Inninmore Bay

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 56.5182, -5.7159

Open in the interactive map →

Also within

Inverness County

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (1) Unfavourable Declining (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Upper Carboniferous [Namurian (part) - Westphalian] Favourable — 2009-10-07
F2 Upland mixed ash woodland Unfavourable Declining — 2015-09-29

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Cambrian, Carboniferous, Triassic · Rock Type: Basalt

Landscape processes: Coastal, Volcanic / Igneous

Description

INNINMORE BAY Inninmore Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is situated at the southern tip of the Morvern peninsula in Lochaber, where it overlooks the Sound of Mull. It is designated for geological and woodland features. Inninmore Bay SSSI is one of only two known places in the Highlands where Upper Carboniferous rocks containing fossil plants indicative of an early coal measures age are found lying between the Pre-Cambrian Moine Schists and Triassic Lower Lias sediments. Although similar rocks are frequently found in the Midland Valley of Scotland, Inninmore Bay contains the most northerly example in North-West Europe and the only known example north of the great Glen fault line. The south-west facing coastal basalt cliffs of Aoineadh Mor and Aoineadh Beag support woodland unequalled elsewhere in Lochaber for the species-richness of its ground flora. Woods on similar soils at Drimnin and Loch Aline are different in canopy composition, and those at Glencripesdale and Camas Salach face north and lack the more warmth-loving species. Woodland on the steep slopes is dominated by ash and wych elm, but a wide variety of other tree and shrub species (notably birch Betula spp., oak Quercus spp., hazel, rowan, holly, bird cherry, blackthorn and hawthorn) are also present. Towards the western end of the site a small area has been planted with beech, a non-native species here. The ground flora is extremely rich in calcicolous woodland herbs with several less common species, including smooth-stalked sedge, hairy-brome and great horsetail, here at its only mainland location in Lochaber, adding to the woodland’s significance. Stream gorges and boulder screes provide a sheltered, humid environment for a variety of ferns. The bryophyte flora is diverse, with many Atlantic species and the lichen flora, which includes nutrient-demanding species and several rarities, adds further interest to the woodland.

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