Scottish National Heritage (SNH) has secured three new National Nature Reserves (NNR) within the Cairngorms National Park.

The new Abernethy National Nature Reserve, Glenmore National Nature Reserve and Invereshie and Inshriach National Nature Reserve – spanning 18,617 hectares – were designated because of their outstanding natural heritage interest.

Ian Jardine, chief executive of SNH, said: “NNRs have a significant contribution to make to the social well-being and health of Scotland by encouraging visitors and local people into the outdoors to experience our natural heritage for themselves.

“These sites have a major part to play in highlighting issues such as climate change and how we can adapt through habitat networks and healthy diverse habitats to help address possible impact on species such as dotterel, snow bunting, mountain hare and ptarmigan.”

The Cairngorms National Park is managed by RSPB Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Moira Baptie, Forestry Commission Scotland, added: “The NNRs at Glenmore, Inshriach and Invereshie are important links in the Caledonian Forest between Abernethy, Rothiemurchus and Glen Feshie and also provide important recreational resources for visitors and members of the local community alike.”

Fifty-six NNRs have already been secured in Scotland.