
sam
e tim
e th
e fis
hing
ves
sels
whi
ch
occa
sion
ally
ven
ture
from
the
bay’
s sh
elte
r to
mor
e op
en w
ater
s re
min
d on
e of
the
dang
er e
ver p
rese
nt
beyo
nd.
82
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e H
uman
influ
ence
is a
ppar
ent b
ut fa
r fro
m s
igni
fican
t.
The
shor
elin
e to
the
head
of t
he s
ea lo
ch is
occ
upie
d by
th
e sm
all s
mat
terin
g of
fish
erm
en’s
cot
tage
s an
d fis
hing
in
frast
ruct
ure
of L
ower
Bad
call,
incl
udin
g la
unch
slip
, sm
all b
reak
wat
er a
nd s
tora
ge s
heds
. H
owev
er th
ese
do
not d
omin
ate
the
land
scap
e an
d ag
ain
sugg
est a
toug
h or
eve
n su
bsis
tenc
e ex
iste
nce.
Upp
er B
adca
ll is
a
colle
ctio
n of
sm
all c
otta
ges
and
crof
tings
, som
e in
use
, so
me
sugg
estin
g se
ason
al o
ccup
atio
n an
d ot
hers
di
spla
ying
ser
ious
neg
lect
or a
band
onm
ent.
Her
e th
ere
is e
vide
nce
of fi
eld
encl
osur
e an
d w
orki
ng o
f the
land
, of
ferin
g so
me
cont
rast
to th
e ha
rsh
cnoc
an h
abita
ts th
at
abou
nd.
Thes
e in
fluen
ces
sugg
est a
his
toric
wor
king
of
the
land
mor
e ap
pare
nt th
an in
mos
t of t
he re
st o
f the
N
SA
.
The
wea
ther
and
ski
es a
re m
ore
influ
entia
l her
e as
the
horiz
on
is w
ide
and
the
wat
ers
of th
e se
a an
d lo
chs
serv
e to
mirr
or a
nd
refle
ct c
hang
ing
light
and
add
mov
emen
t to
the
scen
e.
The
tidal
line
s of
sea
wee
d an
d w
et a
nd d
ry ro
ck p
rese
nt a
st
rong
if ir
regu
lar l
inea
r fea
ture
to th
e la
ndsc
ape.
Th
e ve
geta
tion
to th
e is
land
s va
ries
grea
tly d
epen
dent
on
thei
r re
lativ
e ex
posu
re, f
rom
bar
ren
to lo
w b
ut lu
sh d
ense
folia
ge o
f sh
rub
and
gras
ses.
83
Ass
ynt -
Coi
gach
NSA
– V
iew
scap
e: W
est F
ace
of B
en M
ore
Ass
ynt
O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Ana
lysi
s Pe
rson
al R
espo
nse
A v
ast o
pen
land
scap
e ris
ing
grad
ually
from
rolli
ng
smoo
th m
oorla
nds
at th
e sh
ore
of L
och
Ass
ynt t
o th
e hi
ghes
t poi
nt in
the
NS
A.
The
mou
ntai
n an
d its
sis
ter
Con
ival
is a
fine
exa
mpl
e of
the
‘lone
mou
ntai
n’
char
acte
ristic
of t
he A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch a
rea.
Th
e to
pogr
aphy
bui
lds
grad
ually
, thr
ough
sm
ooth
m
oorla
nd to
bou
lder
stre
wn
open
moo
r to
stee
p lim
esto
ne
scre
e fa
ns ri
sing
to a
bol
d ba
rren
sum
mit
offe
ring
expa
nsiv
e vi
ews
in a
ll di
rect
ions
. Th
e re
lief g
radu
ally
in
crea
ses
in g
radi
ent,
less
dra
mat
ical
ly th
an o
ther
lone
m
ount
ains
with
in th
e ar
ea, b
ut s
till p
rodu
cing
a
spec
tacu
lar b
are
rock
face
of g
reat
ste
epne
ss ju
st b
elow
th
e m
ore
roun
ded
sum
mit
plat
eau.
D
eep
river
gill
s pe
riodi
cally
sca
r the
gen
tly u
ndul
atin
g su
rface
of t
he g
radu
ally
risi
ng g
rass
and
hea
ther
m
oorla
nd, r
evea
ling
ener
getic
mou
ntai
n st
ream
s.
This
is a
mon
umen
tally
sca
led
land
scap
e, p
artic
ular
ly
whe
n th
e w
eath
er a
fford
s di
stan
t vie
ws.
How
ever
, apa
rt fro
m th
e m
ore
dist
ant v
iew
s fro
m th
e fa
ce o
f the
m
ount
ain,
the
land
scap
e co
mpo
sitio
n is
one
of e
asy
sim
plic
ity.
Gra
dual
ly ri
sing
, wid
e op
en u
ndul
atin
g sm
ooth
m
oorla
nds,
few
sur
face
feat
ures
, ris
e to
ste
ep a
nd ro
cky
coni
cal b
uttre
ss a
nd s
umm
it. T
he d
istin
ct ri
dgel
ine
of
Bein
n an
Fhu
rain
lead
s in
to th
e su
mm
it ou
t of t
he s
moo
th
mid
dle
slop
es fr
om th
e no
rth a
nd p
rese
nts
few
opt
ions
for
rout
es to
war
ds th
e su
mm
it. T
he fa
ce o
f Con
ival
, the
B
en’s
clo
se n
eigh
bour
offe
rs a
sta
rk, b
arre
n an
d m
assi
ve
face
on
appr
oach
from
Inch
nada
mph
and
the
wes
t. Th
e m
ass
of th
e B
en is
suc
h th
at it
s pr
ofile
is le
ss
dist
inct
ive
than
the
mou
ntai
ns o
f Coi
gach
whi
ch a
re
clea
rly v
isib
le to
the
sout
h w
est.
How
ever
its
less
re
cogn
isab
le fo
rm is
com
pens
ated
for t
hrou
gh s
heer
m
ass
and
pres
ence
. Th
e m
ass
of th
e m
ount
ain
and
its
undi
lute
d hi
nter
land
of m
oor a
re p
erha
ps it
s m
ost d
efin
ing
char
acte
ristic
.
This
is a
stu
nnin
g la
ndsc
ape
of g
reat
sca
le b
ut m
odes
t si
mpl
icity
. Its
rock
y su
mm
it an
d sc
reed
app
roac
hes
add
an e
lem
ent o
f con
side
rabl
e dr
ama
and
offe
r stre
nuou
s ch
alle
nge
and
adve
ntur
e. T
he B
en is
kno
w to
hav
e ta
ken
man
y liv
es o
f tho
se le
ss p
repa
red
than
nec
essa
ry to
ch
alle
nge
its m
ight
, or s
impl
y un
fortu
nate
in fe
arso
me,
un
forg
ivin
g te
rrain
. Th
is is
in th
e m
ind
of a
ll w
ho
expe
rienc
e its
ele
vatio
n an
d ex
posu
re o
f the
upp
er s
lope
s w
ith it
s br
oken
sto
ny g
roun
d.
The
abse
nce
of h
uman
influ
ence
ove
r suc
h m
assi
ve
tract
s of
land
affo
rd a
sen
se o
f wild
erne
ss, w
heth
er v
alid
in
stri
ctes
t sen
se o
r not
. Th
e po
tent
ial f
or th
e si
ghtin
g of
a
gold
en e
agle
kee
ps th
e vi
sito
r in
a pe
rpet
ual s
tate
of
antic
ipat
ion,
alth
ough
ofte
n to
no
avai
l. T
his
is th
e la
nd o
f ea
gles
nev
erth
eles
s an
d th
e vi
sito
r may
feel
a s
ense
of
insi
gnifi
canc
e in
the
gran
deur
of t
he la
ndsc
ape.
84
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e Th
e lim
esto
ne g
eolo
gy is
cle
arly
evi
dent
from
the
sign
ifica
nt p
rese
nce
of b
ould
ers
and
loos
e st
one,
but
als
o fro
m s
ink-
hole
s an
d dr
y st
ream
bed
s, c
hara
cter
istic
of t
he
unde
rlyin
g ge
olog
y at
this
poi
nt.
Man
’s e
vide
nce,
apa
rt fro
m th
e w
ell t
rodd
en –
and
less
w
ell t
rodd
en, m
ount
ain
path
s, is
neg
ligib
le.
On
risin
g ou
t of
the
Gle
ann
Dub
h gi
ll, th
e w
ildne
ss o
f the
land
scap
e be
com
es d
omin
ant.
Scr
ee a
nd b
ould
ers
begi
n to
do
min
ate
and
the
mas
s an
d el
evat
ion
of th
e B
en m
ore
mar
ked.
Th
e ro
lling
moo
rland
low
er a
nd m
iddl
e sl
opes
whi
ch le
ad
to th
e su
mm
it ho
st le
ss s
urfa
ce w
ater
than
els
ewhe
re in
th
e ar
ea.
Loch
ans
are
mor
e di
sper
sed,
with
onl
y Lo
ch
Mha
olac
h-co
ire p
rom
inen
t in
the
land
scap
e in
its
star
k co
ntra
st to
the
moo
rland
in w
hich
it s
its.
Col
our i
s ty
pica
lly m
uted
gre
en a
nd b
row
n, b
ut w
ith
sign
ifica
nt c
ontra
st to
the
light
gre
y of
the
boul
ders
, scr
ee
and
expo
sed
stra
ta o
f the
sum
mits
. N
oise
and
mov
emen
t is
min
imal
apa
rt fro
m th
e w
ind,
whi
ch w
ill o
ften
be fi
erce
, an
d th
e gu
rgle
of t
he ri
ver T
ralig
ill.
Red
dee
r sta
ke c
laim
to th
e rid
ge-to
ps, w
ith s
tags
st
andi
ng in
pro
min
ent g
uard
of t
heir
herd
. Th
is to
o is
the
land
of t
he G
olde
n E
agle
, alth
ough
a g
limps
e of
the
mos
t m
ajes
tic o
f Brit
ish
bird
s is
sel
dom
affo
rded
. B
ut it
is a
lso
the
delic
acy
of th
e m
icro
flor
a, a
lpin
es a
nd m
osse
s w
hich
of
fer g
reat
inte
rest
and
min
ute
beau
ty to
the
wal
ker.
B
irdso
ng o
n th
e lo
wer
slo
pes,
par
ticul
arly
cuc
koo
and
ston
echa
t pro
vide
s a
wel
com
e so
undt
rack
in th
e ea
rly
sum
mer
mon
ths.
Des
pite
its
pote
ntia
l for
har
m a
nd m
isad
vent
ure
the
wes
tern
app
roac
hes
to B
en M
ore
Ass
ynt a
lso
offe
r re
mot
enes
s, tr
anqu
illity
and
a p
eace
fuln
ess
seld
om
expe
rienc
ed e
ven
in o
ther
are
as o
f upl
and
Brita
in.
The
Ben
hid
es it
s da
nger
s w
hils
t alw
ays
beck
onin
g th
e vi
sito
r to
a re
turn
vis
it.
85
Ass
ynt -
Coi
gach
NSA
– V
iew
poin
t: to
Sou
th E
ast o
ver K
yles
ku B
ridge
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e A
land
scap
e of
hig
h m
ount
ain
peak
s an
d rid
ges,
falli
ng
thro
ugh
hills
ide
and
cliff
to d
eepw
ater
sea
loch
with
in lo
ng
encl
osed
fjor
d lik
e gl
ens.
Th
e vi
ewpo
int o
ffer e
xten
sive
vie
ws
of th
e tra
nsiti
on fr
om
the
expo
sed
uppe
r sum
mits
of t
he n
orth
ern
NS
A, t
hrou
gh
mon
tain
e an
d m
oorla
nd g
roun
d-co
ver,
bare
rock
out
crop
an
d sm
all p
ocke
ts o
f cul
tivat
ed o
r affo
rest
ed a
reas
to
war
ds th
e w
ater
scap
e of
the
exte
nsiv
e, d
oubl
e va
lleys
of
Loc
h G
lend
hu a
nd L
och
Gle
ncou
l. T
he c
ontra
st in
gr
ound
cov
er a
nd la
ndfo
rm o
ffers
a p
artic
ular
ly ‘b
usy’
la
ndsc
ape
desp
ite it
s di
stin
ctiv
e hi
ghla
nd c
hara
cter
istic
s.
Ther
e is
a d
istin
ctiv
e pa
ttern
of i
nter
lock
ing
mou
ntai
n rid
ge h
oriz
ons,
slo
ping
moo
rland
, and
sea
loch
who
se
emph
asis
cha
nges
from
sha
llow
thro
ugh
to s
teep
-sid
ed
and
then
thro
ugh
to th
e ve
rtica
l as
the
eye
is d
raw
n de
eper
onw
ards
and
upw
ards
. K
yles
ku ro
ad b
ridge
is a
pro
min
ent e
ngin
eere
d fe
atur
e w
hich
dra
ws
the
eye
desp
ite th
e gr
ande
ur o
f the
la
ndsc
ape.
The
mai
n A
894
road
cut
s th
roug
h th
e he
art o
f th
e vi
ewsc
ape
but i
s ne
ver d
omin
ant a
way
from
the
brid
ge.
Hum
an h
abita
tion
is v
ery
spar
se w
ith v
ery
spor
adic
sm
all c
once
ntra
tions
of w
hite
was
hed
fishe
rmen
’s c
otta
ges
by th
e lo
ch s
ide.
It is
with
out q
uest
ion
a re
mot
e, ru
gged
and
ble
ak
land
scap
e, b
ut h
ugel
y im
pres
sive
as
a co
nseq
uenc
e.
This
is a
vas
t lan
dsca
pe, d
espi
te th
e re
lativ
e en
clos
ure
of
the
view
scap
e. I
t com
bine
s el
emen
ts o
f exp
osur
e,
open
ness
with
‘mic
rosc
apes
’ of s
helte
r and
sec
lusi
on
with
in th
e br
oken
topo
grap
hy o
f the
loch
sid
es. T
he
view
scap
e is
at o
nce
both
sim
ple
and
com
plex
. It
co
mpr
ises
sev
eral
diff
eren
t ele
men
ts o
f gro
und
cove
r and
la
nd fo
rm, y
et th
ey m
erge
into
a p
erfe
ctly
coh
eren
t hi
ghla
nd s
cene
of t
he u
tmos
t gra
ndeu
r. It
is a
dee
p la
ndsc
apes
whi
ch d
raw
s th
e ey
e al
ong
the
fjord
s an
d ac
ross
the
encl
osin
g rid
ge a
nd m
ount
ain
horiz
on.
The
land
scap
e is
com
plex
by
land
form
but
rela
tivel
y si
mpl
e in
term
s of
land
-cov
er a
nd v
eget
atio
n.
Con
sequ
ently
the
colo
urs
are
harm
onio
us b
ut m
uted
, al
thou
gh th
e w
eath
er a
nd s
easo
n w
ill c
onsi
dera
bly
influ
ence
to w
hat d
egre
e. A
part
from
the
chan
ging
impa
ct
of th
e w
ater
sur
face
from
brig
ht re
flect
ive
to d
ark
and
cold
, the
abu
ndan
ce o
f flo
wer
ing
gors
e on
som
e lo
wer
sl
opes
add
s un
typi
cal i
nten
sity
of c
olou
r and
war
mth
. Th
e sm
all p
lant
atio
ns o
f con
ifer a
re u
ntyp
ical
of t
he w
ider
la
ndsc
ape
and
serv
e to
pun
ctua
te it
rath
er c
hara
cter
ise
it.
The
vist
a us
ed fo
r the
vie
wsh
ed o
ffere
d its
elf w
ithou
t ne
ed fo
r sec
ond
anal
ysis
. Th
e op
enin
g ou
t of t
he tw
in
fjord
s of
Gle
ncou
l and
Gle
ndhu
bey
ond
the
narro
ws
of th
e K
yles
ku b
ridge
dem
and
that
the
trave
ller s
top
and
take
st
ock
of th
e la
ndsc
ape.
Th
is is
an
awes
ome,
‘hea
vyw
eigh
t’ la
ndsc
ape
whi
ch
stan
ds w
ith im
men
se p
ower
, gra
ndeu
r and
per
man
ence
. It
defie
s ta
min
g or
any
tole
ranc
e to
sig
nific
ant c
hang
e. I
t is
a la
ndsc
ape
whi
ch re
flect
s th
e m
assi
vene
ss o
f the
fo
rces
and
eon
s w
hich
form
ed it
. It
offe
rs c
halle
nge
and
adve
ntur
e, b
ut d
efie
s al
l but
the
mos
t pre
pare
d an
d re
silie
nt to
the
wild
est o
f nat
ural
forc
es B
ritai
n ca
n of
fer.
W
hils
t pea
cefu
l as
a fu
nctio
n of
its
rem
oten
ess,
this
is a
ve
ry w
ild la
ndsc
ape.
A
s th
e ey
e is
dra
wn
up th
e fjo
rd th
e S
tack
of G
lenc
oul
pres
ents
an
natu
ral b
ut u
nflin
chin
g ‘fu
ll st
op’ t
o th
e vi
sta
Her
e, h
uman
act
ivity
han
gs o
n ag
ains
t the
odd
s ra
ther
th
an th
rives
. Th
e ro
ad th
roug
h th
e vi
ewsc
ape
offe
rs a
pr
ecar
ious
life
line
to th
e fe
w p
eopl
e w
ho c
hose
to fo
rge
an e
xist
ence
in th
e fjo
rd. T
he b
ridge
offe
rs a
vis
ually
st
rikin
g ch
alle
nge
to th
e el
emen
tal f
orce
s ar
ound
it, b
ut
will
sur
ely
succ
umb
in ti
me
to n
atur
e’s
pow
er.
86
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e Th
e in
fluen
ce o
f the
wea
ther
and
sky
scap
e on
the
view
scap
e is
con
side
rabl
e. T
he v
ertic
al e
leva
tion
of th
e to
ps a
nd th
e pr
oxim
ity to
the
north
Atla
ntic
wea
ther
sy
stem
s pr
esen
ts o
ften
heav
y co
ver o
f the
pea
ks a
nd a
br
oodi
ng b
lank
et o
f qui
ckly
mov
ing
clou
d co
ver a
cros
s an
d be
twee
n pe
aks.
The
win
d on
the
surfa
ce o
f the
loch
s af
ford
s a
frequ
ently
cha
ngin
g su
rface
app
eara
nce.
Th
e ov
eral
l im
pact
of t
he v
iew
scap
e on
the
obse
rver
is
one
of a
gre
at d
epth
and
ver
tical
cha
nge
and
a gr
adua
l tra
nsiti
on fr
om th
e fla
t of t
he w
ater
s su
rface
thro
ugh
to th
e im
pres
sive
and
pow
erfu
l ste
ep a
nd v
ertic
ally
sid
ed
high
land
mou
ntai
n pe
aks
and
ridge
s.
Mid
dle
and
near
dis
tanc
e vi
stas
con
sist
of m
oorla
nd a
nd
wat
ersc
ape
mos
aics
with
mul
tiple
hor
izon
s of
ferin
g gl
imps
es o
f loc
h an
d gl
en b
etw
een
and
acro
ss.
Her
e th
e la
ndfo
rm is
bro
ken
and
com
plex
, with
mul
tiple
gul
lies
and
mou
nds
and
parts
of t
he lo
ch s
ides
com
plic
ated
by
tidal
ro
ck o
utcr
ops
and
smal
l isl
ets.
Apa
rt fro
m th
e oc
casi
onal
sm
all p
lant
atio
n or
cot
tage
, the
land
use
is s
impl
e ro
ugh
graz
ing
acro
ss th
e cn
ocan
like
roug
h m
oorla
nd.
Mor
e di
stan
ce v
iew
s of
fer a
true
tast
e of
wild
, upl
and
Sco
tland
with
sw
eepi
ng b
ut b
roke
n m
oorla
nd s
wat
hes
mee
ting
stee
p, ro
cky
and
dram
atic
ally
pro
filed
pea
ks o
f B
einn
Aird
da
Loch
, Bei
nn U
idhe
, Sta
ck o
f Gle
ncou
l an
d th
e in
fam
ous
Qui
nag.
Th
e fjo
rd-li
ke to
pogr
aphy
, hig
h su
mm
its a
nd d
eep
wat
ers
mak
e fo
r a p
ower
ful l
ands
cape
whe
re th
e sk
ies
add
to th
e dr
ama
and
the
win
ds tr
oubl
e th
e lo
ch s
urfa
ce a
nd k
eep
vege
tatio
n to
all
but t
he to
ughe
st s
peci
es.
Evi
denc
e of
hum
an a
ctiv
ity is
spa
rse
apar
t fro
m th
e st
rikin
g K
yles
ku ro
ad b
ride
whi
ch in
trodu
ces
a st
rong
vi
sual
cou
nter
poin
t to
the
wild
ness
of t
he v
iew
scap
e.
Bec
ause
of t
he n
eed
to p
ass
into
this
land
scap
e vi
a hi
gh
pass
or r
emot
e si
nuou
s ro
ad th
e ar
ea a
fford
s a
feel
ing
of
isol
atio
n. T
his
vast
land
scap
e is
odd
ly a
hid
den
one
whi
ch re
quire
s re
lativ
ely
dete
rmin
ed e
xped
ition
to a
cces
s.
Eve
n in
ear
ly s
umm
er th
e lo
chs
rem
ind
one
that
the
pow
er o
f the
oce
an is
clo
se a
t han
d, a
nd th
eir o
bvio
us
dept
hs s
ugge
st a
n ic
y fin
ger o
f inf
luen
ce d
eep
into
the
mou
ntai
ns, c
halle
ngin
g th
eir s
uper
iorit
y in
the
land
scap
e..
87
Ass
ynt -
Coi
gach
NSA
– V
iew
scap
e: E
ast,
Sout
h an
d W
est f
rom
Sta
c Po
llaid
h
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e St
ac P
olla
idh
is o
ne o
f a s
erie
s of
dis
tinct
ive
‘lone
m
ount
ains
’ with
in th
e A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch a
rea
and
draw
s vi
sito
rs to
bot
h w
onde
r at i
ts p
rofil
e an
d dr
ama
as w
ell a
s th
ose
who
wis
h to
con
quer
its
dece
ptiv
ely
atta
inab
le
heig
hts.
It s
tand
s pr
oud
with
in a
bro
ad m
ount
aino
us g
len
diss
ectin
g a
serie
s of
dra
mat
ic a
nd c
halle
ngin
g pe
aks,
ea
ch w
ith d
istin
ct p
rofil
e an
d id
entit
y. T
he g
ener
ally
line
ar
and
flat b
otto
med
gle
n, ru
ns s
outh
eas
t to
north
wes
t and
en
clos
es a
ser
ies
of lo
chs
and
loch
ans,
mos
t not
ably
Lo
ch L
urga
inn,
cre
atin
g a
wat
ersc
ape
thro
ugh
the
hear
t of
the
mou
ntai
ns.
The
com
plex
ser
ies
of la
rge
and
smal
l loc
hs a
nd lo
chan
s,
perh
aps
as a
con
sequ
ence
of t
he p
eat e
cosy
stem
s ar
ound
and
abo
ve a
ppea
r dar
k w
ithin
the
valle
y flo
or.
Thei
r sho
relin
es a
re c
ompl
ex in
sha
pe a
nd o
ften
prom
onto
ries
and
isla
nds
with
in th
em o
bscu
re th
eir s
cale
an
d ex
tent
as
unbr
oken
bod
ies
of w
ater
. Th
is il
lusi
on is
no
t rem
edie
d w
ithou
t ven
ture
to h
ighe
r slo
pes.
Th
e lo
wer
val
ley
side
s ar
e ge
ntly
slo
ping
but
this
soo
n gi
ves
way
to a
dra
mat
ic in
crea
se in
gra
dien
t, dr
awin
g th
e ey
e ac
ross
bot
h he
athe
r-cla
d an
d ba
re ro
cky
and
boul
der
stre
wn
slop
es to
soa
ring,
bar
ren
and
brok
en s
umm
its.
Hen
ce s
lope
pro
file
is g
ener
ally
con
cave
. Th
is is
a
clas
sica
lly p
rofil
ed g
laci
ated
val
ley.
This
is a
larg
e sc
ale
wild
land
scap
e w
ith v
irtua
lly n
o ev
iden
ce o
f on
goin
g la
nd u
se a
part
from
low
inte
nsity
re
crea
tiona
l fac
ilitie
s, s
uch
as fo
otpa
th m
anag
emen
t and
sm
all p
arki
ng fa
cilit
ies.
Th
ere
is g
reat
con
trast
with
in th
e gl
en d
espi
te it
s co
here
nce
as a
cla
ssic
hig
hlan
d se
tting
. Th
e va
lley
floor
is
ofte
n ra
ther
flat
and
dom
inat
ed b
y th
e lo
chs
and
loch
ans,
but
slo
pe a
ngle
s ch
ange
dra
mat
ical
ly to
pro
vide
a
sens
e of
enc
losu
re b
y th
e hi
gher
pea
ks.
Ther
e is
with
in
the
spac
e of
onl
y a
few
hun
dred
met
res
cont
rast
bet
wee
n th
e en
clos
ure
and
over
bear
ing
of th
e va
lley
floor
to th
e ex
posu
re a
nd o
peni
ng u
p of
dis
tant
vie
ws
from
the
Sta
c its
elf o
n an
y of
its
ofte
n hi
gher
nei
ghbo
ur p
eaks
. D
espi
te
this
con
trast
this
is h
owev
er a
coh
eren
t and
har
mon
ious
la
ndsc
ape.
Col
our i
s do
min
ated
by
the
mut
ed to
nes
of
peat
, gra
ssla
nd m
oss
and
heat
her o
ut o
f flo
wer
, but
the
light
gre
y of
the
unde
rlyin
g ge
olog
y, s
cree
and
bou
lder
fie
lds
mak
es a
sta
rk c
ontra
st to
the
vege
tatio
n co
ver o
f th
e va
lley
floor
and
nor
th s
outh
faci
ng s
lope
s. O
ften
a w
hite
and
refle
ctiv
e lic
hen
to e
xpos
ed ro
ck s
urfa
ces
and
the
min
eral
s th
emse
lves
affo
rd a
n al
mos
t sno
w li
ke
refle
ctiv
e, w
hite
app
eara
nce,
bel
ying
the
seas
on.
Stan
ding
abo
ve th
e va
lley
floor
, and
bel
ow th
e ro
cky
thru
sts
of th
e S
tac’
s pe
aks
and
pinn
acle
s of
fers
ex
hila
ratio
n, a
we,
and
cha
lleng
e. T
his
is a
spe
ctac
ular
m
ount
ain
in a
dra
mat
ic s
ettin
g. V
iew
s ov
er th
e su
rroun
ding
s re
veal
how
the
high
est p
eaks
occ
upy
thei
r ow
n pl
aces
abo
ve th
e lo
wer
, les
s ve
rtica
l und
ulat
ions
of
the
cnoc
an a
nd m
oorla
nd fr
om w
hich
they
thru
st
upw
ards
. Th
e gl
en d
raw
s th
e ey
e fro
m e
nd to
end
, and
at m
any
poin
ts d
eman
ds th
at th
e m
ajes
ty o
f the
pea
ks b
e ex
amin
ed.
Thes
e so
met
ime
sugg
est a
n im
pene
trabi
lity
to
whi
ch c
halle
nge
shou
ld b
e un
derta
ken
only
by
the
wel
l pr
epar
ed, e
xper
ienc
ed a
nd e
nerg
etic
wal
ker.
The
valle
y’s
side
s co
ntra
stin
g to
pogr
aphy
, with
dra
mat
ic
verti
cal p
inna
cle,
exp
osed
and
ext
ensi
ve o
pen
rock
y su
rface
s, th
roug
h to
scr
ee a
nd b
ould
er fi
eld
befo
re
calm
ing
into
the
rela
tive
safe
ty o
f the
flat
gle
n flo
or
shar
ply
rem
inds
the
onlo
oker
of t
he s
tatu
s of
geo
logi
cal
won
derla
nd th
at th
is a
rea
boas
ts.
The
cont
rast
in
geol
ogy,
eve
n to
the
laym
an is
obv
ious
from
one
sid
e of
th
e va
lley
to th
e ot
her a
nd fr
om th
e op
en c
oast
al p
lain
in
the
wes
t, th
roug
h its
hig
h w
alle
d tu
nnel
to o
pen
moo
rland
in
the
east
.
88
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e G
roun
d co
ver a
lters
from
the
valle
y flo
or w
here
the
loch
an
d lo
chan
-sid
e ve
geta
tion
is p
eaty
hea
ther
and
tuss
ocky
gr
assl
and
with
sm
all,
scat
tere
d st
ands
of w
illow
and
birc
h hu
ggin
g th
e lo
wer
slo
pes.
As
the
slop
es ri
se th
e ve
geta
tion
cove
r is
pred
omin
antly
hea
ther
, mos
ses
and
cotto
n gr
ass
on a
rich
, wet
pea
t soi
l. W
illow
bus
hes
and
alde
r bec
omes
mor
e sp
arse
and
giv
e w
ay to
ope
n, s
teep
m
oorla
nd.
As
the
slop
es c
hang
e to
mou
ntai
n si
des
the
peat
bec
omes
thin
ner a
nd ro
ck s
trata
bec
omes
pr
omin
ent.
To
the
sout
hern
sid
e of
the
valle
y, a
cros
s th
e m
id a
nd u
pper
slo
pes
of B
einn
an
Eoin
the
dist
inct
ive
stria
ted
stra
ta b
ecom
es p
artic
ular
ly v
isib
le a
nd d
istin
ctiv
e.
Ther
e is
a c
onst
ant p
rese
nce
of m
ovin
g w
ater
on
the
low
er a
nd m
iddl
e sl
opes
, ofte
n fro
m b
urns
dee
ply
inci
sed
into
the
peat
, who
’s v
eget
atio
n ha
s al
l but
obs
cure
d th
e st
ream
s al
mos
t unt
il on
e st
ands
ove
r it.
To
the
low
er
slop
es th
ese
burn
s ar
e no
isy
and
ener
getic
mou
ntai
n st
ream
s w
here
the
valle
y flo
or tr
ees
som
etim
es e
xten
d up
war
ds a
long
the
wat
er c
ours
e lin
e.
Des
pite
the
gran
deur
of t
he w
hole
com
posi
tion
it is
the
rock
y su
mm
its o
f Sta
c P
olla
idh
and
the
peak
s of
cen
tral
Coi
gach
to th
e so
uth
whi
ch d
eman
d m
ost a
ttent
ion.
Th
ese
offe
r wild
, dra
mat
ic a
nd fo
rebo
ding
pro
file
and
elev
atio
n an
d cr
eate
a s
eem
ingl
y im
pene
trabl
e ba
rrier
to
the
sout
h an
d th
e re
lativ
e ha
vens
of A
rdm
air a
nd
Ulla
pool
. Th
e on
ly e
vide
nce
of m
an in
this
prim
eval
land
scap
e is
th
e si
nuou
s si
ngle
trac
k ro
ad a
nd te
leph
one
line
runn
ing
the
leng
th o
f the
gle
n to
the
open
cno
can
and
crof
ting
settl
emen
t of t
he R
ubha
-Mor
pen
insu
lar t
o th
e w
est.
Mov
emen
t in
the
land
scap
e is
app
aren
t fro
m b
oth
the
chan
ging
refle
ctio
ns a
nd s
urfa
ce p
atte
rns
of th
e lo
chs
and
loch
ans,
and
als
o fro
m th
e cl
ouds
whi
ch ‘s
cud’
ove
r the
cl
ose
horiz
ons,
ofte
n ob
scur
ing
and
then
reve
alin
g th
e pe
aks
them
selv
es.
The
nois
e fro
m th
e bu
rns
ofte
n af
ford
s a
cons
tant
‘cha
tter t
o th
e lo
wer
slo
pesi
de
expe
rienc
e.
The
scal
e of
the
glen
, par
ticul
arly
in it
s lin
ear e
xten
t af
ford
s gr
eat v
aria
tion
in te
rms
of w
eath
er c
ondi
tions
, lig
ht
and
wat
er s
urfa
ce re
flect
ions
all
with
in th
e sa
me
view
shed
. Li
ght a
nd s
kies
can
hig
hlig
ht a
nd re
veal
pea
ks
and
colo
ur w
hils
t at t
he s
ame
inst
ant f
urth
er a
long
the
glen
, clo
ud c
over
can
be
oppr
essi
ve, d
ark
and
sugg
est a
de
pth
to th
e lo
chs
of s
ome
sign
ifica
nce.
How
ever
, the
gra
ndeu
r, di
stin
ctiv
e A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch
char
acte
r and
rem
oten
ess
the
glen
offe
rs b
elie
its
acce
ssib
ility
. Th
e ro
ad th
roug
h th
e gl
en o
ffers
imm
edia
te
acce
ss to
sig
nific
ant u
plan
d te
rrain
with
in s
hort
wal
ks
from
the
car o
r bus
. Th
e ro
ad is
sel
dom
bus
y bu
t nor
is it
un
used
or a
band
oned
. Y
et s
hort
vent
ure
is re
war
ded
by
land
scap
e in
spire
d dr
ama
and
exci
tem
ent,
exhi
lara
tion
and
chal
leng
e. T
he ju
xtap
osin
g of
coa
stal
pla
in a
nd
upla
nd s
umm
it an
d pi
nnac
le a
fford
the
wal
ker s
tunn
ing
vist
as th
roug
h th
e ch
angi
ng to
pogr
aphy
ove
r sig
nific
ant
and
exte
nsiv
e vi
ews,
allo
win
g on
e to
sen
se th
e w
ider
co
ntex
t of t
he s
triki
ng p
eaks
not
ofte
n af
ford
ed in
upl
and
area
s w
here
vis
tas
are
ofte
n fo
resh
orte
ned
by th
e ne
xt
sum
mit
or ri
dge.
Th
is is
an
awe-
insp
iring
land
scap
e w
hose
spe
cial
qu
aliti
es a
re e
nhan
ced
abov
e th
e ph
ysic
al g
rand
eur b
y its
is
olat
ion
and
cont
ext o
f its
wid
er s
ettin
g of
coa
stal
pla
in,
min
imal
tree
scap
e an
d ab
senc
e of
ser
ious
vis
ual
detra
ctor
s. It
sta
nds
unch
alle
nged
in it
s dr
ama
and
perm
anen
ce a
nd e
nsur
es th
at th
e vi
sito
r und
erst
ands
it is
on
the
land
’s o
wn
term
s, a
nd th
at h
uman
effo
rt to
tam
e it
will
not
be
tole
rate
d.
89
Ass
ynt -
Coi
gach
NSA
– V
iew
scap
e: S
toer
Pen
insu
lar
(not
e, im
med
iate
coa
stal
frin
ge c
hara
cter
istic
s of
Sto
er P
enin
sula
r are
refle
cted
ver
y cl
osel
y by
thos
e of
the
wes
tern
frin
ge o
f the
Coi
gach
Pen
insu
lar
to th
e so
uth
of th
e N
SA
)
O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Ana
lysi
s Pe
rson
al R
espo
nse
An
expo
sed,
gen
tly u
ndul
atin
g, s
moo
th g
rass
y la
ndsc
ape
boun
ded
by o
pen
slop
es s
teep
enin
g to
roc
ky
cliff
s, th
e S
toer
pen
insu
lar g
ener
ally
enj
oys
an e
leva
ted
plat
eaux
feel
, but
not
upl
and,
abo
ve th
e op
en A
tlant
ic.
It is
a m
anag
ed la
ndsc
ape
in c
ompa
rison
to m
ost o
f A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch a
nd e
vide
nce
of h
uman
act
ivity
far
mor
e ob
viou
s. T
here
is a
fiel
d ne
twor
k of
med
ium
to
larg
e si
zes,
sca
ttere
d bu
t fre
quen
t cro
fts a
nd a
stro
ng
netw
ork
of d
ryst
one
wal
ls.
The
cond
ition
of t
he fa
rmed
la
ndsc
ape
varie
s co
nsid
erab
ly a
cros
s th
e vi
ewsc
ape.
Th
is m
anag
ed c
ore
of th
e vi
ewsc
ape
does
how
ever
giv
e w
ay to
the
open
une
nclo
sed
but c
lear
ly g
raze
d no
rther
n se
ctio
n of
the
head
land
. S
inuo
us n
arro
w la
nes
fram
ed
by d
ryst
one
wal
ls c
ut th
roug
h th
e he
adla
nd.
This
is a
rela
tivel
y ho
mog
enou
s la
ndsc
ape
unit,
co
mpr
ised
of s
impl
e en
clos
ed a
nd o
pen
gras
slan
ds w
ith
spor
adic
sca
ttere
d co
ttage
s an
d cr
oftin
gs th
erei
n. I
t is
of a
med
ium
sca
le, r
ollin
g an
d op
en.
Ther
e is
littl
e op
portu
nity
for n
atur
al s
helte
r fro
m th
e oc
ean’
s in
fluen
ce.
The
open
oce
an’s
mov
emen
t and
sig
nific
ant
nois
e is
in s
tark
con
trast
to th
e st
illnes
s of
the
open
fie
lds
and
gras
slan
d.
The
horiz
ons
are
long
and
low
, with
the
hills
offe
ring
only
lim
ited
elev
atio
n to
the
north
and
hen
ce a
llow
ing
for
open
uni
nter
rupt
ed v
ista
s ac
ross
the
view
scap
e. T
he
skys
cape
s ar
e si
gnifi
cant
, and
the
low
er ly
ing
land
offe
rs
glim
pses
of t
he lo
ne m
ount
ains
to th
e so
uth
and
east
w
hen
the
wea
ther
per
mits
. C
olou
rs a
re m
uted
, dom
inat
ed b
y th
e gr
eens
of t
he
graz
ing
land
s an
d pu
nctu
ated
by
the
star
k w
hite
if th
e cr
ofte
rs c
otta
ges,
man
y of
whi
ch a
ppea
r to
have
bee
n af
ford
ed s
igni
fican
t res
tora
tion
in th
e re
cent
pas
t.
This
is a
n is
olat
ed b
ut le
ss h
arsh
env
ironm
ent t
han
has
been
exp
erie
nced
in a
cces
sing
it.
It of
fers
som
ethi
ng
mor
e fa
mili
ar to
man
y vi
sito
r in
cont
rast
to th
e w
ild a
nd
brok
en la
nd o
f the
cno
can
whi
ch s
urro
unds
its
land
war
d ex
tent
. N
ever
thel
ess,
this
is a
land
at t
he v
ery
oute
r edg
e of
Eur
ope,
and
its
linka
ges
to m
ajor
set
tlem
ent a
re
extre
mel
y te
nuou
s, b
oth
phys
ical
ly a
nd p
sych
olog
ical
ly.
Stoe
r pen
insu
lar f
eels
like
a lo
ng, l
ong
way
from
an
ywhe
re.
Per
haps
in th
is li
es it
s at
tract
ion
to th
ose
who
st
ill m
ake
a liv
ing
on it
s oa
sis-
like
qual
ities
in c
ompa
rison
to
nei
ghbo
urin
g la
ndsc
apes
. Y
et d
espi
te th
e re
mot
enes
s th
ere
is a
sof
tnes
s an
d fa
milia
rity
to th
e pe
nins
ular
abs
ent i
n ot
her p
arts
of A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch.
How
ever
har
sh th
e cl
imat
e m
ay b
e, m
an
appe
ars
to b
e ‘o
n to
p’ o
f nat
ure,
eve
n in
the
imm
edia
te
prox
imity
to th
e el
emen
tal f
orce
s of
the
ocea
n. T
he
man
aged
nat
ure
of th
e la
ndsc
ape
offe
rs p
sych
olog
ical
as
wel
l as
phys
ical
relie
f fro
m th
e w
ild a
nd u
nwel
com
ing
natu
re o
f it c
noca
n to
urni
quet
whi
ch c
an b
egin
to g
row
op
pres
sive
as
the
visi
tor t
rave
ls d
eepe
r the
rein
.
90
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e Tr
ees
and
heat
her a
re a
bsen
t fro
m th
e pe
nins
ular
. O
ccas
iona
l sha
llow
loch
ans,
frin
ged
with
sed
ge a
re
evid
ent.
Enc
lose
d an
d op
en g
razi
ng is
the
dom
inan
t la
nd u
se.
