Torrs to Mason's Walk

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 54.7695, -4.0429

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The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright County

Condition (NatureScot)

Favourable (5)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
F1 Maritime cliff Favourable — 2010-10-04
F2 Saltmarsh Favourable — 2019-02-28
F3 Shingle Favourable — 2019-01-29
F4 Wenlock Favourable — 2005-03-31
F5 Vascular plant assemblage Favourable — 2019-01-30

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

Coastal vegetated shingle, Mixed scrub, Montane scrub, Salt marsh

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Silurian

Landscape processes: Coastal

Description

Torrs to Mason's Walk This site stretches approximately 9km along the coast, approximately 5km south of Kirkcudbright, and is notified for geological features, coastal habitats and plants. This coast exhibits unrivalled sections through the Silurian turbidites sequences of the southern Southern Uplands. These include Llandovery and Wenlock strata, the Raeberry Castle and Ross formations respectively, as well as the problematic rocks variously assigned within the Silurian. These sediments have been interpreted as representing part of an accretionary prism formed on the northern continental margin of the Iapetus Ocean. The turbidites of the Ross formation yield graptolites from numerous localities here, allowing these rocks to be dated as being of Wenlock age. This, taken with graptolite determinations from the Raeberry Castle formation, place the rocks of the area firmly in the lower and middle Silurian and make the site one of considerable significance. This is a key locality in studies of sedimentation and stratigraphic relationship in the Silurian of the Southern Uplands, their structure bearing on the evolution of the continental plate forming the northern margin of the Iapetus Ocean. The site is botanically one of the richest coastal areas in the Stewartry District, reflecting the variety of habitats developed over the exposed Silurian rocks. There are numerous storm terraces of flat stones and shingle supporting such rare and localised plants as oysterplant Mertensia maritima, sea-kale and sea radish. The base of the cliffs has developed small areas of saltmarsh with lax-flowered sea-lavender Limonium humile; base-rich grassland with yellow-vetch, hare’s foot clover, carline thistle and seaside centaury. The cliffs support extensive communities of rock samphire, rock sea-spurrey Spergularia rupicola and English stonecrop. Acid maritime grassland, maritime heath, flushes, cliff scrub with juniper and coastal woodland are also represented.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
lax flowered sea lavender Limonium humile LC herb plumbaginaceae
oyster plant Mertensia maritima VU herb boraginaceae
rock spurrey Spergularia rupicola LC herb carophyllaceae

Plant communities

MC6 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Hard cliff and cliff slope

Atriplex prostrata-Beta vulgaris ssp. maritima sea-bird cliff community

Daucus carota, Sonchus oleraceus, Taraxacum officianalis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Spergularia rupicola, Atriplex hastata, Malva arborea, Plantago coronopus, Armeria maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Rumex crispus, Bromus hordeaceous, Catapodium marinum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra

SD1 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Rumex crispus-Glaucium flavum shingle community

Solanum dulcamara, Crithmum maritimum, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Helminthotheca echioides, Hypochaeris radicata, Jacobaea vulgaris, Lactuca serriola, Leontodon saxatilis, Senecio viscosus, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Crambe maritima, Cerastium fontanum, Honckenya peploides, Sagina apetala, Silene uniflora, Atriplex prostrata, Sedum acre, Euphorbia paralias, Lathyrus japonicus, Geranium robertianum, Glaucium flavum, Plantago coronopus, Plantago lanceolata, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia juncea, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne

SD2 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Honkenya peploides-Cakile maritima strandline community

Salsola kali, Achillea millefolium, Cirsium arvense, Eryngium maritimum, Hypochaeris radicata, Senecio vulgaris, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cakile maritima, Cerastium diffusum, Honckenya peploides, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex glabriuscula, Atriplex laciniata, Atriplex littoralis, Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Sedum acre, Polygonum oxyspermum subsp. Raii, Rumex crispus, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Ammophila arenaria, Arrhenatherum elatius, Elytrigia juncea, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Leymus arenarius, Poa annua

SD3 — Coastal vegetated shingle, Sand dune

Matricaria maritima-Galium aparine strandline community

Bolboschoenus maritimus, Juncus bufonius, Juncus gerardii, Ligusticum scoticum, Matricaria discoidea, Sonchus arvensis, Sonchus asper, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Mertensia maritima, Cakile maritima, Cochlearia officinalis, Honckenya peploides, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex glabriuscula, Atriplex patula, Atriplex prostrata, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Leymus arenarius, Poa annua

SM1 — Salt marsh

Zostera communities

Zostera angustifolia, Zostera marina, Zostera noltei, Spartina anglica, Porphyra umbilicalis, Chondria dasyphylla, Polysiphonia nigra, Chara aspera, Chaetomorpha linum, Chaetomorpha tortuosa, Cladophora battersii, Cladophora retroflexa, Ulva intestinalis, Ulva lactuca, Fucus spiralis

SM2 — Salt marsh

Ruppia maritima salt-marsh community

Ruppia maritima

SM3 — Salt marsh

Eleocharis parvula salt-marsh community

Eleocharis parvula

SM4 — Salt marsh

Spartina maritima salt-marsh community

Suaeda maritima, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Spartina maritima

SM5 — Salt marsh

Spartina alterniflora salt-marsh community

Puccinellia maritima, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina anglica

SM6 — Salt marsh

Spartina anglica salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Cochlearia anglica, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Catenella caespitosa, Fucus vesiculosus, Fucus vesiculosus ecad volubilis

SM7 — Salt marsh

Arthrocnemum perenne stands

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima, Bostrychia scorpioides

SM8 — Salt marsh

Annual Salicornia salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Salicornia europaea, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM9 — Salt marsh

Suaeda maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Salicornia europaea, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM10 — Salt marsh

Transitional low-marsh vegetation with Puccinellia maritima annual Salicornia species and Suaeda maritima

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM11 — Salt marsh

Aster tripolium var. discoideus salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Plantago maritima, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Bostrychia scorpioides, Fucus vesiculosus, Pelvetia canaliculata

SM12 — Salt marsh

Rayed Aster Tripolium on slat marshes

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bufonius, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM13 — Salt marsh

Puccinellia maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus gerardii, Suaeda maritima, Aster tripolium, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium humile, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Spartina maritima, Bostrychia scorpioides, Fucus cottonii

SM14 — Salt marsh

Halimione portulacoides salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Artemisia maritima, Aster tripolium, Inula crithmoides, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Elytrigia atherica, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica

SM15 — Salt marsh

Juncus maritimus-Triglochin maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex extensa, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Oenanthe lachenalii, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium humile, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Festuca rubra, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Fucus cottonii

SM16 — Salt marsh

Festuca rubra salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Carex distans, Carex flacca, Juncus gerardii, Hypnum cupressiforme, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Cochlearia anglica, Cerastium fontanum, Sagina procumbens, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cynosurus cristatus, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Puccinellia maritima

SM17 — Salt marsh

Artemisia maritima salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia atherica, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Hordeum marinum, Parapholis strigosa, Puccinellia maritima

SM18 — Salt marsh

Juncus maritimus salt-marsh community

Carex distans, Carex extensa, Carex otrubae, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Amblystegium serpens, Kindbergia praelonga, Oenanthe lachenalii, Cirsium arvense, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene flos-cuculi, Atriplex hastata, Lotus corniculatus, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Samolus valerandi, Ranunculus acris, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis stolonifera, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Poa pratensis, Schedonorus arundinaceus

SM19 — Saline lagoon, Salt marsh

Blysmus rufus salt-marsh community

Blysmus rufus, Carex extensa, Carex lepidocarpa, Carex nigra, Eleocharis quinqueflora, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Amblystegium serpens, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Drepanocladus polygamus, Leptodictyum riparium, Oenanthe lachenalii, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Cochlearia anglica, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Glaux maritima, Potentilla anserina, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima

