South Sperrin Landscape

Key Characteristics Landscape Description

South Sperrin includes the upland river valley of the Owenkillew and Owenreagh Rivers and the broad ridges to the south of the Glenelly valley, including the summits of Spaltindoagh (410m) and Mullaghmore (554) to the north of the Owenkillew River and Crocknamoghil (335m) to the south. The broad upland ridges of the Sperrins in this area form a backdrop to the valley landscapes. The mountain skyline is open, with upland grasses and rocky screes on the slopes leading to the summits. The valley slopes are deeply undulating and dissected by tributary burns flowing in rocky, open channels. The lower slopes of Spaltindoagh and Mullaghmore, in the remote eastern parts of the uplands, have conifer plantations with bold, dark shapes. Elsewhere, the river valleys have a diverse pattern of hedgerow trees, small copses and woodlands, with the largest deciduous woodlands, such as Drumlea Wood, on the margins of the Owenkillew River floodplain. Small blocks of conifers have often been planted to shelter farmsteads. Tree cover becomes progressively sparser and more stunted towards the upper slopes, where patches of scrub and coarser grasses form a textured, open mosaic on the edge of the moor.

picture of the Owenkillew River and WoodThe character and pattern of the landscape changes gradually from the valley floor to the upper moorland slopes. The slopes of the upper Owenkillew and Owenreagh River valleys are characterised by a patchy mosaic of derelict pastures and scrub, with broken stone walls, earthbanks and gappy remnant hedgerows marking the former pattern of fields. Poorly-drained land is often infested with rushes. The lower river valleys, to the west of the confluence of the Owenkillew and Owenreagh Rivers, have a more secluded, pastoral character. Here the historic field pattern remains intact and stone walls are often striking landscape features. The village of Gortin is sheltered by the steep slopes of Mullaghcarn to the south, and by the woodlands associated with the Beltrim Castle estate. There is a linear settlement pattern, with small farmsteads strung out at regular intervals along the valley roads. The slightly larger settlements, such as Greencastle and Scotchtown are typically sited at the junctions of roads and near to river crossing points. There are prominent raths, and standing stones on the margins of the river floodplains. Lisdoo Rath is a striking example. The small stone bridges at river crossing points are also important local landscape features.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The river valleys are overlooked by viewpoints from roads on the surrounding ridgetops and the meandering Owenkillew River near Gortin is particularly prominent in views from the popular picnic sites on the ridgetop roads above Gortin. The whole area is therefore extremely sensitive to changes which would affect its unspoilt character and the transition from the secluded valley landscape pattern to that of the upland summits. Derelict cottages and farm buildings are commonplace in the marginal farmland landscapes to the east.

This landscape would be sensitive to the expansion of commercial forestry and to any large scale development, particularly relating to mineral extraction, which would be prominent in views from the surrounding ridges.

Principles for Landscape Management Principles for Accommodating New Development