This
is in
sha
rp c
ontra
st to
the
exte
nsiv
e an
d ro
ugh
cnoc
an tr
acts
whi
ch m
ust b
e cr
osse
d fo
r man
y m
iles
in o
rder
to a
cces
s th
e pe
nins
ular
. Thi
s is
a
man
aged
land
scap
e in
isol
atio
n.
The
open
oce
an is
dom
inan
t in
this
vie
wsc
ape.
The
re is
no
tran
sitio
nal z
one
from
land
to s
ea, t
he c
hang
e is
ab
rupt
and
dra
mat
ic, v
iew
s ou
t of t
he p
enin
sula
r w
estw
ards
are
rest
ricte
d on
ly b
y th
e w
eath
er.
Dra
mat
ic ro
ck fo
rmat
ions
and
clif
fs fr
inge
the
peni
nsul
ar
to it
s no
rther
n ed
ge, e
xem
plifi
ed b
y th
e ep
onym
ous
Old
M
an s
ea s
tack
of t
he p
enin
sula
r.
Agai
nst t
he s
moo
th la
ndsc
ape
of th
e pe
nins
ular
the
pres
ence
of b
uild
ings
is m
ore
pron
ounc
ed, w
ith
whi
tew
ashe
d co
ttage
s do
tting
the
scen
e. T
heir
sitin
g be
lies
the
expo
sed
natu
re o
f the
pen
insu
lar a
nd
sugg
ests
a ri
chne
ss a
nd m
anag
eabi
lity
of th
e la
nd th
at
affo
rds
tole
ranc
e to
suc
h di
scom
forts
. Th
e pr
esen
ce o
f the
Sto
er L
ight
hous
e re
asse
rts th
e se
ttled
and
slig
htly
mor
e pr
ospe
rous
nat
ure
of th
e vi
ewsc
ape,
des
pite
its
‘tuck
ed a
way
’ and
inac
cess
ible
se
tting
.
Hin
ts o
r hop
es o
f spo
tting
wha
les
amon
gst t
he ‘w
hite
ho
rses
’ of t
he o
cean
from
the
mai
nlan
d dr
aw th
e ey
e ou
t to
the
sea,
her
e un
fette
red
with
isla
nds
like
else
whe
re in
th
e N
SA
, rem
ind
the
visi
tor o
f the
per
iphe
ralit
y of
whe
re h
e or
she
sta
nds.
91
92
93
Scot
land
’s N
atio
nal S
ceni
c A
reas
– S
peci
al Q
ualit
ies
– A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch
C
ultu
ral a
nd H
isto
ric A
ssoc
iatio
ns
Cul
tura
l His
toric
and
O
ther
Impo
rtan
t Ass
ocia
tions
• A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch c
an re
ason
ably
lay
clai
m to
bei
ng th
e M
ecca
for e
arth
sci
entis
ts a
nd g
eolo
gist
s on
mai
nlan
d B
ritai
n. T
he a
rea
pres
ents
som
e of
th
e m
ost c
ompl
ex, v
arie
d an
d dr
amat
ic g
eolo
gica
l sur
face
feat
ures
in th
e U
K, f
eatu
res
whi
ch a
re fu
ndam
enta
l to
the
land
scap
e’s
form
, veg
etat
ion
cove
r, w
ater
bod
ies
and
land
use
. It
has
bee
n th
e fo
cus
for s
ome
of th
e m
ost i
nflu
entia
l sci
entif
ic s
tudy
and
adv
ance
men
t of g
eolo
gy a
s a
disc
iplin
e, a
nd c
onse
quen
tly e
njoy
s a
stat
us w
ithin
the
geol
ogic
al w
orld
far e
xcee
ding
that
of t
he g
ener
al a
war
enes
s of
wid
er p
opul
atio
n. S
tudy
of
the
rock
stra
ta in
Ass
ynt h
as b
een
a co
rner
ston
e to
the
grow
th in
und
erst
andi
ng h
ow o
ur p
lane
t has
evo
lved
, par
ticul
arly
pla
te te
cton
ics,
ove
r m
ind-
bend
ing
perio
ds o
f tim
e. In
chna
dam
ph is
per
haps
the
mos
t fam
ous
of A
ssyn
t’s g
eolo
gica
l site
s, w
ith it
s bo
ld c
liffs
enc
apsu
latin
g th
e co
ncep
t of
mon
umen
tal s
hifts
with
in th
e ea
rth’s
cru
st.
Thes
e sp
ecia
l qua
litie
s ha
ve b
een
reco
gnis
ed a
nd re
flect
ed in
Ass
ynt’s
sta
tus
as S
cotla
nd’s
firs
t E
urop
ean
Geo
park
. Th
e st
ory
of th
e un
derly
ing
geol
ogy
of th
e ar
ea is
gra
phic
ally
exp
ress
ed a
t the
Kno
ckan
Cra
g G
eolo
gica
l Cen
tre.
94
•
Whi
lst f
unda
men
tal t
o th
e sc
enic
qua
lity
of th
e ar
ea, t
he d
istin
ctiv
e an
d of
ten
mys
terio
us lo
ne p
eaks
of t
he A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch m
ount
ains
and
m
oorla
nd a
nd c
noca
n hi
nter
land
s al
so p
rovi
de e
xcel
lent
sco
pe fo
r out
door
pur
suits
, par
ticul
arly
fell
wal
king
. H
ere
the
land
scap
e is
vas
t and
em
pty
of a
lmos
t any
inse
nsiti
ve to
uris
t rel
ated
dev
elop
men
t or p
arap
hern
alia
. P
aths
are
qui
et e
ven
in s
umm
er m
onth
s. T
he e
xper
ienc
e of
so
litud
e, m
arrie
d w
ith th
e gr
ande
ur o
f the
out
look
and
det
ail o
f the
imm
edia
te g
eolo
gy a
nd fl
ora
is o
ne th
at a
fford
s a
spec
ial p
lace
in B
ritis
h m
ount
ain
purs
uits
. E
ven
by S
cotti
sh s
tand
ards
the
expe
rienc
e of
wal
king
in A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch is
spe
cial
and
dis
tinct
.
• S
igni
fican
t Par
ts o
f Ass
ynt -
Coi
gach
, and
par
ticul
arly
the
coas
tal f
ringe
of c
rofti
ng c
omm
uniti
es a
nd ‘w
orke
d’ la
ndsc
ape
has
for m
any
year
s be
en
in th
e ow
ners
hip
of la
rge
spor
ting
(sho
otin
g an
d fis
hing
) est
ates
, man
aged
prim
arily
for s
uch
purp
oses
. C
rofte
rs h
ave
paid
rent
and
wor
ked
to
land
lord
s.
The
Land
Ref
orm
(Sco
tland
) Act
affo
rded
the
com
mun
ities
with
in a
nces
tral e
stat
es th
e rig
ht to
buy
the
land
on
whi
ch th
ey w
ork
and
exis
t. A
num
ber o
f com
mun
ity b
uy-o
uts
have
bee
n su
cces
sful
ly c
ompl
eted
with
in th
e ar
ea a
nd m
ay re
pres
ent a
sig
nific
ant e
ra in
the
soci
al a
nd
envi
ronm
enta
l his
tory
of n
orth
-wes
t Sco
tland
. C
omm
uniti
es, s
uppo
rted
by s
igni
fican
t don
atio
ns fr
om th
e S
cotti
sh L
and
Fund
, con
tribu
tions
from
G
over
nmen
t Age
ncie
s, c
harit
able
trus
ts a
nd fu
ndra
isin
g ap
peal
s ha
ve n
ow b
een
affo
rd th
e ch
ance
to o
wn
the
land
on
whi
ch th
ey li
ve, a
nd
man
age
it ac
cord
ing
to a
chie
ve m
ore
sust
aina
ble
soci
al, e
cono
mic
and
impo
rtant
ly, e
nviro
nmen
tal o
bjec
tives
.
• A
ssyn
t - C
oiga
ch o
ffers
sup
erb
trout
fish
ing
oppo
rtuni
ties
acro
ss it
s co
mpl
ex a
nd e
xten
sive
net
wor
k of
loch
s an
d lo
chan
s. T
his
in it
self
is n
ot a
fu
nctio
n of
the
land
scap
e or
the
scen
ic q
ualit
y of
the
area
. H
owev
er, w
hat i
s im
porta
nt in
this
resp
ect i
s th
e ov
eral
l exp
erie
nce
that
the
angl
ing
offe
rs to
ent
husi
asts
. Th
e se
tting
of t
he w
ater
bod
ies,
rem
ote,
inte
nsel
y pe
acef
ul, f
ree
from
dis
turb
ance
of a
lmos
t any
kin
d lu
res
fishe
rman
to th
e fa
r nor
th, w
ell b
eyon
d m
any
othe
r fin
e fis
herie
s, b
ut w
hich
can
not o
ffer t
he s
peci
al e
xper
ienc
e of
Ass
ynt -
Coi
gach
.
• Th
e sh
ores
of L
och
Assy
nt p
rese
nt a
n at
mos
pher
ic re
min
der o
f the
pas
ts in
fluen
ce o
n th
e ar
ea a
t Ard
vrec
k C
astle
and
the
Cal
da H
ouse
. Th
e ca
stle
dat
es fr
om a
roun
d 14
09, h
ome
to th
e M
acle
ods
of A
ssyn
t and
pla
yed
a ro
le in
the
clan
dis
pute
s an
d R
oyal
ist w
ars
of th
e 16
00s.
Tak
en b
y th
e M
acke
nzie
s in
167
2, it
was
eve
ntua
lly s
acke
d an
d de
stro
yed
in th
e m
id 1
700s
by
Cro
wn
forc
es s
eeki
ng re
tribu
tion
for t
he C
lan’
s in
volv
emen
t in
the
1745
upr
isin
g.
95
Assynt - Coigach NSA
Initial List of Special Qualities • Dramatic, rugged, exposed, isolated landscape. • The scale and extent – large unspoilt areas – of the landform. • Unique seascape with a combination of scattered islands close to the shore. • ‘Edge of world’ experience on the rugged, exposed coast. • Sparsely populated, with few small settlements and dispersed crofting areas, yet
accessible by determined tourists, walkers and anglers prepared to travel. • Larger settlements such as Ullapool (just outside the NSA) and Lochinver comprise
sheltered harbours. Other settlements are on flatter land where enclosed grazing and cultivation is easier. Here the brighter greens of pastures contrast with the monotone more sombre heather moorland (colours dependent on season but contrast in colour would remain).
• Narrow, long, winding roads follow the base of the mountains and loch shorelines,
offering dramatic views of ever changing scenery. • Extensive areas are inaccessible except on foot, giving a sense of remoteness and quiet.
Feeling at one with the natural landscape. A core of wild land. • Lack of trees. Coniferous forests are notable by their absence, names such as Inverpolly
Forest, Drumrunie Forest and Inchnadamph Forest refer to open deer forests. • Steep-sided glens, with narrow bands of sheltered broadleaved woodland, hidden away
in the landscape but when encountered they break up the wider, more exposed, prevailing landscape.
• Strong cnocan landscape of exposed, hummocky terrain with extensive lochs / lochans,
over much of the central part of the NSA – mysterious, secretive, unsettling. • Internationally famous diverse geological character, being the birthplace of major
geological thinking by Benjamin Peach and John Horne. Extensive areas of Lewisian Gneiss and Cambrian Limestone contrast with Sandstones, Quartzite and Syenite. Steep, dramatic, exposed sheer cliffs at Inchnadamph and Knockan are unique examples of the Moine Thrust, where overlying schists have been thrust westwards over much older rocks. Visitor attraction at Knockan Crag that tells the story of the unique geology.
• Dramatic mountainous lone peaks with unique outlines and distinctive shapes which are
easily recognisable and referred to by their individual names e.g. Ben Mor Coigach, Ben More Assynt, Suilven, Canisp and Stac Pollaidh. Provide recognisable land marks throughout the area
• Unique combination of smooth moorland and peat bog running into rocky moorland /
cnocan running up to irregular hill ranges and lone mountain peaks. Exposed, huge glacial erratics give a rugged and desolate beauty.
96
• Unique? combination of mysterious, majestic peaks often with caps of white quartzite and light grey lichen, and often shrouded in mist and low cloud, contrasting with the deep, dark, horizontally flat lochs.
• More managed areas of traditional crofting, where sheep grazing and muir burn dictate
the changing appearance of the landscape, such as at Ben Mor Coigach. • Wildlife, such as in the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s reserve at Ben Mor Coigach, where
northern buckler-fern, trailing azalea and dwarf juniper are less common. Ravens and ring ouzels nest in the hills, and red grouse, ptarmigan and twite feed amongst the heather. Stonechat, whinchat, redpoll and wheatear are found down on the crofts. Grey seals and otter frequent the shoreline and islets.
97
98
A
PPEN
DIX
2
FI
ELD
WO
RK
OU
TPU
TS
BEN
NEV
IS A
ND
GLE
N C
OE
NA
TIO
NA
L SC
ENIC
AR
EA
99
Ben
Nev
is a
nd G
len
Coe
NSA
– V
iew
poin
t / R
oute
: Gle
n C
oe
O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Ana
lysi
s Pe
rson
al R
espo
nse
Hug
e gr
anite
mou
ntai
n ra
nges
of v
olca
nic
orig
in, w
ith th
e A8
2 an
d R
iver
Coe
follo
win
g th
e na
rrow
‘u’-s
hape
d ha
ngin
g gl
acia
ted
valle
y in
bet
wee
n. S
wee
ping
con
cave
sl
opes
of s
teep
rock
face
s pl
umm
et in
to th
e va
lley.
Th
e m
ass
of B
ucha
ille
Etiv
e M
or (t
he G
reat
She
pher
d of
E
tive)
soa
rs 1
200
ft ab
ove
the
valle
y flo
or a
t its
junc
tion
with
the
Riv
er E
tive
and
the
road
that
runs
sou
th-
wes
twar
ds to
war
ds L
och
Etiv
e. T
his
mar
ks th
e en
tranc
e to
the
glen
from
the
east
. Th
e ro
ad c
ontin
ues
dow
n th
e gl
en fo
r ano
ther
12
mile
s.
Thre
e pe
aks
dom
inat
e on
the
sout
h si
de, k
now
n as
The
Th
ree
Sis
ters
of G
lenc
oe, t
he o
utly
ing
spur
s of
Arg
yll’s
hi
ghes
t mou
ntai
n, B
idea
n na
m B
ian,
at 3
776
ft. T
he
Hid
den
Val
ley
runs
bet
wee
n th
e fir
st tw
o, a
nd O
ssia
n’s
cave
is s
een
high
up
on th
e cl
iffs
of th
e th
ird.
Opp
osite
The
Thr
ee S
iste
rs is
the
Pas
s of
Gle
ncoe
, w
here
the
road
squ
eeze
s be
twee
n th
e m
ount
ain
side
s.
On
the
oppo
site
sid
e of
the
glen
runs
the
serr
ated
ridg
e of
Ao
nach
Eag
ach,
whi
ch fo
rms
the
north
ern
boun
dary
of
the
glen
. Fa
ns o
f scr
ee a
nd b
rack
en h
ug th
e sl
opes
whe
re w
ater
dr
ains
dow
n to
the
river
. Abo
ve, t
he c
ragg
y su
mm
its a
re
bare
, whi
lst o
n th
e va
lley
floor
rela
tivel
y lu
sh g
raze
d ro
cky
mea
dow
s lin
e th
e in
cons
picu
ous
river
. Tre
es a
re fe
w, w
ith
occa
sion
al p
atch
es o
f birc
h fo
llow
ing
the
shel
tere
d gu
llies
up
the
mou
ntai
n si
des.
Th
e Ki
ngs
Hou
se H
otel
lies
on
the
edge
of R
anno
ch M
oor
at th
e ea
ster
n en
tranc
e to
the
glen
, whi
lst t
he C
lach
aig
Inn
lies
at th
e w
este
rn e
nd. I
n be
twee
n ar
e a
few
sm
all
isol
ated
farm
hous
es. T
he re
mai
ns o
f she
iling
s ca
n be
se
en in
the
valle
y flo
or.
Typi
cal g
laci
al fo
rms
such
as
aret
es a
nd c
orrie
s ar
e fo
und
with
in th
e m
ount
ain
rang
es, a
nd m
orai
ne a
nd e
rratic
s al
ong
the
valle
y flo
or.
Vas
t, im
posi
ng, a
we-
insp
iring
mou
ntai
n ra
nges
with
sp
ecta
cula
r pro
min
ent p
eaks
mak
ing
them
eas
ily
reco
gnis
able
. A
gen
eral
ly e
xpos
ed, s
impl
e la
ndsc
ape
dom
inat
ed b
y th
e tre
men
dous
vis
ual f
orce
of t
he s
moo
th ro
ck fa
ces
that
sw
eep
dow
n fro
m s
umm
its in
to th
e br
oad
‘u’-s
hape
d gl
en.
The
over
pow
erin
g na
ture
of t
hese
is e
mph
asis
ed b
y tu
mbl
ing
burn
s an
d w
ater
falls
, esp
ecia
lly w
hen
swol
len
with
wat
er.
Occ
asio
nal b
uild
ings
, gra
zing
she
ep, t
he A
82 a
nd th
e riv
er o
n th
e va
lley
floor
are
tota
lly d
omin
ated
by
the
glen
si
des
rear
ing
up d
ram
atic
ally
from
the
flat b
ase.
D
eep
rock
y cl
efts
with
in th
e m
ount
ain
side
s, c
arve
d an
d hi
ghlig
hted
by
silv
ery
burn
s an
d sh
adow
s, s
omet
imes
w
ith b
irch
trees
, for
m m
eand
erin
g m
ossy
vei
ns o
n th
e ro
ck fa
ce.
Mos
t peo
ple
prob
ably
firs
t see
Gle
n C
oe w
hen
appr
oach
ing
from
the
east
alo
ng th
e A
82. T
he c
ontra
st
from
the
roug
hly
leve
l pla
teau
of d
ark,
hum
moc
ky p
eat
moo
rland
, dot
ted
with
innu
mer
able
loch
s, lo
chan
s an
d bo
gs, o
n R
anno
ch M
oor t
o th
e ea
st, w
ith G
len
Coe
cou
ld
not b
e st
arke
r. S
imila
rly, m
ost w
alke
rs o
n th
e W
est H
ighl
and
Way
will
ap
proa
ch fr
om th
e so
uth-
east
, fro
m th
e ed
ge o
f Ran
noch
M
oor.
Hav
ing
prob
ably
sta
yed
over
nigh
t at t
he K
ings
H
ouse
Hot
el, t
he lo
ng d
ista
nce
foot
path
con
tinue
s th
roug
h th
e G
len
on th
e se
ctio
n of
Old
Milit
ary
Roa
d,
befo
re d
iver
ting
north
war
ds to
Kin
loch
leve
n vi
a th
e D
evil’s
S
tairc
ase.
S
ever
al la
y-by
s pr
ovid
e th
e tra
velle
r the
opp
ortu
nity
to
take
in th
e br
eath
taki
ng v
iew
s, s
afel
y of
f the
bus
y ro
ad.
With
tow
erin
g m
ount
ains
sw
eepi
ng d
own
on b
oth
side
s,
Gle
n C
oe is
bot
h sp
ecta
cula
rly b
eaut
iful a
nd y
et s
trang
ely
forb
iddi
ng –
a le
gacy
per
haps
of t
he in
fam
ous
mas
sacr
e th
at to
ok p
lace
her
e in
169
2.
100
Ben
Nev
is a
nd G
len
Coe
NSA
– V
iew
poin
t / R
oute
: Gle
n Et
ive
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e D
eep,
ste
ep s
ided
but
bro
ad u
pper
gle
n, b
ranc
hing
so
uthw
ards
from
the
head
of G
len
Coe
. M
assi
ve u
plan
d sc
ener
y w
ith g
rani
te /
volc
anic
out
crop
, a n
arro
win
g va
lley
floor
and
sha
llow
but
mar
ked
gorg
e in
val
ley
floor
. Th
e hi
gh m
ount
ain
side
s sw
eep
into
a le
ss p
rono
unce
d u-
shap
ed v
alle
y flo
or th
an a
t low
er p
oint
s of
the
glen
, al
thou
gh th
e su
rface
cha
ract
eris
tics
are
sim
ilar i
n th
at
gras
s co
ver i
s do
min
ant a
lthou
gh h
eath
er a
nd b
ilber
ry is
al
so w
ides
prea
d. U
pper
slo
pes
of g
rass
giv
e w
ay to
ex
pose
d ro
ck a
nd s
tone
fiel
ds to
war
ds th
e su
mm
its.
Ver
tical
stre
ams
plun
ge fr
om u
pper
slo
pes
som
etim
es in
de
ep c
lefts
of t
he h
illsi
de, w
hils
t at o
ther
s se
emin
g to
run
over
bro
ad a
nd s
tubb
orn
expo
sed
bedr
ock
whe
re
chan
nels
see
m im
poss
ible
to c
arve
. Th
ey v
alle
y’s
side
s sm
ooth
app
eara
nce
is o
ften
inte
rrupt
ed b
y la
rge
glac
ial
boul
der o
r exp
osed
but
tress
to o
ne o
f its
man
y in
term
edia
te p
eaks
. Th
ere
is o
ccas
iona
l and
rela
tivel
y sm
all t
ract
s of
co
nife
rous
pla
ntat
ion,
but
thes
e do
not
trul
y ch
arac
teris
e th
e gl
en.
Sm
all a
reas
of f
ence
s of
f riv
ersi
de w
oodl
and
is
rege
nera
ting
with
will
ow, b
irch
and
alde
r but
aga
in, w
hils
t m
ore
natu
ral,
is n
ot w
ides
prea
d. O
n oc
casi
on th
e tre
es
seem
to c
ling
prec
ario
usly
to s
teep
er s
ectio
ns o
f val
ley
side
s or
but
tress
.
This
is a
ver
y la
rge
scal
e la
ndsc
ape
alth
ough
the
broa
d en
clos
ure
from
whi
ch th
e vi
ewsh
ed is
take
n do
es n
ot
affo
rd d
ista
nt v
iew
s af
ford
ing
grea
ter s
uper
lativ
es o
f sc
ale.
Tw
ists
, alb
eit m
inor
alte
ratio
ns fr
om th
e st
raig
ht
serv
e to
trun
cate
vie
ws
dow
n th
e gl
en d
espi
te th
e gr
adua
l an
d co
nsis
tent
rate
of f
all t
owar
ds th
e he
ad o
f Loc
h E
tive.
Th
ere
is a
ple
asan
t ope
nnes
s th
roug
hout
the
glen
, in
part
as a
resu
lt of
the
wid
e va
lley
side
s bu
t als
o th
roug
h ab
senc
e of
mea
ns o
f enc
losu
re e
ither
in v
alle
y flo
or o
n up
on it
s si
des.
Thi
s co
ntrib
utes
to th
e pl
easi
ng s
impl
icity
to
the
glen
. C
olou
rs a
re a
lso
unco
mpl
icat
ed in
pat
tern
or
mix
and
are
dom
inat
ed b
y m
uted
gre
ens
of th
e gr
ass
and
heat
her b
efor
e flo
wer
. H
ighe
r rea
ches
of t
he v
iew
shed
ar
e m
ore
influ
ence
d by
the
light
gre
y ou
tcro
p an
d ex
pose
, bo
ulde
r and
sto
ne fi
elds
. Th
e riv
er a
nd ro
ad a
nd a
t tim
es th
e te
leph
one
cabl
es
emph
asis
e th
e fu
nnel
ling
effe
ct o
f the
gle
n an
d cr
eate
st
rong
line
s in
the
scen
ery.
The
uppe
r gle
n of
fers
a g
entle
r vis
ual e
xper
ienc
e th
an th
e ne
ighb
ourin
g G
len
Coe
, and
alm
ost a
fford
s so
me
relie
f fro
m th
e la
tter’s
gre
at s
plen
dour
and
dra
ma.
How
ever
th
is is
stil
l an
impr
essi
ve s
cene
and
its
unsp
oilt
natu
re
wel
com
es th
e tra
velle
r and
ser
ves
to re
fresh
the
spiri
t and
m
ind.
Thi
s is
not
to s
ay th
at th
e su
mm
its a
nd b
uttre
ssed
si
des
to s
ome
of E
tive’
s pe
aks
are
not i
mpr
essi
ve, b
ut
they
do
not e
xude
a th
reat
in th
e w
ay th
e si
des
of G
len
Coe
’s p
rese
nt.
The
grad
ual w
indi
ng a
nd s
inki
ng o
f the
road
into
the
mid
dle
dist
ance
, reg
ular
ly o
bscu
red
by re
lief a
nd th
en
appa
rent
aga
in, t
empt
s th
e vi
sito
r to
prog
ress
dee
per i
nto
the
glen
, a p
heno
men
a w
hich
will
lure
one
ste
adily
and
in
evita
bly
to th
e he
ad o
f the
bea
utifu
l Loc
h E
tive.
W
ith th
is jo
urne
y th
e se
reni
ty a
nd p
eace
ful a
ura
of th
e va
lley
grow
s, a
nd s
eeps
into
the
obse
rver
. Th
ere
is li
ttle
to c
ompr
omis
e th
e ex
perie
nce
of a
per
fect
Sco
ttish
gle
n.
The
deta
il an
d lif
e of
the
river
, its
mod
est g
orge
, oc
casi
onal
ban
k-si
de tr
ees
and
colo
urfu
l exp
osed
be
droc
k of
fer a
focu
s of
inte
rest
whi
ch d
eman
ds a
sho
rt w
alk
from
the
narro
w la
ne fo
r fur
ther
inve
stig
atio
n. H
ere
it w
ould
be
very
eas
y to
whi
le a
way
man
y a
peac
eful
ho
ur.
101
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e Th
e sw
eepi
ng, r
elat
ivel
y sm
ooth
topo
grap
hy is
refle
cted
in
the
mai
n by
stro
ng b
ut n
ot ja
gged
mou
ntai
n pe
aks,
so
mew
hat i
n co
ntra
st to
the
dram
a of
Gle
n C
oe n
ear-b
y.
The
river
Etiv
e is
a fe
atur
e of
sig
nific
ant d
etai
l rat
her t
han
prom
inen
ce in
the
gene
rally
sim
ple
valle
y sc
ener
y. I
t of
ten
occu
pies
a s
hallo
w b
ut s
igni
fican
t nar
row
gor
ge to
th
e va
lley
floor
with
in w
hich
it c
asca
des
over
rock
s an
d w
ater
falls
and
form
s de
ep s
till p
ools
in it
s ho
llow
s. H
ere
the
bedr
ock
stra
ta is
stri
king
in it
s co
lour
and
geo
met
ric
form
of v
ertic
al d
rops
and
hor
izon
tal s
helv
es.
This
is a
ver
y st
ill la
ndsc
ape
with
ver
y lit
tle tr
affic
on
the
long
dea
d-en
d ro
ad.
Onl
y th
e sk
ies
and
wat
er o
f the
rive
r tu
mbl
ing
over
rock
s an
d in
to p
ools
dra
w th
e at
tent
ion
by
mov
emen
t. N
oise
is li
kew
ise
min
imal
with
onl
y oc
casi
onal
bird
song
mak
ing
impa
ct, p
artic
ular
ly th
at o
f cu
ckoo
and
sky
lark
.
102
Ben
Nev
is a
nd G
len
Coe
NSA
– V
iew
poin
t / R
oute
: Gle
n N
evis
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e A
dra
mat
ic g
len
curv
ing
arou
nd th
e fo
ot o
f the
Ben
Nev
is
rang
e, w
ith g
reat
var
iety
of l
andf
orm
and
land
cov
er
resu
lting
from
act
ions
of h
uge
glac
iers
dur
ing
the
last
Ice-
Age
. Th
e lo
wer
gle
n in
clud
es a
win
ding
road
alo
ngsi
de th
e R
iver
Nev
is w
hich
lies
in a
bro
ad, f
lat b
ut g
ently
risi
ng
valle
y flo
or w
ith s
teep
val
ley
side
s. H
uge,
ste
eply
incl
ined
sl
abs
of m
etam
orph
osed
san
dsto
ne, k
now
n as
Eild
e Fl
ags,
are
vis
ible
clo
se to
the
river
. The
se a
re th
e ol
dest
ro
cks
in G
len
Nev
is, u
sed
to b
uild
For
t Willi
am.
Land
cov
er in
the
low
er g
len
com
pris
es b
road
leav
ed
woo
dlan
d cl
ingi
ng to
the
stee
p sl
opes
to th
e va
lley
floor
. Th
ere
are
also
con
ifero
us p
lant
atio
ns a
nd m
ore
open
gr
azin
g pa
stur
e la
nd o
n th
e br
oad
valle
y flo
or. T
here
are
pi
ctur
esqu
e st
ream
poo
ls a
nd s
mal
l wat
erfa
lls.
The
low
er g
len
incl
udes
occ
asio
nal d
ispe
rsed
farm
stea
ds
but p
redo
min
antly
larg
e ca
rava
n an
d ca
mpi
ng s
ites,
clo
se
to th
e B
en N
evis
vis
itor c
entre
and
car
par
k. H
ere
acce
ss
is g
aine
d to
the
wal
ks u
p to
the
peak
of B
en N
evis
. The
W
est H
ighl
and
Way
long
-dis
tanc
e fo
otpa
th p
asse
s th
roug
h Fo
rest
ry C
omm
issi
on-c
ontro
lled
woo
dlan
d (N
evis
Fo
rest
) to
the
wes
t of t
he g
len
prio
r to
reac
hing
its
dest
inat
ion
at F
ort W
illiam
. Th
e ro
ad u
p th
e m
iddl
e gl
en g
ets
narr
ower
, mor
e tw
isty
an
d st
eepe
r. W
oodl
and
of w
illow
, birc
h an
d al
der t
hins
out
as
the
road
clim
bs h
igh
abov
e th
e riv
er. M
atur
e S
cots
P
ines
are
feat
ures
on
the
valle
y si
des,
old
and
gna
rled
and
clin
ging
pre
cario
usly
bet
wee
n bo
ulde
r and
out
crop
. M
uch
of th
e m
iddl
e gl
en is
cov
ered
by
river
dep
osits
and
gl
acia
l till
, som
etim
es h
eape
d up
into
mou
nds
of m
orai
ne.
The
mid
dle
glen
incl
udes
the
Low
er F
alls
, tw
in w
ater
falls
fo
rmed
by
the
river
ero
ding
alo
ng th
e lin
es o
f tw
o se
para
te d
ykes
cut
ting
thro
ugh
the
red
colo
ured
gra
nite
of
Mul
lach
nan
Coi
rean
. In
othe
r are
as th
e riv
er tu
mbl
es
The
sum
mit
of B
en N
evis
is n
ot v
isib
le fr
om th
e flo
or o
f th
e gl
en, b
ut a
n im
pres
sion
of t
he m
ount
ain’
s im
men
se
bulk
is g
aine
d th
roug
h vi
ews
up th
e gr
anite
sid
es o
ften
punc
tuat
ed b
y lo
w ly
ing
clou
d or
mis
t. Vi
ews
vary
thro
ugho
ut th
e gl
en, b
eing
con
fined
and
en
clos
ed o
n th
e lo
wer
val
ley
floor
, but
ope
ning
out
furth
er
up th
e gl
en a
s ve
geta
tion
thin
s ou
t.
The
valle
y flo
or o
f the
low
er g
len
is w
ell t
reed
, the
tree
s th
inni
ng o
ut ir
regu
larly
up
the
valle
y si
des.
Bro
adle
aved
w
oodl
and
cont
rast
s w
ith c
onife
rous
pla
ntat
ions
. Exp
osed
ro
ck, o
ften
huge
, fol
ded
and
upen
ded,
are
key
feat
ures
in
the
land
scap
e, e
spec
ially
whe
re th
ey a
re c
lose
ly re
late
d to
the
river
, cre
atin
g lo
ud w
ater
falls
. Th
ere
is a
gra
dual
tran
sitio
n fro
m e
nclo
sed
tree
cove
r to
open
gra
ssla
nd, o
fferin
g vi
ews
up to
the
expo
sed
rock
y su
mm
its. T
here
are
ribb
ons
of b
road
leav
ed tr
ees
in d
eep
gulli
es, a
nd o
ther
sm
all f
ans
of lo
ose
scre
e.
The
mid
dle
glen
get
s in
crea
sing
ly m
ore
rock
y an
d no
isie
r as
the
river
falls
ove
r hug
e bo
ulde
rs. M
anag
ed re
crea
tion
on th
e fla
t val
ley
floor
of t
he lo
wer
gle
n gi
ves
way
to a
m
ore
rem
ote,
wild
er, n
atur
al, s
ecre
tive
gorg
e. T
his
is th
e ‘H
imal
ayan
’ lan
dsca
pe a
s de
scrib
ed in
Sco
tland
’s S
ceni
c H
erita
ge.
Ther
e is
a d
ram
atic
cha
nge
in s
cene
ry a
t the
eas
tern
end
of
the
gorg
e, w
here
the
rock
y, e
nclo
sed,
wel
l-tre
ed m
iddl
e gl
en o
pens
out
at t
he s
tart
of th
e up
per g
len
into
an
alpi
ne
mea
dow
. Her
e th
ere
are
open
vie
ws
acro
ss th
e br
oad,
pa
stor
al v
alle
y flo
or to
the
expo
sed,
ste
ep s
ided
m
ount
ains
whi
ch e
nclo
se th
e gl
en.
The
glen
is e
asily
reac
hed
from
For
t Willi
am a
nd is
a
popu
lar d
estin
atio
n fo
r the
out
door
ent
husi
ast.
The
low
er
glen
is fa
r fro
m b
eing
rem
ote
– it
is a
bus
y ar
ea u
sed
by
cycl
ists
, cam
pers
and
wal
kers
, as
wel
l as
car-
base
d to
uris
ts.
The
floor
of t
he lo
wer
gle
n is
a m
anag
ed, s
omet
imes
m
anic
ured
, lan
dsca
pe. L
imite
d vi
ews
up th
e gl
en a
nd
tow
ards
the
mou
ntai
ns o
n ei
ther
sid
e cr
eate
a fe
elin
g of
th
is b
eing
the
gate
way
to a
muc
h m
ore
rem
ote,
hos
tile
envi
ronm
ent b
eyon
d. T
his
is a
n ar
ea w
here
peo
ple
are
eith
er p
repa
ring
for a
n ex
citin
g ad
vent
ure
(the
‘lull
befo
re
the
stor
m’!)
or r
ecov
erin
g fro
m ju
st h
avin
g ex
perie
nced
on
e. T
he lo
wer
gle
n is
thus
com
forti
ng, r
elax
ing
and
safe
. Th
e ge
ntle
rive
r with
its
broa
d sh
ingl
e be
ach
and
the
picn
ic a
reas
out
side
the
visi
tor c
entre
add
to th
is
expe
rienc
e.
The
mid
dle
glen
is m
uch
mor
e re
mot
er, w
ilder
and
na
tura
l. Th
ere
is a
sen
se o
f adv
entu
re w
hen
follo
win
g th
e un
prot
ecte
d, ro
cky,
slip
pery
pat
h w
ith th
e fa
st fl
owin
g riv
er a
nd h
uge
boul
ders
and
rock
poo
ls b
elow
. Th
ere
is a
sen
se o
f ach
ieve
men
t at t
he e
nd o
f the
gor
ge
as it
ope
ns o
ut in
to th
e fla
tter,
broa
der,
past
oral
upp
er
glen
. Thi
s is
a ti
me
to ta
ke a
bre
athe
r and
pro
babl
y lin
ger
on th
e pe
bble
bea
ch a
t the
foot
of t
he im
pres
sive
An
Ste
all w
ater
fall
befo
re d
ecid
ing
whe
ther
to ta
ke th
e ro
cky
rout
e ba
ck o
r con
tinue
the
long
wal
k ea
stw
ards
to L
och
Trei
g an
d th
e ra
ilway
line
at C
orro
ur S
tatio
n.
103
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e no
isily
ove
r the
rock
s.
Sca
ttere
d ac
ross
the
mou
ntai
n si
des
to th
e no
rth o
f the
ro
ad a
re th
e P
olld
ubh
Cra
gs, p
opul
ar w
ith ro
ck c
limbe
rs.
The
slab
by s
outh
face
s of
thes
e cr
ags,
mad
e of
mic
a sc
hist
, sho
w c
lear
evi
denc
e of
scr
apin
g by
ice.
Al
ongs
ide
the
road
are
exa
mpl
es o
f ‘ro
ches
mou
tonn
ees’
, sm
all r
ock
outc
rops
with
a s
moo
th w
hale
back
sha
pe o
n on
e si
de w
here
ice
has
scra
ped
over
the
rock
, and
a
stee
per f
ace
whe
re ro
ck h
as b
een
pluc
ked
by th
e ic
e de
scen
ding
on
the
dow
nstre
am s
ide.
W
ater
dra
inin
g fro
m C
oire
Eog
hain
n hi
gh o
n th
e so
uthe
rn
flank
of B
en N
evis
rush
es d
own
gran
ite s
labs
for m
ore
than
350
m.
The
uppe
r gle
n is
reac
hed
by w
alki
ng fo
r 1.5
km th
roug
h th
e N
evis
gor
ge fr
om th
e ca
r par
k at
the
end
of th
e na
rrow
twis
ting
road
. A s
teep
, ofte
n sl
ippe
ry p
ath
win
ds
over
the
rock
s hi
gh a
bove
the
river
, its
sid
es u
npro
tect
ed.
Hug
e de
ep p
otho
les,
cut
into
the
schi
st b
y bo
ulde
rs b
eing
sp
un a
roun
d by
edd
y cu
rrent
s in
the
fast
flow
ing
wat
er,
are
seen
in th
e go
rge
belo
w.
The
gorg
e op
ens
out i
nto
a fla
t alp
ine
mea
dow
as
the
river
follo
ws
a m
ore
flatte
r cou
rse
in b
etw
een
the
stee
p si
ded
mou
ntai
ns. W
oodl
and
give
s w
ay to
ope
n, e
xpos
ed
moo
rland
and
occ
asio
nal b
road
leav
ed tr
ees
in th
e va
lley
side
s. ‘A
n S
teal
l’ is
a d
ram
atic
wat
erfa
ll ca
scad
ing
dow
n a
100m
hig
h w
all o
f whi
te q
uarz
ite ro
ck fr
om C
oire
a M
hail,
a
hang
ing
valle
y.
104
Ben
Nev
is a
nd G
len
Coe
NSA
– V
iew
scap
e: L
och
Etiv
e
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e U
nset
tled
inne
r rea
ches
of f
jord
like
sea
loch
. B
ound
ed
by h
igh
smoo
th, c
onca
ve p
rofil
ed s
ided
mou
ntai
ns.
Bro
ad b
otto
med
u-s
hape
d gl
acia
l val
ley
reac
hing
far i
nto
the
mou
ntai
n m
assi
f of t
he G
len
Coe
/ B
lack
Mou
nt a
reas
. B
road
gra
ssy
stra
th a
t the
bra
ided
mou
th o
f the
rive
r Et
ive
give
s w
ay to
the
open
and
cal
m w
ater
s of
the
uppe
r lo
ch.
The
Loch
sw
eeps
sou
th w
estw
ards
in a
line
ar
fash
ion
thro
ugh
undi
lute
d m
ount
ain
scen
ery.
La
nd c
over
is p
redo
min
antly
ope
n w
ater
of t
he lo
ch,
mov
ing
to g
rass
moo
rland
slo
pes
of th
e lo
wer
reac
hes
of
the
fjord
and
then
giv
ing
way
to s
teep
and
ext
ensi
ve
scre
e, e
xpos
ed ro
ck a
nd b
ould
er s
trew
n su
mm
its.
Hea
ther
is n
otab
le b
y its
abs
ence
. A
bove
the
head
of t
he
loch
the
low
er s
trath
is in
crea
sing
ly c
olon
ised
by
exte
nsiv
e sw
athe
s of
rhod
oden
dron
. Al
der a
nd b
irch
woo
dlan
d is
pat
chy
but a
n im
porta
nt c
ompo
nent
of t
he
stra
th fl
oor,
exte
ndin
g fo
r som
e di
stan
ce n
orth
war
ds in
to
the
mid
dle
glen
.
This
is a
stu
nnin
gly
beau
tiful
, hig
hly
attra
ctiv
e la
ndsc
ape
whi
ch e
njoy
s gr
eat s
eren
ity, a
nd b
alan
ce o
f com
posi
tion.
