Formal consultation windows are now closed but we still want to hear from you
Although the formal consultation is now over we would love to hear your thoughts and questions, so please feel free to contact us using the details below:
steven.andrews@highland.gov.uk (Flow Country World Heritage Project Coordinator, The Highland Council)
joe.perry@highland.gov.uk (Climate Change Coordinator, The Highland Council)
If you want to see the main issues raised from the consultation on the draft boundary and the draft management plan, and the responses given you can access a consultation summary report here.
Prior to adoption the Draft Management Plan, as amended to reflect the 2022 consultation, will be subject to a further consultation should the bid to UNESCO be successful.
Compilation of existing designations alongside the draft Flow Country World Heritage property boundary
Draft management plan consultation: July-September 2022
The Flow Country has experienced human influence for thousands of years and this landscape will continue to be shaped by those fortunate enough to call it their home. We have been working with communities to see that The Flow Country continues to be a world-class habitat, as well as ensuring that local people feel the benefit of this highest of heritage accolades.
Community consultation and input is key in shaping the World Heritage bid, and what can be achieved through World Heritage inscription. Information on previous consultation events is outlined below. This has included initial consultation of the concept in 2019, consultation on the proposed boundary (May - July 2022) and now on the draft management plan (18th of July - 12th September).
The draft management plan is a requirement of the UNESCO World Heritage nomination process. Of course, given the varied ownership and management across the site this plan does not aim to re-invent the wheel, but rather to draw together all of the current guidance, policy and plans into a coherent document. This aims to document the plans and practices that are in place, and that have contributed to the peatlands of Caithness and Sutherland being the best and most extensive example of blanket bog ecosystem in the World, so that UNESCO can see that this very special place will continue to be managed in the way that has led it to be in such outstanding condition.
The draft management plan is available here https://consult.highland.gov.uk/kse/event/36987. Consultation opened on the 18th of June (press release), and closed on the 12th of September.
Proposed boundary consultation: May-August 2022
The Flow Country Partnership took the draft Flow Country World Heritage site boundary on the road for a 16-day consultation tour of Caithness and Sutherland during May. Taking in Golspie, Brora, Helmsdale, Dunbeath, Lybster, Wick Reay, Thurso, Halkirk, Strathy, Bettyhill, Tongue, Altnaharra, Kildonan, Halladale and Lairg, we recieved really valuable input that will help shape the future form of the proposed site. Importantly we received approximately 80% support for the project. Alongside in person consultation events an online portal was open till 1st of August, collecting further important feedback.
All of the information that has been received is now being collated and will be considered in preparing the final boundary. A response to comments will also be published. An initial collation of answers to frequently asked questions has been prepared and is available here - FAQs.
World Heritage listing would be an incredible accolade for the area and the communities that live and work there, and it is hoped it will also bring economic benefits.
Flow Country World Heritage Site concept Consultation: 2019
A number of consultation events were undertaken to consider views on the concept of a Flow Country World Heritage Site.
Drop-in events
Gail Ross MSP attends our Wick drop-in event
We held 15 drop-in events at locations across Caithness and Sutherland through May and June 2019. We were really pleased to speak to just under 200 people at these events – thank you very much to everyone who came out to see us.
We will hold more of these events next year, so keep an eye on this page for more details.
Big events
Professor Iain Stewart, Professor Barry Gilbertson and Neil Oliver (left to right) at our Eden Court event
From 5th – 7th July we held three very well-attended events in Lairg, Thurso and Inverness. A huge thank you to the 850 people who came out to hear Professor Barry Gilbertson, Professor Iain Stewart and Neil Oliver talk about The Flow Country and the World Heritage Site Project.
Contact us
We would love to hear your thoughts and questions, so please feel free to contact us using the details below:
steven.andrews@highland.gov.uk (Flow Country World Heritage Project Coordinator, The Highland Council)
joe.perry@highland.gov.uk (Climate Change Coordinator, The Highland Council)