Loch Scarmclate

Also within

Caithness County

Condition (NatureScot)

Geology & landscape

Rock Type: Mudstone

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Loch Scarmclate Loch Scarmclate Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is located 11km south-east of Thurso, Caithness. The site is designated for the nationally important base-rich loch and its overwintering population of greylag goose. Base-rich loch Loch Scarmclate is the only shallow, relatively nutrient-rich, marl loch in Caithness. Marl is a calcium carbonate (lime)-rich mudstone and marl lochs are a rare freshwater habitat across Britain. The shallow, base-rich waters of the loch provide ideal conditions for stoneworts (large, complex green algae) such as rough stonewort Chara aspera and fragile stonewort C. globularis. Spiked water milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum, autumnal water starwort Callitriche hermaphroditica and a number of species of pondweed, including the nationally scarce slender-leaved pondweed Potamogeton filiformis, also grow in the loch. Greylag goose Loch Scarmclate is an important roosting site for wintering greylag goose which are present between late September and late April each year. More than 1% of the British population of greylag goose regularly overwinter here. The loch is used mainly as an overnight roost site but birds sometimes also remain on the loch during the day.

Species mentioned