Cairngorms rare plants win special protection

FOUR of the rarest and most endangered plants in the Cairngorms are to get their own guardian to ensure their survival.

Andy Scobie has been appointed the Cairngorms rare plants officer in a three-year project costing 155,000.

The conservation project will focus on twinflower (Linnaea borealis), intermediate wintergreen (Pyrola media), lesser butterfly orchid (Platanthera bifolia), and small cow-wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum).

Mr Scobie, who will be based at the Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) offices at Achantoul near Aviemore, has a background in ecology and studied for his PhD at Aberdeen University. He will establish new populations of the endangered plants at carefully selected sites.

He said: "This project is a really exciting opportunity to raise awareness of the plight of these endangered plants and to work alongside land managers and experts in the field, to develop and deliver targeted conservation action on the ground."

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) applied to the Esme Fairburn Foundation for 80,540 towards the total project costs with a further 45,000 coming from SNH's Species Action Framework and the remaining 30,000 from the CNPA.

Aberdeen University will also contribute towards employing and managing the project officer.

Stephen Corcoran, local biodiversity action plan officer at the CNPA, said: "This work should help prevent the extinction of both twinflower and small cow-wheat in the UK and significantly enhance the prospects of the other target species and the wider biodiversity of the managed sites.

"Part of the project will also involve raising awareness at the sites being targeted with the general public and recreational users."