SM20 — Saline lagoon, Salt marsh

Eleocharis uniglumis salt-marsh community

Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex distans, Carex extensa, Carex nigra, Eleocharis quinqueflora, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus articulatus, Juncus gerardii, Leptodictyum riparium, Oenanthe lachenalii, Hydrocotyle vulgaris, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Atriplex hastata, Trifolium repens, Triglochin maritimum, Triglochin palustre, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Glaux maritima, Samolus valerandi, Potentilla anserina, Galium palustre, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Festuca rubra

SM21 — Salt marsh

Suaeda vera-Limonium binervosum salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Frankenia laevis, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Sagina maritima, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium bellidifolium, Limonium binervosum, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima

SM22 — Salt marsh

Halimione portulacoides-Frankenia laevis salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Frankenia laevis, Suaeda maritima, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Plantago coronopus, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Elytrigia juncea, Festuca rubra, Parapholis strigosa, Puccinellia maritima

SM23 — Salt marsh

Spergularia marina-Puccinellia distans salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus bufonius, Suaeda maritima, Spergularia marina, Spergularia media, Atriplex hastata, Salicornia europaea, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Polygonum aviculare, Glaux maritima, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Parapholis strigosa, Puccinellia distans, Puccinellia maritima

SM24 — Salt marsh

Elymus pycnanthus salt-marsh community

Atriplex portulacoides, Juncus gerardii, Juncus maritimus, Hypnum cupressiforme, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Aster tripolium, Sonchus arvensis, Atriplex hastata, Atriplex littoralis, Beta vulgaris sp maritima, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Potentilla anserina, Galium aparine, Agrostis stolonifera, Ammophila arenaria, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Parapholis strigosa, Phragmites australis, Puccinellia maritima

SM25 — Salt marsh

Suaeda vera drift-line community

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Suaeda vera, Artemisia maritima, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia danica, Cochlearia officinalis, Spergularia media, Atriplex littoralis, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago maritima, Limonium vulgare, Glaux maritima, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima, Bostrychia scorpioides, Pelvetia canaliculata

SM26 — Salt marsh

Inula crithmoides stands

Atriplex portulacoides, Suaeda maritima, Inula crithmoides, Spergularia media, Salicornia europaea, Salicornia perennis, Plantago maritima, Armeria maritima, Limonium vulgare, Elytrigia atherica, Festuca rubra, Puccinellia maritima, Spartina anglica, Bostrychia scorpioides

SM28 — Salt marsh

Elymus repens salt-marsh community

Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex otrubae, Eleocharis uniglumis, Juncus gerardii, Kindbergia praelonga, Odontites verna, Anthriscus sylvestris, Apium graveolens, Heracleum sphondylium, Oenanthe crocata, Oenanthe lachenalii, Torilis japonica, Centaurea nigra, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium vulgare, Scorzoneroides autumnalis, Sonchus arvensis, Tripleurospermum maritimum, Cochlearia anglica, Cochlearia officinalis, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Atriplex hastata, Atriplex littoralis, Calystegia sepium, Lotus corniculatus, Medicago lupulina, Melilotus altissima, Trifolium repens, Vicia cracca, Triglochin maritimum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago maritima, Rumex conglomeratus, Rumex crispus, Glaux maritima, Potentilla anserina, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Agrostis stolonifera, Alopecurus geniculatus, Arrhenatherum elatius, Dactylis glomerata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Elytrigia repens, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis, Puccinellia maritima, Schedonorus arundinaceus

