Protected Areas and Marine Landscapes Near Barra Fan and Hebrides Terrace Seamount

West of Scotland Marine Protected Area: Geographic Atlas and Seafloor Mapping

Extensive North Atlantic deep sea protected zone in Scotland

Spanning a immense area west of the Outer Hebrides, the West of Scotland Marine Protected Area is a critical offshore conservation zone defined by its varied benthic topography. From the steep continental slope to the sediment plains of the Rockall Trough, the area houses complex deep sea fish populations, cold water coral reefs, and sponge aggregations on isolated seamounts.

Area

107,773 km²

Established

2020

Scope

Marine

Water

Water-dominated

Monach Islands Nature Reserve: Atlas Overview of Outer Hebrides Coastal Landscapes

Mapped protected areas and machair grassland geography

The Monach Islands consist of three main islands linked by tidal flats, creating a dynamic environment shaped by coastal erosion and maritime forces. As a protected nature reserve, the islands are vital for understanding rare machair habitats and the marine geomorphology of the Outer Hebrides, serving as a critical refuge for seabirds and thousands of breeding grey seals.

Area

5.981 km²

IUCN

IV

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Glenveagh National Park: A Protected Landscape in the Heart of County Donegal

Mapped geography and natural terrain for Ireland's national park.

Delve into the geographic specifics of Glenveagh National Park, a protected area situated in County Donegal. This section provides detailed information on its mapped boundaries and regional landscape context. Understand how this national park fits within the natural geography of Ulster, offering a structured atlas view for detailed exploration of its unique terrain and protected status.

Area

169.58 km²

Established

1986

IUCN

II

Relief

Mixed relief

South Lewis, Harris and North Uist National Scenic Area Geography and Protected Lands

A diverse Scottish landscape of mountains and Atlantic coastline

Spanning from south-west Lewis through Harris to North Uist, this protected area features a striking blend of mountain glens, white sand machair beaches, and expansive peatlands. It serves as a flagship landscape for the Western Isles, characterized by its indented fjardic shorelines and remote maritime character that defines the northern Hebridean environment.

Area

2,024 km²

Established

1981

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Temperate

Small Isles Protected Landscape: Atlas of the Highland Inner Hebrides Archipelago

Mapped terrain, volcanic geology, and coastal protected areas.

Delve into the geography of the Small Isles, a protected landscape encompassing Rùm, Eigg, Canna, and Muck. This atlas entry provides a structured look at the volcanic peaks, maritime skerries, and diverse land-stewardship boundaries that define this remote Scottish archipelago.

Area

472.35 km²

Established

1981

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Temperate

Roe Estuary Nature Reserve: Coastal Geography and Protected Estuarine Landscapes

Lough Foyle coastal terrain in County Londonderry

Explore the structured geography of Roe Estuary Nature Reserve, a primary coastal protected area in County Londonderry. This atlas entry details the reserve's intertidal mudflats, salt marshes, and riverine channels. Understand its unique position between the Binevenagh escarpment and the waters of Lough Foyle, highlighting its role as a vital corridor for migratory species and aquatic life within the Northern Ireland coastal landscape.

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Access

Access unknown

Scope

Mixed

Trotternish National Scenic Area: A Geographic Atlas of the Isle of Skye Protected Landscape

Basalt escarpments and geologic landmarks in the Scottish Highlands

Trotternish National Scenic Area features a long, continuous basalt escarpment that defines the spine of northern Skye. This protected landscape contains complex ridge formations, dramatic coastal cliffs, and a rich record of Jurassic geology. Learn about the physical geography, mapped extent, and natural terrain that make this region a key protected area within the Highland geography of Scotland.

Established

1981

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Access

Moderate access

Loch Sunart Marine Protected Area: Coastal Geography and Highland Seascape Atlas

Deep-water marine basins and protected Highland coastal terrain.

Discover the mapped landscape of Loch Sunart, a 31-kilometre sea loch in the Lochaber region of Scotland. This marine protected area is characterized by its complex underwater bathymetry, ranging from shallow tidal channels to deep basins reaching 124 metres, providing a unique look into the intersection of terrestrial Highland mountains and essential underwater bivalve and reef communities.

Area

49 km²

Established

2014

IUCN

IV

Relief

Lowland

Morar, Moidart and Ardnamurchan National Scenic Area: Coastal Geography and Protected Lands

A mapped overview of peninsulas, lochs, and Highland terrain

Investigate the protected landscape of Morar, Moidart and Ardnamurchan. This area combines dramatic basalt cliffs, silver sands, and significant historical sites within a remote maritime setting. Gain clarity on the overlapping conservation zones and the complex geography that shapes this distinctive Scottish coastal region.

Area

369.6 km²

Established

1981

Relief

Mixed relief

Access

Moderate access

Scarba, Lunga and the Garvellachs National Scenic Area: Protected Island Geography

Coastal landscapes and tidal seascapes of Argyll and Bute

Gain insight into the distinct protected landscape of the Scarba, Lunga and the Garvellachs National Scenic Area. This area balances mountainous moorland with green meadows, while its submerged marine reefs and fierce tidal waters contribute to a complex ecological and geographic identity within the Firth of Lorn.