Its
sca
le is
larg
e bu
t not
ove
raw
ing,
with
sub
tle v
arie
ty
with
in g
ener
al s
impl
icity
of s
lope
, veg
etat
ion
and
wat
er.
The
very
low
key
leve
l of h
uman
act
ivity
, and
the
abse
nce
of ro
ad li
nks
from
the
head
of t
he lo
ch to
its
settl
emen
ts to
th
e so
uth
wes
t affo
rd a
n ex
trem
ely
peac
eful
am
bien
ce to
th
e vi
ew.
Sha
pe is
par
ticul
arly
impo
rtant
with
in th
e gl
en a
s th
e si
des
of it
s m
ount
ains
are
con
sist
ently
con
cave
, and
its
sum
mits
roun
ded
but p
rom
inen
t pea
k pr
ofile
. S
harp
edg
e or
rugg
ed fe
atur
e is
not
pro
min
ent i
n th
e vi
sta,
alth
ough
ro
ck d
etai
l is
impo
rtant
to u
pper
slo
pes
and
the
deep
fis
sure
d st
ream
s pl
ungi
ng to
the
valle
y flo
or.
The
low
er g
len
is e
nclo
sed
in th
at th
e pe
aks
of e
ither
sid
e of
the
valle
y ar
e al
way
s pr
omin
ent a
nd d
raw
the
eye,
but
th
e br
oadn
ess
of th
e lo
wer
gle
n flo
or a
nd v
ista
s do
wn
the
leng
th o
f the
gle
n af
ford
relie
f fro
m th
is, r
esul
ting
in a
pl
easa
ntly
ope
n ch
arac
ter o
f am
ple
spac
es.
This
is a
site
whe
re th
e m
eani
ng o
f pea
cefu
lnes
s ca
n be
re
defin
ed in
gen
tle e
arly
sum
mer
wea
ther
! Th
e hy
pnot
isin
g rh
ythm
of t
he lo
ch’s
lapp
ing
wat
ers,
allie
d w
ith a
bsen
ce o
f hum
an a
ctiv
ity, s
helte
r fro
m th
e w
inds
by
high
val
ley
wal
ls a
nd a
bsen
ce o
r rug
ged
dram
a in
the
imm
edia
te la
ndsc
ape
affo
rds
a ve
ry s
peci
al a
mbi
ence
to
the
view
scap
e.
The
long
and
ext
ende
d si
ngle
trac
k la
ne fr
om th
e ju
nctio
n at
Gle
n C
oe to
the
head
of t
he lo
ch o
ffers
a g
radu
al
desc
ent f
rom
the
gran
deur
and
dra
ma
of G
len
Coe
. A
s it
falls
in a
ltitu
de a
nd d
ista
nce
is g
aine
d fro
m th
e A
82, t
he
feel
ing
of re
mot
enes
s an
d pe
acef
ulne
ss g
row
on
the
trave
ller a
nd th
is fe
elin
g is
epi
tom
ised
by
the
expe
rienc
e of
sce
nery
and
tran
quill
ity a
t the
hea
d of
Loc
h E
tive.
Th
ere
is n
ever
thel
ess
dram
a of
the
peak
s of
the
mid
dle
glen
whi
ch s
oar t
o ov
er a
thou
sand
met
ers
in li
ttle
time
from
the
loch
sho
re, b
ut th
eir g
entle
form
and
ser
enity
do
not p
erha
ps s
timul
ate
chal
leng
e an
d ad
vent
ure
as m
uch
as th
eir n
ear n
eigh
bour
s of
Gle
n C
oe.
Rat
her t
hey
dem
and
refle
ctiv
e ad
mira
tion,
and
a s
ense
that
thei
r pe
ace
shou
ld n
ot b
e di
stur
bed
with
out g
ood
caus
e. T
his
is re
mot
e co
untry
and
furth
er d
istu
rban
ce o
r exp
editi
on
wou
ld e
ngen
der f
eelin
gs o
f unn
eces
sary
tres
pass
.
105
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e La
nd u
se is
ver
y lo
w in
tens
ity g
razi
ng, a
lthou
gh p
arts
of
the
mid
dle
glen
app
ear t
o be
man
aged
for t
rout
fish
ing
and
shoo
ting.
Apa
rt fro
m is
olat
ed in
divi
dual
gam
e ke
eper
s / w
arde
ns c
otta
ges
settl
emen
t is
extre
mel
y sp
arta
n, w
ith th
e m
ain
hunt
ing
lodg
e be
low
Inve
rcha
rnan
th
e on
ly b
uild
ing
of s
igni
fican
ce.
Rem
nant
s of
a la
ndin
g pi
er a
t the
hea
d of
the
loch
sug
gest
a m
ore
inte
nsiv
e le
vel
of a
ctiv
ity I
days
gon
e by
. Th
e gl
en is
cha
ract
eris
ed th
roug
hout
its
leng
th b
y a
swee
ping
, u-s
hape
d pr
ofile
of i
ts m
ount
ain
slop
es a
nd
roun
ded
but p
rono
unce
d pe
aks.
Th
e va
lley
side
s ar
e m
arke
d by
ste
ep, g
rey
rock
y st
ream
be
ds b
road
enin
g in
to ro
ck d
ebris
fans
at t
he lo
wer
ch
ange
s in
ste
epne
ss.
Text
ure
is p
rovi
ded
by th
e rip
pled
loch
sur
face
and
rock
y ou
tcro
ps a
nd e
xpos
ure
of th
e su
mm
its, b
ut th
e lo
wer
sl
opes
are
gen
eral
ly v
ery
smoo
th in
term
s of
land
form
an
d sh
ort g
rass
veg
etat
ion.
Onl
y th
e gi
lls o
f ste
ep
mou
ntai
n st
ream
-bed
s bi
sect
and
sub
divi
de th
ese
horiz
onta
lly d
ivid
ed e
xtre
mes
of t
extu
re a
nd p
atte
rn.
Col
our w
ithin
the
low
er g
len
is h
ighl
y in
fluen
ced
by th
e na
tura
l lig
ht a
nd re
flect
ion
ther
eof f
rom
the
loch
sur
face
. In
ligh
t con
ditio
ns th
e sl
opes
of t
he m
ount
ain
side
s ar
e br
ight
and
con
trast
ing
betw
een
thei
r gra
ssy
low
er s
lope
s an
d lig
ht g
rey
expo
sed
sum
mits
. H
owev
er p
assi
ng c
loud
ca
n pr
oduc
e gr
eat c
ontra
st o
f brig
htne
ss a
nd s
hado
w o
n th
e st
eep
side
d gl
en, f
latte
ning
the
deta
iled
relie
f and
af
ford
ing
a st
rikin
g el
emen
t of m
ovem
ent a
cros
s th
e sp
ace.
Ther
e is
an
alm
ost g
host
like
qual
ity a
nd a
mbi
ence
to th
e de
relic
t pie
r at t
he h
ead
of th
e lo
ch.
It is
eas
y to
env
isag
e th
e V
icto
rian
stea
mer
or t
ram
p pl
ough
ing
its w
ay u
p th
e w
ater
from
the
bust
le o
f Gla
sgow
to d
eliv
er m
uch
antic
ipat
ed s
uppl
ies
and
new
s to
the
isol
ated
gam
e ke
epin
g oc
cupa
nts
of th
e gl
en, p
artic
ular
ly in
ble
ak w
inte
r m
onth
s. H
ow it
mus
t hav
e ge
nera
ted
exci
tem
ent a
nd
hust
le in
this
mos
t tra
nqui
l of p
lace
s.
106
Ben
Nev
is a
nd G
len
Coe
NSA
– V
iew
poin
t / R
oute
: Loc
h Le
ven
O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Ana
lysi
s Pe
rson
al R
espo
nse
An
inla
nd s
ea lo
ch w
ith e
xten
sive
set
tlem
ent c
onfin
ed to
a
narro
w fr
inge
of f
lat l
and
alon
gsid
e th
e lo
ch, s
quee
zed
betw
een
the
open
wat
er b
elow
and
ste
ep, o
ften
conc
ave,
lo
ch s
ides
abo
ve. T
his
was
form
ed a
s se
a le
vels
fell
afte
r th
e la
st Ic
e-A
ge.
The
long
, lin
ear,
narro
w,
fjord
-like
and
‘u’-s
hape
d lo
ch
pene
trate
s in
to a
nd c
ontra
sts
with
the
stee
p, o
ften
woo
ded
loch
sid
es ri
sing
ste
eply
to p
eaks
and
mor
e ro
unde
d m
ount
ains
abo
ve.
The
loch
is fr
amed
to th
e no
rth b
y th
e op
en m
oorla
nd o
f Th
e M
amor
es, w
hils
t to
the
sout
h th
e no
rther
n rid
ge o
f G
len
Coe
cre
ates
a n
atur
al v
iew
shed
. Th
e lo
ch h
ead
and
river
mou
ths
perm
it m
ore
exte
nsiv
e se
ttlem
ent a
nd d
evel
opm
ent o
n w
ider
are
as o
f fla
t lan
d,
such
as
at K
inlo
chle
ven
at th
e lo
ch h
ead
to th
e ea
st,
Nor
th B
alla
chul
ish
and
Sou
th B
alla
chul
ish
to th
e w
est,
and
Gle
ncoe
on
the
sout
h sh
ore
whe
re th
e R
iver
Coe
en
ters
the
loch
. Th
e B8
63 ru
ns a
roun
d th
e lo
ch a
nd jo
ins
the
mai
n A8
2 be
twee
n G
lenc
oe a
nd N
orth
Bal
lach
ulis
h, p
rovi
ding
a
cont
inuo
us c
omm
unic
atio
ns c
orrid
or li
nkin
g th
e m
ain
settl
emen
ts, o
ccas
iona
l hou
ses
and
othe
r lan
d us
es s
uch
as c
arav
an s
ites.
The
con
cent
ratio
n of
set
tlem
ents
al
ongs
ide
the
loch
is th
e hi
ghes
t with
in th
e w
hole
NS
A.
Land
cove
r with
in th
e vi
ewsh
ed is
mix
ed, w
ith s
moo
th
open
moo
rland
ridg
es, p
rom
inen
t pla
ntat
ions
, and
mix
ed
woo
dlan
d co
ntra
stin
g w
ith th
e op
en w
ater
. The
fore
shor
e is
div
erse
, with
peb
ble
beac
hes,
woo
ded
bank
s an
d m
ore
open
wet
land
are
as, a
nd is
sub
ject
to ti
dal i
nflu
ence
. O
ccas
iona
l des
igne
d or
nam
enta
l pla
ntin
g w
ithin
pol
icy
grou
nds
of i
ndiv
idua
l hou
ses
prov
ides
furth
er c
ontra
st.
This
is g
ener
ally
a m
ediu
m to
larg
e sc
ale
land
scap
e. T
he
gene
ral v
iew
shed
is e
xten
sive
dow
n th
e lo
ch, w
ith v
iew
s
fram
ed b
y th
e m
ount
ains
eith
er s
ide.
The
re is
gre
at
varia
tion
in d
epth
of v
iew
, how
ever
, som
etim
es c
onfin
ed
by s
teep
loch
sid
es a
nd o
ak –
birc
h w
oodl
and,
but
el
sew
here
mor
e ex
tens
ive
alon
g va
lleys
bet
wee
n th
e m
ount
ain
ridge
s.
In s
ome
area
s de
nse
woo
dlan
d ex
tend
s to
the
loch
sho
re,
fore
shor
teni
ng v
iew
s al
ong
the
loch
. Th
ere
are
very
dis
tinct
ive
fold
s in
the
land
scap
e,
prov
idin
g a
tiere
d ef
fect
whi
ch is
em
phas
ised
by
sunl
ight
an
d sh
ade.
The
cal
m w
ater
refle
cts
the
impo
sing
m
ount
ains
. M
an’s
influ
ence
is v
isua
lly a
ppar
ent t
hrou
ghou
t the
are
a,
for s
ettle
men
t, em
ploy
men
t, to
uris
m a
nd re
crea
tion.
W
hite
was
hed
build
ings
dot
the
shor
elin
e, b
ut a
ppea
r sm
all b
enea
th th
e va
st m
ount
ains
abo
ve. T
he lo
ch it
self
is
calm
and
she
ltere
d, q
ualit
ies
that
mak
e it
popu
lar f
or
saili
ng, a
nd fi
shin
g.
The
dist
inct
ive
brid
ge b
etw
een
Nor
th a
nd S
outh
Ba
llach
ulis
h at
the
seaw
ard
end
of th
e lo
ch is
a fe
atur
e in
th
e la
ndsc
ape
whi
ch a
dds
to th
e en
clos
ure
of th
e lo
ch.
This
is a
ver
y sc
enic
, pea
cefu
l lan
dsca
pe w
ith a
dra
mat
ic,
natu
ral b
ackd
rop
cont
rast
ing
shar
ply
with
the
settl
ed lo
ch
side
. M
ost p
eopl
e pr
obab
ly v
iew
the
loch
for t
he fi
rst t
ime
whe
n tra
velli
ng n
orth
war
ds, e
mer
ging
out
of t
he d
ram
atic
Gle
n C
oe in
to G
lenc
oe v
illag
e, fr
amed
by
the
loch
. The
vas
t ex
pans
e of
wat
er p
rovi
des
a w
elco
me
relie
f fro
m th
e ov
erbe
arin
g en
clos
ure
of th
e m
ount
ains
. M
oore
d pl
easu
re c
raft
bob
up a
nd d
own
on th
e w
ater
, pr
ovid
ing
site
s an
d so
unds
usu
ally
enc
ount
ered
at a
se
asid
e re
sort.
Bi
rd s
ong,
incl
udin
g se
a bi
rds,
the
whi
tew
ashe
d bu
ildin
gs
and
the
twin
klin
g of
nig
ht ti
me
light
ing
alon
g th
e lo
ch s
ide,
ad
d to
the
calm
ing
influ
ence
. M
ost v
isito
rs p
roba
bly
trave
l the
who
le 2
2 m
iles
arou
nd
the
loch
sin
ce th
is is
eas
y to
do,
and
mak
es a
ver
y pl
easa
nt ru
n fo
r the
cyc
list.
The
mor
e ad
vent
urou
s ca
n ta
ke to
the
hills
for a
n en
erge
tic, c
halle
ngin
g cl
imb
thro
ugh
one
of th
e w
oodl
ands
. The
ove
rall
expe
rienc
e is
th
at th
is is
a c
entre
for r
ecre
atio
n, a
nd a
pop
ular
bas
e fo
r a
varie
d ho
liday
. Acc
omm
odat
ion
rang
es fr
om c
amp
site
s to
larg
e ho
tels
.
107
Ben
Nev
is a
nd G
len
Coe
NSA
– V
iew
poin
t / R
oute
: Loc
h Tu
lla
O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Ana
lysi
s Pe
rson
al R
espo
nse
The
sout
hern
-mos
t edg
e of
the
NS
A, j
ust n
orth
of B
ridge
of
Orc
hy, t
his
area
is c
entre
d ar
ound
the
shal
low
, set
tled
loch
bas
in. F
lat l
och-
side
gra
ssla
nd, g
ently
slo
ping
sm
ooth
moo
rland
and
mix
ed fo
rest
fram
e th
e lo
ch s
ide,
w
ith h
igh
peak
s an
d rid
ges
defin
ing
the
view
shed
. B
are
rock
and
scr
ee c
lose
to th
e to
p of
mor
e ro
unde
d hi
gh p
eaks
and
ridg
es c
ontra
st w
ith th
e ex
tens
ive
area
s of
flat
gra
ssla
nd, a
nd h
eath
er a
nd b
rack
en-c
over
ed
moo
rland
. For
ests
, whi
ch fo
rm p
art o
f the
man
aged
B
lack
mou
nt D
eer F
ores
t, co
mpr
ise
dist
inct
ive
Sco
ts P
ine
(rem
nant
Cal
edon
ian
Fore
st) w
ith e
xten
sive
are
as o
f pl
ante
d bi
rch
and
row
an.
The
area
is re
cogn
ised
inte
rnat
iona
lly fo
r its
var
iety
of
plan
ts a
nd a
nim
als,
incl
udin
g ra
re b
eetle
s an
d m
oths
. B
lack
Mou
nt is
a d
istin
ctiv
e, a
ttrac
tive,
larg
e lo
dge
set i
n w
ell-t
ende
d ga
rden
s al
ong
the
loch
sid
e. T
here
are
a fe
w
othe
r sm
alle
r lod
ges,
an
old
drov
e In
n an
d th
e In
vero
ran
Hot
el, s
ervi
ng th
e W
est H
ighl
and
Way
long
-dis
tanc
e fo
otpa
th w
hich
pas
ses
thro
ugh
the
area
. Thi
s fo
llow
s th
e ol
d pu
blic
road
and
sec
tions
of
the
Cau
lfiel
d M
ilitar
y R
oad,
the
sect
ion
betw
een
Brid
ge o
f Orc
hy a
nd In
vero
ran
bein
g a
sche
dule
d an
cien
t mon
umen
t.
The
tradi
tiona
l use
of h
ill la
nd fo
r dee
r man
agem
ent i
s ev
iden
t by
the
exte
nsiv
e de
er fe
ncin
g ar
ound
the
plan
tatio
ns, a
nd s
igns
war
ning
of d
eer s
talk
ing
by
shoo
ting
betw
een
mid
Aug
ust t
o m
id O
ctob
er.
Loch
Tul
la li
es a
djac
ent t
o th
e bu
sy A
82, t
he m
ain
tour
ist
rout
e to
For
t Willi
am a
nd b
eyon
d, b
ut is
larg
ely
unaf
fect
ed
by it
. The
road
follo
ws
the
toe
of th
e hu
ge B
einn
an
Dot
haid
h an
d Be
inn
Dor
ain
rang
e w
hich
lie
to th
e so
uth-
east
just
out
side
the
NS
A. T
he ra
ilway
and
old
milit
ary
road
als
o fo
llow
this
rout
e, s
quee
zing
bet
wee
n th
e m
ount
ains
and
the
Riv
er O
rchy
whi
ch fe
eds
into
the
loch
. A
sur
face
d, n
arro
w ro
ad w
ith p
assi
ng p
lace
s ru
ns a
long
th
e so
uthe
rn a
nd w
este
rn e
dges
of t
he lo
ch, b
etw
een
Brid
ge o
f Orc
hy a
nd a
car
par
k at
Vic
toria
Brid
ge.
Ther
eafte
r veh
icle
s ar
e no
t allo
wed
with
out p
erm
issi
on o
f th
e B
lack
mou
nt M
anag
emen
t Par
tner
ship
. W
alke
rs a
long
the
Wes
t Hig
hlan
d W
ay a
re m
ore
frequ
ently
see
n th
an v
ehic
les.
An
inte
rpre
tatio
n bo
ard
at
the
Vic
toria
Brid
ge C
ar P
ark
iden
tifie
s fo
otpa
ths
and
off-
road
cyc
le ro
utes
. Th
e vi
ewsh
ed fo
r thi
s ar
ea is
rela
tivel
y tig
htly
dra
wn
arou
nd th
e lo
ch, b
ut it
is a
n ar
ea o
f gre
at v
isua
l con
trast
, pr
obab
ly m
ore
so th
an a
ny o
ther
are
a w
ithin
the
NS
A.
The
scal
e, o
penn
ess
and
dive
rsity
of v
iew
s ar
e m
ixed
. Th
e la
rge
scal
e, e
xpos
ed, e
xten
sive
vie
ws
acro
ss th
e lo
ch c
ontra
st w
ith th
e m
uch
smal
ler s
cale
, mor
e in
timat
e sc
ale
of th
e fo
rest
s an
d pl
anta
tions
whi
ch o
ffer s
helte
r an
d di
vers
ity.
Con
sequ
ently
, col
our a
nd te
xtur
e w
ithin
the
land
scap
e of
th
is a
rea
is v
arie
d, d
ue to
the
varie
ty o
f veg
etat
ion
cove
r.
The
dive
rse
land
form
and
land
cove
r with
in th
is la
ndsc
ape
offe
r a re
fresh
ing,
ple
asin
g ch
ange
to o
ther
mor
e re
mot
e or
sim
ple
parts
of t
he N
SA
. Th
is is
not
an
awes
ome,
cha
lleng
ing
or d
ram
atic
la
ndsc
ape
as s
ome
othe
r are
as o
f the
NS
A a
re. I
t is
mor
e of
a c
omfo
rting
, int
eres
ting,
rela
tivel
y pe
acef
ul a
rea.
Th
e ar
ea is
wel
l use
d by
peo
ple,
par
ticul
arly
wal
kers
, gi
ving
it a
hum
an p
ersp
ectiv
e. E
vide
nce
of o
n-go
ing
man
agem
ent i
n th
e fo
rm o
f fen
cing
, sig
ns a
nd
inte
rpre
tatio
n, d
o no
t det
ract
from
the
natu
ral
char
acte
ristic
s.
108
Ben
Nev
is a
nd G
len
Coe
NSA
– V
iew
scap
e: M
eall
Bea
g an
d B
en N
evis
Ski
Ran
ge
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e H
igh
mou
ntai
n m
assi
f, m
oor a
nd d
eep
mou
ntai
n va
lley.
M
assi
ve ro
unde
d su
mm
its w
ith ru
gged
cor
rie a
nd ri
dge
lyin
g be
low
sum
mit
heig
ht.
This
is a
wid
e op
en
land
scap
e w
hich
thro
ugh
abse
nce
of s
igni
fican
t dra
ma
actu
ally
mas
ks it
s no
tabl
e el
evat
ion.
Ext
ensi
ve v
ista
s ar
e en
joye
d fa
r bey
ond
the
NS
A it
self
acro
ss F
ort W
illiam
, Lo
ch L
innh
e, th
e G
reat
Gle
n an
d di
stan
t pea
ks e
xten
ding
as
far a
s th
e C
ullin
s of
Sky
e.
Slo
pes
from
the
foot
of t
he m
ount
ain
(and
clo
se to
the
NS
A b
ound
ary)
rise
in s
wat
hes
of r
elat
ivel
y un
iform
and
co
nsis
tent
ang
le, b
efor
e be
com
ing
mor
e co
nvex
tow
ards
th
e u
pper
reac
hes.
The
dee
p ev
en s
ided
inci
sion
of A
llt
Dai
m is
a p
rom
inen
t rift
in th
e ro
unde
d m
ount
ain
mas
sif,
and
prov
ides
for c
onst
ant n
oise
of m
ovin
g w
ater
s.
Veg
etat
ion
is p
redo
min
antly
that
of g
rass
es a
nd h
eath
er
moo
rland
, giv
ing
way
to ro
cky
expo
sure
s to
the
sum
mits
. B
ould
er a
nd s
tone
fiel
ds a
re e
xten
sive
. S
now
rem
ains
in
sum
mer
tim
e in
hig
h no
rth fa
cing
cor
ries.
For a
ll its
mas
s an
d el
evat
ion
this
is a
rela
tivel
y si
mpl
e, if
m
assi
ve la
ndsc
ape.
How
ever
vie
ws
out o
f the
NS
A
prim
arily
dra
w th
e ey
e an
d ar
e co
mpl
ex a
nd v
arie
d as
w
ell a
s va
st.
The
elev
atio
n of
the
view
poin
t, ra
ther
than
th
e im
med
iate
topo
grap
hy a
fford
an
expe
rienc
e of
ex
posu
re, b
ut th
is is
ver
y m
uch
dilu
ted
by th
e pr
esen
ce
of o
ther
peo
ple
at th
is re
cogn
ised
vie
wpo
int a
nd it
s ea
se
of a
cces
s vi
a sk
i-lift
. Th
e m
ain
cont
rast
s w
ithin
the
NS
A fr
om th
is v
iew
poin
t is
the
trans
ition
from
the
very
sim
ple
stea
dily
risi
ng g
rass
m
oorla
nd s
lope
s in
to b
ould
er fi
eld
and
dram
atic
cor
rie
and
crag
. H
owev
er th
is ru
gged
ness
is n
ot ty
pica
l of t
he
wid
er s
ettin
g, w
hich
des
pite
its
heig
ht is
sm
ooth
and
ro
unde
d, g
ener
ally
dev
oid
of in
tere
st o
r foc
us p
oint
s.
Col
our w
ithin
the
NS
A is
mut
ed, s
ubdu
ed s
hade
s of
m
ergi
ng b
row
ns a
nd g
reen
s, w
ith a
gen
eral
ly s
moo
th
surfa
ce a
s fa
r as
topo
grap
hy is
con
cern
ed, w
ith a
slig
ht
text
urin
g pr
oduc
ed b
y th
e m
oorla
nd v
eget
atio
n an
d oc
casi
onal
bou
lder
. A
t hig
her e
leva
tions
the
trans
ition
to
boul
der a
nd s
tone
fiel
d an
d ou
tcro
p af
ford
s a
stro
ng
inte
rject
ion
of li
ght a
nd d
ark
grey
col
ours
with
in th
e la
ndsc
ape.
The
acce
ssib
ility
of t
he v
iew
poin
t at o
nce
affo
rds
acce
ss
to h
igh
mou
ntai
n ex
perie
nce
to a
wid
e va
riety
of a
ges
and
abili
ties
and
thus
is a
n ex
perie
nce
man
y w
ill e
njoy
an
d sa
vour
. Th
e vi
ews
are
stup
endo
us.
How
ever
, in
com
paris
on to
man
y ot
her u
plan
d ar
eas
or m
ount
ains
in
Brita
in th
is is
a c
row
ded
and
desp
oile
d vi
sual
and
pe
rson
al e
xper
ienc
e. T
he b
usyn
ess
dead
ens
the
high
m
ount
ain
expo
sure
and
the
acce
ss v
ia s
ki-li
ft re
mov
es
any
sens
e of
ach
ieve
men
t in
reac
hing
rela
tivel
y si
gnifi
cant
hei
ght.
Mor
eove
r, th
e vi
stas
to th
e su
mm
it of
B
en N
evis
furth
er d
imin
ishe
s th
e va
lue
of th
is v
isua
lly
quite
unr
emar
kabl
e su
mm
it, n
ot p
artic
ular
ly s
peci
al o
ther
th
an it
s un
surp
asse
d el
evat
ion.
Thi
s is
not
a s
ite o
f hig
h m
ount
ain
ende
avou
r or a
dven
ture
. H
ere
the
perc
eptio
n an
d ex
perie
nce
is s
urel
y sh
aped
by
the
othe
r mou
ntai
n ex
perie
nce
of th
e vi
sito
r. H
owev
er th
e el
evat
ion
of th
e si
te is
rein
forc
ed w
hen
view
s ou
t of t
he N
SA
are
enj
oyed
, and
whe
n th
e w
eath
er
affo
rds
it, g
limps
es o
f the
Cul
lins
are
a fin
e tre
at to
thos
e w
ho u
nder
stan
d th
eir p
artic
ular
gra
ndeu
r and
cha
lleng
e.
It is
per
haps
iron
ic th
at w
ithin
a re
lativ
ely
mod
est
dist
ance
from
the
sum
mit
of B
ritai
ns h
ighe
st p
eak,
the
grea
t attr
actio
n lie
s in
vie
ws
in th
e op
posi
te d
irect
ions
.
109
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e La
nd u
se is
ver
y lo
w in
tens
ity g
razi
ng b
ut th
ere
is a
co
ncen
tratio
n of
leis
ure
activ
ity, p
rimar
ily fo
cuse
d to
ou
tdoo
r pur
suits
of w
inte
r spo
rts a
nd m
ount
ain
biki
ng, a
s w
ell a
s w
alki
ng.
Infra
stru
ctur
e fo
r the
se a
ctiv
ities
in th
e fo
rm o
f ski
-lifts
, mou
ntai
n ce
ntre
/caf
é, p
aths
and
de
linea
ted
pist
es a
re o
bvio
us.
The
top
of th
e lif
ts s
ees
a fo
cus
for v
isito
rs e
ven
in s
umm
er a
nd a
fford
s th
e ve
ry
youn
g an
d th
e el
derly
exp
osur
e to
hig
h m
ount
ain
expe
rienc
e an
d vi
stas
. Con
cent
ratio
n of
vis
itor p
ress
ure
and
pres
ence
of p
eopl
e is
mar
ked.
Th
e w
ider
land
scap
e, p
artic
ular
ly a
t hig
her e
leva
tions
is
othe
rwis
e de
void
of m
an m
ade
inte
rfere
nce.
This
is a
land
scap
e of
few
dis
tinct
feat
ures
and
ther
efor
e th
e sk
i inf
rast
ruct
ure,
lifts
, pi
ste
fenc
ing
and
build
ings
are
re
lativ
ely
stro
ng fe
atur
es in
the
setti
ng.
This
sim
ple
land
scap
e is
par
adox
ical
ly o
ne o
f sig
nific
ant b
usyn
ess,
be
lyin
g its
ele
vatio
n.
Nev
erth
eles
s, th
e vi
ewer
is e
xtre
mel
y cl
ose
to d
ram
atic
up
land
land
scap
e an
d ch
alle
nge
whi
ch w
ould
requ
ire
only
a s
hort
trave
l fro
m th
e vi
ewsh
ed, b
ut s
eem
s to
at
tract
few
to d
o so
.
110
Ben
Nev
is a
nd G
len
Coe
NSA
– V
iew
poin
t: R
anno
ch M
oor
O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Ana
lysi
s Pe
rson
al R
espo
nse
A ro
ughl
y le
vel p
late
au a
t app
roxi
mat
ely
1000
ft,
com
pris
ing
of d
ark,
hum
moc
ky p
eat m
oorla
nd, d
otte
d w
ith
innu
mer
able
loch
s, lo
chan
s an
d bo
gs, j
oine
d by
an
intri
cate
web
of m
inor
stre
ams.
The
are
a fo
r the
mos
t par
t ov
erlie
s gr
anite
. Th
is is
the
wat
ersh
ed o
f cen
tral S
cotla
nd, w
here
rive
rs
star
t the
ir jo
urne
ys to
war
ds th
e A
tlant
ic in
the
wes
t and
to
the
Nor
th S
ea in
the
east
. Th
ousa
nds
of h
uge
rock
s, to
rn fr
om h
illsid
es a
nd c
orrie
s by
a g
iant
gla
cier
mov
ing
east
war
ds s
ome
20,0
00 y
ears
ag
o, a
re s
catte
red
thro
ugho
ut th
e ar
ea. O
ccas
iona
l sm
all
trees
, ben
t and
gna
rled
by th
e w
ind,
lie
amon
gst t
he
boul
ders
. To
the
north
, Ran
noch
Moo
r is
surro
unde
d by
gra
nite
m
ount
ains
that
rise
to o
ver 2
000f
t, w
hils
t to
the
wes
t and
so
uthe
ast t
hey
reac
h m
ore
than
300
0ft.
Th
e N
SA b
ound
ary
follo
ws
the
north
ern
and
east
ern
side
s of
thi
s un
ique
land
scap
e, w
hich
is s
hape
d ro
ughl
y as
an
inve
rted
trian
gle,
sto
od o
n its
ape
x. A
chal
lade
r m
arks
the
sout
hern
tip,
Ran
noch
Sta
tion
the
north
ea
ster
n tip
of t
he tr
iang
le, a
nd th
e ju
nctio
n of
the
A82
and
G
len
Etiv
e m
arks
the
north
wes
tern
tip.
Th
e ra
ilway
line
bet
wee
n Br
idge
of O
rchy
and
Ran
noch
S
tatio
n fo
llow
s th
e ea
ster
n bo
unda
ry o
f R
anno
ch M
oor,
whi
lst t
he A
82 ru
ns a
littl
e in
side
the
sout
h w
este
rn s
ide
of
this
tria
ngul
ar a
rea.
Th
e ar
ea c
an o
nly
be c
ross
ed fr
om e
ast t
o w
est b
y fo
ot. A
10
mile
trac
k lin
ks R
anno
ck S
tatio
n w
ith th
e K
ings
Hou
se
Hot
el o
n th
e A
82. T
he h
otel
is a
wel
com
e st
op o
ver f
or
wal
kers
on
the
Wes
t Hig
hlan
d W
ay lo
ng d
ista
nce
foot
path
, whi
ch ru
ns ju
st b
eyon
d th
e so
uth-
wes
tern
sid
e of
the
area
.
The
visu
al c
hara
cter
istic
s of
this
uni
que
area
are
di
stin
ctiv
e in
thei
r ow
n rig
ht, b
ut th
e co
ntra
st w
ith th
e sp
ecta
cula
r mou
ntai
ns to
the
north
, sou
th-e
ast,
and
parti
cula
rly th
e w
est p
rovi
de a
n un
forg
etta
ble
setti
ng.
This
is a
vas
t, ex
tens
ive,
exp
osed
, and
ess
entia
lly s
impl
e la
ndsc
ape.
Th
e m
oor c
omes
to a
n ab
rupt
con
clus
ion
at th
e ju
nctio
n of
the
A82
and
Gle
n E
tive,
whi
ch is
spe
ctac
ular
ly m
arke
d by
the
rock
y py
ram
id o
f Buc
haille
Etiv
e M
or a
t the
en
tranc
e to
Gle
n C
oe.
The
road
, saf
ety
barri
ers
and
othe
r inf
rast
ruct
ure
incl
udin
g sn
ow p
oles
alo
ngsi
de th
e ro
ad, a
re th
e on
ly
man
-mad
e fe
atur
es a
cros
s th
e ar
ea. T
raffi
c m
ovem
ent
and
nois
e do
det
ract
from
the
rem
oten
ess,
alth
ough
this
im
pact
is o
nly
real
ly e
vide
nt c
lose
to th
e ro
ad.
Cle
aran
ce o
f a s
ole
plan
tatio
n by
bur
ning
is e
vide
nce
of
succ
essf
ul m
anag
emen
t to
reta
in th
e ch
arac
ter o
f the
la
ndsc
ape.
If on
e’s
emot
iona
l res
pons
e to
the
Sco
ttish
land
scap
e de
pend
s on
the
wea
ther
, Ran
noch
Moo
r is
an e
xtre
me
exam
ple
of th
is.
To m
ost p
eopl
e th
eir f
irst g
limps
e of
Ran
noch
Moo
r is
whe
n dr
ivin
g no
rth fr
om B
ridge
of O
rchy
, as
the
road
sw
eeps
up
to th
e m
oorla
nd p
late
au. W
hat i
s fo
und
ther
e,
and
wha
t per
sona
l exp
erie
nces
are
felt,
dep
ends
on
the
wea
ther
. W
hen
shro
uded
in m
ist o
r driv
ing
rain
or s
now
, thi
s is
a
wild
and
rem
ote
land
scap
e to
be
pass
ing
thro
ugh,
and
an
espe
cial
ly te
rrify
ing
wild
erne
ss fo
r a lo
nely
wal
ker.
A se
emin
gly
endl
ess
laby
rinth
of h
azar
dous
rout
es o
ffer
peril
at e
ach
step
. A p
lace
of w
onde
r, pr
obab
ly o
ne o
f the
la
st re
ally
wild
pla
ces
in S
cotla
nd.
In g
ood
wea
ther
, how
ever
, with
the
sun
on y
our b
ack
or
shin
ing
thro
ugh
the
win
dscr
een,
the
shim
mer
ing
loch
s,
gras
s an
d pu
rple
hea
ther
wav
ing
in a
gen
tle b
reez
e, w
ith
pano
ram
ic v
iew
s to
war
ds th
e up
land
s be
yond
, pro
vide
a
uniq
ue, u
nfor
getta
ble
expe
rienc
e.
111
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al A
naly
sis
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e Th
e ra
re, d
elic
ate,
Ran
noch
Rus
h is
foun
d no
-whe
re e
lse
in B
ritai
n, a
nd it
s ha
bita
t is
prot
ecte
d as
a S
ite o
f Spe
cial
S
cien
tific
Inte
rest
(SS
SI).
Oth
er fl
ora
of in
tere
st in
clud
e th
e sw
eet s
mel
ling
bog-
myr
tle.
The
loch
s on
the
moo
r are
goo
d fo
r tro
ut, w
hile
bla
ck-
thro
ated
div
er, g
oosa
nder
and
mer
gans
er a
re a
ttrac
ted
to
the
num
erou
s is
lets
. Hig
her u
p, m
ount
ain
hare
and
red
deer
may
be
spot
ted,
and
eve
n go
lden
eag
le a
nd o
spre
y.
112
15
113
16
114
Ben Nevis and Glen Coe National Scenic Area. Historical, Cultural Associations and Other Background Information
The Glen Coe Massacre The grandeur and drama of the NSA is undeniable and irresistible, and modern development seems not have diluted this great scenery. However the village of Glencoe at the foot of the glen itself carries with it a history of betrayal and massacre which remains pertinent to the area’s character and ambience to this day. The cowardly murder of the 38 of the Clan Macdonald in 1692 by order of the crown, and the subsequent loss of life of women and children from exposure after the King’s soldiers had lodged within the village for several nights to this day engenders feelings of sorrow and disquiet, for the soldiers ordered to carry out the massacre were in part of the Clan Campbell, fellow highlanders. Whilst infamous for the massacre the glen also carries with it legend of cattle rustling and banditry between clans and government, secret refuges in hidden valleys and tales of incredible hardship. All weave together with the scenery of the area to present a dramatic and fascinating experience to the visitor. The Highland Clearances The effects of the Highland Clearances denuded the glens of the bulk of their population and the remains of their sheilings can still be seen in Glencoe.
Film Locations The spectacular scenery of Glen Coe and Loch Leven has provided the backdrop for some famous films. Scenes in Braveheart, Rob Roy, Bonnie Prince Charlie, Highlander, Master of Ballantrae, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The 39 Steps, Harry Potter and Kidnapped were filmed around the Glencoe area.
115
116
A
PPEN
DIX
3
FI
ELD
WO
RK
OU
TPU
TS
KN
APD
ALE
NA
TIO
NA
L SC
ENIC
AR
EA
117
1. K
napd
ale
NSA
– B
ridge
nd
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lA
flat
val
ley
of fl
oodp
lain
gra
ssla
nd w
ith a
sin
uous
rive
r.
Slo
pes
stee
pen
to a
hig
her r
idge
that
form
s th
e ho
rizon
lin
e.
No
furth
er ri
dges
are
in v
iew
bey
ond.
La
nd u
se is
mos
tly p
asto
ral,
with
the
low
er s
lope
s in
dica
ting
a m
ore
impr
oved
pas
ture
and
the
stee
per
slop
es b
eing
of r
ough
gra
zing
. T
he h
ighe
r par
ts
tow
ards
the
ridge
mer
ge in
to c
onife
rous
pla
ntat
ion,
with
a
few
rock
exp
osur
es a
t the
ver
y to
p of
the
ridge
. Th
is a
rea
is c
lose
to 2
villa
ges,
one
of w
hich
, Brid
gend
, fa
lls w
ithin
the
NS
A b
ound
ary.
B
ridge
nd c
onsi
sts
mai
nly
of m
oder
n bu
ngal
ows,
bot
h gr
ey a
nd w
hite
in
colo
ur.
An
occa
sion
al c
otta
ge is
nes
tled
into
the
slop
e.
Mai
n fe
atur
es o
f the
vie
w a
re th
e tre
e lin
ed ri
ver t
hat
mea
nder
s th
roug
h th
e ba
sin,
alth
ough
unl
ess
clos
e to
th
e riv
er it
self
is n
ot in
vie
w, b
ut ra
ther
its
line
is g
iven
aw
ay b
y th
e rip
aria
n tre
es, a
nd th
e ex
pans
e of
low
flat
gr
azin
g la
nd.
It is
a ty
pica
l riv
er b
asin
farm
land
la
ndsc
ape.
S
ome
stra
ight
and
sta
rk e
dges
are
see
n w
ith th
e co
nife
rous
blo
cks,
and
furth
er d
istin
ctiv
e lin
es
are
mar
ked
by fi
eld
boun
dary
tree
s an
d fe
nces
. T
here
is
the
occa
sion
al s
tone
wal
l, bu
t hed
ges
are
abse
nt.
A m
ediu
m s
cale
vie
w, b
ut o
ne th
at is
rela
tivel
y en
clos
ed
by th
e ne
ar ri
dges
. T
hese
ridg
es fo
rm th
e ho
rizon
line
ar
e fu
rther
ridg
es c
anno
t be
seen
. T
he v
iew
is e
nclo
sed
by th
e ar
c of
Bla
ck H
ill an
d A
chna
shel
lach
ridg
es.
