Weem Meadow

Weem Meadow, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) near Aberfeldy, is a rare Scottish hay meadow known for its unique flora and fauna, managed using a traditional hay cropping system. It's a haven for wildlife, with diverse insects like butterflies and moths, birds including cuckoos and skylarks, and plants like sweet cicely. The meadow is recognized for its ecological importance as one of Scotland's best examples of nature and is a part of a larger protected area along the River Tay.

Ecological Significance

• Rare Habitat:
  Weem Meadow is one of the few remaining hay meadows in Scotland and the only one in Perthshire to be managed with a traditional hay-making practice. 

• Biodiversity:
  The site boasts a rich variety of wild plants, insects, and birds, making it a significant natural treasure. You can spot brightly colored butterflies and moths, hear the distinct calls of cuckoos and skylarks, and even catch the scent of sweet cicely. 

• SSSI Status:
  Its value as a nature reserve led to its designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a legally protected status for the most important natural sites in Scotland. 

Management and Location

• Traditional Farming:
  The meadow is maintained through a traditional hay cropping regime, a farming method that helps preserve its unique ecosystem. 

• River Tay Location:
  It is situated along the River Tay, offering scenic views and a natural environment that is a stone's throw from Aberfeldy. 

• Visibility:
  While popular for river walks, many people are unaware of the natural treasures within the Weem Meadow SSSI. 

Here’s a refined and accurate plant species list for Weem Meadow near Aberfeldy in Perthshire, as recorded in local surveys of this flower-rich, traditionally managed grassland:

Weem Meadow: Documented Plant Species

According to a species inventory (likely from a site survey associated with the Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust, though the specific origin wasn’t explicitly named), Weem Meadow hosts the following plants:

• Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)

• Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

• Bird’s-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

• Ragged-robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi)

• Musk-mallow (Malva moschata) — single plant recorded

• Scented Mayweed (Matricaria chamomilla) — present in margins

• Black Medick (Medicago lupulina)

• Field Forget-me-not (Myosotis arvensis) — recorded

• Red-leg (Redshank) (Persicaria maculosa) — present in margins

• Smaller Cat’s-tail (Phleum bertolonii)

• Timothy (Phleum pratense)

• Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

• Annual Meadow-grass (Poa annua) — recorded

• Rough Meadow-grass (Poa trivialis) — recorded

• Salad Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) — a few plants

• Cowslip (Primula veris)

• Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)

• Meadow Buttercup (Ranunculus acris)

• Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor)

• Dog-rose (Rosa canina) — present in margins

• Bramble agg. (Rubus fruticosus) — present in margins

• Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) — widespread

• Curled Dock (Rumex crispus)