Scottish red deer stag (Cervus elaphus scoticus)

This article gives an overview of the structure of environmental and cultural conservation in Scotland, a constituent country of the United Kingdom.

Upon the introduction of devolved government the environment and built heritage were not listed as reserved issues, and so for the most part conservation is the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government, and the public bodies that report to them. Although originally reserved, responsibility for all planning and nature conservation matters at sea up to 200 miles from the Scottish coast was transferred to the Scottish Government in 2008.^[1] Some matters related to conservation, such as international treaties and border controls on prohibited species, remain the responsibility of the UK Government.

Much environment legislation in Scotland is based on the adoption into Scots law of European Union directives, such as the Habitats Directive. As such there may be changes to the structure and nature of conservation activities in Scotland following the UK's departure from the European Union.

Scottish Government

Public bodies

Neptune's Staircase on the Caledonian Canal is looked after by Scottish Canals.

The following are public bodies of the Scottish Government, with notes on their areas of responsibility.

Executive agencies

• Forestry and Land Scotland is responsible for management of the national forest estate.^[9][10]
• Scottish Forestry is responsible for forestry regulation and support.^[9][10]

Executive non-departmental public bodies

• Cairngorms National Park Authority
• Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for cultural and built heritage.^[11]
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority
• NatureScot is responsible for landscape protection and wildlife conservation.^[12]
• The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh undertakes scientific study into plants and their conservation.^[13]
• Scottish Environment Protection Agency is responsible for waterways, pollution and waste management.^[14]

^[15]

Public corporations

• Crown Estate Scotland is responsible for managing a range of rural, coastal and marine assets that are held 'in right of the Crown'.^[16]
• Scottish Canals manages Scotland's inland waterways.^[17]

^[18]

United Kingdom Government

Within the UK Government, environmental protection is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Two UK-wide executive agencies with responsibility for conservation matters include Scotland within their remit:

• The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) co-ordinates the work of the UK's nature conservation bodies (SNH being the Scottish body).^[19]
• The Forestry Commission co-ordinates international forestry policy support and certain plant health functions in respect of trees and forestry.^[9]

Non-governmental organisations

Many non-governmental organisations are active in conservation issues in Scotland. The following list provides some examples.

Protected areas

Ben Lomond and the Arrochar Alps in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Objects of conservation

• Abbeys and priories in Scotland
• Castles in Scotland
• Caledonian Forest
• Fauna of Scotland
• Flora of Scotland
• Gardens in Scotland
• Historic houses in Scotland
• Lighthouses in Scotland
• National Trust for Scotland
• Scotland's Great Trails - long-distance trails

See also

• Biodiversity Action Plan
• List of Conservation topics
• Article 4 direction
• United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP)
• Conservation in the United Kingdom

References