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NatureScot

Scottish government agency for natural heritage conservation

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  • 4 chapters

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NatureScot is the Scottish Government's adviser on all aspects of nature, wildlife management and landscape in Scotland, and also helps the Scottish Government meet its responsibilities under EU environmental laws, particularly in relation to the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. The agency currently employs in the region of 700 people, but much of NatureScot's work is carried out in partnership with others including local authorities, government bodies, voluntary environmental bodies, community groups, farmers and land managers. The body has offices in most parts of Scotland including the main islands. NatureScot works closely with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the equivalent bodies for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to ensure a consistent approach to nature conservation throughout the United Kingdom and to fulfilling the United Kingdom’s international obligations.

The agency was established in 1992 as Scottish Natural Heritage. In November 2019, it was announced that it would rebrand as NatureScot, a change which took effect on 24 August 2020. The body’s statutory name remains Scottish Natural Heritage.

Roles and responsibilities

The general aims of NatureScot as established in the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 are to:

  • Secure the conservation and enhancement of Scotland's natural heritage;
  • Foster understanding and facilitate the enjoyment of Scotland's natural heritage;

For the purposes of the Act, Scotland's natural heritage is defined as the flora and fauna of Scotland, its geological and physiographical features and its natural beauty and amenity. Specific responsibilities of NatureScot include:

  • Providing advice to the Scottish government on the development and implementation of policies relevant to the natural heritage of Scotland;
  • Disseminating information and advice relating to the natural heritage of Scotland to the public;
  • Carrying out and commissioning research relating to the natural heritage of Scotland;
  • Establishing, maintaining and managing designated areas of conservation in Scotland;

Protected areas

NatureScot has responsibility for the delivery of conservation designations in Scotland, i.e. national nature reserves, local nature reserves, long distance routes, national parks, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Areas and the national scenic areas. The conservation designations overlap considerably with many protected areas covered by multiple designations. In total around 20% of the area of Scotland is covered by some form of protected area designation, with SSSIs alone covering 13%.

National nature reserves

National nature reserves (NNRs) are areas of land or water designated under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to contain habitats and species of national importance. NNRs can be owned by public, private, community or voluntary organisations but must be managed to conserve their important habitats and species, as well as providing opportunities for the public to enjoy and engage with nature. There are currently 43 NNRs in Scotland, which cover 154,250 hectares (1,542.5 km2).

NatureScot is responsible for designating NNRs in Scotland and for overseeing their maintenance and management. The majority of NNRs are directly managed by NatureScot; however, some are managed by, or in co-operation with other bodies, including the National Trust for Scotland (7 NNRs), Forestry and Land Scotland (5 NNRs), the RSPB (5 NNRs), the Scottish Wildlife Trust (1 NNR), South Lanarkshire Council (1 NNR), and the Woodland Trust (1 NNR).

All NNRs in Scotland are also designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Many also form part of the Natura 2000 network, which covers Special Protection Areas and Special Areas of Conservation. Additionally, some of the NNRs are designated as Ramsar sites.

National scenic areas

There are 40 national scenic areas (NSAs) in Scotland, covering 13% of the land area of Scotland. The 40 NSAs were originally identified in 1978 by the Countryside Commission for Scotland in 1978 as areas of "national scenic significance... of unsurpassed attractiveness which must be conserved as part of our national heritage".

Protected species

Vulnerable plant and animal species in Scotland are protected under various legislation. In many cases it is an offence to kill or capture members of a protected animal species, or to uproot plants. NatureScot's primary role in regard to protected species is to license activities that would otherwise be an offence.

Enjoying the outdoors

NatureScot is responsible for promoting public access and enjoyment of the outdoors. It created and updates the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which provides detailed guidance on the exercise of the ancient tradition of universal access to land in Scotland, which was formally codified by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. It also hosts the National Access Forum, which brings together all bodies with an interest in land access issues.

NatureScot also support the management of the three regional parks. It acts as the "custodian" of Scotland's Great Trails, maintaining the official list and providing some finance and publicity to the trails, although responsibility for creating and maintaining each route lies with the local authorities through which a route passes.

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