APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
Landscape Character Assesment Landscape Sensitivity Landscape Capacity Afforestation Strategy Ahmad Maghrabi, Jana Hyskova, Christina Gonzales, Jiajia Liu, Miguel Bernat Mussons
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study Legend 2
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7
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3
3 1
1
Diabaig Coastal Corries
2
Ben Alligin Mountains
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Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobmil Valley Torridon Mountains with Forest River Torridon Valley Basin
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4 5
5
6
Coulin Forest Estate
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10
Loch Torridon Coastal Forest with Crofting Sheildaig Coastal Settlement Upper Torridon Coastal Settlement Moorland
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Croic Sheinn Mountain
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Loch Lundie Forest Valley Sheildaig Forest Valley
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16
9
6
9
15
11 17 13
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14 15 16 17
19
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25
23
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31
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Applecross Lowlands Fringe Moorland Applecross Estate Estuary
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Applecross River Basin
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Applecross Valley
21
Applecross Mountains
22
Kishorn Valley
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Upper Kishorn Corries
24
River Carron Valley
25
Loch Dughaill Valley Basin Applecross Coastal Settlement
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29
27 28
26 32
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0
28
1
2
3
4
5km
Scale 1: 50,000 @ A1
Loch Damh Valley Basin Ben Damh Mountains with Forest Applecross Coastal
Applecross Coastal Plateau Kishorn Coastal Settlement
29
River Kishorn Estuary
30
Loch Kishorn Coastal Forest
31
Kishorn Midlands
32
Loch Carron Coastal Settlement
Landscape Character Assessment
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
Factors to consider for afforestation
General Design Guidance
• Altitude
GENERAL DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR VALLEYS
• Exposition (visual and wind)
• Protect and extend existing natural woods • Connect existing woodland patches so that habitats are linked to be cohesive units • Natural, organic shape of woodlands respecting natural form of the landscape • Valley floors remain without forest, strengthened with clumps of low growing vegetation along the water course to reinforce riparian corridors and maintain aesthetic value
• Steepness of the slopes and stability of the surface • Proximity of water courses and water bodies • Soil and ground surface types (growing medium) • Valuable habitat areas • Historical and natural preserved areas • Valuable scenic areas, scenic viewpoints
GENERAL DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR SETTLEMENT AREAS • More dense settlements around Lochs surrounded by clusters of woods for shelter • Scattered settlements along the coast stay more exposed with planting of small clusters of trees in relation to them to maintain the distinct character of the landscape GENERAL DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR PLATEAU, MOORLAND
General Design Guidance MAIN OBJECTIVE • Strengthen existing woodland habitat to create a functional woodland corridor network efficiently connected with the woodland habitat network in the wider context GENERAL DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR MOUNTAIN AREAS / SLOPES • New planting considered at the bottom 1/3 of the slope to follow the natural landscape of water courses, gullies, and valleys • Emphasize the prominent landforms, such as valleys, gullies, ridges, water courses • Managed woodland potential in the bottom third of the mountains and slopes • Semi-natural broadleaf woodland potential on upper parts to grow naturally up into the valleys, ridges, gullies • Top of the mountain peaks left barren, treeless with spread clusters of grassland and heather
• Open character of that landscape should stay preserved to maintain the distinctive integrity of the landscape • Any planting is undesirable, to keep the current aesthetic quality GENERAL DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR MOUNTAIN LOCHS AND VALLEYS • Strengthen existing natural vegetation and woodlands with limited planting in clusters GENERAL DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR EXPOSED COASTAL ZONES • Strengthen existing natural vegetation with limited planting in clusters GENERAL DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR SHIELDED COASTAL LOCHS ZONES • Planting should follow natural landform such as the coastal line which extends inland through the valleys • Extend existing woodlands and vegetation around settlements, incorporating habitat into a connected framework