Area

65 km²

Established

1981

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Benbane Head Protected Area: Geographic Profile and Regional Landscape Mapping

Coastal terrain and protected boundaries in County Antrim

Examine the geographic characteristics of Benbane Head, a significant protected area located in County Antrim. This profile highlights the site's physical boundaries and its place within the regional landscape, providing essential mapping context for understanding Northern Ireland's diverse natural terrain and conservation geography.

Area

0.052 km²

Established

1953

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Loch Sunart to the Sound of Jura Marine Protected Area: A Scottish Marine Geography Guide

Charting habitat management and Quaternary seabed geology in the western Highlands.

This protected area reaches across the waters of Loch Sunart, the Sound of Mull, the Firth of Lorne, and the Sound of Jura. By mapping this diverse bathymetry, the area safeguards essential marine habitats and the rare common skate population within a complex network of Highland sounds and coastal basins.

Area

741 km²

Established

2014

IUCN

IV

Climate

Temperate

Loch Alsh Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area: Geography and Protected Boundaries

A vital Highland marine landscape featuring rare underwater flame shell colonies.

Loch Alsh sits as a distinct marine boundary in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. This protected area safeguards a vast seafloor ecosystem, most notably a massive flame shell colony that has transformed local understanding of marine biodiversity in the region. The loch landscape blends ancient metamorphic geology with the fjord-like waters separating Skye from the mainland, offering a unique perspective on protected coastal terrains.

Area

0.75 km²

Established

2014

Relief

Mountain

Climate

Temperate

Isle of Lewis Protected Area: Geography, Coastal Landscapes, and Highland Terrain

Mapped regional geography of the Outer Hebrides

The Isle of Lewis represents a significant protected landscape defined by its ancient geological roots and diverse coastal ecosystems. From the lime-rich machair grasslands of the west to the deeply indented sea lochs of the east, this area offers a unique perspective on the physical geography and inland peatland networks of the North Atlantic.

Area

1,770 km²

Visitors

219K annual

Relief

Mixed relief

Climate

Temperate

Loch Sween Marine Protected Area: Coastal Geography and Regional Atlas Map

A distinctive sea loch ecosystem in Argyll and Bute.

Investigate the coastal topography and protected marine boundaries of Loch Sween. This sea loch is defined by its irregular branching inlets and islands, creating a unique habitat mosaic of maerl beds and burrowed mud within the broader context of the western Scottish coastline.

Area

41 km²

Established

2014

IUCN

IV

Access

Access unknown

Loch Creran Marine Protected Area: Atlas and Coastal Geography of Argyll and Bute

Mapped tidal basins, flame shell reefs, and Atlantic oakwood habitats

Loch Creran is a primary example of integrated marine and coastal conservation on the west coast of Scotland. Characterized by its long, narrow form and dramatic bathymetry, the loch creates a rich environment where rapid tidal currents meet sheltered forest shorelines. This record provides a detailed look at the geographic structure, protected seabed zones, and the transition from sea loch to the ancient woodlands at the head of the inlet.

Area

12 km²

Established

2014

IUCN

IV

Relief

Lowland

Wild Nephin National Park: Ireland's Protected Landscape in County Mayo

National Park with regional geographic context.

Explore Wild Nephin National Park, a significant protected area situated in County Mayo, Ireland. This entry focuses on the park's mapped boundaries and its unique natural terrain, offering a clear geographic perspective. Understand how this national park contributes to the diverse landscapes of western Ireland and serves as a key point for atlas-based discovery of protected lands.

Area

150 km²

Established

1998

IUCN

II

Climate

Temperate

Castle Archdale Protected Landscape in County Fermanagh: Geography and Map Overview

Lakeside woodland and historic terrain on Lower Lough Erne

Located on the shores of Lower Lough Erne, Castle Archdale represents a unique protected landscape in County Fermanagh. The area features a complex mosaic of sheltered inlets, mature woodland, and open parkland that characterises the Fermanagh lakelands. Beyond its physical terrain, the site is defined by its historical significance, from seventeenth century estate remnants to its role as a pivotal wartime flying boat base, providing a rich context for geographic and environmental exploration.

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Access

Easy access

Scope

Terrestrial

Loch Carron Marine Protected Area: Coastal Geography and Protected Seabed Landscape Atlas

Exploring the tidal basins and underwater terrain of Ross and Cromarty.

Loch Carron stands as a landmark marine protected area defined by its dramatic underwater depth changes and robust tidal currents. This protected sea loch features the world's largest flame shell colony nestled beneath the cliffs at Strome Castle. The surrounding Highland geography of Ross and Cromarty creates a compressed, mountain-framed landscape that influences the rich ecological character of this essential coastal habitat.

Area

23 km²

Established

2019

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Ballynahone Bog: Northern Ireland Lowland Raised Peatland and Wetland Geography

Intact active bog dome and protected wetland landscape

Examine the geography of Ballynahone Bog, one of the largest remaining lowland raised bogs in Northern Ireland. This protected landscape preserves an active peat-forming surface, intricate hummock and pool complexes, and marginal fen habitats, offering insight into the ecological history and hydrological patterns of the Lough Neagh lowland region.

Area

2.432 km²

Established

1995

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate