Balance is key to protect globally significant Flow Country, says MP Jamie Stone
Far north MP Jamie Stone says the worldwide significance of the Flow Country must be protected as an increase in visitors is expected on the back of its new status.
Unesco’s World Heritage committee announced on Friday that the peatland in the Flow Country would be given the long-sought-after designation.
It approved the bid at its annual meeting in New Delhi. The World Heritage Site award is reserved for places of special natural, cultural, historical or scientific significance, and was given for the Flow Country’s Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) in ecosystem quality.
This makes it the UK mainland’s first World Heritage Site inscribed for the global importance of its natural ecosystems, and the country’s sixth site inscribed for natural criteria overall.
Mr Stone, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, expressed his joy at the news after what he said was almost 40 years of campaigning and said it signifies a recognition of the Flow Country’s natural and cultural value - as well as granting the land legal protection.
The Liberal Democrat MP said: “As the MP who represents the Flow Country, I’m more than thrilled by this news. Of course, many of us have long suspected that this unique habitat was probably of world importance - now we know that it most certainly is and has been recognised as such.
“Of course, this historic announcement will stimulate great public interest, and I should imagine that tourists and locals alike will be interested to see such a special place.
“The task for the future is to make sure that the visitor experience is of the highest quality - but at the same time, in no way undermines the long-term viability of such an extraordinarily delicate and important ecosystem.
“The world’s flora and fauna are treasures of priceless value and they must be protected for countless generations to come.”
The Flow Country now joins Scotland’s six existing World Heritage sites – the Neolithic Heart of Orkney, New Lanark, The Antonine Wall, the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh and the Forth Bridge, which were all awarded the designation for their cultural heritage, and St Kilda, recognised for both its cultural and natural importance.
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The successful bid for the designation was led by the Flow Country Partnership.
Acting Scottish Government net zero secretary Gillian Martin said: “This is a truly momentous day for Caithness and Sutherland, and indeed Scotland as a whole.
“The Flow Country is an area of truly outstanding natural beauty and its diverse ecosystems and peatlands are a vital part of our efforts to combat climate change and nature loss. This new global prominence will help preserve the area for many generations to come.
“I want to congratulate the Flow Country Partnership and everyone who has worked so hard towards this tremendous achievement. Their passion and determination has not only elevated the Flow Country to Unesco World Heritage Status, but has ensured its protection far into the future.”
UK government culture minister, Sir Chris Bryant, said: “The Flow Country is one of our most precious resources, as a vital habitat for many species and a key site for carbon capture that continues to inform our understanding of how blanket bog can be used to help mitigate climate change.
“It is right to recognise this truly inspiring landscape and I look forward to working closely with counterparts in Scotland to showcase this important addition to our UK World Heritage Sites.”
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: “Scotland has a rich history of Unesco World Heritage sites with six spread across our country from Heart of Neolithic Orkney to New Lanark, the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh to St Kilda and I am delighted the Flow Country has become Scotland’s seventh.
“Thanks to a strong endorsement from the UK government, the Flow Country, which has international importance as a habitat and for the diverse range of rare and unusual breeding birds it supports, is now the first peatland site on the World Heritage list.”
