Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Despite their pristine beauty, the wild, empty
landscapes of the western and northern High-
lands are artificial wildernesses. Before the
Highland Clearances many of these empty
corners of Scotland supported sizeable rural
populations.
Offshore, some 800 islands are concentrated
in four main groups: the Shetland Islands, the
Orkney Islands, the Outer Hebrides and the Inner Hebrides.
LOCH LOMOND
Some 90% of Britain's surface fresh water is found
in Scotland, and Loch Lomond is Britain's biggest
body of fresh water.
The Water
It rains a lot in Scotland - some parts of the western Highlands get over 4.5m of it a year -
so it's not surprising there's plenty of water about. Around 3% of Scotland's land surface
is fresh water; the numerous lochs, rivers and burns (streams) form the majority of this,
but about a third is in the form of wetlands: the peat bogs and fens (mires) that form a
characteristic Highland and island landscape.
But it's salt water that really shapes the country. Including the islands, there's over
10,000 miles of Scottish shoreline: tortuous, complex, coastline that doubles back on itself
at the slightest opportunity.
Wildlife
Scotland's wildlife is one of its big attractions, and the best way to see it is to get out
there. Pull on the boots and sling on the binoculars, go quietly and see what you can spot.
Many species that have disappeared from, or are rare in, the rest of Britain survive here.
WINDING BACK THE CLOCK
Over the centuries many animal species have disappeared from Scotland, hunted into oblivion or left in the lurch
after the destruction of their habitat or food supply. As a means of increasing biodiversity, there's a strong case for
bringing some of them back. Though it has detractors, reintroduction of species has been implemented success-
fully in several instances. The red kite and the majestic white-tailed sea eagle, absent from Britain since the 19th
century, are now soaring Scottish skies again. The European beaver was released in a trial in 2009, a move op-
posed by some campaigners, who felt beavers might negatively impact the forests or water quality; the situation is
being carefully monitored.
But the mildly controversial beaver pales beside events at one Highland estate: the owner has already shipped
in elk (moose), and wants to go for wolves next.
