Cairngorm Lochs is a protected wetland area in the Cairngorms, in the Grampian and Highland regions of Scotland. With a total area of 173 hectares, it covers five freshwater lochs which are among the highest areas of standing water in the UK. It has been protected as a Ramsar Site since 1981.[1]
| Cairngorm Lochs | |
|---|---|
 A view towards the east end of Loch Avon | |
| Location | Grampian and Highland, Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°6′12.36″N 3°37′37.68″W / 57.1034333°N 3.6271333°W |
| Area | 1.73 km2 (0.67 sq mi)[1] |
| Established | 1981 |
The site is composed of five separate lochs: Etchachan, Uiane, Coire an Lochain, Avon and Einich. All five lakes are extremely oligotrophic and support highly specialized populations of zooplankton and phytoplankton; the two largest also support plant populations including Littorella uniflora, Lobelia dortmanna and Juncus bulbosus.[2]
As well as being recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, the lochs are additionally protected as they all lie within the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park.
References edit
- ^ a b "Cairngorm Lochs". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
- ^ "UK Cairngorm Lochs 13002 RIS 2005" (PDF). Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 27 February 2019.