The fascinating world of machair
A unique coastal habitat found in Scotland and the Scottish islands.
Machair: A Rare Coastal Gem
The fascinating world of machair
Machair is a Gaelic word that translates to “fertile, low-lying grassy plain.” It’s a remarkable habitat with a rich tapestry of wildflowers and abundant birdlife. Here’s why it’s so special:
- Unique Distribution:
- Machair occurs only on the exposed west-facing shores of Scotland and Ireland. Nowhere else on the globe can you find this distinctive habitat.
- The best-developed machair landscapes are found on the Uists, Tiree, and Barra, but it also exists on Orkney, Shetland, Lewis, Harris, and some mainland sites.
- Formation and Features:
- Machair is shaped by lime-rich shell sand deposited by the sea thousands of years ago. Powerful winds eroded dunes, spreading the sand inland.
- Unlike fixed sand dunes, machair has a flat or gently undulating landscape.
- Variety of Vegetation: Common flowers like red clover, bird’s-foot-trefoil, yarrow, and daisies thrive here. Rarer species include the lesser-butterfly orchid and Hebridean spotted orchid.
- Wet hollows host iris beds, while damp patches support silverweed and ragged-Robin.
- Wildlife and Biodiversity:
- Invertebrates and Birds: The variety of plants attracts diverse invertebrates, which, in turn, draw birds to feed and breed on the machair.
- Listen for the corncrake’s distinctive “crex crex” call and spot the elusive bird.
- Greater Yellow Bumblebee: Machair is the favored habitat of the great yellow bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus).
- Breeding waders, including lapwings and redshanks, thrive here.
- Conservation Importance:
- Human Interaction: The real conservation value lies in how a fairly high human population manages the land. Traditional crofting practices play a crucial role.
- Low-Intensity Farming: Light cattle-grazing, hay cutting, and rotational crop farming (free of artificial fertilizers or pesticides) have shaped the landscape over millennia.
- Challenges: Economic pressures have shifted machair management practices, impacting its biodiversity.
- Agri-Environment Support: To preserve machair, we need continued support through agri-environment funding.
- Climate Vulnerability:
- Machair is low-lying and vulnerable to climate change, especially rising sea levels and storms.
- Ongoing studies examine the impacts of climate change on this unique habitat.
In summary, machair is not just a habitat; it’s a living landscape shaped by people, wildlife, and centuries-old traditions. Its preservation is vital for biodiversity, cultural heritage, and the beauty it brings to our shores.
DO NOT PARK ON THE MACHAIR!
The machair is not just ’a patch of grass. Ceannabeinne Beach near Durness they’ve had to section off areas with tape to try to help the machair recover due to motorhomes, campervans and tents pitching up on it. This damage it can cause takes many months to recover.
Motorhome Touring Scotland Facebook Page a must for everyone considering visiting the Outer Hebrides and Scotland’s NC500 https://www.facebook.com/groups/motorhometouringscotland.
Johnnys Backyard Motorhome, Caravan and Campervan/selfbuild Accessories online store https://johnnysbackyard.co.uk
If you would like to support my channel you can do so here.
Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnnyburr
https://ko-fi.com/johnnyburr
Paypal Me https://paypal.me/johnnyburr?country.x=GB&locale.x=en_GB
YouTube Channel https://youtube.com/@johnnyburr/?sub_confirmation=1
although analogous to
altogether although this may be true
another another key point
basically as a matter of fact
because as a result
before as an illustration
besides as can be seen
but as has been noted
certainly as I have noted
chiefly as I have said
comparatively as I have shown
concurrently as long as
consequently as much as
contrarily as shown above
conversely as soon as
NC500 Pocket Map Book
Calmac Ferries
