Celebrating UNESCO recognition for the Flow Country

Today’s confirmation that the Flow Country has become Scotland’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed for its globally important ecosystem has been warmly welcomed by Wildland’s Chief Executive Tim Kirkwood.

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee has approved the bid at its congress in New Delhi, awarding the designation, reserved for places of special cultural, historical or scientific significance, for the Flow Country’s outstanding universal value in ecosystem quality and processes.  

Tim Kirkwood commented:

“Congratulations to everyone involved in this very special moment of celebration. Securing UNESCO World Heritage Site status is a huge achievement for the Flow Country Partnership after so many years spent carefully building the scientific, economic and community cases for inscription. 

“Its success is perfect testament to a shared vision for this beautiful, unique, fragile, diverse landscape and the determination of community representatives, businesses, scientists, conservationists, politicians and others to see the Flow Country’s global significance recognised and its future guaranteed.” 

The Flow Country World Heritage bid was brought forward by the Flow Country Partnership (formerly the Peatlands partnership), a broad group representing a wide range of stakeholders in the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland. Wildland has helped to fund and guide the project alongside The Highland Council, NatureScot and RSPB Scotland.