(Image: KB on Unsplash)

                                             The Flow Country

The Flow Country in the North of Scotland has become a UNESCO World heritage site. It is situated in the counties of Caithness and Sutherland and comprises around 1500 square miles of blanket bog country. The Flow country now includes the Forsinard Flows National Nature Reserve and the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands. It was named from the Norse word floi meaning ‘wet /marshy’. This area is vital for the survival of many wetland and moorland species, including for many types of birds such as the merlin, buzzard, golden eagle, hen harrier and short-eared owl. It also has an important role in carbon storage where the Flow country is estimated to store around 400 million tonnes of carbon.

                                          Damage to the Flow Country

Damage was done to the Flow country in the past especially during the 1980’s when tax policies meant a Hugh increase in tree plantation which lead to a great deal of damage being done to the blanket bog in the region. This was especially true with the destructive planting of non-native conifers. After protests these tax policies were abolished and repairs enacted to improve the condition of the damaged areas of the Flow country.

                                     A UNESCO World Heritage site. 

After an extended campaign conducted by several different individuals and organisations the Flow country has now been granted the status of UNESCO World heritage site which will give it extra environmental protection reaching in to the future.