The great variety of landscapes in Scotland

The variety arises from the interplay of geology, landforms, soils, vegetation and climate, combined with centuries of human occupation and use.

Scotland's complex geology gives rise to important regional distinctions: the softer rocks of the east give rich, fertile soils and the harder rocks of the west provide poor, infertile soils.

Climate also plays a part, the drier east being more suitable for growing crops, and the wetter west better for sheep and cattle. This variation in geology and climate has heavily influenced where people have lived and how the land has been managed over the centuries.

A full description of the landscapes of Scotland can be found in Scottish Natural Heritage's National Assessment - Landscape  .

All the landscapes of Scotland have been mapped through the process of Landscape Character Assessment.

Some landscape contrasts

Examples of some of the many different landscapes of Scotland are:

• The rolling, agricultural lowlands of the east
• The wild and rugged mountains of the west
   
• The long, rocky sea lochs of the north
• The gentle firths of the south 
   
• The windswept islands that fringe the Atlantic
• The sheltered straths of Perthshire
   
• The whitewashed villages of Galloway
• The traditional fishing ports of the east
   
• The urban spread of the central belt
• The sparsely populated crofting communities
   
• The townscapes of World Heritage status
• The industrial and commercial heartlands