Wester Ross

This article is about the location in Scotland. For the fictional continent in Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire, see Westeros.

Wester Ross National Scenic Area
Shieldaig, viewed from the road to Applecross
A map of the Wester Ross National Scenic Area.
LocationRoss and Cromarty, Scotland
Coordinates57°39′58″N 5°13′08″W / 57.666°N 5.219°W / 57.666; -5.219
Area163,456 ha (631.11 sq mi)[1]/1634.58 sq. km
Established1981
Governing bodyNatureScot

Wester Ross (Scottish Gaelic: Ros an Iar) is an area of the Northwest Highlands of Scotland in the council area of Highland. The area is loosely defined, and has never been used as a formal administrative region in its own right,[2] but is generally regarded as lying to the west of the main watershed of Ross (the eastern part of Ross being Easter Ross), thus forming the western half of the county of Ross and Cromarty. The southwesternmost part of Ross and Cromarty, Lochalsh, is not considered part of Wester Ross by the local tourist organisation, Visit Wester Ross,[3] but is included within the definition used for the Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve.[4]

Wester Ross has one of the lowest population densities in Europe, with just 1.6 people per km2, who live mostly in small crofting townships along the coastline of the region.[5] The area is renowned for the scenic splendour of its mountains and coastline,[6] and the range of wildlife that can be seen.[7] It is a popular tourist destination, receiving around 70,000 visitors each year.[8] Tourism forms a major part of the economic activity of the area, accounting for 35% of all employment.[8] Other major economic activities in the area include commercial fishing, renewable energy, agriculture and fish farming.[8][9][10]

Much of Wester Ross is designated as a national scenic area, one of 40 such areas in Scotland which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure their protection from inappropriate development.[11] Scenic spots including Loch Maree, Inverewe Garden, Corrieshalloch Gorge, Glen Docherty and the Bealach na Bà. Wester Ross was designated as a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s "Man and the Biosphere" (MAB) Programme in April 2016.[12] The Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve now covers 5,200 square kilometres of Wester Ross and Lochalsh. This new-style biosphere, which covers an area over 100 times larger than the original designation, is a place where people live and actively learn about their surroundings to inspire a legacy rich in both natural and cultural heritage.[13]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference nsa-area was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Tourism and Leisure Solutions (May 2018). "Visit Wester Ross - Tourism Development Strategy Update & Refresh" (PDF). Visit Wester Ross. p. 7. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  3. ^ "The 6 Lochs Tour of Wester Ross" (PDF). Visit Wester Ross. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  4. ^ Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve Application. p. 2.
  5. ^ "Why Wester Ross? | About | Wester Ross Biosphere". Wrb.scot. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  6. ^ "The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas" (PDF). Scottish Natural Heritage. 2010. pp. 239–249. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  7. ^ ""We" are "Wild about Wester Ross"". Visit Wester Ross. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
  8. ^ a b c Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve Application. p. 7.
  9. ^ Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve Application. p. 8.
  10. ^ Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve Application. p. 43.
  11. ^ "National Scenic Areas". NatureScot. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference bio1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "Wester Ross Biosphere Reserve". Wikidata.org. Retrieved 9 July 2020.