Allt Grillan Gorge

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 57.2925, -6.2844

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Also within

Ross and Cromarty County

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Upland mixed ash woodland Favourable — 2013-09-09

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Gorge / Ravine · Rock Type: Basalt

Landscape processes: Fluvial, Volcanic / Igneous

Description

ALLT GRILLAN GORGE Allt Grillan Gorge SSSI is situated on the south side of Glen Drynoch, Skye. The site comprises a thickly wooded gorge cutting into Tertiary volcanic bedrock in the otherwise barren moorland of Glen Drynoch. Although gorges and ravines are a feature of the north west Highlands, this site is one of only two examples within Skye and Lochalsh which are on Tertiary basalt lavas and is important for its basiphilous vegetation. The sheltered conditions of the gorge support a mixed broad-leaved woodland with a rich ground flora which shows some boreal (northern) characteristics. Tree species present include wych elm, aspen, hazel, rowan, holly, birch and three species of willows including goat willow. Plants indicating lime-rich soil are found in the woodland ground flora; these include stone bramble, melancholy thistle, ramsons, northern bedstraw, woodruff, wild strawberry, false brome and wood sedge. A steep-sided stream with a series of waterfalls runs through the gorge. This provides a variety of damp and shaded conditions which makes it rich in ferns and mosses. Ferns occurring within the site include Polystichum aculeatum, Athyrium filix-femina, Phegopteris connectilis, Oreopteris limbosperma, Hymenophyllum wilsonii, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris dilatata and Dryopteris carthusiana. Several lichen species add to the interest of the wood. These include the very local “Eu-atlantic” lichens: Crutarndina petractoides, Bactrospora homalotropa and Pseudocyphellaria thouarsii.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
lady-fern Athyrium filix-femina LC fern woodsiaceae
Borrer's scaly male-fern Dryopteris borreri Not listed in GB list fern dryopteridaceae
narrow buckler fern Dryopteris carthusiana LC fern dryopteridaceae
broad buckler fern Dryopteris dilatata LC fern dryopteridaceae
Wilson's filmy-fern Hymenophyllum wilsonii VU fern hymenophyllaceae
lemon-scented fern Oreopteris limbosperma LC fern thelypteridaceae
beech fern Phegopteris connectilis LC fern thelypteridaceae
hard shield-fern Polystichum aculeatum LC fern dryopteridaceae
Bactrospora homalotropa LC lichen roccellaceae
Crutarndina petractoides LC lichen graphidaceae
lichen Pseudocyphellaria thouarsii Not listed in GB list lichen lobariaceae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea