Flow Country inspectors set to make recommendation to Unesco on World Heritage bid after visit
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The Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland is a step closer to being regarded as a world-recognised natural wonder after a team of international delegates visited.
The group from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has been tasked by Unesco to examine submissions for World Heritage nominations for natural sites.
The inspectors spent five days last week travelling across the Flow Country to visit sites and attend formal meetings.
The evaluation visit provided a key opportunity for the inspectors to demonstrate and verify the contents of the detailed nomination dossier submitted by the local bid team to Unesco in January this year.
Dr Steven Andrews, the Flow Country World Heritage Project coordinator, said: “The inspection process has aimed to demonstrate that the Flow Country is the best example of a blanket bog landscape found anywhere in the world.
“It is globally recognised for sequestering more CO2 than all of the UK’s existing tree cover, while also providing unique natural habitats for rare plants and animals.
“We are immensely grateful for the input and enthusiasm of community members, scientific experts, businesses, landowners and public bodies from across the Flow Country for engaging with the inspection team and showcasing why the area so richly deserves worldwide recognition as a Unesco World Heritage site.”
As well as receiving briefings from UK government, Scottish Government and Highland Council officials, the IUCN team engaged directly with the dozens of local people and organisations backing the World Heritage site bid.
They included visits to Scaraben, Munsary, Crask, Tongue and Forsinard during their stay, and they engaged with community groups, crofters, estate owners, foresters, conservationists, developers, tourism businesses, scientific experts and government agencies.
The findings from the visit will now be reported back to Unesco and a recommendation made to the World Heritage committee on whether the Flow Country will join natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon in being recognised by the global cultural institution for its outstanding natural attributes.
Raymond Bremner, leader of Highland Council and a Wick and East Caithness councillor, said: “It was a great pleasure, on behalf of rural communities across Caithness and Sutherland, to welcome Unesco-nominated representatives to the Highlands and see what we have long recognised as an immensely special environment move one step closer to being recognised on a global stage.
“The next priority for us is now to be prepared to maximise the benefits that may spring from inscription if the nomination is successful.”
Frances Gunn, who chairs the Flow Country World Heritage Project Steering Group, said: “After so much hard work, and support of so many people across the region, it is thrilling to see such a tangible marker of the progress in the nomination process.
“I would like to thank everyone who took part in promoting this massive opportunity for the environment, economy and culture of in the north of Scotland.”
The IUCN officials are now expected to report the findings of their inspection to Unesco and provide a recommendation to the World Heritage committee who ultimately make a decision as to whether the nomination is successful or not.
A final decision is expected in mid-2024.
