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43-560: Around 8,000 people visit the Moine Mhòr NNR every year, with the reserve being popular with local people and school groups, as well as tourists visiting the nearby attractions of Kilmartin Glen and the Crinan Canal . A 600 m nature trail has been constructed at the northern edge of the reserve; other visitor facilities include a car park and picnic area. The Moine Mhòr began to form after

86-406: A natural monument or feature by IUCN's guidelines, the protected area could include natural geological or geomorphological features, culturally-influenced natural features, natural cultural sites, or cultural sites with associated ecology. The classification then falls into two subcategories: those in which the biodiversity is uniquely related to the conditions of the natural feature and those in which

129-515: A proportion of the land mass remain in its natural condition—a decision to be made on a national level, usually with specificity to each protected area. Governance has to be developed to adapt the diverse—and possibly growing—range of interests that arise from the production of sustainable natural resources. Category VI may be particularly suitable to vast areas that already have a low level of human occupation or in which local communities and their traditional practices have had little permanent impact on

172-405: A single menhir in the middle. Around which are seven smaller stones and one fallen one. Another menhir is one hundred metres to the northwest leading towards the circle. Alexander Thom toured this site with Magnus Magnusson in 1970 in a BBC television documentary called "Chronicle: Cracking the stone age code" . He suggested that it "gave so much information that it must be regarded as one of

215-459: A six-mile (ten-kilometre) radius of the village, with 150 monuments being prehistoric. Monuments include standing stones , a henge monument , numerous cists , and a "linear cemetery" comprising five burial cairns . Several of these, as well as many natural rocks, are decorated with cup and ring marks . The remains at Dunadd of the fortress of the Scots, a royal centre of Dal Riata , are located to

258-620: A system developed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The enlisting of such areas is part of a strategy being used toward the conservation of the world's natural environment and biodiversity. The IUCN has developed the protected area management categories system to define, record and classify the wide variety of specific aims and concerns when categorising protected areas and their objectives. Further supplementary guidelines have been developed specific to marine protected areas (MPAs). This categorisation method

301-450: Is a comparatively smaller area that is specifically allocated to protect a natural monument and its surrounding habitats . These monuments can be natural in the fullest sense or include elements that have been influenced or introduced by humans. The latter should hold biodiversity associations or could otherwise be classified as a historical or spiritual site, though this distinction can be quite difficult to ascertain. To be categorised as

344-506: Is an area in Argyll north of Knapdale . It has the most important concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in mainland Scotland . The glen is located between Oban and Lochgilphead , surrounding the village of Kilmartin . In the village, Kilmartin Museum explains the stories of this ancient landscape and the people who dwelt there. There are more than 800 ancient monuments within

387-506: Is limited to a minimum, often allowing only those who are willing to travel of their own devices (by foot, by ski, or by boat), but this offers a unique opportunity to experience wilderness that has not been interfered with. Wilderness areas can be classified as such only if they are devoid of modern infrastructure, though they allow human activity to the level of sustaining indigenous groups and their cultural and spiritual values within their wilderness-based lifestyles. A IUCN Category II area

430-532: Is one of the more flexible classifications of protected areas. As a result, protected landscapes and seascapes may be able to accommodate contemporary developments, such as ecotourism , at the same time as maintaining the historical management practices that may procure the sustainability of agrobiodiversity and aquatic biodiversity. Though human involvement is a large factor in the management of these protected areas , developments are not intended to allow for widescale industrial production. The IUCN recommends that

473-419: Is over 6m long, around 1.7m high, and 1.8m wide at its northern end, tapering to 1.5m. Although now exposed, the chamber would have been encased within the cairn. Two cists were also located in this cairn, to the south of the chamber. Archaeological finds recovered from Nether Largie South include Neolithic pottery and arrowheads. This is the most southerly cairn in the linear cemetery, believed locally to be

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516-406: Is prohibited. Because these areas are so strictly protected, they provide ideal pristine environments that enable measurement of external human influence by means of comparison with other areas. In some cases, strict nature reserves are of spiritual significance for surrounding communities and are also protected for this reason. The people engaged in the practice of their faith within the region have

559-612: Is recognised on a global scale by national governments and international bodies such as the United Nations and the Convention on Biological Diversity . A strict nature reserve (IUCN Category Ia) is an area which is protected from all but light human use in order to protect its biodiversity and also possibly its geological/geomorphical features. These areas are often home to dense native ecosystems where all human disturbance except scientific study, environmental monitoring and education

602-461: Is similar to a strict nature reserve, but generally larger and protected in a slightly less stringent manner. These areas are a protected domain in which biodiversity and ecosystem processes (including evolution) are allowed to flourish or experience restoration if previously disturbed by human activity. These are areas which may buffer against the effects of climate change and protect threatened species and ecological communities. Human visitation

645-452: Is similar to a wilderness area in its size and its main objective of protecting functioning ecosystems. However, category II areas tend to be more lenient with human visitation and its supporting infrastructure. Category II areas are managed in a way that may contribute to local economies through promoting educational and recreational tourism on a scale that will not reduce the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Despite "national park" being

688-606: The International Union for Conservation of Nature . Moine Mhòr also holds other national and international conservation designations for its natural heritage, being both a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC): these designations cover a wider area than the NNR ( c . 11.5 km). Moine Mhòr lies within the Knapdale national scenic area (NSA) Kilmartin Glen Kilmartin Glen

731-582: The Nature Conservancy Council (NCC - the predecessor body of NatureScot) decided to purchase 500 ha of land and declared the area a national nature reserve. Since taking ownership NatureScot have attempted to reverse historical drainage of the bog by the damming of drainage ditches, with over 190 dams having been constructed by 2017. This has led to a rise in the water table, and allowed the sphagnum mosses to regenerate. NatureScot has also taken action to remove trees and scrubs in order to maintain

774-533: The last ice age some 10,000 years ago, as rising sea levels covered the area in impermeable marine clay. The land began to rise as the glaciers melted due to post-glacial rebound , and a shallow estuary formed at the mouth of the River Add . A freshwater loch formed over the Moine Mhòr, separated from the sea by an area of saltmarsh. About 5,500 years ago sea levels fell further, and sphagnum mosses started to colonise

817-489: The marsh fritillary (one of Europe’s most threatened butterfly species), which lives on devil's-bit scabious , a plant of the drier fringes of the bog. The large heath butterfly, a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species is also present, and the reserve hosts many species of dragonflies . 235 bird species have been recorded at the reserve, with the bog itself supporting species such as curlew and meadow pipit , whilst redshank , snipe and oystercatcher breed on

860-404: The area as a raised bog. Sphagnum mosses are the key plants in the formation of a raised bog and nine species have been recorded at Moine Mhòr NNR. The marginal habitats mean that there is also a diverse flowering plant community, including purple heath orchid , round-leaved sundew , bog myrtle and bog asphodel . The plant life of the bog helps supports many types of invertebrates, including

903-421: The area, contributing to the area's sustainable management and engaging with its natural and cultural heritage. Landscapes and seascapes that fall into this category should represent an integral balance between people and nature and can sustain activities such as traditional agricultural and forestry systems on conditions that ensure the continued protection or ecological restoration of the area. Category V

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946-456: The area, which was kept damp due to the impermeable clay. Over time layers of peat were laid down, leading to the Moine Mhòr as it is today. Moine Mhòr lies to the west of Kilmartin Glen, one of the most important prehistoric landscapes in Scotland, however the boggy conditions prevented these prehistoric people from living or farming on the moss. It is nonetheless likely that they would have used

989-402: The bog by drainage in order to commence agriculture. Controlled burning of the unimproved sections of the bog continued, however the focus shifted from grazing to sporting interests, with the aim of encouraging red grouse for shooting parties . Around 1980 approximately 100 ha of conifer plantation were planted at Moine Mhor. In order to prevent the disappearance of more of the blanket bog,

1032-463: The bog to cut peat for fuel, and to collect berries and lichens for food, drinks, dyes, and potions. Core samples have shown that the bog was regularly burnt to maintain open grazing for animals. The Crinan Canal , built immediately to the south of the Moine Mhòr between 1794 and 1801, led to a decline in peat cutting, as coal from the Glasgow area began to replace peat as fuel. Landowners began to "reclaim"

1075-588: The boundary of the cairn, can still be seen. Inside two cists were found, with grooved joints between the stone slabs. Cup marks, and a carving of an axehead, can be seen on the southern cist. Nether Largie South is the oldest monument of the linear cemetery. It is a Neolithic chambered cairn of the Clyde type, probably dating from the fourth millennium BC. The cairn was probably originally around 40m in diameter and 4m high, although stone robbing has reduced its size. The internal chamber, subdivided into four by floor slabs,

1118-429: The common name of category II, not all protected areas titled "national park" fit the criteria for category II. The surrounding areas of a category II site may be for consumptive or non-consumptive use but should nevertheless act as a barrier for the defence of the protected area's native species and communities to enable them to sustain themselves in the long term. A natural monument or feature (IUCN Category III)

1161-467: The current levels of biodiversity are dependent on the presence of the sacred sites that have created an essentially modified ecosystem. Natural monuments or features often play a smaller but key ecological role in the operations of broader conservation objectives. They have a high cultural or spiritual value that can be utilised to gain support of conservation challenges by allowing higher visitation or recreational rights, therefore offering an incentive for

1204-495: The first of their kind to be found in Scotland. Depictions were contained two male red deer with full-grown forked horns, which were considered to have been the largest deer species in Scotland during this time. Two kilometers south of Kilmartin and one kilometer south of the Nether Largie South Cairn is the site of Bruach An Druimein. Excavated in the 1960s in advance of gravel quarrying, archaeologists discovered

1247-631: The following reasons: (i) the Barbreck Stones do not indicate any of the same declinations of celestial bodies as the Kilmartin Stones; (ii) the Barbreck Stones do not unambiguously indicate the declinations of any significant celestial body; and (iii) the Barbreck Stones do not indicate any prominent notches that can be used for investigation into the orbital variations of the Moon. Kilmartin Glen has "a remarkable concentration of some of