The
view
is v
arie
d, a
nd h
as s
ome
text
ural
var
iatio
ns,
parti
cula
rly fr
om th
e ja
gged
con
ifers
to th
e gr
assl
and.
Se
ason
al v
aria
tion
is li
kely
to b
e se
en m
ost i
n th
e lin
e of
br
oadl
eave
d tre
e sp
ecie
s th
at m
ark
the
mea
nder
of t
he
river
thro
ugh
the
valle
y bo
ttom
. T
he v
iew
take
n in
su
mm
er o
ffers
a m
ix o
f gre
en s
hade
s fro
m th
e ye
llow
gr
een
gras
slan
d to
the
dark
gre
en c
onife
rs.
Oth
er
colo
urs
are
larg
ely
abse
nt.
The
stro
nges
t vis
ual l
ines
, and
lead
ers
arou
nd th
e vi
ew,
are
the
stra
ight
edg
es to
the
coni
fer p
lant
atio
ns, t
he ri
ver
mea
nder
, the
sky
line
agai
nst t
he ri
dge
and
then
the
field
bo
unda
ries
and
mos
aic
of p
astu
res
offe
r sec
onda
ry a
nd
mor
e de
taile
d lin
es.
The
area
is c
lose
to s
ettle
men
ts, s
o a
gene
ral
back
grou
nd o
f noi
se is
pre
sent
, but
not
sig
nific
ant.
Bi
rdso
ng is
not
icea
ble
and
varie
d, in
clud
ing
song
thru
sh
and
blac
kbird
as
wel
l as
the
typi
cal o
pen
gras
slan
d sp
ecie
s.
A pa
stor
al a
gric
ultu
ral v
alle
y –
an e
ssen
tially
‘wor
king
la
ndsc
ape.
’ It
is s
helte
red
and
plea
sant
, and
typi
cal o
f th
e sc
enic
vie
ws
of a
n A
rgyl
l pas
tora
l riv
er v
alle
y.
Whi
lst n
ot p
artic
ular
ly s
peci
al in
itse
lf, th
e m
ain
func
tion
of th
is a
rea
is it
s en
clos
ure
and
back
drop
for M
òine
M
hór.
The
enc
losu
re fu
nctio
n of
the
ridge
s pr
ovid
es a
n ob
viou
s bo
unda
ry li
ne fo
r the
NS
A.
The
addi
tion
of th
is a
rea
of ‘w
orki
ng la
ndsc
ape’
co
mpl
imen
ts th
e re
st o
f the
nor
ther
n en
d of
this
NS
A,
whi
ch h
as n
umer
ous
hum
an in
fluen
ces
and
hist
oric
ev
iden
ce o
f use
. A
clo
se u
p vi
ew o
f thi
s ar
ea, t
aken
from
the
road
brid
ge,
take
s th
e ey
e up
the
river
itse
lf, w
hich
then
lead
s th
e vi
ewer
into
the
scen
e an
d up
the
gent
le s
lope
s to
the
horiz
on li
ne.
118
2. K
napd
ale
NSA
– A
bove
Aird
Ran
ich
on th
e ea
st c
oast
road
of L
och
Swee
n, b
elow
Dal
tote
Cot
tage
(at t
he m
ilest
one)
O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
The
imm
edia
te v
iew
is o
f gra
zing
land
on
the
low
er
grou
nd a
nd w
oodl
and
on th
e hi
gher
slo
pes.
Fr
om th
is
imm
edia
te v
iew
the
eye
is ta
ken
acro
ss th
e fla
t exp
anse
of
Loc
h S
wee
n an
d th
en o
ver t
o th
e lo
wer
ridg
es o
f D
anna
. Th
e lo
ch s
urfa
ce is
ext
ensi
ve, a
nd fr
om th
e sm
all a
rea
of
rock
y sh
ore
the
land
cov
er is
gra
zing
land
and
br
oadl
eave
d w
oodl
and.
B
rack
en is
pre
sent
in la
rge
swat
hes.
Th
ere
are
occa
sion
al c
otta
ges
and
smal
l fa
rms
alon
g th
e ro
ad.
The
skyl
ine
of d
ista
nt ri
dges
bey
ond
the
loch
and
the
smal
l isl
ands
dot
ted
on th
e sm
ooth
loch
sur
face
, alo
ng
with
the
intim
ate
area
of r
ocky
sho
re in
lets
are
impo
rtant
fe
atur
es.
Thi
s pa
rticu
lar v
iew
is g
iven
add
ed in
tere
st b
y th
e lin
es o
f par
alle
l rid
ges
that
hea
d on
to th
e lo
ch
wat
ers.
The
view
is h
arm
onio
us, w
ith th
e on
ly c
ontra
st b
eing
be
twee
n th
e fla
t gre
y/bl
ue lo
ch w
ater
, whi
ch is
gla
ssy
and
still
, and
the
varie
ty o
f tex
ture
s an
d co
lour
s fo
und
inla
nd w
ithin
the
hills
ides
. Th
e ge
nera
l sca
le o
f vie
w is
med
ium
, with
a g
reat
er
open
ness
vie
wed
in th
e di
stan
ce o
ver t
he lo
ch.
The
lo
ch is
ope
n an
exp
osed
, whi
lst t
he g
razi
ng la
nd a
nd
woo
ded
slop
es is
med
ium
in s
cale
. T
he ro
ad it
self
is
secl
uded
with
som
e tig
ht e
nclo
ses
for l
ong
stre
tche
s of
th
e jo
urne
y al
ong
Loch
Sw
een.
Th
e vi
ew is
div
erse
, bot
h in
feat
ures
, col
our a
nd te
xtur
e.
Line
s w
ithin
the
view
incl
ude
the
horiz
onta
l lin
e of
the
loch
, far
ridg
es o
n th
e ho
rizon
line
and
in th
e ne
ar
dist
ance
the
para
llel r
idge
s dr
owni
ng in
to th
e lo
ch.
View
ed o
n a
sunn
y da
y th
e ar
ea is
ple
asan
t, ca
lm a
nd
still.
It
is a
ntic
ipat
ed th
at th
e lo
ch w
ould
be
very
ex
pose
d an
d w
indy
in b
ad w
eath
er.
The
vario
us b
oats
dot
ted
on th
e lo
ch a
dd in
tere
st a
nd
mov
emen
t.
The
loch
is o
pen
and
expo
sed,
and
its
tidal
nat
ure
give
s a
feel
ing
of b
eing
clo
se to
the
sea.
Th
e im
med
iate
are
a is
ple
asan
t, sh
elte
red,
qui
et a
nd
calm
. T
he s
mal
ler s
cale
of t
he im
med
iate
are
a is
in
tere
stin
g an
d vi
sual
ly a
ttrac
tive
with
the
drow
ned
ridge
s.
The
shor
elin
e is
invi
ting
and
easi
ly a
cces
sed
from
the
road
. T
he fe
elin
g of
bei
ng c
lose
to a
rock
y sh
ore
adds
an
opp
ortu
nity
for e
xplo
ratio
n am
ongs
t the
rock
s.
Ther
e is
a d
efin
ite ‘p
enin
sula
’ fee
ling.
Tr
avel
ling
dow
n th
e ro
ad le
aves
the
view
er in
crea
sing
ly d
ista
nt fr
om th
e m
ain
land
mas
s.
Ther
e is
a s
trong
ele
men
t of t
rave
lling
to a
n en
d po
int.
As
this
jour
ney
to th
e en
d of
the
peni
nsul
a is
mad
e, th
ere
are
‘sur
pris
e vi
ews’
of t
he lo
ch
as th
e ro
ad e
mer
ges
from
the
trees
. T
he ro
ad c
hang
es
in e
leva
tion,
so
som
e vi
ews
are
abov
e th
e lo
ch w
hils
t ot
hers
em
erge
ver
y cl
ose
to th
e sh
ore,
all
of w
hich
add
s to
the
jour
ney
and
the
feel
ing
of e
xpec
tatio
n.
119
3. K
napd
ale
NSA
– B
alim
ore
– lo
okin
g no
rth
tow
ards
par
alle
l rid
ges
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lTh
e la
ndfo
rm is
of u
ndul
atin
g ro
cky
ridge
s, w
ith s
teep
ba
re ro
ck a
nd h
eath
er p
atch
es.
The
low
er v
alle
ys a
re
roug
h gr
azin
g la
nd.
Atla
ntic
oak
woo
dlan
d in
the
mid
dle
slop
es ru
ns a
long
bu
rns
and
at th
e ba
ses
of th
e ba
re ro
ck o
utcr
ops.
H
eath
er a
nd b
rack
en c
over
is th
e m
ain
aspe
ct o
f the
up
per s
lope
s be
low
the
verti
cal r
ock
slab
s.
Gra
ssy
moo
rland
on
the
low
er s
lope
s ev
entu
ally
lead
s to
rush
an
d co
tton
gras
s pa
tche
s in
the
low
est l
ying
par
ts.
The
area
is fe
nced
and
is m
ainl
y pr
ivat
e es
tate
.
Set
tlem
ent i
s la
rgel
y ab
sent
whe
n a
view
to th
e no
rth u
p th
e pa
ralle
l rid
ges
is ta
ken.
S
ome
cotta
ges
and
clus
ters
of
hol
iday
hom
es a
re p
rese
nt a
littl
e fu
rther
bac
k up
the
road
. S
peci
fic fe
atur
es in
clud
e th
e cr
aggy
sky
line
of th
e pa
ralle
l rid
ges,
whi
ch is
a v
arie
d an
d in
dent
ed li
ne. L
ittle
ca
rpet
s of
flow
erin
g co
tton
gras
ses
in th
e lo
w ly
ing
parts
ad
d de
tail
to th
e un
dula
ting
roug
h gr
assl
and.
Br
oadl
eave
d w
oodl
and
flow
s ar
ound
the
stee
per s
lope
s an
d do
wn
the
clef
ts o
f bur
ns.
Sm
all r
uine
d bu
ildin
gs in
dica
te a
form
er o
ccup
atio
n of
th
e la
nd.
A c
ompl
ex la
yerin
g of
ver
tical
rock
y sl
abs
at th
e to
p of
th
e rid
ges,
follo
wed
by
patc
hes
of h
eath
er a
nd th
en th
e At
lant
ic o
ak w
oodl
and
wra
pped
aro
und
the
slop
es.
B
rack
en d
omin
ates
at t
his
leve
l whe
re w
oodl
and
is
abse
nt.
Rou
gh g
razi
ng th
en c
ontin
ues
into
the
low
er
area
s th
at e
vent
ually
gra
des
into
rush
y pa
stur
e in
the
low
est p
arts
. T
his
laye
ring
is n
ot p
reci
se, a
nd e
ach
laye
r pus
hes
up a
nd p
ast t
he o
ther
in p
lace
s.
This
cr
eate
s a
flow
of l
ines
and
inte
rest
. It
is c
lear
that
the
gras
slan
d is
in tr
ansi
tion,
and
that
br
acke
n is
enc
roac
hing
. T
hese
sta
nds
are
fairl
y ne
w
beca
use
the
typi
cal b
uild
up
of b
rack
en li
tter w
ith m
ore
mat
ure
stan
ds is
abs
ent f
rom
this
are
a.
The
scal
e of
the
view
is m
ediu
m a
nd is
fairl
y op
en in
na
ture
. D
iver
sity
is la
rgel
y du
e to
the
fold
ed la
yers
of
vege
tatio
n ty
pes
desc
ribed
abo
ve, w
hich
als
o ad
d a
good
var
iety
of c
olou
r, w
ith g
rey
rock
, pur
ple
heat
her
and
brig
ht g
reen
bra
cken
. T
he ja
gged
sky
line
is th
e m
ost d
ram
atic
feat
ure.
Th
ere
is li
ttle
to d
istu
rb th
e qu
iet a
nd s
tilln
ess
of th
e sc
ene.
A
ll so
unds
are
nat
ural
and
ther
e is
con
side
rabl
e ca
lm.
The
scen
e is
invi
ting
a da
y’s
expl
orat
ion
with
the
varie
ty
of s
lope
s an
d un
dula
tions
cre
atin
g un
seen
cor
ners
be
yond
. T
he s
cene
is n
ot d
ram
atic
or e
xhila
ratin
g,
desp
ite th
e la
rger
ridg
es, b
ut ra
ther
gen
tly ro
lling,
and
m
ore
rem
ote
and
sem
i nat
ural
that
oth
er a
reas
with
in th
e N
SA
that
hav
e st
rong
er h
uman
influ
ence
s.
The
scen
e is
inte
rest
ing,
with
woo
dlan
d ge
ntly
lapp
ing
up to
hig
her c
rags
, and
it is
like
ly th
at th
e w
oodl
and
has
been
a lo
ng s
tand
ing
feat
ure,
whi
lst t
he g
rass
land
has
ev
iden
ce o
f cha
nge.
Th
e hi
stor
ic o
ccup
atio
n of
the
area
en
cour
ages
imag
inat
ion
of a
sce
ne p
ast,
with
sh
ephe
rdin
g be
ing
the
mai
n pa
rt of
a v
ery
sim
ple
livin
g.
The
view
wou
ld c
hang
e w
ith a
dver
se w
eath
er, a
nd
wou
ld c
erta
inly
alte
r with
the
seas
ons
in te
rms
of c
olou
r an
d lig
ht.
At t
he e
nd o
f the
road
alo
ng th
e Lo
ch C
aolis
port/
Loch
S
wee
n pe
nins
ula
ther
e is
som
e fe
elin
g of
rem
oten
ess
from
the
mai
n la
nd a
rea
and
an e
nd o
f jou
rney
or
‘pen
insu
la’ f
eelin
g.
This
is n
ot a
s pr
onou
nced
as
the
peni
nsul
a fe
elin
g of
Kei
llmor
e be
caus
e at
Bal
imor
e th
ere
is fu
rther
land
bey
ond
the
end
of th
e ro
ad a
nd th
e ar
ea
is n
ot a
s ex
pose
d.
Feel
ings
of a
bsol
ute
isol
atio
n ar
e th
eref
ore
abse
nt h
ere.
120
4. K
napd
ale
NSA
– K
eillm
ore
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lTh
e vi
ew is
dom
inat
ed b
y th
e co
ast a
nd s
easc
ape.
Th
e m
ain
land
form
is li
near
ste
ep s
ided
coa
stal
ridg
es
on th
e ad
jace
nt p
enin
sula
, and
offs
hore
roun
ded
isla
nds
and
the
coas
tal r
idge
s on
this
pen
insu
la th
at c
ontin
ue
out a
nd in
to th
e w
ater
. La
nd c
over
is ro
ugh
gras
slan
d th
at m
erge
s in
to ir
is b
eds
and
then
coa
stal
sal
tmar
sh b
efor
e th
e ro
cky
and
kelp
co
vere
d sh
ore.
Th
e ro
ugh
gras
slan
d is
dot
ted
with
sh
orte
r she
ep g
raze
d tu
rf w
here
gra
sses
are
less
cou
rse
and
ther
efor
e sw
eete
r. R
ocky
out
crop
s pr
ovid
e th
e m
ain
conc
entra
tions
of c
alca
reou
s gr
assl
and
spec
ies
with
typi
cally
tiny
flow
ers,
incl
udin
g w
ild th
yme,
fairy
flax
, ey
ebrig
ht a
nd c
ross
wor
t. E
nglis
h st
onec
rop
cree
ps
over
the
rock
sur
face
. S
wat
hes
of b
rack
en a
nd g
orse
are
see
n am
ongs
t the
gr
azin
g la
nd a
nd th
ere
are
occa
sion
al s
mal
l con
ifer
plan
tatio
ns.
Land
use
is p
redo
min
antly
she
ep g
razi
ng, w
ith
occa
sion
al w
alke
rs a
nd lo
cal b
oatin
g, a
lthou
gh th
e sm
all
boat
s pr
esen
t are
like
ly to
bel
ong
to th
e fe
w p
enin
sula
re
side
nts.
Th
ere
is th
e oc
casi
onal
cro
ft an
d th
e sm
all
grey
sto
ne c
hape
l clo
se to
the
end
of th
is p
enin
sula
r op
en fo
r vis
itors
and
has
inte
rpre
tatio
n m
ater
ial.
The
key
feat
ures
of t
his
area
are
the
flora
and
bird
s,
both
sho
relin
e w
ader
s an
d pa
sser
ines
(whi
ch w
ill b
e se
ason
al),
the
linea
r rid
ges
agai
nst t
he s
kylin
e, th
e of
fsho
re is
land
s an
d dr
owne
d co
ast a
nd s
econ
dary
fe
atur
es s
uch
as th
e ch
apel
and
sta
ndin
g cr
oss.
Th
is is
icon
ic S
cotti
sh c
oast
al la
ndsc
ape
with
ridg
es a
nd
shor
elin
es.
Key
vis
ual f
eatu
res
are
the
flat e
dges
to th
e in
lets
whi
ch
form
the
seas
loch
s, th
e st
rong
line
ar s
triat
ion
of la
nd
form
and
dro
wne
d co
ast –
the
laye
rs o
f rid
ges
term
inat
e in
the
sea
whi
ch is
pun
ctua
ted
by lo
w d
row
ned
isla
nds
offs
hore
. T
he tr
ansi
tion
of ro
ugh
graz
ing,
iris
bed
, sa
ltmar
sh to
rock
y ke
lp c
over
ed s
hore
and
the
vary
ing
topo
grap
hy a
nd h
eigh
t of r
idge
s ar
e fu
rther
impo
rtant
vi
sual
feat
ures
. Th
e sm
ooth
gre
enne
ss o
f the
low
er s
lope
s is
bac
ked
by
stee
per,
rock
ier a
nd g
rey
gree
n di
stan
t slo
pes
of h
ighe
r rid
ges.
Th
e sc
ale
is a
med
ium
enc
lose
d vi
ew th
at is
she
ltere
d,
secl
uded
and
hid
den,
com
plem
ente
d by
a m
uch
wid
er
expa
nse
of o
pen
sea.
Th
e la
ndsc
ape
is d
iver
se, w
ith a
sub
tle m
ix o
f gre
ens,
br
owns
and
gre
ys, a
nd th
e ey
e is
dra
wn
to th
e de
tail
of
the
colo
urfu
l gro
und
flora
on
the
shor
t cro
pped
turfs
. Si
gnifi
cant
bird
son
g an
d th
e op
portu
nity
to s
ee a
var
iety
of
avi
an s
peci
es a
dds
to th
e pe
acef
ul, c
alm
tran
quill
ity.
S
ituat
ed a
t the
end
of a
pen
insu
la, t
his
area
will
ex
perie
nce
quite
diff
eren
t vie
ws
in b
ad w
eath
er, w
here
th
e de
tail
is li
kely
to b
e lo
st, b
ut th
e ov
eral
l sce
ne w
ill b
e of
con
side
rabl
e m
ovem
ent a
nd d
ram
a.
Loch
war
ds th
e sc
ene
evok
es fe
elin
gs o
f pea
ce a
nd
rela
xatio
n.
It is
she
ltere
d an
d ca
lm, s
leep
y an
d qu
iet.
Th
e vi
ewer
feel
s sa
fe a
nd c
omfo
rtabl
e, b
ut b
eing
at t
he
end
of a
jour
ney
dow
n th
e pe
nins
ula,
ther
e is
som
e fe
elin
g of
a h
idde
n an
d un
spoi
lt pl
ace.
N
ot e
very
one
will
hav
e se
en th
is.
It fe
els
like
a pl
ace
that
is a
t the
end
of
a lo
ng c
ul-d
e-sa
c.
All
who
vis
it th
is p
lace
are
like
ly to
st
op, p
ause
, and
con
tem
plat
e be
fore
trav
ellin
g aw
ay
agai
n.
It is
def
inite
end
poi
nt.
The
sem
i-nat
ural
nat
ure
of th
e ar
ea is
impo
rtant
, and
the
eye
is c
augh
t by
the
tiny
deta
il of
sm
all c
olou
rful w
ild
flora
that
is in
min
iatu
re to
the
dram
atic
and
vas
t nat
ure
of th
e op
en s
ea a
nd h
int o
f dis
tant
isla
nds
seen
onl
y as
gr
ey o
utlin
es, i
nclu
ding
that
of t
he la
rge
isla
nd o
f Jur
a.
Out
war
d vi
ews
to th
e se
a ar
e la
rge,
exp
osed
, wild
and
is
olat
ed.
The
evid
ence
of h
uman
pre
senc
e is
low
key
but
re
assu
ring
- boa
ts, o
ccas
iona
l cro
fts a
nd g
razi
ng
anim
als.
W
ildlif
e is
ver
y im
porta
nt w
ithin
this
sce
ne;
bird
s fli
t aro
und
the
view
and
son
g po
sts
are
all a
roun
d.
The
tiny
delic
ate
flow
ers
of w
ild th
yme
and
ston
ecro
p ar
e at
tract
ive
and
draw
the
eye
in to
app
reci
ate
thei
r tin
y be
auty
, whi
ch m
akes
the
wid
er la
ndsc
ape
all t
he m
ore
insp
iring
and
vas
t. B
eyon
d th
e ho
rizon
is th
e op
en s
ea
and
dist
ant l
ands
. Th
e la
rge
expa
nse
of in
terti
dal s
and
prov
ides
for t
he o
dd
bask
ing
seal
, aga
in b
ringi
ng n
atur
e in
clo
se p
roxi
mity
to
the
view
er.
The
chap
el a
nd a
n aw
aren
ess
of it
s hi
stor
y br
ings
se
cond
ary
or b
ackg
roun
d em
otio
ns o
f the
his
toric
sp
iritu
al c
onne
ctio
ns o
f the
pla
ce, a
ddin
g to
feel
ings
of
long
term
con
tinui
ty, a
lthou
gh it
is th
e m
any
othe
r fe
atur
es th
at re
mai
n th
e pr
imar
y in
fluen
ces.
121
5. K
napd
ale
NSA
– U
pper
par
alle
l rid
ges
with
in c
onife
r for
est
Qua
litie
s de
scrib
ed a
s a
resu
lt of
an
assi
mila
tion
of re
spon
ses
whi
lst m
ovin
g th
roug
h th
e ar
ea.
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lS
teep
sid
ed c
onife
rous
ridg
es w
ith d
eep
trenc
hes
are
the
dom
inan
t fea
ture
. T
his
is in
ters
pers
ed w
ith a
reas
of
broa
dlea
ved
woo
dlan
d, w
hich
tend
to b
e m
ore
open
.
Som
e tre
nche
s be
twee
n th
e rid
ges
are
wat
er fi
lled,
i.e.
se
clud
ed lo
chs,
som
e ar
e dr
y tre
nche
s, w
hich
are
eith
er
so n
arro
w th
at th
e co
nife
rous
pla
ntat
ion
sim
ply
cont
inue
s do
wn
and
up th
e ne
xt ri
dge,
or w
ider
and
fla
tter w
ith s
mal
l poc
kets
of r
ushy
gra
ssla
nd.
Land
cov
er is
pre
dom
inan
tly c
onife
r pla
ntat
ion,
eve
n on
th
e st
eepe
st o
f rid
ge s
lope
s.
Opp
ortu
nitie
s fo
r gra
zing
la
nd h
ave
been
take
n w
here
the
low
tren
ch is
wid
e en
ough
, res
ultin
g in
nar
row
info
rmal
fiel
ds o
f rou
gh a
nd
rush
y pa
stur
e an
d pa
tche
s of
bra
cken
. M
uch
of th
e la
nd is
use
d fo
r rec
reat
ion,
with
For
estry
C
omm
issi
on c
ycle
trai
ls, f
ootp
aths
and
pic
nic
poin
ts.
Set
tlem
ent i
s ve
ry s
pars
e w
ith o
nly
the
occa
sion
al s
mal
l ho
use
by th
e ro
ad.
Fore
stry
has
obs
cure
d th
e m
ore
subt
le la
ndfo
rm
feat
ures
, and
any
evi
denc
e of
his
toric
land
use
.
Clo
ser e
xam
inat
ion
into
the
plan
tatio
n re
veal
s ol
d fie
ld
boun
darie
s.
The
scal
e va
ries
as th
e jo
urne
y is
mad
e th
roug
h th
e ar
ea, f
rom
med
ium
sca
le in
mor
e op
en a
reas
to
encl
osed
and
intim
ate
amon
gst t
he c
lose
ly fo
lded
ridg
es,
whe
re th
e vi
ew is
she
ltere
d an
d hi
dden
. Th
e vi
ew in
the
fore
grou
nd is
ofte
n ve
ry v
arie
d, w
ith th
e ra
nge
of te
xtur
es a
nd c
olou
rs fr
om th
e ro
adsi
de ro
cks
and
vege
tatio
n.
At a
larg
er s
cale
the
spik
y lin
es o
f the
co
nife
rous
pla
ntat
ion
woo
dlan
d co
ntra
sts
the
mor
e ro
unde
d an
d va
ried
shap
es o
f the
bro
adle
aved
w
oodl
and,
par
ticul
arly
whe
re th
e st
unte
d gr
owth
of o
aks
has
left
them
twis
ted
and
gnar
led.
C
olou
rs a
re m
onoc
hrom
e am
ongs
t the
pla
ntat
ion,
al
thou
gh in
som
e pl
aces
how
ever
ther
e is
var
iatio
n in
co
nife
rous
spe
cies
, whi
ch a
dds
a gr
eate
r var
iety
of d
eep
gree
ns.
Inse
ct a
nd b
ird li
fe is
pre
vale
nt, p
artic
ular
ly a
long
the
sunn
y rid
es b
y tra
ck s
ides
or a
long
the
road
edg
e, w
here
th
ere
is a
lso
mor
e lic
hen
and
bryo
phyt
e co
vere
d ro
ck
and
falle
n tim
ber.
Whe
re d
appl
ed li
ght p
enet
rate
s th
e w
oodl
and
cano
py th
ere
is a
dded
gro
und
flora
inte
rest
. C
lear
line
ar in
fluen
ces
are
the
sinu
ous
natu
re o
f the
ro
ad, a
nd th
e st
rong
alm
ost v
ertic
al li
nes
of th
e rid
ges
and
deep
tren
ches
. S
ound
is d
eade
ned
by th
e ve
rtica
l st
ruct
ure
and
ther
e is
a s
tilln
ess
in th
e tre
nche
s.
With
in th
e th
ick
of th
e co
nife
r pla
ntat
ion
it is
dar
k an
d do
min
atin
g, d
ense
and
enc
lose
d.
The
verti
cal s
lope
s ar
e im
posi
ng a
nd th
ere
is a
real
aw
aren
ess
of h
eigh
t an
d th
e pa
ralle
l rid
ges
loom
ing
abov
e.
The
stee
pest
rid
ges
are
a dr
amat
ic fe
atur
e.
On
the
grou
nd th
e tre
nche
s fe
el s
ecre
t and
hid
den.
Th
e st
ruct
ural
com
plex
ity o
f the
par
alle
l rid
ge fe
atur
e an
d re
petit
ion
of th
e sc
ene
is d
isor
ient
atin
g an
d po
ssib
ly
unse
ttlin
g, p
artic
ular
ly w
hen
alon
e or
in a
dver
se
wea
ther
, alth
ough
it d
oes
also
invo
ke a
sen
se o
f ad
vent
ure
to d
isco
ver s
ecre
t gle
ns a
nd m
ini l
ochs
. W
ithin
the
plan
tatio
n w
oodl
and
it is
ext
rem
ely
still,
coo
l an
d ca
lm.
The
re is
the
typi
cal s
mel
l of d
ank,
dam
p ea
rth a
nd d
ecom
posi
ng p
ine
need
les.
Li
ght i
s oc
casi
onal
ly d
appl
ed, w
hich
can
be
very
attr
activ
e.
Feat
ures
are
ver
y cl
ose
and
mon
oton
ous,
hen
ce th
e vi
ewer
is o
ften
unsu
re o
f the
exa
ct lo
catio
n.
The
scen
e do
es c
hang
e as
a jo
urne
y is
mad
e al
ong
the
win
ding
road
, ofte
n go
ing
from
the
mon
oton
y of
pl
anta
tion
to s
eclu
ded
open
gla
des
amon
gst
broa
dlea
ved
woo
dlan
d.
The
land
scap
e ap
pear
s to
be
unfo
ldin
g as
the
view
er re
ache
s th
e ed
ges
of th
e de
eply
tre
nche
d rid
es a
nd g
radu
ally
pro
gres
s to
mor
e br
oadl
eave
d w
oodl
and.
It
is li
kely
to b
e a
pers
onal
vie
w a
s to
whe
ther
the
dens
e w
oodl
and
is d
eter
ring,
and
may
dep
end
on a
kno
wle
dge
of o
ther
pla
ces
to g
o in
the
wid
er a
rea
of th
e N
SA
.
122
6. K
napd
ale
NSA
– D
un M
uric
h O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
The
imm
edia
te a
reas
clo
se to
the
road
are
com
plet
ely
dom
inat
ed b
y br
acke
n.
A s
mal
l but
ste
ep s
ided
rock
y ou
tcro
p lif
ts a
t the
sid
e of
the
loch
and
dro
ps to
the
tidal
sh
ores
of t
he lo
ch it
self.
Th
e fla
t loc
h su
rface
has
sm
all
isla
nds
and
the
far s
hore
clim
bs u
p to
par
alle
l rid
ges
of
Atla
ntic
oak
woo
dlan
d on
all
but t
he s
kylin
e, w
here
a
gras
sy p
late
au c
aps
the
top
of th
e rid
ge.
Th
e im
med
iate
fiel
ds o
f bra
cken
sw
athe
s ar
e lik
ely
to
have
bee
n pa
stur
e la
nd in
the
rece
nt p
ast,
and
som
e ar
e st
ill in
use
, alth
ough
bra
cken
is e
ncro
achi
ng.
Pla
ntat
ion
woo
dlan
d is
virt
ually
abs
ent a
nd th
e rid
ges
are
ther
efor
e cl
othe
d in
a s
ofte
r and
mor
e va
ried
broa
dlea
ved
woo
dlan
d.
Set
tlem
ent w
ithin
this
vie
w is
abs
ent,
but o
ccas
iona
l co
ttage
s do
occ
ur a
long
the
road
side
. T
he ro
cky
outc
rop
show
s th
e re
mai
ns o
f a h
isto
ric fo
rtifie
d dw
ellin
g,
henc
e th
e si
te n
ame.
Th
e br
oadl
eave
d w
oodl
and
of th
e fa
r sho
re is
a
sign
ifica
nt fe
atur
e, a
s is
the
Dun
ruin
on
top
of th
e ne
ar
rock
y ou
tcro
p.
The
mos
t stri
king
feat
ure
is th
e br
oadl
eave
d w
oodl
and
cove
red
ridge
on
the
far s
hore
of t
he lo
ch, w
hich
mak
es
a re
fresh
ing
chan
ge fr
om th
e pl
anta
tion
woo
dlan
d rid
ges
that
are
pre
vale
nt in
nor
ther
n K
napd
ale.
Th
is b
ackd
rop
is s
ofte
r tha
n th
e us
ual p
lant
atio
ns, a
nd a
ppea
rs m
ore
natu
ral w
hen
view
ed w
ith th
e hi
stor
ic d
un in
the
fore
grou
nd b
ecau
se it
is th
e na
tive
woo
dlan
d th
at w
ould
ha
ve h
isto
rical
ly o
ccur
red
in th
e ar
ea p
rior t
o pl
anta
tions
. Th
e sc
ale
of th
e vi
ew is
med
ium
sca
le, a
nd th
e tre
e co
vere
d pa
ralle
l rid
ge fo
rms
the
horiz
on li
ne, w
ith th
e co
ntin
uatio
n of
furth
er ri
dges
out
of v
iew
beh
ind
it.
This
are
a ha
s a
dive
rsity
of s
cene
s, w
ith w
oodl
and,
loch
, lo
ch s
hore
and
rock
y m
ound
s th
at o
nce
wou
ld h
ave
been
par
t of a
ridg
e.
The
isla
nds
with
in th
e lo
ch a
re
also
line
ar in
nat
ure
and
ther
efor
e pa
rt of
the
sam
e rid
ge
syst
em, e
ach
also
with
thei
r ow
n ro
cky
shor
es.
W
ith th
e lo
ch in
vie
w th
ere
are
stro
ng h
oriz
onta
l lin
es o
f th
e lo
ch w
ater
sur
face
mee
ting
the
far s
hore
, whi
ch ru
ns
in p
aral
lel w
ith th
e lin
es o
f rid
ges.
The
pres
ence
of t
he d
un, a
gain
st a
bac
kdro
p of
the
old
Atla
ntic
oak
woo
dlan
d ev
okes
som
e re
cons
truct
ion
in
the
min
d of
tim
es p
ast.
The
sce
ne m
ay b
e si
mila
r to
that
whe
n th
e fo
rtifie
d dw
ellin
g w
as o
ccup
ied.
Th
e D
un
is a
key
feat
ure
– in
trigu
ing
and
prov
okin
g th
e im
agin
atio
n.
The
loch
is n
arro
w a
nd th
ere
are
clea
r vie
ws
to th
e fa
r sh
ore,
thus
the
scen
e is
intim
ate,
des
pite
its
scal
e, a
nd
inte
rest
ing.
It
is fu
ll of
var
iety
yet
har
mon
ious
and
pe
acef
ul, w
ith th
e D
un in
spiri
ng fu
rther
thou
ght a
nd
mys
tery
.
123
7. K
napd
ale
NSA
– M
òine
Mhó
r A
n as
sim
ilatio
n of
qua
litie
s de
term
ined
from
sev
eral
jour
neys
aro
und
the
area
. O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
Flat
, low
lyin
g an
d op
en m
oss
exte
nds
acro
ss th
e B
asin
, w
hich
is fr
amed
at t
he o
uter
reac
hes
by u
plan
d pa
ralle
l rid
ges.
V
olca
nic
plug
s of
rock
rise
up
from
the
mos
s in
a
few
loca
tions
, whi
ch b
reak
the
expa
nse
and
detra
ct
from
the
gene
rally
long
vie
ws
acro
ss th
e ba
sin.
Th
e la
nd c
over
is g
rass
moo
rland
veg
etat
ion
acro
ss
Mòi
ne M
hór,
unfe
nced
and
dot
ted
with
sm
all b
irch
and
alde
r tre
es, a
nd lo
calis
ed p
atch
es o
f hea
ther
. L
ow
dens
ity s
heep
gra
zing
occ
urs
acro
ss th
e m
oss.
Th
e m
oss
grad
es o
ut to
the
iris
beds
tow
ards
the
coas
t, an
d th
e dr
ains
runn
ing
alon
gsid
e th
e ro
ad o
r acr
oss
Mòi
ne
Mhó
r are
flor
istic
ally
div
erse
, ech
oing
the
rang
e of
sp
ecie
s fo
und
near
the
coat
am
ongs
t the
iris
bed
s, a
nd
can
ther
efor
e be
pic
ked
out f
rom
a d
ista
nce.
P
atch
es o
f flo
wer
ing
cotto
n gr
ass
are
dist
inct
ive
in th
e ne
ar v
iew
w
here
wet
ter g
roun
d is
pre
sent
acr
oss
the
mos
s ar
ea.
Th
e fla
t exp
anse
of t
he m
oss
leav
es th
e riv
er
inco
nspi
cuou
s un
til v
iew
ed c
lose
up.
Th
e m
ain
lines
do
min
atin
g th
e sc
ene
are
the
stra
ight
nar
row
road
s an
d lo
w s
traig
ht s
tone
wal
ls.
Ther
e is
an
obvi
ous
cont
rast
bet
wee
n th
e fla
t exp
anse
an
d th
e st
eep
para
llel r
idge
s th
at fr
ame
the
edge
of t
he
view
and
den
ote
the
boun
darie
s of
this
nor
ther
n se
ctio
n of
the
NS
A.
The
view
is m
ediu
m to
larg
e in
sca
le, d
epen
ding
on
the
view
er’s
pos
ition
aro
und
the
Mòi
ne M
hór a
rea.
Th
e do
min
atin
g fe
atur
e is
the
flat e
xpan
se fr
amed
by
the
para
llel r
idge
s in
mos
t dire
ctio
ns.
The
re is
a m
ixtu
re o
f ho
rizon
line
s, w
ith th
e im
med
iate
ridg
es d
omin
atin
g in
so
me
dire
ctio
ns, w
hils
t the
pur
ple
grey
out
lines
of
seve
ral m
ore
lines
of d
ista
nt ri
dges
can
be
seen
in
othe
rs.
The
sky
line
is th
eref
ore
dist
inct
and
ragg
ed,
with
the
eye
draw
n to
a fe
w d
istin
ctly
hig
her p
eaks
in th
e di
stan
ce.
The
edge
of t
he m
oss
agai
nst t
he s
tart
of th
e pa
ralle
l rid
ges
is a
ver
y st
rong
hor
izon
tal l
ine
beca
use
of th
e im
med
iate
con
trast
, and
in s
ome
way
s m
imic
s th
e sa
me
stro
ng h
oriz
onta
l lin
e se
en a
cros
s a
loch
whe
re th
e w
ater
’s s
urfa
ce m
eets
the
star
t of a
ridg
e.
Look
ing
land
war
d th
ere
is a
n in
crea
sing
am
ount
of
plan
tatio
n w
oodl
and
on th
e rid
ge, a
s op
pose
d to
the
mor
e na
tura
l bro
adle
aved
woo
dlan
d th
at c
reep
s in
mor
e si
gnifi
cant
ly c
oast
war
ds, a
lthou
gh th
e pl
anta
tions
and
br
oadl
eave
d se
ctio
ns d
o no
t mer
ge s
igni
fican
tly, r
athe
r th
ey re
mai
n in
dis
tinct
are
as.
The
roug
h te
xtur
es o
f roc
ks, s
piky
pla
ntat
ions
, mor
e ro
unde
d sh
apes
of b
road
leav
ed w
oodl
and
and
smoo
th
flatn
ess
of th
e m
oss
with
sud
den
plug
s of
ste
ep ro
ck
adds
con
side
rabl
e va
riatio
n in
text
ure.
In
fine
wea
ther
the
view
is lo
ng a
roun
d th
e ba
sin
of th
e m
oss,
but
in a
dver
se c
ondi
tions
it is
imag
ined
that
the
low
mos
s ar
ea w
ould
clin
g to
mis
t and
cre
ate
a ve
ry
diffe
rent
per
spec
tive.
The
open
, fla
t exp
anse
imm
edia
tely
feel
s ex
pose
d an
d w
ide
in c
ontra
st to
oth
er in
land
are
as w
ithin
the
NS
A.
S
traig
ht li
nes
dom
inat
e an
d ta
ke th
e vi
ewer
aro
und
a 36
0 de
gree
vie
w.
The
stra
ight
road
s in
vite
you
acr
oss
the
Mhó
r, an
d of
fer s
afe
pass
age
thro
ugh
wha
t wou
ld
othe
rwis
e no
t be
expl
ored
. Th
e pa
ralle
l rid
ges
swee
p ar
ound
the
edge
s of
the
Mhó
r, ea
ch w
ith th
eir o
wn
dist
inct
ive
char
acte
r, pr
ovid
ing
orie
ntat
ion
and
iden
tity.
Th
e dr
ama
of th
e rid
ges
and
expa
nse
of th
e M
hór i
s in
con
trast
to th
e sm
all
settl
emen
ts d
otte
d ar
ound
the
view
, whi
ch g
ive
com
fort
in a
n ot
herw
ise
expa
nsiv
e an
d al
mos
t wild
land
scap
e.
The
Mhó
r has
an
anon
ymity
abo
ut it
, and
one
can
feel
sm
all a
nd a
nony
mou
s in
its
vast
ness
. Y
et w
ithin
the
enor
mity
of t
he fl
at m
oss
is c
onsi
dera
ble
deta
il, w
ith
bird
s fli
tterin
g in
clo
se v
iew
and
sin
ging
from
nea
rby
song
pos
ts, a
nd m
oorla
nd fl
ora
draw
ing
the
eye
into
the
near
dis
tanc
e af
ter a
ppre
ciat
ing
the
farth
er v
iew
s.
This
de
tail
brea
thes
life
and
giv
es c
omfo
rt in
to th
e w
ild
expa
nse.
