Fairy Knowe and Doon Hill

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 56.1653, -4.3720

Condition (NatureScot)

Unfavourable Recovering (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Upland oak woodland Unfavourable Recovering 2009-11-18

Description

FAIRY KNOWE AND DOON HILL Fairy Knowe and Doon Hill are two separate but adjacent steep-sided knolls lying approximately 2km and 1km south of Aberfoyle. They comprise two neighbouring upland oak woodlands located within a coniferous plantation that forms part of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. The upland oak woodlands on Fairy Knowe and Doon Hill support an unusual range of primary deciduous woodland plant communities dominated by oak on the higher ground and ash and hazel at the knoll bases. The ground flora, which includes an unusually high number of species including the alternate leaved golden saxifrage (Chrysosplenium alternifolium), is characteristic of oakwoods occurring on moderately nutrient-rich soils. Fairy Knowe and Doon Hill represent woodland communities that are rare throughout central Scotland and are therefore of National significance. The woodlands have a diverse structure and are unusual in being undisturbed by grazing.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
alternate leaved golden saxifrage Chrysosplenium alternifolium LC herb saxifragaceae