1290-421: The maintenance, conservation, and restoration of particular species and habitats—possibly through traditional means—and public education of such areas is widely encouraged as part of the management objectives. Habitat or species management areas may exist as a fraction of a wider ecosystem or protected area and may require varying levels of active protection. Management measures may include (but are not limited to)

1333-491: The most important, if not the most important site in Britain". He clarified his hypothesis that it was a lunar observatory for predicting eclipses . A reassessment of this hypothesis was carried out by Jon Patrick from Melbourne University in 1979. His conclusion was: that there are reasonable grounds for doubting that the Kilmartin Stones were deliberately orientated on the occurrence of any type of astronomical phenomena, for

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1376-516: The most impressive cup and ring decorated rock surfaces in Scotland". The purpose, and even the precise date, of cup and ring marks is uncertain. They are found on natural rock surfaces at Achnabreck, Cairnbaan , Ballygowan, and Baluachraig near Kilmichael Glassary . In May 2021, archaeologists announced the discovery of prehistoric ancient deer carvings thought to date to the Neolithic or Early Bronze Age inside Dunchraigaig Cairn. They are

1419-491: The possible burial place of a King. It was built between 2200 BC and 1950 BC, and was more recently used as a lime kiln. Three excavations took place at the site: By Reverend Mapleton (1870); Craw (1929); and V. Gordon Childe (1936). All traces of the lime kiln were removed following a reconstruction of the site. Nether Largie standing stones are located southeast of Temple Wood stone circle and are composed of four menhirs , arranged in pairs an approximately 70 metres apart, with

1462-426: The preservation of the site. A habitat or species management area (IUCN Category IV) is similar to a natural monument or feature, but focuses on more specific areas of conservation (though size is not necessarily a distinguishing feature), like an identifiable species or habitat that requires continuous protection rather than that of a natural feature. These protected areas will be sufficiently controlled to ensure

1505-577: The prevention of poaching , creation of artificial habitats, halting natural succession, and supplementary feeding practices. A protected landscape or protected seascape (IUCN Category V) covers a body of land or ocean with an explicit natural conservation plan, but usually also accommodates a range of for-profit activities. The main objective is to safeguard regions that have built up a distinct and valuable ecological, biological, cultural, or scenic character. In contrast with previous categories, Category V permits surrounding communities to interact more with

1548-565: The remains of a Bronze Age cists cemetery, the remains of two round houses from the Iron Age , the first certain Iron Age roundhouses to have been discovered by excavation in Argyll, and a standing stone of a fairly recent date, the 19th century. The archaeological materials were examined shortly after the excavation but has since been reexamined in the 2000s and that has led to different interpretations of

1591-464: The right to continue to do so, providing it aligns with the area's conservation and management objectives. Human impacts on strict nature reserves are increasingly difficult to prevent because climate and air pollution and newly emerging diseases do not stop at the boundaries of protected areas. If perpetual intervention is required to maintain these strict guidelines, the area will often fall into category IV or V. A wilderness area (IUCN Category Ib)

1634-428: The saltmarsh areas. The reserve hosts an important population of breeding hen harriers ; other raptors present include short-eared owls , which also breed here occasionally, whilst ospreys can be seen fishing along the river and at the estuary. Otters regularly visit the watercourses, and roe and sika deer also visit the Moine Mhòr. The national nature reserve is classified as a Category IV protected area by

1677-458: The site. Stone tools that were originally thought to be from the Mesolithic period, ending 3000 BC, are now believed to be from the neolithic or Bronze Age, but not related to the cist burials. Two medieval glass beads were found that have similar chemical compositions to those found at Dunadd , leading the archaeologists to believe the site was associated with Dunadd. In 2007, Kilmartin Glen

1720-568: The south of the glen, on the edge of the Moine Mhòr ("Great Moss"). Kilmartin Museum is located within the village itself and inspires and educates people by interpreting, explaining and conserving the internationally important archaeological landscape, artefacts, and natural heritage of Kilmartin Glen. The most visible feature of the Kilmartin Glen is the linear arrangement of cairns, running over three miles (five kilometres) south-by-southwest of

1763-511: The village. There are five remaining cairns in the alignment, although cropmarks and other traces suggest that there may originally have been more. The burial cairns are of Bronze Age origin, with the exception of Nether Largie South cairn, which is a Stone Age structure, rebuilt in the Bronze Age. The most northerly cairn, Glebe is situated immediately to the west of Kilmartin Village. The cairn

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1806-425: Was excavated in 1864 by the antiquary Canon William Greenwell , and two concentric stone circles were found beneath the stones. At the centre were two cist burials, and finds recovered included a jet necklace and a decorated bowl. This cairn was first excavated in 1929, shortly after much of the stone had been reused in roadbuilding. It is around 30m across, and was formerly 3m in height. Kerbstones, which formed

1849-573: Was the setting for Half Life , a piece of landscape art and performance created by the Scottish theatre company NVA in collaboration with the National Theatre of Scotland . 56°8′1″N 5°29′13″W  /  56.13361°N 5.48694°W  / 56.13361; -5.48694 IUCN protected area categories IUCN protected area categories , or IUCN protected area management categories , are categories used to classify protected areas in

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