124
8. K
napd
ale
NSA
– C
rinan
Can
al C
orrid
or
An
assi
mila
ted
field
she
et b
ased
upo
n se
vera
l jou
rney
s al
ong
the
cana
l cor
ridor
. O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
A li
near
can
al fo
llow
ing
the
hill
foot
of t
he u
plan
d an
d co
asta
l par
alle
l rid
ges
on th
e so
uth
side
of t
he m
oss
basi
n.
The
cana
l is
lined
by
rock
bul
lions
, with
sho
rt am
enity
gr
assl
and
alon
g its
sid
es.
Num
erou
s lo
cks
appe
ar
alon
g th
e le
ngth
of t
he c
anal
, whi
ch a
re th
e fo
cal p
oint
s fo
r set
tlem
ent,
with
lock
kee
pers
cot
tage
s le
adin
g to
fu
rther
sm
all w
hite
pai
nted
cot
tage
s at
som
e lo
ck p
oint
s.
The
key
feat
ures
are
the
cana
l lin
e its
elf,
whi
ch d
espi
te
bein
g a
man
mad
e fe
atur
e is
sin
uous
like
a ri
ver,
fittin
g to
th
e co
ntou
rs o
f the
land
. A
sec
ond
key
feat
ure
is th
e bl
ack
and
whi
te lo
cks,
whi
ch a
re w
ell m
aint
aine
d an
d ne
atly
pai
nted
, alo
ng w
ith th
e as
soci
ated
dw
ellin
gs a
nd
build
ings
that
are
sim
ilarly
nea
tly p
aint
ed w
hite
.
The
view
is u
sual
ly s
mal
l sca
le a
long
the
cana
l, bu
t with
lin
ear v
iew
s up
and
dow
n th
e w
ater
way
. It
is s
helte
red
and
calm
, but
with
a ra
nge
of fe
atur
es, c
olou
r and
te
xtur
e.
The
still
wat
er, r
ock
bulli
ons,
nea
t can
al s
ides
w
ith m
own
gras
s an
d sm
all g
arde
n ar
eas
with
bed
ding
pl
ants
and
pot
s of
flow
ers,
sm
all w
hite
cot
tage
s an
d se
clud
ed m
ini m
arin
as, a
re in
con
trast
to a
bac
kdro
p of
th
e pa
ralle
l rid
ges
to o
ne s
ide
and
the
flat e
xpan
se o
f th
e m
oss
on th
e ot
her.
At m
any
poin
ts a
long
the
cana
l, th
e m
oss
is o
bscu
red
from
vie
w b
y lin
es o
f sm
all t
rees
al
ong
the
tow
path
, but
freq
uent
ly c
omes
into
vie
w a
long
th
e jo
urne
y.
The
cana
l and
its
asso
ciat
ed to
wpa
th a
re th
e m
ost
dom
inan
t lin
ear f
eatu
res,
whi
lst o
ther
line
s an
d fo
rm a
re
com
plic
ated
and
div
erse
with
the
rang
e of
feat
ures
pr
esen
t. Th
ere
is g
reat
inte
rest
and
mov
emen
t alo
ng th
e ca
nal,
with
boa
ts, y
acht
s an
d ba
rges
trav
ellin
g al
ong
it.
Ther
e is
a b
usy
but r
elax
ed a
tmos
pher
e, a
s ho
liday
boa
ters
are
co
nsta
ntly
man
oeuv
ring
the
lock
s, b
ringi
ng b
oats
in to
m
oor o
r pus
hing
boa
ts o
ff ag
ain.
Th
ere
is a
stro
ng h
uman
influ
ence
alo
ng th
e ca
nal
corri
dor,
with
the
boat
ing
activ
ity a
nd th
e in
ns a
nd g
uest
ho
uses
rein
forc
ing
the
feel
ing
of a
pop
ulat
ed a
nd a
ctiv
e pl
ace.
Th
e ca
nal c
orrid
or h
as a
cle
ar h
isto
rical
con
text
, bei
ng a
pu
rpos
e bu
ilt m
an m
ade
wat
er w
ay, t
hat p
rovi
ded
a lin
k fro
m in
land
to th
e se
a.
The
Crin
an c
anal
are
a is
tran
quil
and
hidd
en, p
eace
ful
and
com
forti
ng. I
f tra
vellin
g to
the
cana
l are
a fro
m th
e m
oss
the
area
is s
urpr
isin
g, a
real
con
trast
to th
e w
ild
expa
nse.
The
area
is v
ery
rela
and
enj
oyab
le, a
nd th
ere
is a
re
al fe
elin
g of
bei
ng o
n ho
liday
.
One
cou
ld s
pend
se
vera
l hou
rs w
atch
ing
the
boat
ing
activ
ity, w
ande
ring
alon
g th
e to
wpa
th a
nd p
icni
ckin
g at
the
colo
urfu
l loc
k si
des.
Th
ere
is a
lway
s so
met
hing
to s
ee, s
omet
hing
of
inte
rest
. T
here
is a
ctiv
e so
und
of m
ovem
ent,
peop
le
and
enjo
ymen
t. Th
e st
rong
iden
tity
and
blac
k an
d w
hite
col
our o
f the
ca
nal s
ide
cotta
ges
and
lock
s re
min
ds th
e vi
ewer
of t
he
hist
ory
of th
e ca
nal a
s a
wor
king
wat
erw
ay, a
nd a
lso
furth
er a
dds
to th
e fe
elin
g of
a h
olid
ay p
lace
. Th
e ba
ckgr
ound
feel
ing
is o
ne o
f bei
ng o
n a
jour
ney.
Th
e vi
ewer
is c
onst
antly
mov
ing
alon
g th
e ca
nal,
albe
it sl
owly
and
with
pau
ses
that
cou
ld la
st fo
r hou
rs o
r a d
ay.
Th
e jo
urne
y un
fold
s al
ong
the
cana
l cor
ridor
as
it w
inds
fro
m in
land
to s
ea.
125
9. K
napd
ale
NSA
– C
rinan
Bay
coa
stal
are
a O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
Crin
an B
ay is
div
ided
into
an
oute
r bay
and
inne
r bay
, w
ith e
xten
sive
inte
rtida
l are
as.
At l
ow ti
de th
ere
are
larg
e ex
pans
es o
f san
d ar
ound
the
bay,
with
virt
ually
all
of th
e in
ner b
ay b
eing
dev
oid
of s
ea w
ater
. S
altm
arsh
ar
ound
the
bay
grad
ually
gra
des
into
Mòi
ne M
hór.
Lo
calis
ed ro
cky
area
s ar
e at
eac
h si
de o
f the
mou
th o
f th
e ba
y, a
s th
e pe
riphe
ral r
idge
s tu
mbl
e in
to th
e se
a.
The
view
is c
onta
ined
by
coas
tal p
aral
lel r
idge
s, b
ut w
ith
a fra
med
vie
w o
ut to
the
open
sea
thro
ugh
the
chan
nel
of th
e ba
y.
Ther
e ar
e a
few
cot
tage
s ne
stle
d in
to th
e ed
ges
of th
e rid
ges,
whi
ch d
iffer
from
the
char
acte
ristic
whi
te p
aint
ed
cotta
ges,
bei
ng g
rey
ston
e.
The
settl
emen
t of C
rinan
is a
gain
refle
ctin
g th
e w
hite
pa
inte
d tra
dem
ark
cotta
ges
and
also
has
sm
all b
oat
yard
s an
d as
soci
ated
bui
ldin
gs.
The
mos
t sig
nific
ant f
eatu
res
are
the
cost
al e
dge
and
inte
rtida
l are
a w
ith it
s ex
pans
e of
ligh
t san
d, a
nd th
e flo
ral d
iver
sity
of t
he s
altm
arsh
and
iris
bed
s, a
ll of
whi
ch
are
agai
nst a
bac
kdro
p of
the
tow
erin
g rid
ges.
The
scal
e is
sm
all t
o m
ediu
m, w
ith th
e en
clos
ed fe
elin
g of
the
bay
lead
ing
to w
ider
vie
ws
acro
ss th
e m
oss
or o
ut
to th
e op
en s
ea.
The
bay
area
is s
eclu
ded
and
shel
tere
d an
d ve
ry v
arie
d in
its
feat
ures
. T
he in
fluen
ce o
f set
tlem
ent o
n th
e sc
ene
is im
porta
nt, w
ith th
e bo
atin
g ac
tivity
in C
rinan
villa
ge,
and
the
hidd
en h
amle
t of g
rey
cotta
ges
on th
e op
posi
te
shor
e.
Col
our i
s al
so a
n im
porta
nt a
spec
t of t
his
area
, w
ith th
e br
ight
ness
of t
he in
terti
dal s
and,
gre
y ro
cky
coas
t lin
e, w
hite
cot
tage
s of
Crin
an a
nd s
plas
hes
of
brig
ht c
olou
rs fr
om th
e ye
llow
flag
iris
and
cer
ise
ragg
ed
robi
n flo
wer
s w
ithin
the
iris
beds
. In
the
dist
ance
the
dark
ridg
es ta
ke o
n di
ffere
nt h
ues
depe
ndin
g on
the
wea
ther
con
ditio
ns.
With
the
rang
e of
feat
ures
als
o co
mes
a v
arie
ty o
f tex
ture
s, fr
om th
e sm
ooth
sea
wat
er
and
inte
rtida
l san
d, to
the
rock
y ar
eas
of th
e co
ast,
and
sway
ing
gras
slan
d an
d iri
s be
ds.
Line
and
form
is a
lso
varie
d, b
ut d
omin
ant h
oriz
onta
l lin
es o
f the
wat
er s
urfa
ce a
nd th
e un
dula
ting
ridge
tops
of
the
para
llel r
idge
s ag
ains
t the
sky
rem
ain
prom
inen
t. M
ovem
ent a
nd s
ound
are
influ
entia
l in
the
scen
e, w
ith
the
activ
ity a
roun
d C
rinan
and
lazy
feel
to th
e gr
ey
cotta
ge h
amle
t, th
e ca
lls o
f the
wad
ers
feed
ing
in th
e in
terti
dal a
nd th
e m
ovem
ent o
f the
iris
bed
s in
the
bree
ze.
The
Crin
an B
ay a
reas
has
lots
to s
ee a
nd e
xplo
re.
D
ista
nt v
iew
s ou
t to
sea
or o
ver t
he m
oss
can
be
enjo
yed
from
a s
afe
and
rela
van
tage
poi
nt w
ithin
th
is h
idde
n an
d se
clud
ed a
rea.
It
feel
s la
zy a
nd h
appy
.
Tim
e dr
ifts
by a
s pe
ople
tink
er w
ith th
e bo
ats
or fi
sh fr
om
a ro
ck a
t the
edg
e of
the
grey
cot
tage
ham
let.
Ther
e is
con
side
rabl
e in
tere
st in
the
deta
il of
the
bird
s fe
edin
g, th
e co
lour
ful f
lora
l div
ersi
ty o
f the
sal
t mar
sh
and
iris
beds
, and
the
rock
y ed
ges.
A
ttent
ion
is d
raw
n to
the
diffe
rent
cha
ract
eris
tics
of th
e in
ner a
nd o
uter
bay
s, w
hich
are
con
stan
tly c
hang
ing
as
the
tide
cree
ps in
and
out
, and
the
view
er h
as m
uch
to
occu
py th
e ey
e as
the
area
is s
cann
ed.
Vie
ws
out t
o th
e op
en s
ea d
o no
t fee
l exh
ilara
ting
or e
xpan
sive
be
caus
e th
ey a
re ta
ken
from
the
shel
ter o
f the
bay
. Th
e vi
ew h
as a
real
sea
side
am
bien
ce.
It is
slo
w-
mov
ing
and
drea
my,
pea
cefu
l, id
yllic
and
rela
.
126
10. K
napd
ale
NSA
– D
un A
dd
View
take
n fr
om th
e to
p an
d is
a d
escr
iptio
n of
the
view
in a
ll di
rect
ions
. O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
The
land
for i
s th
e fla
t mos
s ar
ea o
f Mòi
ne M
hór,
fring
ed
by th
e st
eep
para
llel r
idge
s.
Occ
asio
nal o
utcr
ops
of
volc
anic
plu
gs a
re s
een
acro
ss th
e m
oss,
and
the
sinu
ous
Riv
er A
dd w
indi
ng it
s w
ay a
cros
s th
e m
oss
is
clea
rly s
een.
La
nd c
over
is th
e gr
ass
moo
rland
of M
òine
Mhó
r, w
ith it
s pa
tche
s of
hea
ther
and
clu
mps
of b
road
leav
ed tr
ees.
A
reas
of t
he m
oss
rise
to s
emi-i
mpr
oved
pas
ture
land
.
The
river
mea
nder
is li
ned
by ri
paria
n tre
es, a
nd fr
om
the
heig
ht o
f Dun
Add
the
path
of t
he o
ld ri
ver,
prio
r to
an a
ltera
tion
in it
s co
urse
, can
cle
arly
be
seen
in th
e ch
ange
in v
eget
atio
n.
The
maj
ority
of t
he v
iew
is o
f the
Nat
iona
l Nat
ure
Res
erve
of M
òine
Mhó
r, w
ith a
dditi
onal
land
use
d in
the
plan
tatio
n w
oodl
and
on th
e rid
ges
and
scat
terin
g of
sm
all f
arm
stea
ds a
cros
s th
e m
oss.
P
rom
inen
t fea
ture
s ar
e th
e si
nuou
s lin
e of
the
river
and
th
e cl
umps
of w
oodl
and
acro
ss th
e ot
herw
ise
flat
expa
nse
of th
e m
oss.
Th
e pa
ralle
l rid
ges
rise
up
arou
nd th
e ba
sin
side
s of
the
mos
s an
d pu
sh in
to th
e sk
ylin
e.
The
view
is la
rge
scal
e an
d ve
ry o
pen.
It
is
hom
ogen
ous
othe
r tha
n th
e va
riety
add
ed b
y th
e w
oodl
and
clum
ps a
nd th
e lin
e of
the
river
. C
olou
r is
esse
ntia
lly a
com
bina
tion
of g
reen
s an
d br
owns
. S
hade
s va
ry fr
om th
e lig
hter
mos
s ar
ea to
the
dark
par
alle
l rid
ges.
Th
e di
stan
ce o
f the
vie
ws
and
heig
ht g
iven
by
Dun
Add
sm
ooth
es o
ut w
hat w
ould
be
a m
ore
text
ured
vie
w w
hen
take
n fro
m th
e m
oss
leve
l w
here
det
ail c
ould
be
bette
r app
reci
ated
. Th
e ed
ge o
f the
mos
s ag
ains
t the
ridg
es, a
nd th
e m
oss
surfa
ce is
the
dom
inat
ing
horiz
onta
l lin
e, w
ith th
e sk
ylin
e at
the
tops
of t
he ri
dges
and
the
mea
nder
of t
he ri
ver
bein
g se
cond
ary
form
s th
at a
ttrac
t the
eye
. S
ound
s ar
e au
dibl
e a
cons
ider
able
dis
tanc
e fro
m th
eir
sour
ce b
ecau
se o
f the
hei
ght o
f the
vie
wpo
int.
The
ex
perie
nce
is th
eref
ore
influ
ence
d by
a fr
eque
nt tr
affic
hu
m.
The
shee
r vol
cani
c pl
ug o
f Dun
Add
is a
n ic
onic
vi
ewpo
int f
rom
whi
ch th
e bo
unda
ry o
f the
nor
ther
n se
ctio
n of
the
NS
A m
ay w
ell h
ave
been
def
ined
. T
wo
prom
inen
t pea
ks; C
noc
na h
-Eild
e an
d C
reag
an B
raed
ar
e im
porta
nt d
ista
nt h
ills
in th
e sc
ene.
Th
e in
clus
ion
of
the
‘Brid
gend
Bum
p’ w
ithin
the
NSA
is a
lso
expl
aine
d fro
m th
is v
iew
, as
its ri
dge
back
drop
com
plet
es th
e 36
0 de
gree
vie
w o
f the
par
alle
l rid
ge li
ned
basi
n.
This
is a
n in
spiri
ng a
nd m
emor
able
vie
w. I
t is
impr
essi
ve
and
refre
shin
g.
From
this
vie
wpo
int t
he s
cene
take
s th
e ey
e ac
ross
the
flat m
oss
and
right
out
to th
e op
en s
ea.
Th
ere
is c
onsi
dera
ble
dram
a in
the
imm
edia
te
shee
rnes
s of
Dun
Add
, the
fann
ing
out o
f spa
ce a
cros
s th
e fla
t mos
s an
d th
e en
caps
ulat
ion
of th
e rin
g of
par
alle
l rid
ges
arou
nd th
e en
tire
basi
n.
Ther
e is
sig
nific
ant e
xhila
ratio
n as
a re
sult
of th
e im
pres
sion
of h
eigh
t at t
he to
p of
Dun
Add
and
ther
e is
a
feel
ing
of d
izzi
ness
as
a re
sult
of th
e co
mbi
natio
n of
this
he
ight
and
the
spac
ious
360
deg
ree
view
. Th
e hi
stor
ic re
leva
nce
of th
is p
lace
, bei
ng th
e si
te w
here
th
e K
ings
of S
cotla
nd w
ere
once
cro
wne
d, is
a p
ower
ful
influ
ence
on
the
emot
iona
l res
pons
e to
the
scen
e.
It is
in
spiri
ng a
nd c
onte
mpl
atin
g.
The
view
er c
anno
t hel
p bu
t im
agin
e th
is s
ame
view
mor
e th
an a
thou
sand
yea
rs
past
. F
or s
ome
it is
like
ly to
be
spin
e tin
glin
g.
For
othe
rs it
will
be
at le
ast e
xhila
ratin
g.
127
11. K
napd
ale
NSA
– L
och
Cao
lispo
rt c
oast
line
at th
e so
uthe
rn e
nd o
f the
NSA
bou
ndar
y O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
The
mai
n la
nd fo
rm w
ithin
the
view
is lo
ng p
aral
lel r
idge
s in
the
far d
ista
nce
acro
ss th
e lo
ch a
nd p
aral
lel t
o th
e sh
ore,
whi
ch a
re ru
gged
and
und
ulat
ing
and
slo
pe
gent
ly d
own
tow
ards
the
sea.
Th
e fla
t sea
loch
with
its
occa
sion
al lo
w a
nd fl
at is
land
s w
iden
s ou
t to
the
open
se
a an
d ha
s a
rock
y sh
orel
ine
with
occ
asio
nal s
andy
be
ache
s.
Land
cov
er c
onsi
sts
of th
e ro
cky
heat
her r
idge
s w
ith
broa
dlea
ved
woo
dlan
d on
the
stee
per s
lope
s an
d gr
ass
moo
rland
with
hea
ther
and
bra
cken
on
the
low
er s
lope
s an
d so
me
encl
osed
pas
ture
. S
andy
sho
res
inte
r di
sper
se th
e ro
cky
shor
elin
e of
the
sea
loch
. P
rimar
y la
nd u
ses
are
coni
fer p
lant
atio
n, e
stat
e la
nd,
past
oral
agr
icul
ture
with
som
e sm
all s
cale
sai
ling
and
tour
ism
aro
und
the
loch
. C
otta
ges
and
som
e la
rger
hou
ses
incl
udin
g a
coup
le o
f tra
ditio
nal e
stat
e ho
uses
are
loca
ted
in s
helte
red
bays
an
d in
lets
alo
ng th
e lo
ch s
hore
. S
ettle
men
t app
ears
to
be a
bsen
t for
m th
e hi
gher
slo
pes.
Im
med
iate
feat
ures
are
the
woo
dlan
d co
ntra
stin
g w
ith
bare
rock
and
aga
in w
ith g
razi
ng la
nd.
Bec
ause
of t
he
angl
e of
the
view
, the
edg
es o
f par
alle
l rid
ges
are
seen
in
an
inte
rlock
ing
sequ
ence
, with
the
mor
e di
stan
t ap
pear
ing
a ha
zy b
lue
whi
lst t
he n
eare
r rid
ges
are
a st
rong
dar
k gr
een.
Th
e va
riety
in th
e rid
ges
is q
uite
ap
pare
nt a
t thi
s vi
ewpo
int w
ith la
zy u
ndul
atin
g rid
ges,
in
cise
d, c
renu
late
d an
d co
mpr
esse
d rid
ges
and
final
ly
rock
y w
oode
d rid
ges.
Th
e bo
lder
and
rock
y sh
ore
with
its
shor
elin
e bi
rds
pred
omin
ates
the
fore
grou
nd a
nd th
e ca
lls o
f the
wad
ers
is a
sig
nific
ant c
ontri
butio
n to
the
scen
e, p
artic
ular
ly
give
n th
e ab
senc
e of
any
oth
er o
bvio
us n
oise
.
The
scal
e of
the
view
is la
rge
with
and
ope
n an
d ex
pose
d vi
ews
out t
o th
e so
uth
as th
e lo
ch e
xpan
ds o
ut
into
the
sea,
and
an
incr
easi
ngly
she
ltere
d vi
ew a
s th
e lo
ch ta
pers
inla
nd to
the
north
. T
here
is a
lso
a m
ore
intim
ate
scal
e al
ong
the
loch
road
, whi
ch is
muc
h m
ore
encl
osed
by
trees
. Th
e la
ndsc
ape
is d
iver
se w
ith ri
dges
con
trast
ing
with
pa
stur
e la
nd, o
pen
wat
er a
nd s
hore
lines
. C
olou
r is
also
va
ried,
with
mut
ed re
ds, p
urpl
e an
d gr
eys
in th
e ba
re
rock
s an
d th
e ra
nge
of g
reen
s in
the
woo
dlan
d an
d gr
assl
and.
Th
e sh
orel
ine
adds
furth
er c
olou
r var
iety
w
ith li
ght s
ands
and
mul
ti-co
lour
ed b
ould
ers.
Th
e fla
t hor
izon
tal p
lane
of t
he s
ea lo
ch is
the
mos
t im
porta
nt li
ne w
ithin
the
view
, and
the
horiz
on li
ne
crea
ted
by th
e rid
ges,
whi
ch s
lope
dow
n to
plu
nge
into
th
e se
a is
als
o pr
omin
ent.
It is
felt
that
wea
ther
wou
ld a
lter t
he p
erce
ptio
n of
the
view
con
side
rabl
y, w
ith a
dver
se c
ondi
tions
like
ly to
brin
g m
uch
mor
e m
ovem
ent.
The
scen
e ev
okes
feel
ings
of c
omfo
rt, s
afet
y, tr
anqu
illity
an
d re
st.
Hum
an in
fluen
ce in
this
are
a is
min
imal
. It
is
a pl
ace
to s
tay
for a
whi
le a
nd e
njoy
its
peac
eful
ness
. It
is
a p
lace
to re
lax
and
gent
ly e
xplo
re.
Whi
lst t
he la
ndsc
ape
is c
ompl
ex it
is s
till h
arm
onio
us,
alth
ough
pla
ntat
ion
woo
dlan
d m
ay d
etra
ct fr
om th
e be
auty
of t
he s
cene
for s
ome.
Th
e fa
rmed
land
scap
e se
en w
hen
look
ing
inla
nd is
set
tling
and
reas
surin
g, a
nd
ther
e is
she
lter i
n th
e w
oodl
and
and
scru
b.
In c
ontra
st
the
view
s ou
t to
the
open
sea
, and
the
eerie
vie
w o
f the
is
land
s of
Jur
a an
d Is
lay
emer
ging
from
the
mis
t, ar
e m
ore
exci
ting
and
antic
ipat
ing.
Th
e ar
ea fe
els
bigg
er th
an it
act
ually
is b
ecau
se o
f the
lo
ng li
near
jour
neys
to th
e pe
nins
ular
end
s of
eac
h si
de
of th
e lo
ch, d
urin
g w
hich
ther
e is
som
e se
nse
of
expl
orat
ion,
not
kno
win
g w
hat i
s ar
ound
the
next
ben
d.
The
inte
rlock
ing
ridge
s ar
e m
yste
rious
and
cre
ate
an
impr
essi
on o
f hid
den
valle
ys y
et to
be
disc
over
ed.
128
12. K
napd
ale
NSA
– A
t the
hea
d of
Loc
h C
aolis
port
, clo
se to
Loc
head
Hou
se
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lTh
e la
nd ri
ses
from
the
flat s
altm
arsh
at t
he h
ead
of th
e lo
ch, t
owar
ds u
ndul
atin
g an
d ge
ntly
risi
ng e
nclo
sed
field
s, w
hich
reac
h th
e fo
ot o
f the
ste
ep s
lopi
ng p
aral
lel
ridge
s w
here
the
land
sud
denl
y ris
es in
to th
e w
oode
d rid
ges.
Th
e rid
ges
are
dom
inat
ed b
y br
oadl
eave
d w
oodl
and,
but
w
ith s
ome
coni
fero
us w
oodl
and
also
bei
ng p
rese
nt.
Th
e pa
stur
e la
nd b
elow
is ru
shy,
with
som
e fie
lds
clea
rly
in re
cess
ion.
E
nclo
sure
is b
y w
ay o
f hed
gero
ws,
whi
ch
have
bee
n ab
sent
from
all
othe
r vie
wpo
ints
und
erta
ken
with
in th
e N
SA
. H
edge
row
tree
s ar
e do
tted
alon
g th
e he
dgel
ines
and
sm
all c
opse
s ar
e in
terc
onne
cted
by
ripar
ian
tree
lines
follo
win
g st
ream
s he
adin
g to
war
ds th
e lo
ch.
Bra
mbl
e tu
mbl
es o
ut fr
om th
e fie
ld e
dges
alo
ng
the
road
mar
gins
, ind
icat
ive
of a
hig
her n
utrie
nt c
onte
nt
in th
ese
soils
. T
he la
nd d
ips
dow
n to
a s
altm
arsh
and
in
terti
dal s
andy
bea
ch, w
ith s
tream
line
s cu
tting
thro
ugh
the
mar
sh a
nd w
iden
ing
tow
ards
the
loch
. Th
e gr
assl
and
arou
nd th
is a
rea
is c
lear
ly m
ore
enric
hed,
bu
t som
e ar
eas
appe
ar to
be
in d
eclin
e w
ith in
crea
sed
rush
cov
er, s
ugge
stin
g a
redu
ctio
n in
gra
zing
and
rush
m
anag
emen
t.
Ther
e is
a c
ontin
ued
feel
of e
stat
e la
nd, w
ith th
e El
ary
Esta
te a
nd it
s as
soci
ated
ham
let,
and
Loch
ead
Hou
se
and
its a
ssoc
iate
d co
ttage
s co
mm
andi
ng v
iew
s do
wn
Loch
Cao
lispo
rt.
Furth
er o
ccas
iona
l cot
tage
s ar
e fo
und
alon
g th
e ro
adsi
de.
Loc
head
Hou
se is
impr
essi
ve w
ith
its d
ress
ed m
ason
ry a
nd s
late
roof
. Th
e va
riety
of b
road
leav
ed tr
ees
and
thei
r flo
w in
to th
e la
ndsc
ape,
follo
win
g m
eand
erin
g st
ream
sid
es d
own
tow
ards
the
loch
and
wra
ppin
g ar
ound
the
para
llel
ridge
s, is
a k
ey fe
atur
e w
ithin
the
view
. T
he c
ontra
st
betw
een
the
stee
p rid
ges
and
the
low
pas
ture
land
is
strik
ing
and
the
lines
of h
edge
s al
so m
ake
a di
stin
ctiv
e co
ntra
st to
the
natu
ral f
low
of t
he la
nd fo
rm to
war
ds th
e lo
ch.
Des
pite
the
grea
ter i
nten
sity
of a
gric
ultu
re in
the
area
, the
re is
stil
l a la
ck o
f mod
ern
infra
stru
ctur
e or
m
oder
n fa
rm b
uild
ings
, thu
s re
tain
ing
the
attra
ctiv
enes
s of
the
view
.
A s
mal
l to
med
ium
sca
le v
iew
, whi
ch is
she
ltere
d,
secl
uded
and
hid
den
whe
re th
e w
oodl
and
cops
es a
re
mor
e pr
eval
ent,
crea
ting
loca
lly in
timat
e ar
eas
amon
gst
the
mor
e op
en p
astu
res.
Th
e sc
ene
is th
eref
ore
varie
d in
feat
ures
, but
is v
ery
muc
h do
min
ated
by
shad
es o
f gr
een.
Th
e in
terti
dal b
each
are
a ac
ts a
s a
shar
p co
ntra
st in
col
our a
gain
st a
ver
dant
was
h ac
ross
the
land
scap
e.
Stro
ng li
nes
are
crea
ted
by th
e he
dges
that
cro
ss a
t rig
ht
angl
es th
e ge
nera
l loc
hwar
d flo
w o
f lin
es w
ithin
the
land
scap
e, b
y th
e tre
e lin
es fo
llow
ing
stre
ams
to th
e se
a lo
ch a
nd b
y th
e lin
e of
the
ridge
s ag
ains
t the
sky
. T
he
road
is s
inuo
us to
the
land
form
. Th
e sc
ene
is in
fluen
ced
by a
gric
ultu
ral s
ound
s an
d sm
ells
, and
bac
kgro
und
bird
song
. T
here
is a
mar
ked
redu
ctio
n in
flor
istic
div
ersi
ty in
com
paris
on to
oth
er
area
s of
the
NS
A.
The
area
is s
afe,
she
ltere
d an
d ha
rmon
ious
. It
is a
re
laxi
ng a
nd fa
milia
r lan
dsca
pe.
The
sen
se o
f se
ttlem
ent h
isto
ry is
sig
nific
ant,
alon
g w
ith th
e ev
iden
ce
of a
soc
ial h
iera
rchy
with
the
esta
te h
ouse
s an
d sm
all
cotta
ges
surro
undi
ng th
em.
Thi
s m
ore
rece
nt a
nd m
ore
gran
dios
e se
ttlem
ent h
isto
ry is
in c
ontra
st to
the
mor
e an
cien
t dun
s, s
tone
cro
sses
and
cha
pels
exp
erie
nced
el
sew
here
in th
e N
SA
. Th
e w
oodl
and
billo
ws
arou
nd th
e va
lley,
set
tled
into
the
topo
grap
hy w
here
it w
ould
be
expe
cted
to b
e.
The
graz
ing
cattl
e la
zily
mov
ing
arou
nd th
e ru
sh p
astu
res
is
a fa
mili
ar, s
oft,
tradi
tiona
l and
war
m s
cene
that
is ‘g
reen
an
d pl
easa
nt.’
Th
e pa
ralle
l rid
ges
rem
ain
a cr
itica
l fea
ture
, tak
ing
the
view
from
bei
ng a
typi
cal a
nd p
leas
ant l
owla
nd A
rgyl
l sc
ene
to th
at o
f som
ethi
ng v
ery
spec
ial.
129
13. K
napd
ale
NSA
– M
id p
oint
on
Loch
Cao
lispo
rt, a
djac
ent t
o ro
ckfa
ll w
oodl
and
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lO
n th
e w
este
rn s
ide
of L
och
Cao
lispo
rt th
e ro
ad w
inds
ha
rd a
gain
st th
e ed
ge o
f a s
teep
par
alle
l rid
ge.
The
m
ain
land
form
with
in th
is v
iew
is th
eref
ore
the
loch
edg
e an
d st
eep
para
llel r
idge
s, w
ith li
ttle
trans
ition
bet
wee
n.
Land
cov
er is
bro
adle
aved
woo
dlan
d, w
hich
is c
lingi
ng
to th
e st
eep
side
s of
the
ridge
, alo
ng w
ith th
e lo
ch it
self
and
its s
hore
line.
O
ccas
iona
l isl
ands
are
dot
ted
in th
e lo
ch.
The
far s
hore
has
vie
ws
of p
lant
atio
n w
oodl
and
on it
s rid
ges
abov
e an
d oc
casi
onal
mod
ern
bung
alow
s ar
e ne
stle
d in
to th
e si
de o
f the
ridg
e.
Sig
nific
ant w
ildlif
e fe
atur
es a
re th
e m
ix b
etw
een
the
woo
dlan
d bi
rds
occu
pyin
g th
e st
eep
slop
ed w
oodl
and
and
the
sea
bird
s of
the
loch
. T
he c
olou
rs o
f the
rock
s w
ithin
the
woo
dlan
d, th
e ve
geta
tion
they
sup
port
and
the
frequ
ent r
ock
slip
page
add
s lo
cal i
nter
est t
o th
e w
oodl
and.
Th
is s
ide
of th
e lo
ch d
oes
not o
ffer a
ny s
pace
bet
wee
n th
e lo
ch e
dge
and
the
para
llel r
idge
, with
the
road
cl
ingi
ng to
the
botto
m o
f the
ste
ep ro
ck s
ide
of th
e rid
ge.
Th
is is
in c
ontra
st to
the
far s
hore
, whi
ch h
as n
umer
ous
beac
hes
and
grad
ually
rise
s to
the
ridge
som
e di
stan
ce
away
from
the
shor
e.
The
scal
e is
med
ium
to la
rge
and
the
view
is v
ery
open
an
d pa
nora
mic
look
ing
over
the
loch
, whi
lst b
eing
ver
y en
clos
ed a
nd o
verp
ower
ing
whe
n vi
ewin
g th
e cl
ose
and
very
ste
ep s
lope
of t
he p
aral
lel r
idge
beh
ind
this
wes
tern
sh
ore
of L
och
Cao
lispo
rt, w
here
the
road
hug
s in
to th
e la
ndfo
rm.
The
crag
gy a
rea
of w
oodl
and
behi
nd th
e ro
ad a
dds
grea
t loc
al in
tere
st, w
ith s
ome
flora
l div
ersi
ty a
nd th
e fe
rns
and
mos
ses
that
trai
l fro
m th
e fa
llen
rock
s.
The
jagg
ed s
kylin
e to
the
oppo
site
sho
re is
cre
ated
by
the
plan
tatio
n w
oodl
and
on th
e fa
r rid
ges,
and
the
gold
en b
each
es o
n th
e fa
r sho
re s
tand
out
in c
ontra
st to
th
e da
rk g
reen
s of
the
plan
tatio
n.
The
ridge
s in
the
far
dist
ance
are
inte
rlock
ing,
cre
atin
g si
gnifi
cant
line
s in
the
land
scap
e, b
ut th
e ho
rizon
tal l
ine
of th
e lo
ch s
urfa
ce
rem
ains
the
mos
t pro
min
ent l
ine
in th
e vi
ew.
The
soun
d of
sea
bird
s in
the
dist
ance
, woo
dlan
d bi
rds
in th
e w
oodl
and
behi
nd a
nd th
e ge
ntle
app
reci
atio
n of
th
e sc
ene.
The
view
is in
fluen
ced
by th
e ad
ditio
n of
a m
ultit
ude
of
ridge
s w
here
as
man
y ot
her v
iew
s w
ithin
the
NS
A a
re
encl
osed
by
a si
ngle
ridg
e lin
e.
Th
e vi
ew o
f the
ope
n se
a is
from
a s
afe
and
reas
surin
g di
stan
ce, b
ut th
e fe
elin
g of
coa
st a
nd o
pen
sea
is s
till a
si
gnifi
cant
influ
ence
. T
he v
iew
of t
he fa
r par
alle
l rid
ges
fallin
g in
to th
e se
a as
a ‘d
row
ned
land
scap
e’ is
dra
mat
ic.
Th
e vi
ew o
f the
san
dy b
each
es o
n th
e fa
r sho
re is
in
vitin
g.
The
imm
edia
te b
road
leav
ed w
oodl
and
is lu
sh a
nd li
fting
, w
ith it
s br
ight
gre
ens
and
colo
urfu
l roc
ks.
The
re is
ho
wev
er a
n ob
viou
s hu
man
influ
ence
to th
e la
ndsc
ape,
w
ith e
stat
e m
anag
emen
t and
the
intro
duct
ion
of n
on-
nativ
e sp
ecie
s.
Rho
dode
ndro
n is
par
ticul
arly
pre
vale
nt.
Ther
e is
a s
light
‘pen
insu
lar’
feel
ing,
but
the
esta
te a
nd
anci
llary
hou
ses
and
tinke
ring
with
the
land
scap
e w
ith
non-
nativ
e tre
es a
nd s
hrub
s pr
even
ts a
ny re
al fe
elin
gs
of is
olat
ion,
rem
oten
ess
and
exhi
lara
tion.
130
14. K
napd
ale
NSA
– L
ocha
n B
uic,
with
in th
e pl
anta
tion
area
of t
he p
aral
lel r
idge
s O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
The
scen
e is
loca
ted
with
in a
nar
row
tren
ch, w
hich
is
fille
d by
a s
mal
l fre
shw
ater
loch
, giv
ing
the
trenc
h a
flat
base
. T
he s
cene
is im
med
iate
ly s
urro
unde
d an
d en
clos
ed b
y th
e cl
oses
t par
alle
l rid
ge o
n ea
ch s
ide.
Th
e to
pogr
aphy
of t
he ri
dges
is o
bscu
red
by th
e de
nse
plan
tatio
n w
oodl
and.
A
t the
loch
edg
e is
a v
arie
ty o
f aq
uatic
, em
erge
nt a
nd b
anks
ide
vege
tatio
n.
Whi
te
wat
er li
ly fl
oats
on
the
loch
wat
er, w
hich
is fr
inge
d by
co
mm
on re
ed.
Loc
ally
rock
y sh
ores
sup
port
heat
her,
bog
myr
tle a
nd b
ilber
ry, a
mon
gst h
azel
and
birc
h sa
plin
gs.
Aw
ay fr
om th
e ro
cks
soft
cush
ions
of
wat
erlo
gged
Sph
agnu
m m
osse
s ar
e fo
und
The
area
is in
the
hear
t of t
he F
ores
try C
omm
issi
on
plan
tatio
ns, a
nd in
form
al re
crea
tiona
l use
is e
ncou
rage
d.
Any
evi
denc
e of
his
toric
set
tlem
ent i
s ob
scur
ed b
y th
e th
ick
plan
tatio
n, o
r is
abse
nt.
The
pla
ntat
ions
cre
ate
a pr
ickl
y sk
ylin
e, w
hich
dom
inat
es th
e vi
ew w
hen
not
enga
ged
in th
e lo
cal d
etai
l of t
he in
timac
y of
the
loch
an
d its
flor
a.
Occ
asio
nal w
oodl
and
bird
song
is th
e on
ly
back
grou
nd s
ound
.
The
scal
e of
the
scen
e is
sm
all a
nd e
nclo
sed.
Th
e rid
ges
can
be in
timid
atin
g, b
ut th
e lo
ch e
dges
are
ver
y in
timat
e.
The
wid
er v
iew
of t
he p
lant
atio
n co
vere
d rid
ges
is h
omog
enou
s, b
ut th
ere
is a
div
ersi
ty o
f fea
ture
s at
the
loca
l loc
h le
vel,
parti
cula
rly in
the
loch
edg
e flo
ra.
C
olou
r is
also
con
trast
ed b
etw
een
the
dark
mon
ochr
ome
of th
e pl
anta
tion
and
the
inte
rest
of t
he lo
ch, w
ith it
s sm
ooth
sur
face
and
floa
ting
and
emer
gent
veg
etat
ion.
Th
e de
nsity
of t
he p
lant
atio
n re
mov
es a
ny s
ubtle
line
s in
th
e la
ndfo
rm, a
nd th
e w
avy
edge
to th
e lo
ch b
ecom
es
the
pred
omin
ant l
ine
in th
e sc
ene.
Th
e pr
onou
nced
ho
rizon
tal l
ine
of a
loch
sur
face
see
n w
ithin
the
NS
A o
n la
rger
, mor
e op
en lo
chs
is b
lurr
ed o
n th
is s
mal
l loc
han
by it
s em
erge
nt v
eget
atio
n, w
hich
giv
es a
ver
y di
ffere
nt
feel
to th
is s
mal
l, so
ft an
d in
timat
e lo
chan
. Th
e la
ck o
f sou
nd is
of c
onsi
dera
ble
influ
ence
to th
e sc
ene,
with
the
area
s aw
ay fr
om th
e im
med
iate
loch
be
ing
dead
cal
m a
nd s
ilent
. V
iew
ing
from
the
loch
edg
e ad
ds s
ome
wild
life
soun
ds a
nd s
mal
l mov
emen
ts in
the
loch
sur
face
. Th
e im
med
iate
con
trast
s ar
e be
twee
n th
e si
lent
den
sity
of
the
plan
tatio
ns a
nd th
e m
ovem
ent a
nd in
tere
st c
lose
to
the
loch
edg
e, p
artic
ular
ly th
e co
ntrib
utio
n of
the
flow
erin
g pl
ants
in th
e w
ater
and
am
ongs
t the
rock
s.
