| Caithness Lochs | |
| Photo Alt: | Loch Watten, one of the Caithness Lochs |
| Location: | Highland, Scotland |
| Coordinates: | 58.4917°N -3.3333°W |
| Area Km2: | 13.79 |
| Area Ref: | [1] |
| Established: | 1998 (extended 2000) |
| Governing Body: | Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) |
Caithness Lochs is a protected wetland area in the historic county of Caithness in the far north of Scotland. With a total area of 1,379 hectares, it covers six freshwater lochs and a complex area of fen and swamp, and has been protected as a Ramsar Site since 1998.[2]
The area comprises seven distinct wetlands, each of which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest: Broubster Leans, Loch of Mey, Loch Calder, Loch Heilen, Loch of Wester, Loch Scarmclate and Loch Watten. These provide a variety of habitats for waterfowl and wading birds, including internationally important populations of greylag geese, white-fronted geese and whooper swans.[1] It is also important for several species of reed, pondweed and water sedge.[3]
As well as being recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention,[2] Caithness Lochs has also has been designated a Special Protection Area and a Special Area of Conservation.[1] [4]