W20 — Montane scrub

Salix lapponum-Luzula sylvatica scrub

Salix arbuscula, Salix cinerea, Salix lapponum, Salix myrsinites, Salix phylicifolia, Salix reticulata, Empetrum nigrum, Calluna vulgaris, Salix lanata, Vaccinium myrtillus, Vaccinium uliginosum, Carex atrata, Carex bigelowii, Carex binervis, Carex flacca, Luzula multiflora, Luzula sylvatica, Huperzia selago, Selaginella selaginoides, Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium hornum, Philonotis fontana, Plagiomnium undulatum, Rhizomnium punctatum, Dicranum bonjeanii, Dicranum majus, Dicranum scoparium, Fissidens adianthoides, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Calliergonell cuspidatum, Ctenidium molluscum, Hylocomium splendens, Hypnum callichroum, Hypnum cupressiforme, Palustriella commutatum, Plagiothecium denticulatum, Plagiothecium undulatum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sanionia uncinata, Scorpidium revolvens, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Polytrichastrum alpinum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum russowii, Sphagnum squarrosum, Sphagnum subnitens, Sphagnum teres, Barbilophozia barbata, Chiloscyphus polyanthos, Diplophyllum albicans, Lophocolea bidentata, Plagiochila porelloides, Ptilidium ciliare, Scapania undulata, Cladonia squamosa, Peltigera canina, Angelica sylvestris, Caltha palustris, Hieraclium spp., Saussurea alpina, Solidago virgaurea, Campanula rotundifolia, Succisa pratensis, Valeriana officinalis, Rhodiola rosea, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Thymus praecox, Epilobium anagallidifolium, Dactylorhiza viridis, Euphrasia officinalis, Rhinanthus minor, Oxalis acetosella, Oxyria digyna, Polygonum viviparum, Rumex acetosa, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus acris, Thalictrum alpinum, Alchemilla alpina, Alchemilla glabra, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum rivale, Galium boreale, Galium saxatile, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga hypnoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga stellaris, Viola riviniana, Agrostis canina, Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Deschampsia cespitosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca ovina, Festuca rubra, Nardus stricta, Dryopteris dilatata, Phegopteris connectilis

W21 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Crataegus monogyna-Hedera helix scrub

Hedera helix, Salix cinerea, Acer pseudoplatanus, Ilex aquifolium, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fagus sylvatica, Quercus robur, Fraxinus excelsior, Malus sylvestris, Sorbus aria, Taxus baccata, Ulmus glabra, Ulmus procera, Sambucus nigra, Viburnum lantana, Euonymus europaeus, Cornus sanguinea, Juniperus communis, Ligustrum vulgare, Clematis vitalba, Rhamnus cathartica, Crataegus laevigata, Crataegus monogyna, Prunus spinosa, Juncus effusus, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Kindbergia praelonga, Rhynchostegium confertum, Tamus communis, Heracleum sphondylium, Torilis japonica, Arum maculatum, Arctium minus, Cirsium arvense, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Stellaria graminea, Stellaria holostea, Stellaria media agg., Calystegia sepium, Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Iris foetidissima, Glechoma hederacea, Lamium purpureum, Origanum vulgare, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Allium ursinum, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Circaea lutetiana, Rumex sanguineus, Anemone nemorosa, Ranunculus repens, Fragaria vesca, Geum urbanum, Potentilla sterilis, Poterium sanguisorba, Rosa arvensis, Rosa canina, Rubia peregrina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Anisantha sterilis, Arrhenatherum elatius, Brachypodium pinnatum, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromopsis erecta, Dactylis glomerata, Elytrigia repens, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris filix-mas

W22 — Hedgerow scrub, Mixed scrub

Prunus spinosa-Rubus fruticosus scrub

Hedera helix, Acer campestre, Corylus avellana, Ulex europaeus, Prunus spinosa, Plagiomnium undulatum, Brachythecium rutabulum, Eurhynchium striatum, Kindbergia praelonga, Thuidium tamariscinum, Atrichum undulatum, Lophocolea bidentata, Achillea millefolium, Cardamine flexuosa, Lonicera periclymenum, Moehringia trinervia, Silene dioica, Silene uniflora, Stellaria media agg., Mercurialis perennis, Geranium robertianum, Stachys sylvatica, Teucrium scorodonia, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Oxalis acetosella, Digitalis purpurea, Plantago lanceolata, Veronica chamaedrys, Armeria maritima, Rumex acetosa, Filipendula ulmaria, Geum urbanum, Rosa canina, Rubus fruticosus agg., Rubus idaeus, Galium aparine, Urtica dioica, Viola riviniana, Agrostis capillaris, Brachypodium sylvaticum, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca rubra, Holcus lanatus, Holcus mollis, Poa trivialis, Asplenium scolopendrium, Pteridium aquilinum, Dryopteris borreri, Dryopteris filix-mas