Caithness Lochs

Caithness Lochs is a protected wetland area in the historic county of Caithness in the far north of Scotland. With a total area of 1,379 hectares, it covers six freshwater lochs and a complex area of fen and swamp, and has been protected as a Ramsar Site since 1998. The area comprises seven distinct wetlands, each of which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest: Broubster Leans, Loch of Mey, Loch Calder, Loch Heilen, Loch of Wester, Loch Scarmclate and Loch Watten. These provide a variety of habitats for waterfowl and wading birds, including internationally important populations of greylag geese, white-fronted geese and whooper swans. It is also important for several species of reed, pondweed and water sedge. As well as being recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, Caithness Lochs has also been designated a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of Conservation.