Landscape and outdoor access

  1. New National Parks - appraisal framework: consultation

    We produced an appraisal framework to support the assessment of nominations for new National Park designations in Scotland. This consultation is seeking your views and comments on this and the selection criteria for new National Parks.

  2. New National Parks - nomination process and draft appraisal framework: consultation

    We produced an appraisal framework to support the assessment of nominations for new National Park designations. This consultation is seeking your views and comments on this and the selection criteria for new National Parks in Scotland.

  3. Next steps for national parks in Scotland

    Call for expressions of interest from local areas.

  4. Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods - planning guidance: consultation

    We are seeking views on this draft guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods to support the implementation of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).

  5. Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods - draft guidance consultation: impact assessment report update

    The impact assessment report update relates to the consultation on our draft guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods, produced to support the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

  6. Scottish Household Survey 2021 - telephone survey: key findings

    A summary of the key findings from the Scottish Household Survey 2021 telephone survey.

  7. Environment Strategy for Scotland: second progress report

    The second annual report to Parliament on progress in developing the Environment Strategy for Scotland, as required under the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021.

  8. National parks - challenge exercise: summary analysis

    Summary analysis of contributions made to the 'Future for National Parks in Scotland' challenge exercise, May to June 2022, on our public dialogue platform www.ideas.gov.scot.

  9. Scotland's Blue Economy: current status review

    Describes our starting position in the transition to adopting a Blue Economy approach to marine sectors, communities, and the environment. It provides us with the foundation to consider how we can track our progress and determine if significant and lasting change is occurring.

  10. Funding to help nature projects grow

    Supporting and scaling up responsible investment in nature.

  11. Scotland’s international reputation grows

    Natural Beauty, Tourism and Governance score highly in new survey.

  12. Protecting and enhancing nature

    More funding for local nature restoration projects.

  13. New National Parks for Scotland

    Public encouraged to take part in consultation.

  14. Scottish Natural Capital Accounts 2022

    This report estimates quantity and value of services supplied by Scotland's natural capital.

  15. Promoting responsible investment in Scotland’s natural assets

    New principles to develop a socially fairer, high-integrity market.

  16. Big ambitions for Wee Forests

    Connecting people and nature.

  17. California signs Scotland’s world-leading nature declaration

    Governments and cities encouraged to take action for nature at COP26.

  18. Transforming derelict land

    First grants awarded from new £50 million fund.

  19. Land use strategy 2016-2021: second annual progress report

    Second annual progress report on the land use strategy, as required under Section 37A of The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019. It covers the period of March 2020 to March 2021.

  20. Woodland ownership: key data

    Key data taken from analyses of a survey of woodland owners carried out between 2012 and 2015.

  21. Implementation of Scottish Government policy on protecting Ramsar sites

    This note provides guidance on how the Scottish Government expects its policy on the protection of Ramsar sites to be implemented.

  22. Natural heritage designated areas in Scotland: map

    Map showing all the natural heritage designated areas in Scotland.

  23. Scottish Natural Heritage: factsheet

    Information on Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), our lead advisory body on nature, wildlife management, and landscape management across Scotland.

  24. Making more of Scotland’s land

    Vision for land rights and responsibilities.

  25. Scottish land rights and responsibilities statement

    Statement of land rights and responsibilities in Scotland, as required by Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.

  26. Land access: monitoring implementation of Part 1 of the Land Reform Act

    Trends summary and full monitoring reports collating data submitted by the access authorities regarding implementation of Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

  27. National Scenic Areas of Scotland: maps

    Maps of all the National Scenic Areas (NSAs).

  28. Public access: delivery plan

    This delivery plan details the tasks for us, access authorities, Scottish Natural Heritage, the National Access Forum, local access forums, Historic Scotland, public agencies, Sheriff Courts, the police, membership organisations, the Paths for All partnership, and network organisations under Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

  29. National Scenic Areas of Scotland: overview map

    Map showing all 40 of the National Scenic Areas (NSAs) in Scotland.

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