Partnering up to protect landscape

Along with the Landscape Institute Scotland, we’re proud to be leading the formation of Scotland’s Landscape Alliance (SLA), which will maximise the benefits provided by our landscapes whether they are economic, social, cultural or environmental.

It’s an exciting new chapter because it provides an opportunity for input from a wide spectrum of interests including the design, enhancement, protection and promotion of all Scotland’s open spaces and places.

There are 60 organisations involved in the Alliance including the Institute of Civil Engineers Scotland, NHS Scotland, Scottish National Heritage, Mountaineering Scotland, Architecture and Design Scotland, and Community Land Scotland.

The Alliance is being led by the Trust’s Head of Conservation and Policy, Stuart Brooks, and Rachel Tennant, chair of the Landscape Institute Scotland. Stuart continued: ‘This is one of the largest collections of organisations to come together on the topic since the publication of A National Landscape for Scotland in June 1962.

‘The SLA does not aim to stop progress – our landscapes are constantly evolving – but to collectively agree what we want from our landscapes be they rural, peri-urban or urban. As a country we should work towards a planned approach that balances different needs but benefits everyone.

‘We are all well aware of how important our landscape is. It remains the top motivator for visitors to Scotland and is of high economic, social, environmental and emotional value. The high levels of support for our landscape are not always reflected in priorities of politicians and decision makers. They are under threat from poor design of urban developments, industrialisation of high-value wild landscapes and regulation driving poor land use decisions.’

The National Trust for Scotland works every day to protect Scotland’s national and natural treasures. From coastlines to castles, art to architecture, wildlife to wilderness, we protect all of this for the Love of Scotland.