Have your say on Shetland Reserve management

The public consultation runs until 25 March inviting comments on management proposals for Hermaness NNR over the next ten years.

National Nature Reserves are special places where people can enjoy the best of Scotland’s nature and Hermaness is a spectacular and wild destination exposed to the harsh North Atlantic Ocean.

The reserve hosts one of the largest seabird colonies in Europe, including internationally important populations of gannets, puffins and great skuas (bonxies). Its cliffs are of geological interest and are home to several rare plants, whilst the spectacular coastal scenery includes views of Muckle Flugga, with its famous lighthouse, and Britain’s most northerly outpost – Out Stack.

SNH manages Hermaness under an agreement with the reserve’s owners, providing information and interpretation for visitors and maintaining the paths across the fragile blanket bog to the seabird cliffs.

Jonathan Swale, SNH Operations Officer for Shetland, said: “This consultation is important because it allows people to tell us what they think about the reserve and help shape its future management. We are especially keen to see Hermaness used to the benefit of the local community and schools and we hope to gather as many responses as possible. These will be taken into account when we write the final plan for the reserve.”

The proposals and information about the reserve are available on the NNR website.

Leaflets about the proposals for Hermaness are available in the local area and from SNH’s Lerwick office (Ground Floor, Stewart Building, Lerwick, ZE1 0LL. Tel: 01595 693345). Comments should be sent to jonathan.swale@snh.gov.uk