Landscape evaluation

Complementing the landscape character approach - which does not require landscapes to be judged on whether they are important, attractive, scenic or not - is the identification of landscapes that justify special effort to safeguard or manage them.  These landscapes are by their nature sensitive and highly valued for their character and qualities.

For more information go to our protected landscapes  pages, and see Guidance on Local Landscape Designations   for help on how to assess landscapes and protect them through the planning system, and our work on identifying the special qualities of National Scenic Areas.

Not all areas of value have been designated, sometimes because the qualities for which they are valued are less tangible. An important quality found in parts of Scotland is the perception wildness - for more information go to our pages on wild land.