Landscape Character Assesment
Technical Capacity
Legend Hi gh Medi um Low
KEYCRI TERI A -Vi s ual /Sens i t i v i t y ( Loc al / wi der /i mpac t / ex pos ur eands hel t er ed) . -Val uabl ehabi t at s . -Nat i onal Sc eni cVal ueand Hi s t or i c al Val ue
Landscapesensi t i vi t y
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
Units
Landscape Sensitivity H
• Dense corries, search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
H
• Search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
M
• Search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
H
• Search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
M
• National Scenic Value
M
• Search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
H
• Most exposed coastal landscape which is visually unique to the type of landscape, potential to expand the existing crofting forest
H
• Potential to expand existing broad leaved mixed woodland, existing settlements, National Scenic Value
H
• Potential to expand forest around existing settlements, National Scenic Value
H
• Valuable existing moorland and blanket bog habitats, aesthetically unique, expanding the forest along the perimeter of the unit
H
• Visually significant landmark due to distinct high peak surrounded by relatively low rolling landscape, National Scenic Value
M
• Significant water body and mountain valley, National Scenic Value, sheltered with potential to extend existing general woodland forest
13
M
• Not exposed with potential to mass existing broad leaved woodland forestation, no significant water bodies, search area for Wild Land Scottish
14
H
• Significant water body valley basin, existing broad leaved mixed woodland, search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
15
H
• Distinct landform and montane habitat, mountain peaks have zero capacity to grow forests and treeless, search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
16
H
• Open, exposed landscape, scattered settlements, search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Landscape Landscape Character Character Sensitivity Assesment
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
Units
Landscape Sensitivity
17 18 19 20
H
• Low, rolling landscape which has distinct grassland and heather habitats, zero capacity to grow forests
H
• Existing forest in relation to the historic estate
H
• Existing forest and aesthetically valuable river basin
H
• Dominant grassland habitat which is inland with some potential to grow forests in relation to the water course
21
H
• Distinct landform corries and montane habitat, sheltered inland, mountain peaks have zero capacity to grow forests and treeless, National Scenic Value, main road cutting through the mountains
22
M
• Sheltered valley surrounding settlements, with medium potential for expanded forest, search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
23
H
• Distinct corries and montane habitat, mountain peaks have zero capacity to grow forests and treeless, search area for Wild Land Scottish Natural Heritage, National Scenic Value
24 25
M
• Existing broad leaved mixed woodland forests to potentially expand, edge of National Scenic Value, bordering Loch Carron Settlement
M
• Good potential for riparian forest in addition to existing broad leaved woodland forest
26
H
• Historic settlement value in relation to Applecross Estate, potential to expand on existing coniferous woodland forests, partial area of Great Landscape Value
27
H
• Exposed, wild, unique loch dominant landscape, Low, rolling landscape which has distinct grassland and heather habitats, zero capacity to grow forests
28
H
•
29
H
• Existing salt marsh habitat aesthetically valuable estuary basin, with zero capacity for forestationNatural Heritage, National Scenic Value
30
L
• Dominant existing conifer woodlands reinforcing the perimeter of the unit with great potential to increase forestation, connection with settlement along Loch Kishorn
31
H
• Distinct corries, prominent grassland and montane habitat, treeless
32
L
• One of the larger settlement communities with potential to extend the coniferous and broad leaved mixed woodland forests
Partial area of Great Landscape Value, sheltered coast which runs along prominent Loch Kishorn, scattered settlement
Landscape Landscape Character Character Sensitivity Assesment
Legend Hi gh+ Hi gh Medi um Low Low+
LandscapeCapaci t y
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
Unit Numbers
Unit names
Technical Capacity
Landscape Sensitivity
Landscape Capacity
Unit Numbers
Technical Capacity
Landscape Sensitivity
Landscape Capacity
Applecross Lowlands Fringe Moorland
L
H
L
Applecross Estate
H
H
H
Applecross Estuary
H
H
H
Applecross Valley
M
H
L
Unit names
