European Rewilding Network
ERN1303

Coigach Assynt

Scotland's Living Landscapes

Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape is blessed with some of the most dramatic and instantly recognisable landscapes in the British Isles.

Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape (CALL) is one of the largest landscape-scale restoration projects in Europe, covering 635 square kilometres, included within a 40-year vision. The project area is blessed with some of the most dramatic and instantly recognisable landscapes in the British Isles, and within these some of the rarest and most endangered habitats.

The Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership Scheme (CALLP) is a five-year National Lottery Heritage Funded project comprising 14 Partner organisations, of which the Scottish Wildlife Trust is the lead partner. CALLP is a mechanism for delivering outputs of the CALL 40-year vision.

The Partnership comprises community land-owners, community interest groups, charitable land-owners, private land-owners and charitable membership organisations. The eclectic group of organisations involved represent and reflect the unique heritage and structure of land ownership and management present in this part of the Highlands. Collectively, these Partners are committed to delivering a Scheme comprising 28 individual projects between September 2016-2021.

Specification Description Achievements Exchange
Project: Coigach Assynt
Region: North West Highlands of Scotland
Type of protection: Two Special Areas of Conservation, a national scenic area, a geopark
Habitat types: Temperate acidic broadleaved woodland, upland grasslands, lochs and rivers, blanket bog, dry heath, coastal communities
Keystone species: Much of the native fauna is absent
Fauna (mega) species present: Red deer, roe deer, a range of whales and dolphins
Aim and vision: See above
It is 2050; the communities of Coigach and Assynt are working together to achieve a truly living landscape through improved understanding of their environment and the impacts of climate change; shared active management providing a diverse range of connected and resilient habitats
Uniqueness of the project: In a UK context the extent of the project and the range of landowning partners is unique
Other activities: Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: 200 ha of native woodland created. The species reintroduction's debate is further advanced and we are considering the feasibility of reintroducing lynx and beaver
Results so far: Red deer numbers are problematic and we are working towards sustainable deer management that will allow habitats and species to recover
Inspirational value: The Coigach-Assynt Living Landscape Project is a collaboration of seven different landowners in Coigach and Assynt to coordinate initiatives of shared interest. As two of the landowners are local community groups, this ensures that the views and input of the wider community is included at all times. For example, the awaited Living Landscape Partnership Scheme, primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, includes the eight landowners and five community groups who will implement over 30 projects covering land restoration, cultural and natural heritage needs and priorities across the local area.
Experience you would like to share: A unique landscape and people, a long term vision to improve habitats and begin a debate about species rientroductions
Experience you would like to gain: Deer management, lynx and other reintroductions including the social/community context
Map
Country
UK, Scotland
Start year
2011
Size (ha)
60000
Area type
Mountainous
Natural process
Other
Flagship species
Red deer
Coigach Assynt
Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape is blessed with some of the most dramatic and instantly recognisable landscapes in the British Isles.

Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape (CALL) is one of the largest landscape-scale restoration projects in Europe, covering 635 square kilometres, included within a 40-year vision. The project area is blessed with some of the most dramatic and instantly recognisable landscapes in the British Isles, and within these some of the rarest and most endangered habitats.

The Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership Scheme (CALLP) is a five-year National Lottery Heritage Funded project comprising 14 Partner organisations, of which the Scottish Wildlife Trust is the lead partner. CALLP is a mechanism for delivering outputs of the CALL 40-year vision.

The Partnership comprises community land-owners, community interest groups, charitable land-owners, private land-owners and charitable membership organisations. The eclectic group of organisations involved represent and reflect the unique heritage and structure of land ownership and management present in this part of the Highlands. Collectively, these Partners are committed to delivering a Scheme comprising 28 individual projects between September 2016-2021.

Map
Country
UK, Scotland
Start year
2011
Size (ha)
60000
Area type
Mountainous
Natural process
Other
Flagship species
Red deer
Specification
Project: Coigach Assynt
Region: North West Highlands of Scotland
Type of protection: Two Special Areas of Conservation, a national scenic area, a geopark
Habitat types: Temperate acidic broadleaved woodland, upland grasslands, lochs and rivers, blanket bog, dry heath, coastal communities
Keystone species: Much of the native fauna is absent
Fauna (mega) species present: Red deer, roe deer, a range of whales and dolphins
Description
Aim and vision: See above
It is 2050; the communities of Coigach and Assynt are working together to achieve a truly living landscape through improved understanding of their environment and the impacts of climate change; shared active management providing a diverse range of connected and resilient habitats
Uniqueness of the project: In a UK context the extent of the project and the range of landowning partners is unique
Other activities: Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Recreational activities, Research, Sale of sustainable products
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: 200 ha of native woodland created. The species reintroduction's debate is further advanced and we are considering the feasibility of reintroducing lynx and beaver
Results so far: Red deer numbers are problematic and we are working towards sustainable deer management that will allow habitats and species to recover
Exchange
Inspirational value: The Coigach-Assynt Living Landscape Project is a collaboration of seven different landowners in Coigach and Assynt to coordinate initiatives of shared interest. As two of the landowners are local community groups, this ensures that the views and input of the wider community is included at all times. For example, the awaited Living Landscape Partnership Scheme, primarily funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, includes the eight landowners and five community groups who will implement over 30 projects covering land restoration, cultural and natural heritage needs and priorities across the local area.
Experience you would like to share: A unique landscape and people, a long term vision to improve habitats and begin a debate about species rientroductions
Experience you would like to gain: Deer management, lynx and other reintroductions including the social/community context
Coigach Assynt
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