description Flow Country Overview
The Flow Country is an extensive expanse of blanket bog and associated peatland habitats across Caithness and Sutherland in northern Scotland, covering roughly 4,000 square kilometres. Its waterlogged, nutrient-poor landscape contains deep peat accumulated over thousands of years and supports specialized plants and breeding birds. Part of the region is protected as the Flow Country World Heritage Site, recognized for its globally significant blanket-bog ecosystem.
insights Ranking position
Flow Country ranks #2 of 113 in the Moor ranking, behind Dartmoor, ahead of North York Moors.
help Flow Country FAQ
Why is Scotland's Flow Country important for climate change?
Its blanket bog stores a vast quantity of carbon in deep, waterlogged peat accumulated over thousands of years. Draining or burning the bog can release carbon, while rewetting damaged areas helps protect the remaining store.
What wildlife lives in the Flow Country?
The peatland supports birds including golden plover, dunlin, greenshank, and red-throated diver. Its patterned pools, wet heath, and bog vegetation create breeding habitat that is scarce elsewhere in Britain.
Why were trees planted on parts of the Flow Country?
Large areas were drained and planted with commercial conifers during the 20th century, especially in the 1980s. Conservation projects now remove trees from selected sites, block drainage channels, and restore bog hydrology.
Is the Flow Country a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes, The Flow Country was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2024. The designated landscape lies across Caithness and Sutherland in northern Scotland.
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