The landscape of G88 has been largely defined by the action of ice and water, and consequently contains a rich mosaic of habitats. To the north are the eastern reaches of the Blue Stacks mountain range, stretching from Binbane to Carnaween, the highest point in the square at 521m. Much of the remainder of the square forms a catchment for the abundant rainfall in these mountains. Numerous streams thread their way south and west, ending up in the Eany Beg Water which almost bisects the square. The Eany More brings yet more water from the Sruell and Eglish glacial valleys to the east, merging with the Eany Beg to form the Eany Water—a world class angling river that flows south into Inver Bay. Along these waterways are rich riverine habitats.

The Donegal Bay drumlin belt occupies the south of the square with its undulating landscape and varied mix of farmland, extensive hedgerows and wooded areas. There is some monoculture conifer plantation, but also a lot of deciduous woodland and scrub. The National Native Woodland Survey identified an area of oak-ash-hazel woodland adjoining the Eany Water in Cranny Upper.

The Meenaguse/Ardbane SAC extends into the north-eastern part of the square and contains good quality blanket bog. The extensive Lough Nillan Bog SPA wraps around the north-western flanks of the square, taking in Tamur Lough and Carnaween.

A number of small lakes are scattered throughout the square, the largest being Tamur Lough to the west. Upland loughs include Carn Lough in the shadow of Carnaween, and the tiny Miley’s Lough—pictured below, with Carnaween in the background.

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Carnaween Calling

By the Eany Water