Outcomes

National Scenic Areas: Scottish Natural Heritage's Advice to Government

Download NSA Scottish Natural Heritage's Advice to Government in pdf format

Foreword

In September 1997 Lord Sewel asked Scottish Natural Heritage to review Scotland’s national landscape designation, the National Scenic Area. He asked us, in particular, to consider the form of protection which a revitalised landscape designation should afford, to review the current selection of NSAs and advise on what changes might be desirable. We were also asked to consider the relationship of the NSA with other designations, in particular National Parks and Areas of Great Landscape Value. Our advice, presented here, is the result of a wide-ranging review and a public consultation on our draft proposals.

The National Scenic Area designation is not yet well enough known beyond the circle of those who use it in their work or who are directly affected by it. Yet our scenery is renowned both nationally and internationally and is at the heart of the popular image of Scotland, and we have an obligation to ensure that this great national asset is passed on to future generations in the best possible condition. To achieve this, we need to have agreement on which areas are considered the most valuable scenically, on the measures that are required to safeguard their outstanding qualities, and on the sharing of responsibility for their care. It is with the aim of revitalising the National Scenic Area designation that we offer the proposals set out in this report.

On behalf of SNH I wholeheartedly commend these proposals. We look forward to discussing them with Government.

John Markland CBE
Chairman
Scottish Natural Heritage