1.1 This study has been undertaken for the Minch Project, in collaboration with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The overall aim of the Minch Project is to promote, through partnership, a wiser use of the natural resources of the area in the interests of the economic and social needs of communities and the environment. The Minch Project was established in 1993 and has grown to include partners from SNH, Western Isles Council, Highland Council, Scottish Tourist Board and five local Enterprise Companies that border the Minch. The project has also been financed by the European Regional Development Fund under the Highlands & Islands Objective 1 Partnership Programme.
1.2 Removal of sand from coastal dune systems is widespread throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. In the Minch area particularly, because of the frequent lack of alternative sources, there are many sites where dunes and machair have been excavated to provide a convenient supply of sand for agricultural and, or construction purposes. Apart from the damage to landforms and habitats which these operations usually entail, the pits which remain may scar the landscape after extraction has ceased. Most importantly the disused pits could pose a potential erosion problem as wind scour of the bare sand could lead to blowout and large scale erosion of the dune or machair system.
1.3 Advice is regularly sought from conservation and other statutory bodies on how best to reinstate such pits and so minimize these impacts. Most of the guidance which presently exists relates to the restoration of dune systems damaged by recreational or grazing pressures. Practical advice on reinstatement of sand quarries, where there may be no supply of wind blown sand available to infill and obscure the terrain, is, on the other hand, largely anecdotal. Furthermore, the exceptionally high wind speeds endured by coastlines of the Minch region, and the relative scarcity of wood in many areas, renders at least some of the techniques of dune restoration employed elsewhere of only limited value here.
1.4 The purpose of this study is therefore to provide practical and viable guidance on how best to reinstate such sites in the Minch area for the benefit of their nature conservation, landscape and amenity values. This takes the form of general recommendations for reinstatement covering the range of sand pit types found in the study area and is based on field survey of a wide selection pits in the study area. In addition, outline recommendations for reinstatement of three case study pits are also given. The fieldwork is supported by a literature review of sand dune and machair restoration techniques relevant to sand pit reinstatement.
1.5 Chapter Two comprises the Literature Review. Chapter Three summarises the findings of the field survey of all the sites, while Chapter Four provides detailed information, plus recommendations for reinstatement, of the three detailed case studies. Chapter Five covers the general guidelines for sand pit reinstatement.
