The stunning and unique landscape of the Highlands has earned a spot on a prestigious global list of must-see destinations.
The New York Times has named the Flow Country in Caithness and Sutherland as one of the 52 places tourists should visit before they die.
Among just three UK locations to make the list, the Flow Country ranks in the top 20, alongside iconic destinations like Greenland and Sydney, Scottish Daily Express reports.
Jane Austen’s south-west of England claimed the top spot, while East London secured 35th place. The Flow Country, a beautiful bog, is now recognized as a must-visit natural wonder.
The Flow Country is one of Scotland’s most iconic landscapes, having recently earned UNESCO recognition as the world’s first peatland World Heritage Site.
The New York Times wrote: “It is one of the world’s biggest carbon stores, which makes it key to the fight against climate change. It is home to diverse wildlife. And it happens to be stunning.
“Yes, a bog system has joined the ranks of the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef. But it’s not just any bog. The first peatland to earn the recognition, it is one of the world’s biggest carbon stores, which makes it key to the fight against climate change.”
The newspaper highlights that the Flow Country is a haven for diverse wildlife, carefully preserved by a dedicated group of volunteers.
Visitors can explore the area on foot or by bike, journeying between viewpoints that offer stunning views into the bog. The region also boasts museums and visitor centres, adding even more to its appeal as a unique destination.
It adds: “Still, get ready for ruggedness. It is far from almost anywhere and not yet set up for mass tourism.”
In July, the Flow Country achieved World Heritage status, marking a historic milestone as the first site in Scotland to earn this recognition based on its natural significance. It also became the first site in mainland UK to be honored for the global importance of its natural ecosystems.
The Flow Country now stands alongside other iconic destinations like the Galapagos Islands and the Everglades, earning recognition for its remarkable ecosystem.
This vast peat bog, stretching across Caithness and Sutherland in northern Scotland, is a true natural wonder.
Not only is it home to a diverse array of wildlife, but it also stores an astounding 400 million tonnes of carbon, more than the combined total of all the UK’s forests and woodlands.
Known as blanket bog, this unique landscape gets its name from how it covers the land like a vast, natural blanket. It’s an incredibly rare habitat, one that thrives only in Scotland’s specific climate and maritime setting.
Over 9,000 years, dead vegetation has accumulated in the form of peat, creating a carbon sink that helps store carbon, making it an environmental treasure.
The Flow Country plays a vital role in the fight against climate change, trapping and storing carbon to prevent its release into the atmosphere.
This remarkable landscape is also a haven for rare bird species such as red-throated divers, golden plovers, and greenshanks. With peat depths reaching up to 33 feet, it’s an impressive natural feature.
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, the area spans seven locations covering a total of 49,421 acres (20,000 hectares).
Known as “the lungs of Scotland,” these peatlands are home to some of the UK’s rarest wildlife, including white-tailed sea eagles, curlews, otters, and pine martens.
Top 20 must-see destinations in the world
1. Jane Austen’s England
2. Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
3. New York City Museums
4. Assam, India
5. ‘White Lotus’ Thailand
6. Greenland
7. Aix-en-Provence, France
8. Sun Valley, Idaho
9. Lumbini, Nepal
10. Sydney, Australia
11. Coimbra, Portugal
12. Angola
13. Hamburg, Germany
14. Nicaragua
15. Dolomite Mountains, Italy
16. Asheville, N.C.
17. Magdalena River, Colombia
18. Los Cabos, Mexico
19. Alishan, Taiwan
20. Flow Country, Scotland
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