The Scottish Government

Technical Guidance

Although the Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS) is closed to new applicants these technical guidance documents are still available for reference purposes.

If you require any further information then please contact your local area office.

Technical Guidance Documents

The Technical Guidance comprises seven parts, please select these subjects from the menu on the left.

A PDF version of the RSS Technical Guidance is also available. Please be aware that this is a large file (1.5MB) and may take some time to download on slower connections.

Contents

Part 1: Eligibility and Conditions

• Eligibility
• General Conditions
• Payments
• Limits
• ESA Scheme leaver arrangements

Part 2: Environmental Audits

Part 3: Processing Applications

Part 4: General Environmental Requirements:

• a) General Environmental Conditions
• b) Standard of Good Farming Practice

Part 5: Management Measures:

• Prescriptions predominantly for Bird Life
• Prescriptions for Species-rich Areas
• Prescriptions for Moorland
• Prescriptions for Wetland Features
• Prescriptions for Field Margins and Boundaries
• Prescriptions for Arable Areas
• Prescriptions for Woodland and Scrub
• Prescriptions for Historic and Archaeological Sites
• Small Unit Prescriptions

Part 6: Capital Payments:

• Associated with management options
• To benefit other habitats and features
• Designed Landscapes
• Field Boundaries
• Black grouse breeding areas
• Farm Ponds

Part 7: Appendices