Craigs of Succoth

Also within

Aberdeenshire County

Condition (NatureScot)

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Rock Outcrop

Description

CRAIGS OF SUCCOTH The Craigs of Succoth, located between Glass and Huntly, is one of a few sites in north east Scotland where serpentine rocks outcrop at the surface. These rocks contain relatively high concentrations of certain minerals and give rise to rare serpentine habitats: open rocks with an unusual flora and serpentine heath. Other habitats influenced by serpentine minerals include species-rich grassland and flushes. The unusual flora of serpentine is best developed on the open rocks where spring sandwort Minuartia verna and the serpentine form of black spleenwort Asplenium adiantum-nigrum are found. Mosses associated with serpentine are also found, including Grimmia species. The more widespread influence of serpentine is shown by the occurrence of species that thrive on soils rich in these minerals. These include smooth oat grass Avenula pratensis, lady’s bedstraw Galium verum and glaucous sedge Carex flacca, in various habitats widely occurring across the site, and common scurvy-grass Cochlearia officinalis, northern bedstraw Galium boreale, globe flower Trollius europaeus and moonwort Botrychium lunaria. Juniper Juniperus communis is also found.

Species mentioned