The
scen
e is
hid
den,
intim
ate,
tran
quil
and
rest
ful.
It
feel
s lik
e a
secr
et p
lace
, and
is re
war
ding
to th
e ey
e af
ter t
he w
alk
thro
ugh
the
mon
oton
ous
plan
tatio
n.
The
fragr
ance
of t
he p
ines
and
loch
-sid
e ve
geta
tion,
and
the
quie
t lap
ping
of t
he lo
ch w
ater
aw
aken
s ot
her s
ense
s to
ap
prec
iate
the
scen
e.
The
scen
e is
ver
y gr
een
and
varie
d.
The
natu
raln
ess
of
the
loch
con
trast
s w
ith th
e ‘m
an-m
ade’
feel
ing
of th
e pl
anta
tion
abov
e, w
hich
ser
ves
to h
eigh
ten
the
view
er’s
aw
aren
ess
and
appr
ecia
tion
of th
e lo
ch a
rea.
Ther
e is
a fe
elin
g of
wan
ting
to s
tay
by th
e lo
ch a
nd h
ide
rath
er th
an v
entu
re b
ack
into
the
coni
fer d
eser
t. T
he
plan
tatio
n ar
ea is
aus
tere
, den
se, d
ark
and
sile
nt.
It is
di
sorie
ntat
ing
and
intim
idat
ing.
In
con
trast
the
loch
are
a is
a h
idde
n oa
sis.
It
feel
s lik
e a
child
ren’
s la
ndsc
ape
and
is a
n ad
vent
ure
som
ewha
t aki
n to
an
over
grow
n ga
rden
. T
he lo
ch is
rem
inis
cent
of a
won
derfu
l gar
den
wild
life
pond
, and
the
view
is c
onst
antly
dra
wn
in to
ap
prec
iate
the
smal
ler s
cale
.
131
132
Knapdale National Scenic Area Cultural, Historical and Natural History Background Information
The name ‘Knapdale’ is thought to originate from the Gaelic words ‘Cnap’, meaning hill and ‘Dall’ meaning field, which describes the ridge and trench topography of the area, with many of the trenches between the steep ridges providing small pockets of pasture. Knapdale is rich in natural history and cultural heritage, both of which make a significant contribution to the landscape and what makes this National Scenic Area so very special. Moine Mhor Moine Mhor, locally known as the moss, is Gaelic for ‘Great Moss’ and is a relic landscape that has been forming and evolving for the last 5000 years, with the gradual build up of vegetation developing into peat. The acidic nature of the bog ensures that bacteria normally responsible for the deterioration of dead plant matter are largely absent, thus causing a build up of waterlogged material which eventually becomes peat. The accrual of peat continues and from its current depth of about 4m the bog is rising at a rate of approximately 1mm per year. The uniqueness of the moss is its coastal influence. Being next to the sea the moss grades from the intertidal to shoreline and then saltmarsh before the raised bog. The transition between saltmarsh and bog is botanically of great interest, as the habitat grades from sea water fed marsh to freshwater fed bog. Being one of the last remaining raised peat bogs in the United Kingdom, Moine Mhor was designated as a National Nature Reserve in 1987 and is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage. The waterlogged bog was once much more extensive but a significant amount of land has been improved and drained for agriculture and in the recent past, for grouse shooting. The remaining reserve is still very expansive and wildlife rich, supporting numerous species of dragonfly and butterfly and an array of plants including the insectivorous sundews. At least nine species of Sphagnum are recorded at the site, along with many other species of moss, all contributing to the raised bog system. Bird life includes hen harriers and curlews, along with a number of small songbirds such as whinchats and stonechats, warblers and pipits. Otters are also reported on the River Add, which winds its way through the moss. Atlantic Oakwoods Atlantic oakwood is a woodland type that is restricted to the Atlantic fringes of Europe because of its requirement for a damp humid climate with high rainfall. The Atlantic coast of Britain, Ireland, Spain and France have the largest stronghold of this habitat, which is a rare and important habitat listed within the European Habitats Directive. Consequently, much of the larger tracts of Atlantic oak woodland is designated as a European Special Area of Conservation (SAC). With 35 UK Biodiversity Action Plan Species also found in the Atlantic oakwoods this habitat type is of considerable nature conservation value nationally as well as within the wider European Union, and much of the oak woodland outside the SAC boundary is nationally protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) . The parallel ridges of Knapdale are clothed in Atlantic oak woodland wherever plantations are absent. The oak woodland was cleared to make way for commercial forestry and grazing land. Since the national and international importance of the oak woods for nature conservation has been recognised, this clearance now no longer occurs and the remaining native woodland is now appropriately managed and enhanced alongside the commercial stock.
133
Crinan Canal The canal was built to link the western coast and its associated islands with the Clyde Estuary, to remove the long journey, either by road or by sea, around the Kintyre Peninsula. Prior to railway travel the route through the Crinan Canal was the fastest mode of travel in the area. The early years of the canal were problematic, with completion behind schedule and over budget, locks not functioning properly and reservoirs collapsing. Sir John Rennie was originally responsible for the canal construction, but the problematic start led to Thomas Telford being brought in to rectify the initial problems, which led to some redesigning and reconstruction and further deepening of the canal in parts. Thomas Telford was also responsible for the piers at Tayvallich and Carisaig. Born in Dumfries-shire, Thomas Telford went on to be one of the greatest engineers of the 18th and 19th centuries, working across the British Isles on many major engineering works, and it was his reputation as an engineering expert that led to the request for him to come and rectify the malfunctioning Crinan Canal in the early 1800s. The canal is now a honey-pot area for boating tourism, with fishing, walking and cycling along the tow path. A number of B and B’s, tea shops and a small hotel have developed as a result of the tourism interest in this area. The Vital Spark is one of the most striking old boats moored at Crinan, which was used in the filming of the BBC dramatisation of the novel Para Handy by Neil Munro, who was a local novelist. Dun Add and other historic associations This rocky outcrop emerges from the flat Moine Mhor to a height of 175 metres. This small hill offers impressive views across the entire Moine Mhor area, and appears deceptively high against its flat surroundings. Dun Add is historically one of the most important sites in Scotland. It is thought that the Scots originated from Ireland, and that they reached Argyll from Ireland at around 500AD. It is from this settlement that the Kingdom of Dalriada is believe to have evolved. Dun Add was the place where the Kings of Dalriada were crowned. At the top of the outcrop is a carved footprint where it is thought that the kings would have placed their foot to receive their anointment. The most famous and last King of Dalriada, Kenneth MacAlpin, would also have been crowned on Dun Add around 800 AD’ He then went on to be Kenneth I, the first King of a unified Scotland after merging the Dalriada crown with that of the Picts. Considerable archaeological work has been undertaken on and around Dun Add, revealing in some detail the likely construction of the fortifications around the hill. The site is designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and is cared for by Historic Scotland. Celtic crosses, tiny chapels, including one within a cave, duns and standing stones are a constant reminder of times past throughout the Knapdale area. Kilmory Chapel on the edge of Loch Sween, is thought to be where the Knights Templar, as described by the book ‘The Temple and the Lodge’ lived, worshiped and died. Gravestones at the chapel may be those marking the graves of some Knights Templar. At the top of Loch Calisport is Saint Columba’s Cave. Saint Columba is thought to have used this cave as a safe sanctuary on his crusade from Ireland in the 6th Century. The Dalriada Project ‘Working for a sustainable future by reviving the spirit of the past’ is the vision for this project. With a partnership list that includes local councils, Forest Enterprise, Scottish Natural Heritage, nature conservation charities and the Tourist Board, along with local groups and businesses, this project is very important to the local area. The project has been set up to
134
protect and enhance the Dalriada area in terms of its landscape and archaeological, cultural and natural heritage, whilst promoting sustainable tourism and access for all to these precious assets. The project runs an annual festival, encouraging visitors into the area. The festival includes demonstrations about how people would have lived in Dalriada in the fortified Duns, and how they would have worked with the landscape to live, clothe and feed themselves. Linked to and supported by the Dalriada Project was a proposal to reintroduce the European Beaver into the Knapdale area. The Knapdale forests and lochs represent ideal habitat for this species, which has been absent from Scotland for over 400 years. Despite local support, and considerable progress made by Scottish Natural Heritage and Forest Enterprise, the project was not approved and has therefore not been pursued any further. The Dariada Project is also focusing on the rich archaeological heritage of the area, protecting and ensuring sustainable access to the many standing stones, Bronze Age cup-and-ring engravings, burial cairns and fortified Duns. The project is keen to provide imaginative interpretation for these ancient treasures, to ensure that visitors fully appreciate their relevance and contribution to the Knapdale area.
135
136
APPENDIX 4
FIELDWORK OUTPUTS THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
137
The
Tros
sach
s N
SA –
Vie
wsc
ape:
Sum
mit
of B
en V
enue
O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Exp
erie
nce
Pers
onal
Res
pons
es
Mod
est M
ount
ain
Sum
mit
or H
igh
Hill
sum
mit
in
cent
ral w
este
rn p
oint
of t
he N
SA
.
Rel
ativ
ely
pron
ounc
ed ‘p
eak’
to B
en V
enue
, co
nsis
ting
of th
e m
ost p
rom
inen
t ele
men
t of t
he
Tros
sach
’s to
pogr
aphy
at 7
29 m
etre
s. S
teep
er
uppe
r sec
tions
gra
dual
ly lo
se g
radi
ent w
ith d
ecen
t in
hei
ght.
Terr
ain
of th
e im
med
iate
vie
wpo
int i
s of
ste
ep
gras
sy s
lope
s pu
nctu
ated
regu
larly
by
rock
y ou
tcro
p a
nd e
xpos
ed s
trata
, wel
l wor
n fo
otpa
ths
and
eros
ion
in e
nviro
ns o
f Trig
Poi
nt/C
airn
. C
ragg
y en
viro
nmen
t of i
mm
edia
te v
iew
poin
t ch
ange
s dr
amat
ical
ly a
cros
s th
e vi
ewsh
ed in
to th
e he
art o
f the
NS
A.
Gra
ss a
nd ro
cky
sum
mit,
th
roug
h m
ixed
hea
ther
and
gra
ss m
oorla
nd, a
reas
of
pea
t bog
/mos
s on
flat
ter s
ectio
ns a
nd a
n ab
rupt
tra
nsiti
on to
den
se c
onife
rous
pla
ntat
ion.
With
in
the
plan
tatio
n to
war
ds th
e en
viro
ns o
f Loc
h A
chra
y an
d Lo
ch K
atrin
e cl
ear f
elle
d ar
eas
of
low
er, l
ess
stee
p sl
opes
. B
eyon
d th
e pl
anta
tions
m
erge
with
the
deci
duou
s w
oodl
ands
of t
he L
och
basi
ns.
Ele
men
ts o
f the
vie
wsh
ed a
re v
ast a
nd e
xten
d ac
ross
the
wid
er N
SA
, its
fram
ing
to th
e w
est b
y th
e B
en L
edi m
assi
f, ac
ross
Loc
h A
chra
y an
d Lo
ch V
enac
har,
over
Duk
e’s
Driv
e P
lant
atio
ns to
M
ente
ith H
ills
and
beyo
nd.
Vie
wpo
int a
fford
s ex
tens
ive
vist
as a
cros
s Lo
ch K
atrin
e an
d its
is
land
s an
d w
oode
d in
lets
, to
sign
ifica
ntly
hig
her
and
exte
nsiv
e m
ount
ains
of t
he N
atio
nal P
ark
and
beyo
nd.
Hor
izon
s ar
e ge
nera
lly d
ista
nt.
Bur
ns a
nd li
vely
mou
ntai
n st
ream
s pu
nctu
ate
the
hills
ides
bef
ore
bein
g lo
st in
pla
ntat
ion
woo
ds.
A m
assi
ve p
anor
amic
vis
ta fr
om w
hich
del
inea
tion
of o
nly
the
NS
A is
arti
ficia
l to
the
appr
ecia
tion
of it
s qu
aliti
es.
Sca
le v
ast,
a se
nse
of e
xpos
ure
perv
ades
from
the
view
poin
t, al
thou
gh th
is is
so
on a
llevi
ated
a s
hort
dist
ance
from
the
sum
mit
itsel
f. V
ista
s ta
ke in
a v
ery
com
plex
as
wel
l as
mas
sive
inte
rpla
y of
land
-cov
er, t
erra
in
and
wat
er e
lem
ents
. O
pen
sum
mits
and
den
se p
lant
atio
n ju
xtap
ose
with
ope
n w
ater
loch
s an
d br
oad-
leav
ed c
onife
rous
woo
dlan
d.
Col
ours
in th
e la
ndsc
ape
are
gene
rally
mut
ed, a
lthou
gh th
e in
fluen
ce o
f ov
erca
st w
eath
er c
ondi
tions
may
be
in p
art r
espo
nsib
le a
t tim
e of
sur
vey.
Th
ere
is h
owev
er c
ontra
st in
tone
, with
the
loch
sur
face
s an
d co
nife
rous
pl
anta
tions
pre
sent
ing
dark
sol
id m
asse
s, w
hils
t the
ope
n m
oor a
nd b
road
-le
aved
woo
dlan
d of
fer a
mor
e te
xtur
ed a
ppea
ranc
e. P
atch
es o
f roc
ky o
utcr
op
and
the
mor
e di
stan
t vie
ws
of m
ount
ain
sugg
est a
rugg
ed a
ppea
ranc
e to
the
land
scap
e.
Vas
tnes
s of
the
sky
and
exte
nsiv
e tra
cts
of o
pen
wat
er p
rovi
de a
deg
ree
of
mov
emen
t in
the
land
scap
e, a
gain
hea
vily
dep
ende
nt o
n pr
evai
ling
wea
ther
co
nditi
ons.
Th
e vi
ewpo
int o
ffers
a v
ery
quie
t env
ironm
ent a
lthou
gh th
e w
ind
in th
e gr
asse
s an
d ro
cks
intro
duce
s a
very
nat
ural
sou
nd e
lem
ent.
On
asce
nt a
nd d
esce
nt,
nois
e fro
m m
ount
ain
stre
ams
and
casc
ades
is c
onst
ant o
utsi
de th
e pl
anta
tions
w
hich
flat
ten
mos
t sou
nd e
xcep
t bird
song
. W
hils
t the
pan
oram
a of
fere
d at
the
view
poin
t is
of a
full
3600
, the
eye
is d
raw
n no
t exc
lusi
vely
to th
e im
med
iate
NS
A ,
but t
o th
e no
rth a
nd w
est,
into
the
hear
t of
hig
hlan
d S
cotla
nd. C
onve
rsel
y, v
ista
s on
the
asce
nt to
the
view
poin
t are
of
ten
clos
ed in
or c
onst
rain
ed b
y pl
anta
tion
or re
lief o
f lan
dfor
m.
A m
ajor
ex
perie
nce
of th
e as
cent
of B
en V
enue
from
loch
Ach
ray
is th
e op
enin
g ou
t of
the
sudd
en v
ista
at r
idge
bet
wee
n th
e A
chra
y an
d K
atrin
e ba
sins
. Th
e vi
ews
affo
rd a
cle
ar a
ppre
ciat
ion
of th
e tra
nsiti
onal
land
scap
e of
the
Men
teith
Hill
s an
d Tr
ossa
chs
from
the
past
oral
low
land
s no
rth o
f Ste
rling
th
roug
h th
e C
alan
der a
rea
thro
ugh
the
chan
ging
relie
f and
wat
ersc
ape
of th
e N
SA
to th
e hi
ghla
nds
of L
LTN
P.
The
vist
a in
to th
e N
SA
from
Ben
Ven
ue p
rese
nts
a ve
ry c
ompl
ex p
atch
wor
k of
op
en m
oorla
nd a
nd ro
cky
outc
rop,
woo
dlan
d an
d w
ater
scap
e. H
ere
ther
e ar
e co
mpl
ex m
osai
c co
mbi
natio
ns o
f bro
adle
af w
oodl
ands
(in
mid
spr
ing)
, co
nife
rous
blo
cks
of p
lant
atio
n an
d sc
ared
are
as o
f rec
ently
felle
d pl
anta
tion.
The
vist
as fr
om B
en V
enue
offe
r an
insp
iring
and
exc
iting
gl
imps
e of
the
gran
deur
and
wild
ness
of t
rue
upla
nd S
cotla
nd.
It
draw
s th
e ey
e ou
t of a
nd a
way
from
the
NS
A it
self,
alth
ough
th
e de
tail
and
intri
cacy
of t
he la
ndsc
ape
clos
er to
han
d is
ne
verth
eles
s hi
ghly
attr
activ
e.
This
vie
w p
oint
is
the
site
of a
cle
ar s
tepp
ing
ston
e fro
m th
e fa
mili
ar a
nd s
afe
past
ure
and
settl
emen
t of t
he c
entra
l Sco
tland
be
lt, in
to th
e w
ild a
nd ru
gged
inte
rior.
Ele
men
ts o
f the
nor
ther
ly a
nd w
este
rly v
ista
s ar
e at
firs
t su
rpris
ing
and
then
exc
iting
and
cha
lleng
ing.
The
offe
r of r
eal
adve
ntur
e is
clo
se a
t han
d.
The
view
s of
fer g
reat
con
trast
bet
wee
n th
e in
timac
y of
the
Tros
sach
s N
SA
itse
lf an
d th
e w
ildne
ss b
eyon
d. T
oget
her t
hese
el
emen
ts m
ake
for a
trul
y cl
assi
c vi
ew.
But
the
rew
ard
of th
e vi
ews
com
es o
nly
afte
r rea
l effo
rt, a
nd th
e cl
imb
to th
e su
mm
it is
con
side
rabl
e if
not t
ruly
cha
lleng
ing
or
adve
ntur
ous.
Nev
erth
eles
s, th
e fir
st o
peni
ng o
ut o
f nor
th a
nd
wes
terly
vis
tas
is a
t onc
e su
rpris
ing,
exc
iting
and
trul
y gr
and.
Th
e ef
fort
requ
ired
serv
es to
am
plify
the
rew
ard
on c
ompl
etio
n.
Ben
Ven
ue fl
atte
rs to
dec
eive
, with
its
dist
inct
ive
alpi
ne p
rofil
e (fr
om th
e ea
st) s
ugge
stin
g gr
eate
r hei
ght a
nd c
halle
nge
than
it
real
ly p
rese
nts.
Fr
om th
e su
mm
it of
Ben
Ven
ue th
e N
SA
itse
lf is
ple
asin
g to
be
hold
, com
plex
in p
atte
rn a
nd te
xtur
e, w
ater
and
land
, but
re
pres
ents
a s
mal
l ele
men
t of a
ll on
vie
w.
It is
how
ever
a
dist
inct
ste
p ch
ange
bet
wee
n w
hat h
as b
een
befo
re a
nd w
hat
lies
ahea
d –
A g
atew
ay to
the
high
land
s, a
nd a
t the
sam
e tim
e a
safe
, man
agea
ble
sam
ple
of w
hat l
ies
befo
re a
mor
e de
term
ined
trav
elle
r. Th
e is
land
s an
d de
nsel
y w
oode
d in
lets
of e
aste
rn L
och
Kat
rine
offe
r bot
h in
tere
st a
nd s
oftn
ess
to th
e w
ilder
asp
ect o
f the
w
este
rn p
arts
of t
he N
SA
, with
hid
den
corn
ers
sugg
estin
g se
cret
pl
aces
and
she
lter f
rom
the
high
land
ele
men
ts.
138
The
Tros
sach
s N
SA –
Vie
wsc
ape:
Bla
ck W
ater
Mar
sh
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al E
xper
ienc
e Pe
rson
al R
espo
nses
Th
e pr
edom
inan
t fea
ture
with
in th
e B
lack
Wat
er M
arsh
are
a is
th
e im
med
iate
exp
anse
of f
lat m
arsh
land
. T
his
cent
ral l
ow ly
ing
flat m
arsh
is fr
amed
by
encr
oach
ing
plan
tatio
n w
oodl
and
on
high
er g
roun
d to
eac
h si
de.
Occ
asio
nal s
elf s
et b
irch
dots
the
fore
grou
nd.
The
tuss
ocky
gra
ssla
nd, r
ush
and
spha
gnum
mar
sh c
ontin
ues
for s
ome
dist
ance
, and
is e
vent
ually
met
by
dist
ant h
ills.
B
eing
at
suc
h a
dist
ance
, the
ir co
lour
s ar
e of
mur
ky p
urpl
e hu
es a
nd
are
frequ
ently
clo
uded
ove
r. Th
is m
arsh
land
has
an
isol
ated
farm
stea
d an
d op
en g
razi
ng.
It
is c
onsi
dera
bly
flatte
r tha
n th
e m
ajor
ity o
f the
Tro
ssac
hs N
SA
.
The
mar
shla
nd o
ffers
an
open
relie
f fro
m th
e ra
ther
enc
lose
d pl
anta
tion
woo
dlan
d th
at s
urro
unds
it.
To
trave
l fro
m a
dar
k an
d co
nfin
ed c
onife
rous
pla
ntat
ion
into
the
open
and
larg
e sc
ale
of
the
mar
shla
nd is
a c
ompl
ete
cont
rast
. Th
e vi
ew is
sim
pler
than
mos
t in
the
NS
A, w
ith a
sub
tle b
lend
of
gree
n an
d re
ds, w
ith th
e la
tter a
s a
resu
lt of
old
er ru
sh
vege
tatio
n an
d va
riatio
n in
the
spha
gnum
col
oura
tion.
C
ontra
st is
als
o ev
iden
t bet
wee
n th
e lo
ng v
iew
of t
he fl
at
fore
grou
nd a
nd th
e st
ark
chan
ge to
hig
her p
eaks
in th
e ve
ry fa
r di
stan
ce.
Wea
ther
is a
sig
nific
ant i
nflu
ence
, with
the
mar
shla
nd lo
okin
g bl
eak
and
mur
ky in
bad
wea
ther
, yet
rem
aini
ng c
alm
and
stil
l.
In fi
ne w
eath
er it
is im
agin
ed th
at th
e gr
eens
and
reds
will
be
an
attra
ctiv
e fe
atur
e, a
nd th
at b
ird a
nd in
sect
life
will
be
prev
alen
t, th
us a
ddin
g m
ovem
ent a
nd in
tere
st.
A re
fresh
ing
feel
ing
of o
penn
ess
afte
r the
enc
lose
d pl
anta
tion
is
imm
edia
tely
felt
whe
n th
e m
arsh
land
ope
ns u
p.
It is
a re
al
esca
pe fr
om th
e fo
rest
. Th
e is
olat
ion
of th
e m
arsh
land
, and
its
cont
rast
to it
s pl
anta
tion
surr
ound
ings
mak
e it
feel
like
a s
ecre
t val
ley,
tran
quil
and
undi
scov
ered
, des
pite
its
obvi
ous
use
as g
razi
ng la
nd.
The
wat
erlo
gged
nat
ure
of th
e m
arsh
pre
vent
s an
y ve
ntur
e fo
rwar
d, b
ut it
is a
ppre
ciat
ed fr
om it
s ed
ge.
The
view
is q
uite
diff
eren
t fro
m o
ther
s in
the
area
and
its
isol
ated
fa
rmst
ead
and
tradi
tiona
l gra
zing
man
agem
ent o
f the
mar
sh
give
s a
‘tim
e st
ood
still
’ fee
ling.
A
gric
ultu
ral i
nflu
ence
s ar
e ve
ry
few
in th
e Tr
ossa
chs
NS
A, a
nd th
e tra
ditio
nal a
nd e
xtre
mel
y lo
w
key
pres
ence
her
e do
es n
ot d
etra
ct fr
om th
e ov
eral
l fee
ling
of
natu
raln
ess
in th
e w
ider
are
a, y
et it
is in
kee
ping
that
this
uni
t is
on th
e ed
ge o
f the
eas
tern
NS
A b
ound
ary,
bey
ond
whi
ch g
razi
ng
land
is c
omm
onpl
ace.
Th
e ke
y qu
aliti
es o
f thi
s vi
ew a
re it
s se
crec
y, tr
anqu
illity
and
su
rpris
ing
diffe
renc
e fro
m th
e m
ajor
ity o
f the
NS
A, y
et th
e di
stan
t pe
aks
rem
ind
the
view
er o
f the
pre
senc
e of
the
mor
e ty
pica
l la
ndsc
ape.
139
The
Tros
sach
s N
SA –
Vie
wsc
ape:
Eas
t Sho
re, G
len
Fing
las
Res
ervo
ir O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Exp
erie
nce
Pers
onal
Res
pons
e A
vie
w o
f Loc
h, w
oodl
and
and
low
mou
ntai
n, h
igh
hills
. A
long
, sof
tly c
onve
x rid
gelin
e de
linea
tes
a so
lid, r
egul
ar a
spec
t hi
llsid
e ag
ains
t the
sky
. La
nd c
over
is a
ble
nd o
f for
estry
(on
the
low
er a
nd m
id s
lope
s),
cons
istin
g o
f con
ifero
us p
lant
atio
n, p
ocke
ts o
f dec
iduo
us
woo
dlan
d, p
artic
ular
ly b
y th
e lo
ch s
hore
, with
gra
ss a
nd ro
cky
outc
rops
pun
ctua
ting
othe
rwis
e re
gula
r ang
le o
f slo
pe to
dis
tinct
ho
rizon
.
Bol
d op
en h
oriz
on to
nor
th w
est,
beco
min
g en
croa
ched
by
tree
cove
r to
the
slig
htly
low
er s
outh
- wes
tern
ext
ent o
f vie
wsh
ed.
Upp
er e
xten
t of w
oodl
and
very
irre
gula
r and
‘nat
ural
ised
’. S
mal
l is
land
s of
gra
ssla
nd p
unct
uate
the
low
er m
ass
of tr
eesc
ape.
U
pper
slo
pes
pred
omin
antly
gra
ssla
nd w
ith m
ossy
trac
ts a
roun
d ro
cky
outc
rops
and
sm
all p
ocke
ts o
f scr
ee.
Sm
all w
oode
d is
land
in th
e re
serv
oir a
lmos
t im
poss
ible
to re
ad
agai
nst t
he b
ack-
drop
of w
oode
d sl
ope.
Cle
ar la
yere
d sp
lit o
f the
vie
wsh
ed. –
Wat
er, p
lant
atio
n, fe
ll, to
sk
y.
A s
impl
e ba
ndin
g, b
ut w
ith ir
regu
lar b
ound
arie
s / t
rans
ition
fro
m w
oodl
and
to o
pen
fell.
A
med
ium
to la
rge
scal
e la
ndsc
ape,
with
ext
ensi
ve v
iew
s no
rth,
but o
ut-w
ith th
e N
SA
. Th
e m
iddl
e di
stan
ce s
olid
hor
izon
pr
esen
ts a
ver
y so
lid a
nd a
brup
t blo
ck o
n m
ore
dist
ant v
iew
s.
The
wat
ersc
ape
of th
e fo
regr
ound
offe
rs a
n op
enne
ss to
an
othe
rwis
e en
clos
ed a
spec
t. T
he c
ompo
sitio
n of
the
view
sim
ple
(ban
ded)
. Te
xtur
e is
con
trast
ing
betw
een
the
loch
sur
face
- ev
er c
hang
ing,
th
e co
nife
rous
and
dec
iduo
us w
oodl
and
and
open
fell
and
rock
. Th
e un
iform
, dar
k gr
een
of th
e do
min
ant p
lant
atio
n w
oodl
and
cont
rast
s w
ith th
e so
fter a
nd fr
eshe
r gre
ens
of th
e br
oad-
leav
ed
trees
and
the
mor
e m
uted
gre
ens
and
brow
ns o
f the
ope
n gr
assl
and.
C
lear
line
s in
land
scap
e ar
e ev
iden
t at t
he w
ater
s ed
ge a
nd a
t th
e sk
ylin
e.
The
Gle
n di
d ha
ve a
pea
cefu
l atm
osph
ere,
but
the
nois
e of
w
ater
cour
ses
and
bird
song
avo
ided
sile
nce
or s
tilln
ess.
Th
e w
ider
uni
t as
a w
hole
, inc
lusi
ve o
f the
wes
tern
fells
ide
and
open
rock
and
gra
ss/h
eath
er s
umm
it w
as la
rge
in s
cale
, rou
nded
in
form
but
with
are
as o
f bro
ken
surfa
ce a
nd ro
cky
expo
sure
, w
ithou
t (ge
nera
lly) b
eing
pre
cipi
tous
. Lo
wer
and
mid
dle
fells
ides
di
spla
yed
a ge
nera
l uni
form
ity in
slo
pe a
ngle
A d
ram
atic
vis
ta a
fter t
he e
nclo
sure
of t
he w
oodl
ands
and
the
bottl
enec
k of
the
valle
y en
tranc
e fo
llow
ing
a st
eep
clim
b fro
m th
e ha
mle
t of B
rig’ O
’ Tur
k.
This
ope
ning
out
in re
lativ
ely
sudd
en a
nd d
ram
atic
way
, and
its
isol
atio
n fro
m th
e co
ncen
tratio
n of
loch
s, ro
ads
and
settl
emen
t in
the
Loch
s V
enec
har/K
atrin
e co
rrid
or a
fford
s th
e gl
en a
sen
se o
f se
crec
y an
d pe
acef
ulne
ss.
The
heav
y br
oad-
leav
ed, a
ncie
nt w
oodl
and
abov
e th
e va
lley
entra
nce
seem
s to
gua
rd th
e se
cret
gle
n.
The
open
ing
out o
f the
vis
ta d
raw
s th
e ey
e al
ong
the
linea
r re
serv
oir a
nd w
ater
scap
e to
the
open
and
dra
mat
ic fe
ll of
Mea
ll C
ala.
Th
e vi
ewsc
ape
offe
rs d
ram
a an
d st
reng
th w
ithou
t bei
ng
spec
tacu
lar o
r ove
rbea
ring.
It s
ugge
sts
wild
er th
ings
abo
ve a
nd
beyo
nd, b
ut a
fford
s no
tem
ptin
g gl
imps
e. T
he m
ass
of M
eall
Gai
nmhe
ich
/Ben
Ann
a pl
atea
u st
ands
as
a bu
ttres
s ag
ains
t w
hat g
reat
er th
ings
mig
ht li
e be
yond
. Th
e vi
ewsc
ape
offe
rs th
eref
ore
a re
al c
ontra
st b
etw
een
the
intim
acy
of th
e sh
orel
ine
woo
ds a
nd th
e op
enne
ss a
nd e
xpos
ure
of th
e fe
ll to
p an
d pl
atea
u ab
ove,
all
with
in a
rela
tive
com
pact
sp
atia
l uni
t. C
olou
r and
text
ure,
par
ticul
arly
of t
he n
ewly
em
ergi
ng b
road
leaf
fo
liage
sta
ndin
g in
com
forti
ng c
ontra
st to
the
slig
ht h
int o
f m
enac
e of
fere
d by
the
rock
y ex
posu
re o
f the
nei
ghbo
urin
g up
per
slop
es.
The
over
-rid
ing
char
acte
r of t
he g
len
is o
ne o
f sep
arat
ion
(but
no
t iso
latio
n) a
nd p
eace
fuln
ess.
140
The
Tros
sach
s N
SA –
Vie
wsc
ape:
Loc
h A
chra
y O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Exp
erie
nce
Pers
onal
Res
pons
es
Vie
ws
take
n fro
m v
ario
us v
iew
ing
poin
ts a
roun
d Lo
ch A
chra
y.
The
loch
itse
lf re
mai
ns th
e ce
ntra
l the
me.
Im
med
iate
vis
ual
boun
darie
s re
mai
n tig
ht a
roun
d th
e lo
ch b
asin
, whi
ch is
den
sely
ve
geta
ted
with
bro
adle
aved
woo
dlan
d on
the
low
er s
lope
s,
grad
ually
gra
ding
out
to c
onife
rous
pla
ntat
ions
abo
ve.
The
co
nife
rous
pla
ntat
ion
form
s th
e ho
rizon
line
in th
e m
ajor
ity o
f vi
ews,
thus
cre
atin
g a
saw
0too
thed
edg
e to
the
horiz
on.
Lo
ch s
hore
s gi
ve w
ay to
wet
woo
dlan
d of
will
ow a
nd a
lder
, lus
h w
ith m
oss
and
dens
e ru
shes
, whi
ch g
rade
s in
to th
e br
oadl
eave
d w
oodl
and
if th
e lo
wer
slo
pes,
whi
ch is
dom
inat
ed b
y bi
rch
but
has
sign
ifica
nt o
ak a
nd a
sh.
The
loch
is a
cces
sibl
e ar
ound
m
uch
of it
s ed
ge.
Occ
asio
nal l
ong
dist
ance
vie
ws
are
caug
ht in
som
e lo
catio
ns,
reve
alin
g ve
ry d
ista
nt m
ount
ains
. A
min
ority
of v
iew
s ar
ound
th
e lo
ch re
veal
the
odd
glim
pse
of th
e M
ente
ith H
ills
in th
e so
uth
east
. B
en V
enue
is lo
cate
d to
the
wes
t, an
d w
hen
in v
iew
bec
omes
a
prom
inen
t fea
ture
with
its
typi
cal u
plan
d fo
rm a
nd v
eget
atio
n in
clud
ing
bare
rock
, hea
ther
, bilb
erry
and
sca
ttere
d tre
es.
Rec
ent c
lear
-felli
ng o
f con
ifero
us tr
ees
has
left
star
k tre
eles
s pa
tche
s w
ith d
istu
rbed
gro
und.
Ti
gh-M
or is
a d
istin
ctiv
e bu
ildin
g w
ith a
form
al la
wne
d fro
ntag
e,
coni
cal t
ower
s an
d gr
ey s
tone
wal
ls.
A fu
rther
hot
el is
situ
ated
on
the
sout
h w
est s
hore
and
a s
mal
l hou
se is
tuck
ed in
to th
e lo
wer
slo
pes
of th
e lo
ch b
asin
. T
he h
isto
ric T
ross
achs
Chu
rch
blen
ds w
ell i
nto
the
loch
sid
e an
d is
gen
eral
ly o
nly
visi
ble
from
th
e so
uthe
rn s
hore
. Ja
pane
se k
notw
eed
is p
rese
nt a
long
the
Pas
s of
Tro
ssac
hs ro
ad
on th
e no
rther
n sh
ore
of th
e lo
ch, w
hich
sig
nific
antly
det
ract
s fro
m th
e w
oodl
and,
but
is c
urre
ntly
loca
lised
.
The
loch
rem
ains
the
dom
inan
t fea
ture
form
all
view
poin
ts, a
nd
the
eye
is a
lway
s dr
awn
back
to it
. T
he lo
ch b
asin
sid
es
prog
ress
in h
oriz
onta
l stri
pes
of b
road
leav
ed w
oodl
and,
mix
ed
woo
dlan
d an
d th
en c
onife
rous
woo
dlan
d at
the
high
er s
lope
s, a
ll ge
nera
lly a
t the
sm
all t
o m
ediu
m s
cale
. T
his
is th
en c
ontra
sted
w
ith th
e di
stan
t bar
e m
ount
ains
whe
n th
e ge
nera
lly c
onst
rain
ed
view
s en
able
a m
ore
dist
ant g
limps
e of
far a
way
mou
ntai
ns.
W
ith g
ener
ally
mor
e im
med
iate
vie
ws
dom
inat
ing
the
scen
e, th
e oc
casi
onal
dis
tant
hill
or m
ount
ain
is n
ot im
posi
ng a
nd th
eir s
ize
is n
ever
fully
app
reci
ated
, how
ever
vie
ws
of th
e di
stan
t hill
s do
im
prov
e if
a vi
ew is
take
n fro
m a
littl
e fu
rther
up
the
loch
bas
in.
Ben
Ven
ue is
in th
e m
iddl
e di
stan
ce w
hen
view
s ar
e ta
ken
to th
e w
est,
whi
ch is
a re
fresh
ing
cont
rast
to th
e ric
h gr
een
loch
slo
pes.
O
nly
whe
n as
sess
ing
the
scen
e in
this
dire
ctio
n is
the
eye
draw
n w
ith in
tere
st to
a g
reat
er d
ista
nce.
B
are
rock
s sp
lash
ed w
ith
bilb
erry
lead
you
thro
ugh
the
scen
e to
the
dist
ant s
umm
it.
The
land
scap
e st
ill re
mai
ns c
omfo
rtabl
e an
d B
en V
enue
doe
s no
t im
pose
but
offe
rs a
n un
thre
aten
ing
chal
leng
e.
Ther
e is
a d
iver
sity
of c
olou
r and
text
ure
in th
e lo
ch b
asin
, all
asso
ciat
ed w
ith th
e va
riety
of w
oodl
and
in a
rang
e of
gre
en
hues
. T
he lo
ch b
asin
app
ears
hor
izon
tally
laye
red
as a
resu
lt.
The
loch
itse
lf va
ries
sign
ifica
ntly
in v
aryi
ng w
eath
er, b
eing
in
cred
ibly
refle
ctiv
e of
the
scen
e ab
ove
it in
cal
m, b
ut lo
osin
g al
l su
ch m
irror
imag
es if
ther
e is
a s
light
cha
nge
tow
ards
mor
e un
settl
ed w
eath
er.
Circ
ling
gulls
ove
r the
loch
bre
ak th
e ot
herw
ise
quie
tnes
s, w
ith th
e ba
ckgr
ound
hum
of a
n oc
casi
onal
ve
hicl
e.
Ach
ray
Wat
er is
in n
otab
le c
ontra
st to
the
usua
lly c
alm
loch
, with
its
bub
blin
g rif
fles
and
wid
e sh
allo
w m
eand
er a
ttrac
ting
mor
e w
ildlif
e.
Woo
dlan
d bi
rdso
ng a
nd b
lueb
ell c
arpe
ts ta
ke y
ou b
ack
into
the
broa
d-le
aved
woo
dlan
d ar
eas,
whi
ch a
re m
uch
mor
e in
timat
e an
d se
clud
ed, w
ith d
appl
ed li
ght a
mon
gst t
he v
arie
ty o
f gre
en
shad
es a
nd m
ossy
mou
nds.
The
loch
bas
in is
idyl
lic a
nd re
laxi
ng.
Cha
nges
in li
ght a
nd
wea
ther
are
am
plifi
ed b
y th
e lo
ch, b
ut th
e sc
ene
cont
inue
s to
re
mai
n so
ft an
d un
impo
sing
. T
he s
cene
is w
arm
ed b
y th
e vi
vid
rang
e of
gre
en s
hade
s.
The
wet
woo
dlan
ds a
re a
coo
l and
intim
ate
expe
rienc
e w
here
a
feel
ing
of tr
anqu
ility
and
clo
sene
ss to
nat
ure
is a
ppre
ciat
ed.
Th
e w
oodl
and
is fu
ll of
bird
song
and
life
, yet
the
mor
e op
en lo
ch
basi
n is
dev
oid
of a
ny o
bvio
us w
ildlif
e ot
her t
han
circ
ling
gulls
.
Pas
ture
land
is li
mite
d to
a c
oupl
e of
loca
tions
onl
y an
d co
nseq
uent
ly a
gric
ultu
ral t
ies
to th
e la
ndsc
ape
are
lack
ing.
Lo
ch A
chra
y is
sof
t, ca
lm, w
elco
min
g an
d ve
ry a
cces
sibl
e.
Its
unim
posi
ng a
nd re
laxe
d be
auty
mak
es it
an
invi
ting
plac
e w
here
ho
urs
can
be id
led
away
. Ti
gh-M
or lo
oks
like
a fa
iryta
le c
astle
and
add
s so
me
ench
antm
ent a
nd in
trigu
e, a
long
with
the
hist
oric
al T
ross
achs
ch
urch
. M
irror
refle
ctio
ns o
f the
woo
ded
slop
es o
n th
e lo
ch s
urfa
ce a
dd
furth
er h
arm
ony
to w
hat i
s a
sim
ply
beau
tiful
sce
ne.
The
lack
of
dram
a in
the
view
scap
e do
es n
ot re
duce
its
spec
ial v
alue
. In
co
ntra
st, i
ts in
timac
y, s
ymm
etry
, cal
mne
ss, s
afet
y of
a p
eace
ful
cent
ral l
och
lifte
d by
vib
rant
col
oure
d bu
t gen
tle s
lope
s m
akes
Lo
ch A
chra
y a
plac
e of
rela
xed
and
sim
plis
tic b
eaut
y.
141
The
Tros
sach
s N
SA –
Vie
wsc
ape:
Loc
h D
runk
ie
Obj
ectiv
e A
naly
sis
Visu
al E
xper
ienc
e Pe
rson
al R
espo
nses
Lo
ch D
runk
ie is
cen
tral t
o th
e sc
ene
in it
s lo
catio
n w
ithin
the
view
, but
doe
s no
t in
any
way
dom
inat
e it.
Th
e lo
ch is
hig
hly
refle
ctiv
e an
d gl
ass
like,
pro
vidi
ng d
ark
and
rich
colo
urs.
S
tream
s ar
e ev
iden
t flo
win
g do
wn
the
hills
ides
tow
ards
the
loch
, an
d fe
n ar
eas
are
pres
ent i
n th
e lo
w-ly
ing
flats
that
mer
ge in
to
the
loch
edg
e.
An
inte
rlock
ing
netw
ork
of h
ills
slop
e fro
m e
ach
side
of t
he
scen
e, c
over
ed b
y th
ree
mai
n ve
geta
tion
type
s: p
lant
atio
n w
oodl
and,
ope
n tu
ssoc
ky g
rass
land
and
you
ng w
oodl
and
patc
hes
of b
irch
with
occ
asio
nal r
owan
. Th
e pl
anta
tion
woo
dlan
d co
mes
righ
t to
the
loch
edg
e in
som
e pl
aces
and
ther
e is
a g
reat
er v
arie
ty o
f spe
cies
pre
sent
her
e th
an in
oth
er a
reas
with
in th
e N
SA
, inc
ludi
ng s
itka
spru
ce,
Nor
way
spr
uce
and
larc
h, w
hich
giv
es a
wid
er d
iver
sity
of c
olou
r am
ongs
t the
pla
ntat
ion
bloc
ks.
Ope
n tu
ssoc
ky g
rass
land
incl
udes
are
as o
f bra
cken
and
als
o he
athe
r. Y
oung
sel
f set
birc
h ar
e do
tted
acro
ss th
ese
mor
e op
en a
reas
, whi
ch in
tim
e w
ill b
ecom
e m
ore
encl
osed
as
the
woo
dlan
d de
velo
ps.
Youn
g bi
rch
woo
dlan
d is
em
ergi
ng a
roun
d th
e ar
ea.
It is
felt
that
the
scen
e w
ill d
evel
op a
s th
ese
trees
mat
ure.
D
ista
nt h
ills
are
in th
e lo
ng v
iew
, and
are
dra
ped
in c
loud
.
Add
ition
al fe
atur
es a
re s
mal
ler i
n sc
ale;
old
sto
ne w
alls
topp
ed
with
pos
t and
wire
fenc
ing
and
a sm
all r
uine
d hu
t hin
t at p
ast
land
use
s.
The
sky
cont
ribut
es to
the
over
all s
cene
, add
ing
furth
er c
olou
r, pa
ttern
s an
d lig
ht, a
nd it
too
is re
flect
ed in
the
loch
wat
er.
It is
imag
ined
that
ther
e w
ould
be
grea
t div
ersi
ty in
the
scen
e be
twee
n se
ason
s, p
artic
ular
ly w
ith re
gard
to c
hang
ing
colo
urs.
One
of t
he k
ey fe
atur
es o
f thi
s vi
ewsh
ed is
the
inte
rlock
ing
and
laye
red
jigsa
w o
f slo
pes
from
the
fore
grou
nd ri
ght b
ack
to th
e di
stan
t hill
s, a
ll of
whi
ch p
roce
ed d
own
to th
e ce
ntra
l loc
h.
This
laye
ring,
alo
ng w
ith s
ubtle
line
ar fe
atur
es s
uch
as
tum
bled
own
ston
e w
alls
, offe
rs th
e ey
e a
rout
e th
roug
h th
e la
ndsc
ape,
from
the
fore
grou
nd o
f rou
gh g
rass
land
and
fen
and
loch
edg
e, to
the
inte
rmed
iate
var
ied
patc
hwor
k of
slo
pes,
and
th
en o
n to
war
ds th
e di
stan
t bar
e fe
lls.
The
loch
itse
lf ap
pear
s to
mea
nder
thro
ugh
the
land
scap
e to
war
ds a
van
ishi
ng p
oint
, alm
ost r
iver
-like
in fo
rm, a
nd fu
rther
pr
ovid
es a
rout
e in
to th
e sc
ene.
Lo
ch D
runk
ie is
cal
m, s
moo
th
and
high
ly re
flect
ive,
with
a m
irror
imag
e of
the
land
scap
e cl
early
se
en, w
hich
add
s em
phas
is to
the
vani
shin
g po
int w
ith th
e st
rong
ang
les
of th
e sl
opes
bei
ng re
pres
ente
d sy
mm
etric
ally
in
the
wat
er.
The
varie
ty a
nd in
tens
ity o
f col
our m
akes
an
impo
rtant
co
ntrib
utio
n, w
ith th
e br
acke
n lit
ter b
eing
a d
istin
ctiv
e or
ange
, th
e va
riety
of c
onife
rous
spe
cies
offe
ring
a ra
nge
of d
ark
gree
ns
and
the
youn
g bi
rch
sapl
ings
add
ing
a br
ight
gre
en fr
eshn
ess.
Th
ese
colo
urs
are
vivi
dly
refle
cted
in th
e lo
ch s
urfa
ce.
The
com
plex
ity o
f col
our,
lines
and
text
ure
is w
arm
and
en
cour
agin
g, a
nd th
is c
ombi
ned
with
the
visu
al jo
urne
y in
to th
e la
ndsc
ape,
whi
ch b
ecko
ns th
e vi
ewer
furth
er a
nd te
mpt
s ex
plor
atio
n be
yond
that
whi
ch is
cur
rent
ly s
een.
Th
ere
is a
real
fe
elin
g of
intri
gue
abou
t whe
re th
e la
ndsc
ape
will
lead
. Th
e ey
e is
lead
aro
und
and
thro
ugh
the
entir
e vi
ew b
y its
co
mpo
sitio
n; fr
om th
e fo
regr
ound
righ
t tow
ards
the
far d
ista
nce,
an
d im
porta
ntly
the
eye
is a
lso
brou
ght b
ack
into
the
near
er
grou
nd, a
nd a
roun
d its
com
plex
ity o
f fea
ture
s.
Not
all
feat
ures
ar
e se
en o
n th
e fir
st g
limps
e, a
nd a
s th
e ey
e tra
vels
aro
und,
new
fe
atur
es a
re s
een.
In
this
sen
se it
is fe
lt th
at th
e vi
ew c
onfo
rms
to a
ll th
e ba
sic
rule
s of
a la
ndsc
ape
pain
ting.
The
land
scap
e sh
apes
and
form
are
in c
ompl
ete
harm
ony,
with
th
e lo
ch b
eing
per
fect
ly fr
amed
by
a co
mpl
exity
of s
lope
s an
d co
nsid
erab
le c
olou
r.
The
scen
e is
trul
y ba
lanc
ed b
y th
e lo
ch re
flect
ion
of th
e la
ndsc
ape
abov
e.
The
view
feel
s ca
lm, p
erfe
ct, p
eace
ful,
gent
le
and
intim
ate
whi
lst a
lso
bein
g ex
citin
g an
d in
vitin
g.
Hum
an in
fluen
ce o
n th
e la
ndsc
ape,
in te
rms
of th
e lo
ch b
eing
a
rese
rvoi
r, an
d th
e hi
nts
of p
revi
ous
land
use
s w
ith w
alls
, fen
cing
an
d a
tum
bled
own
hut,
does
not
det
ract
from
the
attra
ctiv
enes
s of
the
view
, nor
doe
s it
imm
edia
tely
influ
ence
the
view
er’s
feel
ing
of n
atur
e.
The
mea
nder
ing
loch
and
rout
es o
ut o
f vie
w, t
rave
lling
beh
ind
the
laye
rs o
f slo
pes,
dra
ws
the
view
er fo
rwar
d w
ith s
ome
intri
gue
and
mys
tery
and
the
glas
s lik
e re
flect
ion
hide
s w
hat m
ay b
e be
neat
h th
e lo
ch s
urfa
ce.
The
varie
ty o
f col
our a
dds
muc
h of
the
inte
rest
and
the
sky
is
influ
entia
l bot
h as
a fe
atur
e to
whi
ch th
e sc
ene
allo
ws
the
eye
to
be d
raw
n on
its
jour
ney,
and
als
o in
its
role
of c
hang
ing
light
, w
hich
offe
rs d
ram
atic
col
our c
hang
es a
nd fu
rther
inte
rest
.
Col
ours
are
com
plem
enta
ry a
nd b
lend
per
fect
ly.
The
calm
ness
of t
he s
cene
is a
n im
porta
nt fe
atur
e, a
nd it
evo
kes
a fe
elin
g of
com
plet
e de
tach
men
t fro
m a
bus
y w
orld
. A
ser
ene
oasi
s.
Cap
tivat
ing
and
cont
empl
atin
g.
A s
peci
al p
lace
. S
ound
is im
porta
nt in
its
cont
ribut
ion
to th
e fe
elin
gs o
f ser
enity
, es
peci
ally
the
soun
d of
bird
song
and
runn
ing
wat
er.
Ther
e is
a fe
elin
g of
the
fulln
ess
of li
fe, w
ith w
ildlif
e be
ing
evid
ent
and
addi
ng m
ovem
ent.
Jay
s da
rt in
to th
e pl
anta
tions
to fe
ed,
and
a lo
ne fl
y fis
herm
an p
ulls
the
occa
sion
al fi
sh fr
om th
e w
ater
.
The
odd
wal
ker o
r car
trav
ellin
g to
uris
t dis
appe
ars
into
the
dist
ance
aro
und
a be
nd.
Cha
nges
in li
ght c
an ra
pidl
y al
ter t
he
rang
e of
col
ours
on
the
hills
. Y
et d
espi
te th
is m
ovem
ent t
ime
feel
s as
if it
is s
tand
ing
still
. Th
e es
senc
e of
the
scen
e at
Loc
h D
runk
ie is
its
pict
ure
perfe
ct
com
posi
tion
of a
mea
nder
ing
loch
fram
ed b
y a
patc
hwor
k of
sl
opes
, it’s
wel
com
ing
intri
gue,
its
colo
ur a
nd re
flect
ions
, ha
rmon
y an
d m
edita
tive
qual
ities
.
142
The
Tros
sach
s N
SA –
Vie
wsc
ape:
Loc
h K
atrin
e O
bjec
tive
Ana
lysi
s Vi
sual
Exp
erie
nce
Pers
onal
Res
pons
es
The
Loch
is a
dom
inat
ing
feat
ure
of th
e sc
ene,
clo
sely
follo
wed
by
the
peak
s of
the
loch
’s w
este
rn b
ackd
rop.
Its
’ lar
ge e
xpan
se
and
cont
inua
tion
cons
ider
ably
out
of t
he N
SA
bou
ndar
y m
eans
th
at v
iew
s fro
m a
roun
d th
e sh
ore
only
take
in s
mal
l par
ts o
f the
lo
ch.
Vie
ws
from
the
sout
hern
end
of t
he lo
ch c
lose
to th
e pi
er in
clud
e a
num
ber o
f sm
all w
oode
d is
land
s, w
hich
obs
cure
a lo
ng
dist
ance
vie
w.
Vie
ws
take
n fro
m th
e ea
ster
n sh
ore
are
muc
h m
ore
pano
ram
ic, w
ith th
e w
este
rn s
hore
in th
e im
med
iate
di
stan
ce b
ut w
ith m
uch
long
er v
iew
s to
eac
h si
de, p
anni
ng u
p th
e le
ngth
of t
he w
ater
-bod
y, a
lthou
gh th
e en
ds o
f the
loch
are
st
ill n
ot v
isib
le.
The
view
ove
r to
the
wes
t is
mou
ntai
nous
, with
bar
e ro
ck,
brac
ken
and
heat
her.
Im
med
iate
hill
s ar
e ba
cked
by
hint
s of
a
grea
ter e
xpan
se o
f mou
ntai
ns in
the
far d
ista
nce,
and
Ben
V
enue
is v
isib
le.
A v
ery
smal
l am
ount
of p
lant
atio
n an
d br
oad-
leav
ed w
oodl
and
is a
ppar
ent o
n th
e lo
wer
slo
pes.
P
rom
onto
ries
of s
hort
rabb
it gr
azed
gra
ssla
nd o
ccas
iona
lly
proj
ect f
rom
the
shor
e, w
ith ro
cky
outc
rops
and
hea
ther
frin
ges.
Th
ese
are
easi
ly a
cces
sibl
e an
d m
ake
exce
llent
vie
wpo
ints
. Th
e ea
ster
n sh
ore
is h
eavi
ly w
oode
d, p
redo
min
antly
birc
h an
d oa
k, w
ith w
illow
s in
crea
sing
clo
se to
the
loch
edg
e.
Typi
cal
woo
dlan
d gr
ound
flor
a an
d co
nsid
erab
le b
ryop
hyte
car
pets
are
pr
esen
t. B
oth
falle
n de
adw
ood
and
live
trees
are
cov
ered
in
liche
n.
The
pier
are
a pr
ovid
es to
uris
t fac
ilitie
s.
Th lo
ch’s
exp
anse
giv
es is
a re
al p
rom
inen
ce in
the
scen
e, a
nd
its c
hopp
y m
ovin
g w
ater
s an
d la
ppin
g w
aves
gen
erat
e a
feel
ing
of b
eing
nex
t to
the
sea.
Th
e lo
ch s
urfa
ce g
ives
a s
trong
ho
rizon
tal l
ine
in th
e la
ndsc
ape.
Lo
ch K
atrin
e is
in c
ontra
st to
the
othe
r tw
o lo
chs
with
in th
e N
SA
; th
e sm
alle
r Loc
h A
chra
y an
d Lo
ch D
runk
ie, i
n th
at it
’s g
reat
er
size
allo
ws
for m
ore
mov
emen
t. T
his
disp
lace
s th
e fo
cus
from
gl
ass
like
refle
ctio
ns to
a g
reat
er in
fluen
ce o
f mov
emen
t, pa
nora
mic
exp
anse
and
con
trast
s be
twee
n m
ount
ain
and
wat
er,
rath
er th
an b
ringi
ng th
e tw
o to
geth
er in
refle
ctio
ns.
The
view
of t
he m
ount
aino
us a
rea
to th
e w
est i
nclu
des
the
purp
le, b
row
n, p
ink
and
reds
of t
he u
plan
d ve
geta
tion,
whi
ch
rapi
dly
chan
ge a
s th
ey a
re c
augh
t by
the
sun
or s
hade
d by
cl
oud.
Tr
ansi
tions
bet
wee
n th
e ve
geta
tion
are
subt
le a
nd
natu
ral i
n fo
rm.
The
se a
reas
app
ear u
nman
aged
, and
the
pock
ets
of p
lant
atio
n ar
e a
min
or fe
atur
e ag
ains
t the
loch
and
m
ount
ain.
In
con
trast
the
woo
ded
wes
tern
sho
re is
lush
and
sof
t, w
ith th
e ey
e be
ing
draw
n to
the
deta
il ra
ther
than
the
who
le e
xpan
se.
W
oodl
and
flow
ers
and
tiny
wat
erfa
lls a
re n
otic
ed a
nd
appr
ecia
ted.
Th
e vi
ew b
ack
to w
ithin
the
NS
A, t
owar
ds th
e so
uthe
rn p
oint
of
Loch
Kat
rine
is a
dis
tinct
con
trast
to th
at ta
ken
tow
ards
the
north
w
est,
whe
re th
e lo
ch u
nfol
ds b
ut a
nd e
nd p
oint
is n
ot re
ache
d be
fore
the
horiz
on.
The
sou
ther
n vi
ew is
dot
ted
with
woo
ded
isle
s an
d th
e ro
lling
slo
pes
are
heav
ily la
den
with
sha
des
of
woo
dlan
d gr
een.
Th
e pi
er is
a h
oney
pot l
ocat
ion,
pro
vidi
ng to
uris
t fac
ilitie
s an
d in
terp
reta
tion
mat
eria
l. T
his
mak
es o
ne a
war
e of
the
holid
ay
emph
asis
on
the
loca
tion,
and
alth
ough
this
det
ract
s sl
ight
ly fr
om
the
surr
ound
ing
natu
ral b
eaut
y it
is c
onfin
ed in
are
a an
d is
like
ly
to b
e w
elco
med
by
thos
e vi
sitin
g.
The
land
scap
e fe
els
mor
e dr
amat
ic th
an th
at e
xper
ienc
ed a
t the
sm
alle
r loc
hs, a
nd c
ontra
sts
are
mor
e pr
onou
nced
. T
here
are
th
e be
ginn
ings
of f
eelin
gs o
f exp
anse
and
wild
erne
ss, w
ith th
e ru
gged
pea
ks, l
arge
mov
ing
wat
er-b
ody
and
open
ness
of t
he
view
. R
ecol
lect
ions
of b
eing
by
the
coas
t are
trig
gere
d by
the
expa
nse
of w
ater
, mov
emen
t and
rock
y sh
ores
. S
ound
is a
n im
porta
nt fe
atur
e of
this
vie
wsh
ed, w
ith w
aves
hi
tting
sho
res
and
rock
s be
ing
a co
nsta
nt re
assu
ranc
e, o
r co
nver
sely
add
ing
to a
n aw
aren
ess
of e
xpos
ure.
Th
e w
ind
is
also
not
icea
ble,
som
etim
es g
ivin
g a
slig
ht u
nner
ving
feel
. Th
e st
rong
ang
les,
clo
ud ti
pped
pea
ks a
nd d
ram
atic
cha
nges
in
colo
ur a
s th
e cl
ouds
roll
away
is in
spiri
ng a
nd re
fresh
ing;
a s
mal
l ta
ste
of u
plan
d S
cotla
nd w
hils
t bei
ng v
iew
ed fr
om th
e w
arm
th
and
safe
ty o
f a m
ore
intim
ate
and
wel
com
ing
land
scap
e.
The
have
n of
the
shel
tere
d ba
ys, s
mal
l isl
ands
and
lush
and
en
chan
ting
woo
dlan
d is
eas
ily a
cces
sed
from
the
hone
y-po
t pie
r ar
ea.
The
trac
k qu
ickl
y ta
kes
you
into
a w
oodl
and
that
is
intim
ate
and
mag
ical
. T
he s
plas
hes
of c
olou
r fro
m d
elic
ate
woo
dlan
d flo
wer
s, te
xtur
e an
d in
trica
cies
of f
ern
and
mos
s fri
nged
stre
ams
and
wat
erfa
lls d
raw
s th
e vi
ewer
to a
n ap
prec
iatio
n of
the
smal
l sca
le d
etai
l. It
is th
e co
ntra
sts
seen
with
in th
e vi
ews
that
is a
n im
porta
nt
feat
ure
as w
ell a
s th
e la
ndsc
ape
itsel
f. T
he c
ontra
st b
etw
een
the
dram
atic
pea
ks a
nd in
timat
e w
oodl
ands
, the
stro
ng v
isua
l di
vide
bet
wee
n th
e pe
aks
and
the
loch
in te
rms
of c
olou
r, sh
ape
and
form
, and
the
cont
rast
bet
wee
n th
e m
ore
imm
edia
te v
iew
in
to th
e N
SA
tow
ards
the
brig
ht g
reen
woo
ded
slop
es a
nd d
otte
d is
les
of th
e so
uthe
rn s
hore
and
the
dist
ance
and
the
expa
nse
of
the
view
out
of t
he N
SA
tow
ards
the
north
wes
t as
the
loch
op
ens
out,
are
key
qual
ities
of t
he L
och
Kat
rine
area
.
143
8
144
The Trossachs NSA
Notes on historical / cultural associations and other background information • ‘The Trossachs’ comes from the Gaelic ‘bristled country’, referring to its vegetation. • The original boundary of the area known as The Trossachs extended from Ben A’an in the
north, Ben Venue in the south, Loch Katrine to the west and Loch Achray to the east. The NSA boundary extends this area further southeast to include much of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park and the ridge of the Menteith Hills. Today the area widely known as The Trossachs extends still further beyond the NSA boundary.
• Historical and cultural interest adds to the natural beauty, rural scenery and wildlife,
animating and offering a romantic introduction to The Trossachs for many of today’s visitors. • Countless writers, poets and artists have been drawn to its loch shores, including William
and Dorothy Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, James Hogg and John Ruskin. But it was the publishing of Sir Walter Scott’s romantic poem ‘Lady of the Lake’ in 1810 and ‘Rob Roy’ in 1817 that the scenic charms of the area came to popularity and established The Trossachs as a major tourist attraction.
• In his poem ‘Lady of the Lake’, which refers to Loch Katrine, Scott wrote:
So wondrous wild, the whole might seem The scenery of a fairy dream. And specifically about Loch Katrine he wrote: Where, gleaming with the setting sun, One burnished sheet of living gold, Loch Katrine lay beneath him roll’d In all her length far winding lay, With promontory, creek and bay, And islands that, empurpled bright, Floated amid a livelier light, And mountains, that like giants stand, To sentinel enchanted land.
• In his novel ‘Rob Roy’, Scott wrote of the tales of Rob Roy MacGregor and the ‘children of the mist’, referring to his followers the Clan MacGregor who lived amidst the wild hills. Rob Roy was born in Glen Gyle at the western end of Loch Katrine and is buried near by. The famous Duke’s Pass is named after Rob Roy’s arch rival, the Duke of Montrose.
• Bordering the NSA to the north, Glen Finglas was possibly one of the most popular of the
royal hunting forests, with many Kings and Scottish Earls hunting there between the early 1300’s to the 1700’s. Many veteran trees still remain.
• Queen Victoria visited the area on many occasions, and loved it so much she had a holiday
house built overlooking Loch Katrine. She is known to have stayed in what is now the Tigh Mor Trossachs hotel, a private, high quality hotel for members of the Holiday Property Bond, with its distinctive turrets and splendid location overlooking Loch Achray.
• The very routes once followed by Rob Roy’s cattle drovers and the horse-drawn carriages
of 19th Century tourists, have become the main arteries, which now carry modern traffic over Duke’s Pass. The Trossachs Trail is a signposted car tour that takes drivers north from
145
Aberfoyle and over the Dukes Pass to take in the spectacular views of an area commonly regarded as ‘the highlands in miniature’.
• Since Sir Walter Scott’s time, Loch Katrine has changed as a result of it being dammed in
1859 at its eastern end to provide a clean water supply to Glasgow. The loch’s popularity now owes much to the presence of the last steam driven passenger vessel operating in the UK, fittingly named the Steam Ship SS Sir Walter Scot, that sails up and down Loch Katrine.
146
APPENDIX 5
FIELDWORK OUTPUTS UPPER TWEEDDALE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA
147
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e N
SA –
1. B
lack
Mel
don
O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
The
dom
inan
t lan
dfor
m is
the
rolli
ng m
ount
ains
with
in
terlo
ckin
g rid
ges
with
occ
asio
nal p
eaks
cre
atin
g lo
ng
swee
ping
sky
lines
. Bel
ow is
the
shal
low
v-s
hape
d,
woo
ded
valle
y of
the
Riv
er T
wee
d w
ith s
wee
ping
, eve
n sl
opes
and
som
e oc
casi
onal
con
cave
slo
pes.
The
rive
r its
elf h
owev
er is
gen
eral
ly in
cons
picu
ous.
La
nd u
se c
ompr
ises
gra
ss a
nd h
eath
er m
oorla
nd w
ith
frequ
ent p
lant
atio
ns a
nd s
cree
on
the
mou
ntai
nsid
es.
Ther
e is
a re
gula
r geo
met
ric fi
eld
patte
rn w
ith o
ccas
iona
l st
eadi
ngs
and
cotta
ges
inva
riabl
y w
ith tr
ee c
lum
ps.
The
mai
n fe
atur
es o
f the
vie
w a
re th
e st
rong
line
ar
patte
rn o
f she
lterb
elts
and
sto
ne d
ykes
. Mel
don
Bur
n is
na
rrow
and
sin
uous
in a
ste
ep s
ided
moo
rland
val
ley.
S
wee
ping
, rol
ling
hills
and
sky
line,
whi
ch c
ontin
ues
into
th
e di
stan
ce.
Ther
e is
a s
trong
con
trast
with
the
woo
ded
valle
ys a
nd
geom
etric
pat
tern
s of
the
agric
ultu
ral f
ield
s an
d sh
elte
rbel
ts w
ith th
e op
en, w
ild m
oorla
nd h
ills.
Th
e la
ndsc
ape
scal
e is
larg
e on
the
hills
with
exp
ansi
ve
360o v
iew
s an
d is
ope
n an
d ex
pose
d. H
owev
er th
e sc
ale
with
in th
e va
lley
is s
mal
l and
mor
e in
timat
e. T
here
is
grea
t div
ersi
ty w
ithin
the
land
scap
e w
ith th
e co
mpl
ex
land
scap
e in
the
valle
y an
d th
e si
mpl
e ro
lling
ope
nnes
s of
the
surro
undi
ng h
ills.
The
colo
ur o
f the
vie
w is
pre
dom
inat
ely
gree
n w
ith th
e lig
ht g
reen
pat
chw
ork
of th
e fie
lds
stitc
hed
with
the
dark
gr
een
of s
helte
rbel
ts in
the
valle
y an
d lin
king
to th
e br
owns
and
gre
ens
of th
e m
oorla
nd.
The
stro
nges
t vis
ual l
ines
are
the
geom
etric
fiel
d pa
ttern
s fo
rmed
by
the
ston
e dy
kes
and
the
line
of th
e M
eldo
n B
urn.
Th
e ge
nera
l im
pres
sion
is s
till a
nd q
uiet
thou
gh th
ere
the
hillt
ops
are
expo
sed
and
win
dy. T
here
is th
e no
ise
of
shee
p an
d ot
her a
nim
als.
Alth
ough
the
mai
n ro
ad
trave
rses
the
view
it is
not
that
evi
dent
exc
ept f
or
occa
sion
al tr
affic
noi
se.
The
expe
rienc
e fro
m th
e vi
ewpo
int i
s ex
hila
ratin
g an
d a
plac
e to
enj
oy s
pect
acul
ar p
anor
amic
vie
ws
whi
ch
incl
ude
two
third
s of
the
NS
A. I
t pro
vide
s a
real
“top
of
the
wor
ld” f
eelin
g, lo
okin
g do
wn
on a
sm
alle
r lan
dsca
pe.
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e ap
pear
s as
a m
odel
farm
land
scap
e –
a tra
nqui
l, se
ttled
and
pea
cefu
l val
ley.
It a
ppea
rs
wel
com
ing,
invi
ting,
she
ltere
d an
d ca
lm. T
he h
illtop
s be
ckon
to v
iew
poin
ts c
ontra
stin
g w
ith th
e in
timac
y of
the
valle
y. T
he e
ncirc
ling
non-
thre
aten
ing
hills
are
invi
ting
and
prot
ectiv
e of
the
valle
y. T
rees
mak
e th
e la
ndsc
ape
mor
e in
vitin
g an
d gi
ve it
add
ition
al in
tere
st a
nd v
arie
ty.
148
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e N
SA –
2. M
anor
Wat
er fr
om C
adem
uir P
rom
onto
ry
O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
The
land
form
is o
f a U
-sha
ped,
flat
-bot
tom
ed ri
ver v
alle
y w
ith s
teep
er s
lope
s to
the
east
and
gen
tler,
mor
e ev
en
slop
es to
the
wes
t. Th
e va
lley
is s
urro
unde
d by
larg
e,
smoo
th, r
ound
ed h
ills
crea
ting
flow
ing
skyl
ines
. Th
e va
lley
is p
redo
min
atel
y pa
stor
al m
ainl
y m
ixed
w
oodl
ands
and
con
ifer p
lant
atio
ns w
ith b
road
leav
ed
clum
ps. T
he la
nd c
over
of t
he h
ills is
larg
ely
heat
her a
nd
gras
s m
oorla
nd w
ith s
ome
exte
nsiv
e co
nife
r pla
ntat
ions
. Th
ere
is lo
cally
bar
e ro
ck a
nd s
cree
on
the
hills
ides
. Th
ere
is in
tere
stin
g riv
er g
eom
orph
olog
y w
ith in
cise
d m
eand
ers
cutti
ng th
roug
h gl
acia
l dep
osits
how
ever
the
river
doe
s no
t dom
inat
e th
e sc
ene.
Th
ere
are
stro
ng g
eom
etric
fiel
d pa
ttern
s w
ith la
rge
regu
lar s
hape
d fie
lds
boun
ded
by s
traig
ht s
tone
dyk
es.
Woo
dlan
d pl
antin
g is
ass
ocia
ted
with
set
tlem
ents
and
fa
rmst
eads
. Th
ere
is a
regu
lar s
tring
of c
otta
ges
and
larg
e ho
uses
al
ong
the
road
line
with
mor
e sc
atte
red
stea
ding
s cl
oser
to
the
river
. The
bui
ldin
gs a
re g
ener
ally
whi
tew
ashe
d,
slat
e-ro
ofed
hou
ses.
S
peci
fic fe
atur
es in
clud
e st
raig
ht s
tone
dyk
es a
nd th
e si
nuou
s na
rrow
rive
r. Th
ere
is a
sec
tion
of b
raid
ed
stre
am w
ith th
e ad
jace
nt fi
elds
rais
ed o
n a
river
terra
ce.
The
mai
n vi
sual
rela
tions
hip
is th
e co
ntra
st o
f the
flat
-bo
ttom
ed v
alle
y w
ith th
e su
rroun
ding
ope
n hi
lls. T
he
plan
tatio
ns s
pilli
ng o
ver t
he h
ills
link
the
valle
y w
ith th
e up
land
via
tree
clu
mps
and
sm
all w
oodl
ands
. The
val
ley
has
an o
rgan
ised
, reg
ular
, pla
nned
land
scap
e co
ntra
stin
g w
ith th
e se
mi-n
atur
al o
pen
moo
rland
. The
gre
en v
alle
y co
ntra
sts
with
the
brow
n an
d he
athe
r of t
he h
ills.
The
scal
e of
the
valle
y is
sm
all a
nd e
nclo
sed
with
in
timat
e po
cket
s of
she
ltere
d w
oodl
and
and
river
. The
su
rroun
ding
hill
s by
con
trast
are
larg
e sc
ale,
ope
n an
d ex
pose
d.
The
valle
y is
div
erse
thou
gh n
ot s
o m
uch
beca
use
of
diffe
rent
feat
ures
but
by
sim
ilar f
eatu
res
in a
var
ied
layo
ut, w
hile
the
hills
are
sim
ple
open
moo
rland
. Th
e va
lley
colo
urs
com
pris
e a
spec
trum
of g
reen
s fro
m
the
light
gre
en o
f the
fiel
ds to
the
dark
gre
en o
f the
co
nife
r pla
ntat
ions
. Thi
s co
ntra
sts
with
the
brow
ns a
nd
grey
s of
the
hills
with
pat
ches
of g
olde
n-br
own
whe
re
heat
her i
s ab
sent
. Th
e fo
rm a
nd li
ne o
f the
vie
w is
dom
inat
ed b
y th
e ge
omet
ric v
alle
y cr
eate
d by
the
stra
ight
wal
ls. T
he ro
ad
form
s a
stro
ng v
ertic
al li
ne e
nhan
ced
by th
e w
alls
, co
ttage
s an
d w
oodl
ands
. The
re a
re a
lso
stro
ng
boun
darie
s al
ong
the
plan
tatio
ns w
ith d
istin
ct s
traig
ht
edge
s, w
here
as o
ther
woo
dlan
d cl
umps
are
irre
gula
r and
“e
dgel
ess”
and
mer
ge a
nd s
catte
r int
o th
e hi
llsid
es.
The
impr
essi
on is
that
the
valle
y is
inha
bite
d an
d ac
tive
thou
gh n
ot o
verly
bus
y. T
here
is fa
rmin
g ac
tivity
with
tra
ctor
s, fa
rm a
nim
als
and
a co
cker
el. I
t is
calm
and
pe
acef
ul b
ut n
ot tr
anqu
il.
The
valle
y fe
els
safe
cal
m, p
eace
ful a
nd w
elco
min
g. It
is
an id
yllic
pas
tora
l sce
ne w
hich
is re
laxi
ng to
the
eye.
It
is a
n en
clos
ed la
ndsc
ape
with
man
aged
, wel
l-ten
ded
farm
land
and
mor
e in
timat
e w
oodl
and
area
s. T
his
enge
nder
s a
feel
ing
of s
afet
y an
d se
curit
y.
The
hills
alth
ough
bar
e an
d ro
lling
are
non
-thre
aten
ing
and
appe
ar a
s th
e gu
ardi
ans
of th
e va
lley
prov
idin
g pr
otec
tion
and
encl
osur
e.
149
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e N
SA –
3. S
tobs
Law
, Hun
dles
Hop
e M
assi
f
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lM
assi
ve, r
ound
ed s
moo
th h
ills w
ith lo
ng u
ndul
atin
g rid
ges
plun
ging
into
ste
ep g
lens
. The
hills
incl
ude
the
roun
ded
hum
ps o
f Sto
bs L
aw a
nd H
undl
es H
ope.
Th
e la
nd c
over
is m
ainl
y op
en h
eath
er a
nd g
rass
m
oorla
nd w
ith o
ccas
iona
l pla
ntat
ions
on
the
low
er s
lope
s of
the
valle
y.
The
land
use
is o
pen
moo
rland
with
inte
rlock
ing
ridge
s.
Ther
e is
evi
denc
e of
mui
rbur
n in
the
squa
re s
hape
of t
he
heat
her p
atch
es. T
here
is n
o ob
viou
s re
crea
tiona
l use
or
farm
ing
activ
ity.
Th
e ar
ea is
larg
ely
unin
habi
ted
with
no
settl
emen
t pa
ttern
s.
Ther
e ar
e no
spe
cific
feat
ures
but
a s
impl
e sc
ene
of o
pen
moo
rland
and
hills
with
occ
asio
nal b
urns
.
Its v
isua
l app
eara
nce
is o
f a s
moo
th re
gula
r hom
ogen
ous
land
scap
e.
The
scal
e is
ver
y la
rge
with
bul
ky, m
assi
ve h
ills
and
big
skie
s. In
the
NS
A d
escr
iptio
n th
ese
hills
are
sai
d to
be
“of
grea
t sta
ture
”. Th
e la
ndsc
ape
is o
pen
and
expo
sed
with
th
e gl
ens
bein
g m
ore
shel
tere
d an
d se
clud
ed.
This
is a
sim
ple
land
scap
e w
ith li
ttle
dive
rsity
. Th
e co
lour
and
text
ure
is s
easo
nally
var
iabl
e an
d su
bjec
t to
hea
ther
man
agem
ent r
egim
es. A
t pre
sent
it is
co
mpo
sed
of li
ght g
reen
bra
cken
with
the
gold
of t
he
gras
s an
d br
own
heat
her w
ith p
urpl
e tin
ges.
The
text
ure
is g
ener
ally
sm
ooth
. Th
e sl
opes
are
rollin
g an
d dy
nam
ic w
ith n
o ob
viou
s pa
ttern
s or
line
s.
This
vie
w is
wild
er a
nd le
ss in
habi
ted
than
oth
er a
reas
of
the
NS
A a
lthou
gh a
s it
is o
nly
a fe
w m
iles
from
Pee
bles
it
coul
d no
t be
term
ed re
mot
e.
The
vie
w w
as a
ttrac
tive
and
colo
urfu
l at t
he ti
me
of
view
ing
how
ever
in b
ad w
eath
er it
wou
ld a
ppea
r to
be a
m
ore
broo
ding
and
cha
lleng
ing
land
scap
e. It
has
not
the
sam
e in
vitin
g, w
elco
min
g in
timat
e hi
lls o
f the
rest
of N
SA
, w
hich
invi
te e
xplo
ratio
n bu
t is
mor
e fo
rbid
ding
exc
ept f
or
the
dete
rmin
ed w
alke
r who
wou
ld c
hoos
e th
e m
assi
f as
the
grea
ter c
halle
nge
of th
e ar
ea.
The
hillt
ops
are
exhi
lara
ting
dram
atic
with
bol
d to
pogr
aphy
.
150
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e N
SA –
4. M
anor
Sw
are
O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
The
land
form
con
sist
s of
a w
ide,
flat
-bot
tom
ed ri
ver
valle
y w
ith g
entle
eve
n sl
opes
whi
ch g
et s
teep
er to
the
east
. Int
erlo
ckin
g hi
lls a
nd ri
dges
with
rock
y ou
tcro
p an
d a
quar
ry to
the
north
form
the
skyl
ine.
Th
e la
nd c
over
is p
redo
min
atel
y pa
stor
al w
ith e
xten
sive
w
oodl
and
com
pris
ing
coni
fero
us, m
ixed
and
bro
adle
aved
pl
anta
tions
and
ripa
rian
trees
. The
sin
uous
line
of t
he
river
is e
dged
by
ripar
ian
scru
b, g
orse
, ald
er a
nd w
illow
. Th
e va
lley
is d
omin
ated
by
agric
ultu
ral a
nd fo
rest
ry la
nd
use
with
qua
rryi
ng to
one
sid
e. T
here
is a
lso
evid
ence
of
coun
trysi
de re
crea
tion
with
pic
nic
site
s w
alki
ng ro
utes
an
d fis
hing
. Th
e se
ttlem
ent p
atte
rn c
onsi
sts
of in
cons
picu
ous
scat
tere
d fa
rmst
eads
with
occ
asio
nal h
ouse
s al
l aw
ay
from
the
river
. Th
e st
one,
four
-arc
hed
brid
ge tr
aver
sing
the
Riv
er T
wee
d is
a fo
cal p
oint
of t
he v
iew
. The
sto
ne q
uarr
y is
als
o st
rong
feat
ure.
The
whi
te-h
arle
d st
eadi
ngs
surro
unde
d by
w
oodl
and
are
also
par
ticul
arly
cha
ract
eris
tic.
The
irreg
ular
pat
tern
of t
he w
oodl
and
linke
d by
line
s of
tre
es a
nd ri
ver i
s a
parti
cula
rly s
trong
rela
tions
hip
in th
e sc
ene.
The
bac
kdro
p of
woo
ded
hills
with
ope
n m
oorla
nd
in th
e di
stan
ce is
als
o a
stro
ng th
eme.
The
suc
cess
ion
of
the
com
plex
woo
ded
fore
grou
nd a
nd th
e w
oode
d hi
lls in
th
e m
iddl
e gr
ound
lead
ing
the
bare
hills
in th
e ba
ckgr
ound
is m
ore
appa
rent
and
exa
gger
ated
her
e th
an
in o
ther
par
ts o
f Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e.
In th
e va
lley
the
scal
e is
med
ium
with
big
fiel
ds w
hich
are
en
clos
ed a
nd s
helte
red.
The
sur
roun
ding
hills
are
of a
la
rge
scal
e.
The
dive
rsity
with
in th
e va
lley
is c
ompl
ex w
ith th
e pa
ttern
s of
the
woo
dlan
d an
d fie
lds
in c
ontra
st w
ith th
e si
mpl
e op
enne
ss o
f the
rollin
g hi
lls in
the
back
grou
nd.
The
colo
urs
of th
e va
lley
are
pred
omin
atel
y sh
ades
of
gree
n –
rang
ing
from
ligh
t gre
en in
the
field
s to
the
dark
gr
een
of th
e w
oodl
ands
. The
ripa
rian
vege
tatio
n is
als
o da
rker
gre
en in
col
our.
Som
e of
the
unim
prov
ed
mea
dow
s on
the
slop
es a
re p
arch
ed a
t thi
s tim
e of
yea
r an
d ar
e go
lden
bro
wn
in c
olou
r. Th
e si
lver
y, s
hiny
re
flect
ion
of th
e w
ater
add
s to
the
colo
urs
of th
e sc
ene
and
wat
er m
ovem
ent i
s ev
iden
t und
er th
e br
idge
. Th
e si
nuou
s lin
e of
rive
r is
the
dom
inan
t for
m a
nd li
ne o
f th
e sc
ene.
The
re a
re a
lso
the
irreg
ular
sha
pes
and
lines
of
the
woo
ds a
nd th
e st
raig
ht h
oriz
onta
l lin
es o
f the
sto
ne
dyke
s.
Gen
eral
ly th
e ar
ea is
qui
et, t
ranq
uil a
nd c
alm
with
som
e ag
ricul
tura
l act
ivity
and
farm
ani
mal
s w
ith th
e w
oodl
and
dead
enin
g th
e so
und
of a
ctiv
ity. H
owev
er th
e m
ain
road
al
ong
the
north
ern
edge
(A72
) is
busy
and
noi
sy.
The
impr
essi
on o
f the
val
ley
is s
afe,
she
ltere
d, in
timat
e an
d en
clos
ed. I
t is
a m
an-c
reat
ed, w
ell-m
anag
ed a
nd
harm
onio
us la
ndsc
ape.
The
woo
dlan
d is
inte
grat
ed w
ith
the
land
form
. The
sur
roun
ding
hig
h hi
lls a
re fu
rther
aw
ay
than
from
oth
er v
iew
poin
ts a
nd s
o do
not
giv
e su
ch a
se
nse
of e
nclo
sure
as
from
oth
er s
ites.
It is
the
gent
le
hills
and
woo
dlan
ds th
at d
omin
ate
the
scen
e. It
is a
n in
tere
stin
g an
d bu
sy la
ndsc
ape,
whi
ch k
eeps
the
eye
mov
ing.
Th
e R
iver
Tw
eed
is p
artic
ular
ly im
porta
nt h
ere
givi
ng a
“s
ense
of p
lace
” and
iden
tity.
The
cen
tral f
ocal
poi
nt o
f th
e st
one
brid
ge a
nd w
indi
ng ri
ver i
s th
e ep
itom
e of
U
pper
Tw
eedd
ale.
151
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e N
SA –
5. B
roug
hton
vill
age,
Big
gar W
ater
and
Hol
ms
Wat
er fr
om D
reva
Cra
ig
O
bjec
tive
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lTh
is a
rea
cons
ists
of a
flat
-bot
tom
ed s
hallo
w v
-sha
ped
valle
y w
ith e
ven
gent
le s
lope
s. H
igh
roun
ded
hills
te
rmin
ate
the
view
in th
e ba
ckgr
ound
at e
ach
end
north
an
d so
uth.
To
the
east
and
wes
t the
hills
are
mor
e ge
ntle
and
eve
n w
ith lo
wer
slo
pes.
Th
e pa
stor
al ri
ver v
alle
y of
the
Big
gar W
ater
has
oc
casi
onal
tree
gro
ups,
she
lterb
elts
and
sm
all w
oods
on
the
valle
y flo
or w
ith la
rge
regu
lar b
lock
s of
con
ifer
plan
tatio
ns fr
om h
alf w
ay u
p th
e sl
opes
. The
re is
roug
h gr
ass
in th
e m
oorla
nd a
nd h
eath
er o
n th
e hi
gher
hills
. Th
e la
nd u
se is
pas
tora
l far
min
g an
d fo
rest
ry.
Bro
ught
on v
illag
e ha
s a
linea
r pat
tern
that
follo
ws
the
road
and
is s
urro
unde
d by
tree
s m
akin
g it
rela
tivel
y in
cons
picu
ous
in th
e la
ndsc
ape.
The
villa
ge is
situ
ated
at
the
brid
ging
poi
nt o
f the
rive
r at t
he c
onflu
ence
of t
he
Bro
ught
on B
urn
and
Big
gar W
ater
. Th
ere
are
stro
ng p
atte
rns
of w
oodl
and
and
regu
lar
geom
etric
fiel
d pa
ttern
s. T
here
is a
n oc
casi
onal
larg
e ho
use
in th
e w
oode
d se
tting
. The
old
railw
ay li
ne is
a
notic
eabl
e lin
ear f
eatu
re a
s ar
e th
e dr
ysto
ne w
alls
. The
lin
e of
hou
ses
and
traffi
c no
ise
draw
s at
tent
ion
to th
e ro
ad b
ut it
is n
ot e
asily
vis
ible
. The
red
sand
ston
e Ki
rk a
t B
roug
hton
is a
lso
a no
tabl
e fe
atur
e in
the
land
scap
e.
Ther
e is
a s
trong
rela
tions
hip
betw
een
the
broa
dlea
ved
trees
on
the
valle
y flo
or a
nd th
e pl
anta
tions
on
the
uppe
r sl
opes
(upp
er tw
o th
irds)
hav
e th
e ef
fect
of e
mph
asis
ing
the
slop
e. T
he w
oode
d sl
ope
of R
acha
n H
ill m
akes
it
mor
e pr
omin
ent a
nd e
mph
asis
es it
s pr
esen
ce in
the
land
form
. The
val
ley
is c
lose
d of
f on
both
end
s by
ste
ep
side
d ro
unde
d hi
lls, w
hich
look
big
ger i
n co
ntra
st to
the
low
land
val
ley
thou
gh th
ey a
re n
ot a
ctua
lly a
s bi
g as
ot
hers
in th
e ar
ea, t
his
adds
to th
e fe
elin
g of
enc
losu
re.
The
trans
ition
to in
tens
ive
farm
ing
by B
igga
r Wat
er
cont
rast
s w
ith th
e se
mi-n
atur
al u
nim
prov
ed la
nd w
hich
is
rece
ding
to w
et s
crub
land
(rus
h) c
lose
to D
reva
M
uirb
urn.
Th
e va
lley
is o
f med
ium
sca
le th
ough
som
e of
the
field
s ar
e qu
ite la
rge.
The
are
a is
rela
tivel
y en
clos
ed a
nd
shel
tere
d w
ith th
e op
en e
xpos
ed h
ills
at e
ither
end
. Th
is is
a d
iver
se re
lativ
ely
busy
land
scap
e w
ith s
ome
traffi
c an
d m
ovem
ent a
nd a
gric
ultu
ral a
ctiv
ity.
Ther
e ar
e a
wid
e va
riety
of g
reen
s fro
m d
ark
gree
n to
ye
llow
. The
hig
h hi
lls a
re b
row
n an
d gr
ey w
ith n
otic
eabl
e cl
oud
shad
ow.
Th
e ge
omet
ric p
atte
rn o
f fie
lds,
the
burn
s, fe
nces
and
ra
ilway
pro
vide
s th
e fo
rm a
nd li
ne to
the
scen
e.
The
road
, whi
ch c
uts
thou
gh th
e m
iddl
e of
the
view
, al
thou
gh n
ot d
omin
ant,
crea
tes
nois
e an
d m
ovem
ent t
o th
e ar
ea. H
owev
er it
is m
ore
peac
eful
and
tran
quil
tow
ards
Hol
ms
wat
er. I
n ge
nera
l the
sce
ne is
cal
m a
nd
past
oral
.
The
feel
ing
is p
eace
ful,
safe
and
pas
tora
l tho
ugh
not a
s en
clos
ed a
s in
oth
er a
reas
. It i
s a
plea
sing
rura
l lan
dsca
pe
but t
he w
ith th
e m
ore
inte
nsiv
e fa
rmin
g it
is le
ss a
ttrac
tive
and
has
not g
ot th
e in
timac
y of
the
mai
n da
le. I
t is
inte
rest
ing
and
varie
d th
ough
not
rem
arka
ble.
Th
e vi
ewpo
int i
tsel
f is
an o
ld fo
rt an
d se
ttlem
ent t
hat g
ives
a
feel
ing
of a
ntiq
uity
to th
e sc
ene.
The
val
ley
give
s th
e im
pres
sion
that
, alth
ough
rura
l and
rela
tivel
y re
mot
e, it
has
be
en o
ccup
ied
for a
long
tim
e, w
hich
giv
es it
add
ed
inte
rest
. Th
e Jo
hn B
ucha
n m
useu
m is
situ
ated
in B
roug
hton
vill
age,
a
nove
list w
ho u
sed
the
Upp
er T
wee
d as
the
setti
ng s
o so
me
of h
is n
ovel
s.
152
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e N
SA –
6. U
pper
Tw
eedd
ale
from
Dre
va C
raig
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lTh
e up
per T
wee
d R
iver
join
s B
igga
r Wat
er in
this
wid
e fla
t val
ley
botto
m. O
nce
the
two
river
s ha
ve jo
ined
it
follo
ws
a ro
ute
alon
g th
e ea
ster
n hi
ll fo
ot. T
he
surro
undi
ng h
ills
have
gen
eral
ly e
ven
slop
es o
f var
iabl
e st
eepn
ess
crea
ting
long
flow
ing
even
sky
lines
of r
idge
s,
whi
ch b
ecom
e in
terlo
ckin
g hi
lls a
t the
sou
ther
n en
d. T
he
valle
y is
term
inat
ed a
t the
sou
ther
n en
d of
the
tow
erin
g pe
ak o
f Wor
m H
ill. T
he ri
dge
incl
udes
the
sum
mits
of
Dru
mel
zier
Law
and
Log
an H
ead.
The
low
er s
lope
s ha
ve
glac
ial m
orai
ne d
epos
its. T
he p
rom
onto
ry o
f Dre
va C
raig
an
d R
acha
n H
ill d
ivid
e th
e Tw
eed
from
Hol
ms
Wat
er.
The
valle
y bo
ttom
is p
redo
min
atel
y m
ixed
farm
ing
(impr
oved
pas
ture
and
ara
ble)
with
a g
eom
etric
pat
tern
of
larg
e fie
lds
and
hedg
erow
s w
ith o
ccas
iona
l she
lterb
elts
. O
n th
e hi
lls a
re e
xten
sive
con
ifer a
nd m
ixed
pla
ntat
ions
cu
lmin
atin
g in
Rac
han
Hill
at t
he s
outh
ern
end.
At t
he
north
ern
end
ther
e ar
e m
ixed
pla
ntat
ions
flow
ing
dow
n th
e sl
opes
som
e of
whi
ch in
clud
e tre
es p
lant
ed in
the
Daw
yck
Arb
oret
um. T
here
are
mor
e ge
omet
ric
plan
tatio
ns s
hape
s fu
rther
up
the
slop
e, w
hich
app
ear
inco
ngru
ous
in th
e la
ndsc
ape.
A q
uarr
y is
vis
ible
at t
he
north
ern
end.
Dre
va C
raig
is a
n ex
tens
ive
area
of
brac
ken
and
roug
h gr
assl
and.
The
ope
n up
per s
lope
s ar
e gr
assl
and
and
heat
her m
oorla
nd. A
ssoc
iate
d w
ith th
e riv
er a
re a
reas
of s
emi-n
atur
al s
crub
and
woo
dlan
d.
Th
e se
ttlem
ents
con
sist
of l
arge
exp
ande
d st
eadi
ngs
gene
rally
of g
rey
ston
e an
d sl
ate
build
ings
am
idst
m
oder
n la
rge-
scal
e pr
omin
ent a
gric
ultu
ral s
heds
. The
oc
casi
onal
cot
tage
s an
d ho
uses
incl
ude
the
smal
l ham
let
of D
rum
elzi
er.
Spe
cific
feat
ures
incl
ude
the
woo
dlan
d bl
ocks
, the
rive
r an
d th
e fa
rmst
eads
. The
re a
re a
lso
the
rem
ains
of T
inni
s C
astle
opp
osite
Dre
va C
raig
. Bot
h of
thes
e re
mai
ns a
re
situ
ated
on
rock
pro
mon
torie
s an
d to
geth
er fo
rm a
na
tura
l gat
eway
to th
is p
art o
f the
Tw
eedd
ale.
The
cont
rast
with
the
inte
nsiv
ely
man
aged
val
ley
botto
m
with
the
wild
hill
s is
a s
trong
vis
ual r
elat
ions
hip.
Tow
ards
th
e no
rther
n en
d of
the
valle
y th
e tre
es fi
t in
mor
e na
tura
lly w
ith th
e la
ndfo
rm w
hils
t in
the
mid
dle
of th
e va
lley
ther
e ar
e pl
anta
tion
bloc
ks o
f rig
id s
hape
. The
re is
al
so a
con
trast
bet
wee
n th
e in
timat
e en
clos
ure
of th
e w
oodl
and
with
the
open
fiel
ds a
nd h
illsid
es.
The
scal
e in
the
valle
y is
med
ium
whi
le th
e su
rroun
ding
hi
ll ra
nge
is o
f a la
rge
scal
e. T
he s
cene
is d
iver
se w
ith
loca
lly c
ompl
ex a
reas
esp
ecia
lly a
roun
d R
acha
n H
ill.
Ther
e ar
e a
varie
ty o
f gre
ens
in th
e va
lley
with
the
blue
/gre
y of
the
river
. The
hill
s ar
e go
lden
bro
wn
with
pa
tche
s of
gre
y. T
he c
loud
sha
dow
is v
ery
notic
eabl
e gi
ving
cha
ngin
g m
ovem
ent t
o th
e sc
ene.
Sea
sona
l va
riatio
n of
the
colo
urs
wou
ld re
sult
from
the
heat
her a
nd
broa
dlea
ved
trees
. Th
e riv
er a
nd d
isus
ed ra
ilway
follo
w th
e hi
ll fo
ot o
n th
e w
est s
ide
of th
e va
lley
whi
le th
e ro
ad fo
llow
s th
e hi
ll fo
ot
on th
e w
est s
ide.
The
se li
near
feat
ures
from
an
edge
to
the
valle
y bo
ttom
with
the
mai
n ag
ricul
tura
l fie
lds
betw
een.
B
esid
es a
gric
ultu
ral a
ctiv
ity th
e sc
ene
is o
f a c
alm
, pe
acef
ul a
nd p
asto
ral v
alle
y. T
here
are
few
er a
nim
als
in
this
sec
tion
with
a g
reat
er e
mph
asis
on
arab
le.
The
scen
e is
a s
ettle
d, m
anag
ed a
nd in
habi
ted
land
scap
e. T
he s
helte
red
valle
y la
cks
the
past
oral
tra
nqui
llity
of o
ther
par
ts o
f the
NS
A b
ecau
se o
f ag
ricul
tura
l int
ensi
ficat
ion.
It
is a
dyn
amic
mix
ture
of w
ild h
ill to
p m
assi
f, st
eep
rock
y sl
opes
, woo
ded
hills
and
agr
icul
tura
l val
ley.
The
larg
e ar
ea o
f woo
dlan
d to
the
sout
h of
the
valle
y is
par
ticul
arly
at
tract
ive
and
grea
tly e
nhan
ces
the
enjo
ymen
t of t
he
scen
e.
The
two
hill
fort
rem
ains
plu
s ot
her e
vide
nce
of a
ncie
nt
settl
emen
t suc
h as
sta
ndin
g st
ones
and
tow
ers
give
the
feel
ing
of h
isto
ry to
the
scen
e an
d im
bue
a tim
eles
s qu
ality
par
ticul
arly
on
the
uppe
r slo
pes
of th
e va
lley.
H
owev
er w
ithin
the
valle
y its
elf t
he m
oder
n ag
ricul
tura
l ac
tiviti
es a
nd la
rge,
regu
lar f
ield
sha
pes
dem
onst
rate
the
chan
ge to
mod
ern
farm
ing
met
hods
mor
e ev
iden
t.
153
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e N
SA –
7. M
ossf
enna
n, U
pper
Tw
eed
O
bjec
tive
Visu
alEm
otio
nal
The
land
form
is a
flat
val
ley
floor
with
v-s
hape
d st
eep
edge
of a
larg
e m
ount
ain
mas
sif a
nd a
long
sw
eepi
ng
skyl
ine.
Th
e m
assi
f is
cove
red
with
moo
rland
veg
etat
ion
i.e. g
rass
an
d he
athe
r with
one
larg
e co
nife
r pla
ntat
ion.
The
val
ley
is p
asto
ral w
ith s
tone
wal
ls, f
ence
s an
d ex
tens
ive
broa
dlea
ved
and
mix
ed tr
ees
on th
e sl
opes
. The
re a
re
occa
sion
al c
lum
ps o
f pin
e an
d sp
ruce
in th
e va
lley
floor
(p
ossi
ble
site
s of
anc
ient
farm
stea
ds).
Th
e la
nd u
se is
pas
tora
l agr
icul
tura
l with
ext
ensi
ve
graz
ing
with
in th
e va
lley
and
shoo
ting
and
fore
stry
on
the
mas
sif.
The
settl
emen
ts c
onsi
st o
f occ
asio
nal h
ouse
s al
ong
the
road
. The
re is
evi
denc
e of
man
y an
cien
t set
tlem
ents
, ca
irns
and
tow
ers.
The
re a
re a
lso
rem
nant
s of
railw
ay
infra
stru
ctur
e in
clud
ing
disu
sed
arch
es o
f brid
ges.
S
peci
fic fe
atur
es in
clud
e tre
e cl
umps
and
woo
dlan
d an
d sh
eer p
reci
pito
us s
carp
s of
the
mas
sif e
dge.
The
Riv
er
Twee
d is
larg
ely
inco
nspi
cuou
s on
the
far s
ide
of th
e va
lley.
B
oth
the
river
and
dis
used
railw
ay fo
llow
the
hill
foot
on
the
east
sid
e of
the
valle
y w
hile
the
road
follo
ws
the
hill
foot
on
the
wes
t sid
e w
ith th
e m
ain
agric
ultu
ral f
ield
s be
twee
n.
The
mai
n co
ntra
st is
of t
he s
teep
bar
e, n
atur
al, m
ount
ain
slop
e an
d th
e re
gula
r geo
met
ric p
atte
rns
of th
e ag
ricul
tura
l fie
lds
in th
e va
lley.
Th
e sc
ale
in th
e va
lley
is m
ediu
m w
hile
the
mou
ntai
n m
assi
f is
larg
e. T
he v
alle
y is
enc
lose
d by
ste
ep e
dges
of
hills
and
tree
s. T
here
is n
ot s
o m
uch
dive
rsity
her
e as
in
othe
r par
ts o
f the
NS
A. H
owev
er th
ere
is a
var
iety
of
colo
urs
in th
e sc
ene
with
gre
ens
in th
e va
lley
and
brow
n,
gree
n, g
rey,
gol
d an
d pu
rple
in th
e su
rroun
ding
hill
s.
The
road
is tu
cked
into
the
hills
ide
and
hidd
en b
y w
oodl
and
and
so is
not
ver
y ap
pare
nt in
the
scen
e. T
he
horiz
onta
l sha
rp h
ill fo
ot is
dis
tinct
ive
(the
river
is a
lso
on
this
line
but
is n
ot re
adily
vis
ible
). Th
e w
oodl
and
obsc
ures
muc
h of
the
land
form
. The
re is
a g
eom
etric
pa
ttern
of s
tone
dyk
es a
nd fe
nces
. A
way
from
the
mai
n ro
ad th
e va
lley
is q
uiet
and
pea
cefu
l w
ith re
lativ
ely
rem
ote
glen
s le
adin
g in
to th
e m
assi
f. Th
e ro
ad is
ver
y bu
sy a
nd n
oisy
but
onl
y on
one
sid
e of
the
valle
y so
it is
not
ove
rly in
trusi
ve. T
here
are
som
e sh
eep
and
othe
r lim
ited
agric
ultu
ral a
ctiv
ity.
The
impr
essi
on h
ere
is th
at it
is le
ss in
tens
ivel
y m
anag
ed
than
oth
er a
reas
and
has
a s
light
ly a
band
oned
feel
. It
is a
dyn
amic
cha
ngin
g la
ndsc
ape
with
evi
denc
e of
hi
stor
ic s
ettle
men
t e.g
. she
ep p
ens
alth
ough
they
are
not
ob
viou
s. T
here
is a
lso
railw
ay in
frast
ruct
ure.
The
se
hist
oric
rem
nant
s sh
ow h
ow th
e va
lley
has
chan
ged
and
evol
ved
over
tim
e. It
als
o gi
ves
the
hills
a fe
elin
g of
an
tiqui
ty a
nd ti
mel
essn
ess.
Th
ere
is n
ot s
uch
a w
elco
min
g fe
el to
the
valle
y as
it is
la
rgel
y in
acce
ssib
le. H
owev
er th
e de
ep g
lens
in th
e m
assi
f inv
ite e
xplo
ratio
n.
154
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e N
SA –
8. E
aste
r Daw
yk M
ill (M
iddl
e Tw
eed)
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lTh
e ge
ntly
v-s
hape
d va
lley
is n
arro
w b
ut fl
at-b
otto
med
in
this
sce
ne. T
he e
ven
slop
es a
re la
rgel
y ob
scur
ed b
y w
oodl
and
and
get s
teep
er to
war
ds th
e su
rrou
ndin
g rid
ges.
The
rive
r Tw
eed
is v
ery
evid
ent h
ere
and
follo
ws
a w
indi
ng c
ours
e w
ith s
ome
cana
lised
sec
tions
. Th
e la
nd c
over
is im
prov
ed p
astu
re w
ith la
rge
coni
fero
us
plan
tatio
ns a
nd m
ixed
woo
dlan
d. T
here
are
a n
umbe
r of
larg
e br
oadl
eave
d tre
es in
the
valle
y w
ith s
ome
on th
e riv
erba
nk. T
he d
esig
ned
land
scap
e of
Sto
bo C
astle
is
incl
uded
in th
is s
ectio
n, w
hich
incl
udes
mat
ure
coni
fer
and
broa
dlea
ved
trees
in a
pas
tora
l set
ting.
The
land
use
is
agr
icul
ture
and
fore
stry
. Th
e se
ttlem
ent p
atte
rn c
onsi
sts
of c
lust
ers
of s
tead
ings
an
d oc
casi
onal
cot
tage
s. T
here
are
sm
all g
roup
ings
of
cotta
ges
and
hous
es a
roun
d th
e K
irk a
t Sto
bo a
nd
Daw
yk M
ill. S
tobo
Cas
tle h
as a
num
ber o
f lod
ges
and
build
ings
ass
ocia
ted
with
it.
Sto
bo C
astle
and
Kirk
are
spe
cific
land
mar
ks in
the
scen
e. O
ther
not
icea
ble
feat
ures
incl
ude
the
woo
dlan
ds
and
ston
e co
ttage
s w
ith s
late
roof
s.
Ther
e ar
e en
clos
ing
hills
to th
e w
est a
nd th
e w
oodl
ands
cl
ose
the
valle
y to
the
north
east
. The
re is
als
o m
ore
imm
edia
te e
nclo
sure
by
the
low
er h
ills
(kno
wes
) bel
ow
the
high
er h
ills. T
here
is a
stro
ng c
ontra
st w
ith th
e he
avily
w
oode
d va
lley
with
dis
tant
bar
e hi
lls e
nclo
sing
the
dale
. S
mal
l/med
ium
sca
le s
mal
ler t
han
othe
r are
as. L
arge
sc
ale
hills
in b
ackg
roun
d. T
he s
cene
is d
iver
se a
nd
loca
lly c
ompl
ex e
spec
ially
aro
und
the
chur
ch a
nd
woo
dlan
ds.
Pred
omin
atel
y gr
een
past
oral
land
scap
e w
ith d
ark
gree
n pl
anta
tions
. Bro
wne
r hills
in th
e di
stan
ce w
ith s
ome
purp
le. T
he ri
ver i
s br
own
clos
e to
but
app
ears
silv
ery
grey
from
the
dist
ance
. The
mov
emen
t of t
he w
ater
add
s to
the
scen
e Th
e riv
er ro
ad a
nd ra
ilway
mak
e up
the
form
and
line
in
the
view
and
con
trast
to th
e w
indi
ng li
ne o
f the
rive
r, th
ough
in s
ome
plac
es th
e riv
er h
as b
een
stra
ight
ened
pr
obab
ly c
anal
ised
due
to th
e ra
ilway
con
stru
ctio
n or
flo
od p
reve
ntio
n.
It is
gen
eral
ly p
eace
ful b
y th
e riv
er th
ough
the
road
is
fast
and
stra
ight
and
noi
sy. O
ther
mov
emen
ts in
clud
e fa
rm a
nim
als
and
field
bird
s.
The
scen
e is
tran
quil,
she
ltere
d an
d se
ttled
. It i
s sm
all
scal
e an
d in
timat
e. T
here
is a
nat
ural
dra
w to
the
river
, w
hich
thre
ads
its w
ay th
roug
h th
e ce
ntre
of t
he v
alle
y.
The
appe
aran
ce o
vera
ll is
invi
ting
and
inte
rest
ing
with
the
adde
d in
tere
st o
f the
chu
rch,
cas
tle a
nd s
urro
undi
ng
woo
dlan
d. I
t is
man
aged
and
sec
ure,
his
toric
and
es
tabl
ishe
d.
Ther
e is
not
a fe
elin
g of
sec
lusi
on a
nd th
is is
furth
er
less
ened
by
the
road
how
ever
the
feel
ing
is s
till o
f pa
stor
al a
nd p
eace
ful r
iver
val
ley.
Th
e ou
twar
d vi
ew to
hig
h sk
ylin
e of
ridg
es a
nd h
ills a
dds
anot
her d
imen
sion
to th
e pe
acef
ul ri
ver v
alle
y. T
he
ambi
ence
of t
he ri
ver i
s af
fect
ed b
y “c
anal
isat
ion”
in
som
e pa
rts o
f the
rive
r whi
ch h
as s
traig
hten
ed th
e ba
nks
and
adde
d de
pth
to th
e riv
er re
sulti
ng in
the
abse
nce
of
babb
ling
soun
ds, r
iffle
s an
d sh
ingl
e is
land
s.
155
Upp
er T
wee
ddal
e N
SA –
9. T
wee
ddal
e G
orge
nea
r Nei
dpat
h (o
n R
ailw
ay B
ridge
)
Obj
ectiv
e
Vi
sual
Emot
iona
lTh
e la
ndfo
rm fr
om th
is v
iew
poin
t is
a st
eep
side
d na
rrow
go
rge
with
ext
ensi
ve w
oodl
and
cove
rage
on
the
stee
p si
ded
slop
es. T
here
are
lim
ited
area
s of
flat
floo
d pl
ain
on
the
gorg
e bo
ttom
. The
Riv
er T
wee
d is
at i
ts w
ides
t with
in
the
NS
A.
Th
ere
is s
emi-n
atur
al g
rass
land
on
the
smal
l are
as o
f flo
odpl
ain
with
ald
er, b
irch
and
will
ow o
n th
e ed
ge o
f riv
er. T
he w
oodl
and
is m
ixed
pla
ntat
ion
with
man
y in
trodu
ced
spec
ies
(pro
babl
y V
icto
rian)
. The
land
use
is
fishi
ng, w
alki
ng a
nd fo
rest
ry.
Ther
e ar
e oc
casi
onal
hou
ses
by th
e ro
adsi
de. N
eidp
ath
Cas
tle is
on
the
prom
onto
ry b
y th
e go
rge.
Dry
ston
e w
alls
ru
n al
ong
the
road
and
fore
st e
dge.
Th
e riv
er d
omin
ates
the
scen
e w
ith th
e br
idge
and
cas
tle
at fo
cal p
oint
s. O
utw
ard
view
s to
the
wes
t rev
eal s
moo
th
ridge
s of
moo
rland
hills
, whi
lst i
n ot
her d
irect
ions
ther
e is
a
clos
e sk
ylin
e of
pla
ntat
ions
.
Riv
er a
nd w
oodl
and
dom
inat
e th
e sc
ene
with
the
woo
dlan
d cl
ingi
ng to
the
gorg
e sl
opes
and
ove
rhan
ging
riv
er. T
he e
ye is
dra
wn
to th
e br
idge
s an
d di
stan
t hills
. W
hils
t the
gor
ge is
of a
larg
e sc
ale
the
impr
essi
on o
f the
ar
ea is
enc
lose
d an
d in
timat
e, s
eclu
ded
and
hidd
en.
Ther
e is
div
ersi
ty a
s th
e w
oodl
and
is v
arie
d an
d th
ere
are
patc
hes
of g
rass
land
and
a s
mal
l isl
and
as w
ell a
s th
e riv
er it
self.
The
rive
r sur
face
var
ies
with
riffl
es, w
eirs
and
sh
ingl
e ba
nks.
Som
e of
the
bank
s ar
e op
en a
nd s
ome
over
hang
with
tree
s.
It is
sea
sona
lly c
olou
rful w
ith w
ildflo
wer
s su
ch a
s th
e pu
rple
sw
athe
s of
rose
bay
will
ow h
erb
and
the
crea
m o
f m
eado
wsw
eet.
Ther
e is
the
yello
w g
reen
of t
he g
rass
an
d th
e m
osai
c of
gre
ens
of th
e w
oodl
and,
whi
ch li
nes
the
gorg
e. T
he ri
ver i
tsel
f is
brow
n w
ith c
olou
rful
refle
ctio
ns.
The
win
ding
rive
r thr
ough
the
gorg
e, li
nes
of s
tone
wal
ls
and
the
railw
ay li
ne m
akes
the
line
and
form
of t
he
scen
e. T
he ro
ad is
onl
y vi
sibl
e w
hen
cars
go
past
. Th
ere
is c
onst
ant m
ovem
ent a
nd s
ound
with
in th
e riv
er
itsel
f. R
egul
ar tr
affic
sou
nd a
nd b
irdso
ng in
the
woo
ds.
The
over
all i
mpr
essi
on o
f thi
s se
ctio
n of
the
river
is o
f hi
dden
gor
ge tu
cked
aw
ay fr
om th
e re
st o
f the
mor
e pa
stor
al v
alle
y. T
he ri
ver i
s re
fresh
ing
and
imbu
es a
se
nse
of p
eace
and
rela
xatio
n th
ough
the
road
det
ract
s fro
m q
uiet
ness
and
is in
trusi
ve in
the
scen
e.
Glim
pses
of t
he h
ills a
nd th
e w
ider
val
ley
beyo
nd th
e go
rge
mak
e th
e di
stan
t vie
ws
invi
ting
for w
alke
rs a
nd
give
add
ed in
tere
st to
the
scen
e.
The
river
in th
is s
ectio
n ha
s rif
fles
and
wei
rs in
it, w
hich
ad
d pa
rticu
lar i
nter
est a
nd p
leas
ant n
oise
s to
the
scen
e an
d co
ntra
st w
ith th
e de
ep, s
till p
ools
by
the
edge
s of
the
river
. Th
e au
ster
e N
eidp
ath
Cas
tle o
n its
dom
inat
ing
rock
y pr
omon
tory
giv
es a
sen
se o
f his
tory
and
mys
tery
to th
e go
rge.
156
11
157
Upper Tweeddale Landscape Character Assessment
Landscape Type 3 – Plateau Outliers An upland plateau landscape characterised by hills and ridges covered by a mosaic of coarse grassland, heather and forestry, clearly separated from adjoining types by major river valleys. Key Characteristics
• Discrete hill masses separated from main plateau by major river valleys. • Greater height difference between summits and valley floors. • Mosaic of land cover types: heather moor, grassland and plantation woodland. • Low density settlement, mainly confined to sheltered valleys.
(Pages 57 – 60) BH – Broughton Heights ELI – Eddleston /Lyne Inter fluva Landscape Type 4 – Southern Uplands Type with Scattered Forest An upland landscape characterised by large-scale, rolling heather and grassland covered hills. Key Characteristics
• Large-scale rolling landform with higher dome or cone-shaped summits. • Significant areas of peatland and heather moorland. • Mosaic of grassland, bracken and rushes on lower ground. • Locally-prominent scattered large coniferous plantations
(Pages 61 – 65) Landscape Character Areas - Distinctive Features BG – Broadlaw Group
- High summits with glacially-sculpted features rising steeply to 840m. Megget, Talla and Fruid reservoirs and St Mary’s prominent to the south of Broad Law;
- Significant “wild land” atmosphere created by remoteness of high summits: - Extensive coniferous plantations in the north at Traquair, Elibank, Cardona and Yair Hill
forests and fringing the upper Tweed river valley in the west. Landscape Type 22 – Upland Valley with Pastoral Floor A landscape characterised by flat valley bottom pastures, strongly enclosed by steep valley sides merging with heather and forest covered uplands. Key characteristics
• Glaciated valley with moderately to strongly sloping sides and flat floor modified by river bluffs and glacial moraine.
• Improved pastures with occasional small woodlands and tree lines on valley floor, and rough unimproved grazing, heather moorland or coniferous forest on valley sides.
• Scattered stone built villages with farmsteads and dwellings dispersed along river terraces, lower valley sides and tributary valleys.
• A simple, distinctive landscape strongly enclosed by uplands with intermittent long views along valley corridor.
158
Landscape Character Areas - Distinctive Features UT – Upper Tweed
- Narrow valley floor, characterised by small permanent pasture fields divided by drystone dykes;
- Coniferous forestry prominent on valley sides and adjacent uplands MT – Manor Water
- Locally prominent scree and rock outcrops. BW – Biggar Water
- Broad flat floored valley with smooth gently to moderately sloping sides and narrow straightened river channel;
- Large pasture and scattered arable fields divided by fences, drainage channels, drystone dykes and widely dispersed shelterbelts;
- Simple, uniform, open character with distant views along valley. Ly – Lyne Water
- Predominantly small scale, narrow flat bottomed valley, widening at junction of Tarth Water, with moderately sloping sides;
- Medium sized permanent pasture fields, divided by drystone dykes and mature deciduous tree and hedgerows, contrast with heather and grass moorland on upper valley sides;
- Scattered farmsteads on valley floor edge and immediate hill slopes; - Steep gullies and tributary valleys often wooded or with gorse and scrub; - Dominant coniferous plantation on upper valley sides of Tarth Water.
(Pages 149 – 153) Landscape Type 25 – Upland Valley with Woodland An enclosed valley landscape with significant woodland cover. Key Characteristics
• Meandering river valley, strongly enclosed by uplands. • Flat valley floor, broad and open in places, narrow and more intimate in others. • Prominent terraces (haugh lands) caused by fluvial and glacial action. • Strong influence of woodland, with extensive coniferous forest plantations prominent on
valley sides, and mature hedgerow tree lines, broadleaf, and mixed policy woodlands on valley floor.
• Traditional dwellings, farmsteads and hamlets clustered at the foot of valley side slopes. • Mill towns prominent on valley floor and sides. • Tower houses and mansions common along river banks.
Landscape Character Areas – Distinctive features MT – Middle Tweed
- Significant urban settlement in Peebles and Innerleithen; - Forestry plantations prominent on valley sides
159
Upper Tweeddale History, Culture and Literary Association
History Upper Tweeddale’s historic past is largely associated with its position on the border of Scotland and England. Forts and Castles have been built at various times to protect the area such as the Lyne Roman fort at the foot of the Meldons, built in the 2nd century AD, and the Iron Age fort at Dreva Craig, constructed around the knoll of the hill in the first millennium. Both of the Black and White Meldons are crowned by Iron Age hill forts, which defended agricultural settlements, more than 2,000 years ago. There are also standing stones, sheep pens and tower houses still evident today showing the areas continual habitation. Neidpath Castle is of 13th century origin and is one of the grandest Tweed Valley Tower Houses. Former home of the Fraser Hay and Douglas families it has been much restored in recent years. On the slope between the castle and river can be seen the terraces on which formal gardens were once laid out. Famous visitors to the castle included Mary, Queen of Scots and James I and James VI. The castle was a stronghold for Charles II and the walls still bear damage caused when it was besieged by Cromwell’s troops. The seven-arch railway bridge was opened in 1864 to bring an extension of the Biggar, Broughton and Symington line into Peebles from the west. To reach the town from the bridge, a half-mile tunnel was cut below South Park Wood. Never a commercial success, the line lost its passenger traffic in 1950 and was closed down 12 years later. Remains of railway infrastructure are evident throughout the valley. The Tweed is one of Scotland’s most famous angling rivers particularly for salmon fishing. In places the fishing is either strictly preserved or very expensive. The best months for salmon fishing are usually September, October and November; the start of the season depends on an autumn spate raising the river level enough for the salmon to come upstream from the sea. Literary Associations This area was the stamping ground of the border reivers, those horse thieves, cattle thieves and murderers, who featured so prominently in the world-famous border ballads. This historic backdrop has inspired writers and poets most noticeably Sir Walter Scott and James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, nearly 200 years ago. More recently John Buchan, a British author and statesman who became the 1st Baron Tweedsmuir, used Upper Tweeddale as the setting in some of his books. Buchan wrote over 50 books, especially fast-moving adventure stories such as the Thirty-nine steps (1915). His biographical works include Montrose (1928) and Sir Walter Scott (1932). Family holidays at his mothers parents house at Broughton in Tweeddale were a powerful influence in his life. There is now the John Buchan centre housed in the former church building in Broughton village, where he himself often attended services. There is now the John Buchan Way running from Peebles to Broughton, which was opened in 2003.
160
APPENDIX 6
RECOMMENDED FIELDSHEETS FOR USE IN FIELDWORK
161
Special Qualities of the National Scenic Areas
Field sheet 1 - Objective Analysis of the Landscape Name of NSA Name of Viewpoint / Route Make an objective description of what you can see. Use the LCA summary and add to where appropriate. Describe form, cover, habitats, settlement, features and wildlife objectively. Landform (e.g. topographical features such as mountains, ridges, scarps, hills, drumlins, dunes,
beaches, cliffs, gorges, valleys)
Land cover (including water)
(e.g. bare rock, alpine and montane areas, open sea, heather moorland, grass moorland, open water, running water, mosaics, patchworks, ponds and pools, estuaries, sandflats, mudflats, saltmarsh, burns, waterfalls, peatlands)
Land use (e.g. arable farmland, pastoral farmland, open grazing, rectilinear and other field patterns, forestry plantations, Caledonian pinewood, semi-natural woodlands, broadleaved woodland, policy woodlands)
Settlement pattern (e.g. uninhabited, sparsely populated, town, villages, scattered dwellings, crofts, steadings, castles, towers, kirks, vernacular buildings, distinctive building materials, building types and styles, settlement pattern especially related to natural features)
Specific features and wildlife
(e.g. distinctive, characteristic or unusual point and linear features such as hedges, stone dykes, walls, shelterbelts, avenues. Wildlife that makes a marked contribution to the scenery such as sea bird colonies, machair grassland flowers)
List any other distinctive physical characteristics of the landscape that you can see, noting important combinations / contrasts.
Continue overleaf if necessary
162
Special Qualities of the National Scenic Areas Field sheet 2 - Visual Analysis of the Landscape
Name of NSA Name of Viewpoint / Route Undertake a visual analysis of the characteristics of the landscape, adding more detail and focusing on links / relationships / combinations / juxtapositions / contrasts e.g. between landform and settlement; landform and land use; landform and land cover. (e.g. steep sided mountains with distinctive spectacular profiles, rising from irregular hills and more uniform open moorland and loch).
Continue overleaf if necessaryVisual Experience
Describe the following characteristics of the landscape. Record whether different areas of or features in the scene have different characteristics e.g. hills may be large scale open, valleys small scale enclosed
Scale (e.g. vast, large, medium, small, intimate)
Openness (e.g. exposed, open, varied, sheltered, secluded, hidden)
Diversity (e.g. complex, diverse, simple, homogenous)
Colour and Texture
(e.g. garish, colourful, muted, monochrome, dominant colour(s), rugged, rough, textured, smooth)
Form and line (e.g. rivers, roads, vertical plantations, walls, slopes, angles)
Movement, weather and sound
(e.g. busy, noisy, constant/occasional movement/noise, calm, still, silent, quiet. How will changes in weather affect your visual experience?)
Other notable visual characteristics of the landscape
163
Special Qualities of the National Scenic Areas Field sheet 3 - Personal Response to the Landscape
Name of NSA Name of Viewpoint / Route A subjective description of your personal response to, and feelings about the scene. Note any contrasting feelings relating to different parts of the scene, if applicable. (e.g. exhilarating, inspiring, exciting, awesome, challenging, surprising, spectacular, dramatic, turbulent, unsettling, uncomfortable, wild, remote, isolated, undiscovered, secret, mysterious, tranquil, peaceful, hidden, idyllic, contrasting, harmonious, unified, refreshing, reassuring, comforting). Imagine how the scene may change at different times of the year, or in different weather conditions. NOTE PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN – Number / Direction / Stitched / Single etc
164