Editing Small Isles (section)

==Nature and conservation==
The Small Isles are all important for their wildlife,<ref name=nsa-review>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/sites/default/files/2017-07/Publication%202010%20-%20SNH%20Commissioned%20Report%20374%20-%20The%20Special%20Qualities%20of%20the%20National%20Scenic%20Areas.pdf|title=The special qualities of the National Scenic Areas|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|date=2010|access-date=2018-05-15|page=225}}</ref> with Rùm being designated as both a [[National nature reserve (Scotland)|national nature reserve]] and a [[Special Area of Conservation]] (SAC).<ref name="nnr"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8371|title=Rum SAC|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> Rùm is home to one of the world's largest colonies of [[Manx shearwater]],<ref name=nnr>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/scotlands-national-nature-reserves/rum-national-nature-reserve|title=Rum National Nature Reserve|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> and was the location for the first stage of the reintroduction of [[white-tailed sea-eagle]]s into Scotland, with 82 birds being released between 1975 and 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snh.org.uk/publications/on-line/NaturallyScottish/seaeagles/page3.asp|title=Return of a Native: reintroduction|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|access-date=2018-06-07}}</ref> Rùm, and Canna and Sanday (jointly), are designated as [[Special Protection Area]]s (SPA) due their birdlife, with all three islands hosting important breeding populations of [[Uria aalge|guillemots]] and [[kittiwake]]s.<ref name=c&s-spa>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8480|title=Canna and Sanday SPA|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=rum-spa>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/8574|title=Rum SPA|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> The Canna and Sanday SPA is also designated due to its importance to breeding [[Atlantic puffin]]s and [[Gulosus aristotelis|shags]],<ref name="c&s-spa"/> whilst the Rùm SPA designation notes the presence of [[golden eagle]]s, Manx shearwaters, and [[red-throated diver]]s.<ref name="rum-spa"/>

Around {{convert|800|km2|sqmi|sigfig=1}} of the waters around Rùm, Canna and the low-lying rocky islet of Oigh-sgeir have been designated as the Small Isles [[Marine Protected Areas in Scotland|Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area]] (NCMPA). Of particular note is that this area holds the UK's only known colony of [[Atrina fragilis|fan mussel]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/marine-protected-areas/nature-conservation-mpas/small-isles-ncmpa-designation|title=Small Isles NCMPA|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> The seas surrounding all of the Small Isles have also been designated as a SAC due to their importance for [[harbour porpoise]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sitelink.nature.scot/site/10508|title=Inner Hebrides and the Minches SAC|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref>

The islands and surrounding sea area together form the Small Isles [[National scenic area (Scotland)|national scenic area]], one of the forty such areas in Scotland, which are defined so as to identify areas of exceptional scenery and to ensure its protection from inappropriate development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/national-designations/national-scenic-areas/|title=National Scenic Areas|publisher=NatureScot|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref> The designated area covers {{convert|47,235|ha|acre}} in total, of which {{convert|16,271|ha|acre|abbr=on}} is on land and the remaining {{convert|30,964|ha|acre|abbr=on}} is marine (i.e. below [[Mean low water spring|low tide level]]).<ref name=nsa-area>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Environment/Countryside/Heritage/Areas/maps|title=National Scenic Areas - Maps|publisher=Scottish Natural Heritage|date=2010-12-20|access-date=2018-06-05}}</ref>