Transition 4 of the pilot RLUPs (Cairngorms National Park, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and South of Scotland (Dumfries and Galloway and Scottish Borders Councils, NorthWest 2045 Region (Highlands Council)) to formal initiatives as we seek to continue to develop our understanding of how partnership work can help to optimise land use in a fair and inclusive way meeting local and national objectives and supporting Scotland’s just transition to net zero.
Objective 1: Accelerate ecosystem restoration and regeneration
Priority Action 2. Introduce a Programme of Ecosystem Restoration
Regional Land Use Partnerships (RLUPs) are operating as pilot or emerging partnership models in all four areas (Cairngorms National Park, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, South of Scotland, and North West 2045 region). Governance structures and stakeholder engagement processes are in place, with activity focused on developing regional land use approaches and supporting spatial decision-making.
Current arrangements are not yet on a fully formalised statutory or nationally standardised delivery basis. Powers, long-term funding arrangements and consistent implementation responsibilities vary between regions and remain under development, with no single established delivery model currently in place.
NatureScot and Scottish Government guidance show Regional Land Use Partnerships are intended to support more coordinated, spatially informed land use decision-making, improving alignment between biodiversity, climate and development objectives. However, current evidence indicates RLUPs remain pilot or transitional governance structures, with no consistent statutory basis, variable resourcing, and differing approaches across regions. This limits their ability to yet influence land use change at scale.
There is also limited published evidence that RLUPs are currently delivering measurable changes in land management outcomes or biodiversity improvement, as most activity remains focused on strategy development, stakeholder engagement and spatial planning. If formalised with clear statutory backing, stable funding, and stronger integration into land use decision-making (including agriculture, forestry and conservation policy), RLUPs could become a key mechanism for delivering landscape-scale biodiversity recovery and supporting a just transition in land use.
Scottish Government – Landscape and outdoor access (info on Regional Land Use Partnerships)
Scottish Rural Network – Regional Land Use Frameworks Overview
Cairngorms National Park – Partnership Plan
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park – Partnership Plan
South of Scotland REP – Delivery & strategies
Highland Council – Regional Land Use Partnership – North West 2045
Collate, review and prioritise all the landscape scale nature restoration projects across Scotland. Using this spatial evidence, NatureScot will identify and help facilitate partnership projects for six exemplar large scale landscape restoration areas with significant woodland components by 2025. By the end of 2026 those projects will have engaged with communities; developed deliverable action…
Develop the new Register of Ancient Woodlands, to include locational data, a definition of the required ‘protected and restored’ condition of ancient woodlands, and a process for recording ancient woodlands that reach the required standard.
Ensure support mechanisms are in place for landowners to restore priority ancient woodlands by 2030, focusing initially on protected/designated woodlands in unfavourable condition.
Implement Scotland’s strategic approach for Scotland’s rainforest which aims to improve its condition and health so that it can regenerate and expand whilst providing benefits to communities.
Develop upland-specific, best practice guidance on measures for upland restoration to regenerate peatlands, increase nature woodland cover, manage grazing, protect certain target species and priority habitats and increase habitat heterogeneity.
Develop a national peatland monitoring framework that incorporates on-site and remotely sensed assessments of biodiversity indicators, climate resilience and associated functions within the wider landscape, hydrological and ecological network contexts.
Following consultation in 2023, continue ongoing work towards implementing a ban on the sale of horticultural peat in Scotland.
Publish a plan for marine and coastal ecosystem restoration, including identifying actions to help prioritise habitats and locations suitable for restoration.
Deliver additional protection for spawning and juvenile congregation areas where needed, and for species with are integral components of the marine food web.
Develop new approaches to marine biodiversity monitoring, covering both state and pressure assessment and aligned with the UK Marine Strategy.
Develop a Blue Carbon Action Plan to identify where the Scottish Government can most effectively address evidence gaps and progress actions to support the protection, restoration, and enhancement of blue carbon habitats.
The RBMPs aims and objectives for the 2021-27 period, and the associated programme of measures aim to ensure that 81% of all Scotland’s waterbodies (rivers, lochs, groundwater, transitional (estuary/ firth) and coastal waters) achieve a ‘good’ or better classification by 2027 and continue to improve as natural conditions recover beyond that date.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.
