Leading heritage body slams 'unfavourable' condition of Arthur's Seat grassland

The condition of one of the Capital’s most famous natural landmarks has been criticised by the public body charged with protecting Scotland’s wild places.

Arthur’s Seat, the extinct volcano in Holyrood Park beloved by locals and tourists alike, is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its acres of wild grassland and geological features.

But an investigation by the News can reveal the iconic hill is one of a number of SSSIs in Scotland flagged by experts as facing threats to their unique environments.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), which periodically assesses important natural sites ranging from hills to lochs, blamed “lack of remedial management” for the condition of Arthur’s Seat.

Holyrood Park is managed by Historic Environment Scotland.

A spokeswoman told the News it was working with SNH to address the issues raised.

Nearly one third of SSSIs deemed 'unfavourable'

There are 1,423 SSSIs north of the Border, which contain a total of 3,712 important environmental features – such as important geological examples, or being home to a rare species of animal or plants.

But new research has found that of the features assessed by SNH, almost one-third (32 per cent) were classed as being unfavourable.

Wildlife charities have branded the findings “shocking”, while SNH said it was taking action to restore sites.

SNH added that many of the listed features were either recovering or were projected to recover. It said it had recently announced an extra £2 million of Scottish Government funding to boost biodiversity.

Across the UK, half of the most recent inspections (49.9 per cent) of protected land or natural features found poor conditions or the destruction of habitats, analysis by the JPIMedia Data Unit found.

They include a colony of puffins on Sumburgh Head in an unsatisfactory and declining state, with the situation blamed on climate change.

The nature reserve on Shetland, which is co-managed by the RSPB, has experienced an “apocalyptic” decline in numbers of seabirds nesting there.

Arthur's Seat needs better grassland management

Arthur’s Seat is an SSSI with three important features. But the conditions of its grassland is rated as “unfavourable”.

The hill, which offers commanding views of the city and the Firth of Forth, is one of the Capital’s most popular destinations for tourists.

A spokeswoman for Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which manages the site, said: “Holyrood Park is a unique site, comprising complex geology as well as a rich and diverse collection of plants and wildlife, including over 60 rare plant species.

“We are working to address grassland management within the Park as identified by Scottish Natural Heritage, and to review grass cutting regimes in accessible areas. We will continue to work closely with SNH to explore management methods that continue to bring these unique grasslands into a favourable condition.

“While the condition of these areas of grassland is not solely related to increased visitor numbers, we are committed to balancing management of this unique and complex site while ensuring it remains open and accessible to a wide range of visitors.

“HES has implemented a range of measures to mitigate the impacts of both climate change and increased visitor numbers within the Park, including upgraded drainage and path improvements.”

Many SSSI are under private ownership, but SNH said it was working with landowners to resolve issues.