A perennial wildflower, Scottish Primrose is an endemic species, found in Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, and nowhere else in the world. It grows less than 2km from the sea, on clifftops, in mosaics of heath and machair and on rocky outcrops. Scottish primrose is classified as ‘nationally scare’ and is on the Scottish Biodiversity List of species of principal importance for biodiversity conservation. It requires appropriate grazing management, often by sheep and as part of nature-rich farmland.
Photo: © Alistair Whyte
Action Needed
- The design of the agri-environment scheme being developed must provide targeted incentives and advisory support for more farmers and crofters to continue or adapt their management practices to support Scottish primrose.
- Access to private markets to fund habitat management and restoration.
- Targeted funding and conservation action.
- Protections from inappropriate development and land use change, such as afforestation.
Threats
- Over-grazing and under-grazing.
- Agricultural practices like fertilising and ploughing.
- Inappropriate development and tree planting.
- Nitrogen deposition and pressure from increased visitor numbers.
- Climate change, particularly through coastal erosion being exacerbated by more intense storms.
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