1 2 3 4
Diabaig Coastal Corries
H
H
L
Ben Alligin Mountains
M
H
L
Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobmil Valley
M
M
M
Torridon Mountains with Forest
L
H
L
17 18 19 20
5
River Torridon Valley Basin
M
M
M
21
Applecross Mountains
L
H
L
6
Coulin Forest Estate
M
M
H
22
Kishorn Valley
H
M
H
7
Loch Torridon Coastal Forest with Crofting
H
H
M
23
Upper Kishorn Corries
L
H
L
Sheildaig Coastal Settlement
H
H
H
River Carron Valley
H
M
H
Upper Torridon Coastal
H
H
H
Loch Dughaill Valley Basin
H
M
H+
Moorland
M
H
M
Applecross Coastal Settlement
H
H
M
Croic Sheinn Mountain
M
H
L
Applecross Coastal Plateau
L
H
L+
Loch Lundie Forest Valley
H
M
M
Kishorn Coastal Settlement
H
H
M
Sheildaig Basin
H
M
H
River Kishorn Estuary
H
H
L+
Loch Damh Valley Basin
H
H
M
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Loch Kishorn Coastal Forest
H
L
H
Ben Damh Mountains with Forest
M
H
L+
Kishorn Midlands
M
H
M
Applecross Coastal
H
H
L
Loch Carron Coastal Settlement
H
L
H
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
31 32
Landscape Character Sensitivity & Capacity Assesment
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
6 Coulin Forest Estate Location
Landscape Character •
Inland, low “U” shaped valley with gently rolling slope sheltered by high peak mountains
•
Big loch areas connected by rivers with wide extended coniferous woodlands among them and higher concentration in the loch’s proximities
•
Grassland and heather moorland all over
•
Settlement areas among the bigger lochs are connected by local roads in lower part of the valley, by the river
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The higher lands of the valley habitat are mainly grassland and heather with some sandstone clears
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The peaks of the high mountains around the area create a route of lower areas going by different big lochs
Existing Character
Design Guidance for Afforestation •
Valuable natural preserved areas around the lochs with a particular pine woodland habitat
•
Sheltered low lands, provided of fresh water from all the high mountain ranges around it and the Lochs
•
The river conections between lochs may think of the possibility of having a forest network among the water source
•
Into a bigger context it could be extended to connect thw two main forested valleys
•
At higher lands, there are some sand stone clears that avoid thinking of possibly forested areas
Landscape Character Assesment M Bernat Mussons
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
8 Shieldaig Coastal Settlement Location
Landscape Character • Landform moderately dropping to Loch Shieldaig • Coastal zone partly forested in the shielded bay with natural and seminatural forest including natural Ancient pinewood and Atlantic Oakwood patch • Scenery dominated by prominent coastal edge of Loch Shieldaig and framed by mountain range rising on both banks of the Loch. Overall appearance impacted by settlements spread around the coast Local Ecology: • Woodland habitat including natural Ancient pinewood, with remnants of Atlantic Oakwood • Sand fringes habitat along the shoreline
Existing Character
Design Guidance for Afforestation • Desirable to protect and extend existing natural and semi natural woodlands • Incorporate patches of existing woodlands to create more robust framework • In upper parts of the slope woodland should follow natural landform such as gullies and ridges • The species selection should respect species naturally occurring in the area in order to create natural mixed woods (Scots Pine, Oak, Rowan, Birch)
Landscape Character Assesment J. Hyskova
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
14 Loch Damh Valley Basin Location
Landscape Character • The basin is composed by a huge flat floor which is shaped by gentle slopes. The flat floor forms a horizontal skyline and the view is formed by mountains. • Mountains are mainly covered by moorland and bare rocks on top. Smoothing slopes on one side and relative steep slope on another side. • Some large water bodies are surrounded by mountains. • Landscape has distintive, rough, barren character. Local Ecology: • Treeless area • Heatherland and grassland established on the the floor of the glens
Existing Character
Design Guidance for Afforestation • The focused view along the valley bottom is framed by gentle slope mountains has very high visual sentivitivy. Bare peaks of the mountains have distinctive open landform. This high scenic quality and barren character is visually very sensitivity. • Extend existing small patchs of woods which follow the landform and water courses to create functional ecological corridor. • Valley floors should stay unforested, strengthened with riparian habitat along the water course. The open space which is covered by moorland and heatherland should stay as open. • Maintain its rough, barren and exposed character on the mountain.
