Around Loch Sunart lie some of the finest temperate oakwoods in the British Isles, remnants of a formerly much more extensive band of coastal woodland which once stretched from Scotland down the Atlantic coast of Europe as far as Spain and Portugal.

These ancient semi-natural woodlands are home to some of the best collections of lower plants (plants which do not flower) in the whole of Europe. The clean air, moist climate and long continuity of woodland cover have combined to produce ideal conditions for lichens, mosses and liverworts.

Loch Sunart - a sea loch - is itself the key to this interest. The coastal location of the woodlands gives them an 'oceanic' climate producing the mild, damp conditions needed by these unique plants.

Furthermore, in the days before road transport the presence of the loch made these woodlands very accessible by sea, and therefore their utilization economically viable. Far from threatening these woodlands, past intensive management ensured the survival of the woodlands as so long as they were valued locally, they were well looked after. This management did however influence their subsequent make-up, leading to the oak dominance to be seen today, but this in many ways produced even more favourable conditions for the lichen interest to develop.

Loch Sunart is also home to a particularly high density of otters, and together with its marine reefs, and the surrounding woodland and heathland habitats, the entire area has been recognised as of European importance for conservation through designation as a candidate Special Area of Conservation.  The Sunart Woodlands SAC is made up of seven Sites of Special Scientific Interest:- Ben Hiant & Ardnamurchan Coast, Salen to Woodend, Ariundle, Laudale Wood, Glencripesdale, Rahoy Woodlands and Poll Luachrain & Druimbuidhe.

Other key species inhabiting the woodlands include the chequered skipper butterfly - nationally rare and now only found in the west Highlands - red squirrel, pine marten, and wildcat. Red and roe deer are common, wood ants frequent, and both golden and white-tailed eagles sometimes seen.