Loch Shiel – a very special place for wildlife
Loch Shiel and its surroundings, as well as being of outstanding scenic value and cultural and historical interest, form one of the finest parts of the Highlands for wildlife and natural history. Why is it such a ‘hotspot’ for biodiversity? The diversity, juxtaposition and extent of habitats, the climate and geology, the landuse history and the lack of disturbance or development are all factors which add up to make this area so very special for wildlife and nature conservation. This is reflected in a remarkable concentration of national and international designations for nature conservation - Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Special Areas of Conservation (under the Habitats Directive), National Nature Reserves, a Special Protection Area (under the EU Birds Directive), and a Biosphere Reserve.
 Loch Shiel is one of the largest freshwater lochs in Scotland, stretching for 28 km (over 17 miles) from Glenfinnan to Acharacle. Although very narrow for most of its length, it is exceptionally deep, descending to more than 100 metres depth in several places. A variety of waterbirds feed and breed here, most famously black-throated divers with their extraordinarily patterned plumage and mournful cries. Another loch inhabitant is the otter – though you are more likely to see otters on the coast in nearby Loch Sunart.
Ten species of dragonflies and damselflies, including the Highland darter, are just part of the rich wetland insect fauna to be found here. In shallow bays and pools look for the pretty flowers of water lobelia and white water lily – with luck you might even spot the elusive Irish ladies’ tresses orchid on the loch margin.
Claish Moss and Kentra Moss are two huge areas of peatland to the east and west of Acharacle which have developed over thousands of years. They are most spectacular when seen from above, with their shimmering patterns of bog pools – you can see this by looking across to Claish from the A861 laybye above Dalilea. Specialised plants grow on the bog surface, including three types of insect-eating sundews! As well as dragonflies, these bogs are also haunts for birds such as hen harrier and white-fronted geese, but beware – the bog surface can be treacherous.
Loch Shiel is hemmed in on all sides by the dramatic peaks of Moidart, Ardgour and Sunart – home to golden eagles and ravens. Large herds of red deer live here too, and the corries echo to the roaring of the stags in autumn, at the time of the rut.
 Lochaber is famous for its woodlands, particularly of oak and birch, and some of the most important examples in Europe occur on the north shore of Loch Shiel, between Glenfinnan and Langal. On patches of richer soil, ash and hazel grow too, with alder along the shore and on inflowing rivers such as the Callop. These woods are especially rich in mosses, liverworts, ferns and lichens, which grow luxuriantly on the trunks and branches of the trees, as well as over rocks and the ground beneath. There are some very fine woodlands of this type around Loch Moidart and Loch Sunart too. The fauna of these woodlands includes rare insects such as the chequered skipper butterfly, and mammals such as pine marten, wildcat and red squirrel.
Caledonian pinewoods are usually associated with the eastern Highlands, but there are some important remnants in Ardgour too. Opposite Glenfinnan on the steep slopes of Meall na h’Airigh is a splendid native pinewood. You can examine some of its magnificent old Scots pines by taking a short walk from the Forestry Commission picnic site just off the A830 to the east of Glenfinnan.
Further details of Lochaber's wildlife riches can be found in 'Living Lochaber: the Local Biodiversity Action Plan'.
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