Landscape Character Assesment J. Liu
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
15 Ben Damh Mountains with Forest Location
Landscape Character •
Distinctive mountains surrounded by interconnected lochs and rivers which further highlight the landforms from the landscape
•
Numerous corrie and montane elements which form a mass of ‘U’ shaped valleys
•
Superficial deposits of diamicton, sand and gravel
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Minimal dense forest woodland cover along the Loch coast
•
Heather and grassland dominate mountain and corrie slopes with sandstone and mudstone soils consistent throughout the prominent shaped valleys
Local Ecology:
Existing Character
•
Heather moorland dominates the landscape with dispersed grassland and montane habitats
•
Prominent salt marsh habitat at edge of loch coast
Design Guidance for Afforestation •
Recommended to plant trees to be managed on the bottom of third of the mountain so that may follow the natural landform of prominent water courses, valleys, and gullies
•
Native mixed broadleaved woodlands should transition from the managed woodlands thru into midslope, reinforcing the forest and a natural flow with the mountain peaks left barren, treeless due to zero capability
•
Desirable to enhance mountain peaks with dispersed clusters of heather and grassland to give more variation in texture and a natural gradient into more dense forest below
•
Potential for planting regeneration and nature conservation as well as minor crofting forestry
Landscape Character Assesment C.Gonzalez
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
16 Applecross Coastal Location
Landscape Character •
Exposed coastline transitioning into a smooth undulated heather moorland
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Sandstone and mudstone bedrock with sparse superficial deposits of diamiction, sand and gravel
•
Numerous waterfalls and rivers flow throughout the low, barren land feeding into the Inner Sound
•
Main road running along the entire coast serving few scattered settlements
Local Ecology:
Existing Character
•
Treeless landscape which highlights expanses of inland water
•
Sand dunes and machair dominate the coastline edge
Design Guidance for Afforestation •
Strengthen the existing heather moorland and wood land with planting clusters of vegetation, which will not take away from the distinct open landscape
•
Not desirable to plant trees in order to maintain the exposed, windy character and valued visual appearance
•
Potential for crofting forestry as well as conifers and natural woodlands, but would significantly affect the notable aesthetic of this coastal character .
Landscape Character Assesment C. Gonzalez
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON Landscape Planning Rural Study
27 Applecross Coastal Plateau Location
Landscape Character • Exposed, flat, open upland plateau with numerous water bodies. • Landform formed by flat bedrock massive with igneous rock, with no dramatic changes. High vegetation absent, being more so vegetated by heather moorland and grassland • Settlement free and treeless scenery endorse feeling of exposed, barren, ´wildland´ • Striking 360° open panoramic view to surrounding landform/ islands raising from the sea Local Ecology: • Moorland and grassland habitat with numerous water bodies
Existing Character Design Guidance for Afforestation • Heather moorland and grassland is very valuable and unique habitat and worth protecting • There are no prominent changes in landform, such as deep valleys, gullies or ridges that could be used as natural framework for new woodlands even in scattered form. Such open scenery is visually very sensitive. • Any woodland planting, even in limited scope , would have dramatic effect on visual character.
Landscape Character Assesment J. Hyskova
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON
Integration of Tourism and Renewables Strategies to Afforestation part 1
Landscape Planning Rural Study
LEGEND Good possibility to incorporate with Afforestation Strategy Partial opportunities to incorporate with Afforestation Strategy Conflicting with Afforestation Strategy
Integration of Strategies
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON
Integration of Tourism and Renewables Strategies to Afforestation part 2
Landscape Planning Rural Study
LEGEND Good possibility to incorporate with Afforestation Strategy Partial opportunities to incorporate with Afforestation Strategy Conflicting with Afforestation Strategy
Integration of Strategies
APPLECROSS AND TORRIDON
Final Conclusions
Landscape Planning Rural Study
TOURISM • Overall, the Tourism Strategy can be easily incorporated with the proposed Afforestation Strategy. • The proposed Tourism Strategy has minor impact on the proposed additional forestry, but the forestry can significantly contribute to the tourist experience.
RENEWABLES • Wind has fair potential on the most exposed areas of the landscape. • Biomass has good potential throughout the majority of the landscape, especially surrounding the settlement areas. However, the suggested amount of biomass conflicts with many of the proposed natural woodlands. • Micro-hydro has low impact on the Afforestation Strategy and has many opportunities along prominent water bodies and courses. • Solar has minor potential, but the proposed amount could be accomodated with the Afforestation Strategy. • Ground Source Heat Pump has good potential to be incorporated in all settlement areas.
Integration of Strategies