|
Scotland's natural and cultural heritage must be allowed to flourish in all its diversity. We will encourage local and regional influences to play their part in enriching the nation. |
Scotland is world famous for its beautiful scenery, its clean environment and its rich natural and cultural heritage. They bring visitors from all over the world and they provide stimulus and enjoyment to all Scots. The natural and cultural environment, including the built environment, is what makes rural Scotland entirely distinctive. We need to value these assets and to build on them. We need to develop, sustainably, the opportunities which the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland offers.
Natural Heritage
The contribution which rural Scotland makes to biodiversity is illustrated by the 134 sites already proposed as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) under the EC Habitats Directive such as the Forsinard Estate described in the Case Study overleaf, and the 116 Special Protection Areas (SPA) classified under the EC Birds Directive. Further sites in Scotland are under consideration for proposal as part of the Natura 2000 network of protected areas across the European Union. At the same time, the development of Local Biodiversity Action Plans throughout Scotland brings local partners together to devise and implement measures to protect the diversity of living things both inside and outside designated natural heritage areas. We need to ensure that the value of protected areas, as well as the wider countryside, is understood and appreciated by the increasing number of visitors they attract. At the same time, they need to be managed in a way which takes into account the interests of those who live and work on the land, so that they make a greater contribution to the promotion and sustainable development of the areas within which they are found. In developing our Programme for Government commitment to introduce a new system for nature conservation, we will publish a Policy Statement explaining our proposals and will consult on subsequent draft legislation. We will also support local initiatives, such as Scottish Natural Heritage's new Community Grants Scheme, which will help local groups improve the natural heritage in their communities.
|
photoForsinard Estate, Caithness and Sutherland The Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands is the largest area of active blanket bog in Europe, covering an area of around 400,000 hectares, and is a candidate SAC under the EC Habitats Directive. Between 1994 and 1997 the area successfully obtained funding of £1.825million from the EC LIFE Programme, the EC financial instrument specifically dedicated to environmental protection and conservation. The partners in the project included Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), RSPB, Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise and Highland Council. The main objectives of the project were to purchase a core area of peatland, with a view to restoring and enhancing the area under a management plan. Raising awareness of the area, by the provision of visitor facilities, was also a key objective. Under the project Forsinard Estate, an area partly designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and within the candidate SAC, was purchased in February 1995. As part of the "awareness raising" efforts under the project, the Forsinard Estate visitor centre and reserve nature trail have been established. |
National Parks
We introduced enabling legislation, setting the framework for National Parks in Scotland, to the Scottish Parliament on 27 March 2000, following a public consultation. This will ensure that, in the most precious areas of Scotland's natural and cultural heritage, an integrated approach is adopted to balance the need for nature conservation, which must remain paramount, with sustainable development and public enjoyment of the countryside. National Parks will give local communities greater involvement in deciding the balance to be adopted among those objectives. There will not be one single model. Each National Park will be tailored to fit the specific needs of its area and local people. We will establish the first National Park for Scotland in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs by summer 2001, with the Cairngorms following as a second National Park.
Access to the Countryside
All Scots should have access to the countryside. We will work with local people to allow all to appreciate our natural and cultural heritage with its opportunities for sport, recreation, and enjoyment at first hand. The proposed Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will include provisions to establish a right of responsible access to the countryside. This must balance the interests of those who wish to enjoy the countryside with those of farmers, landowners and land managers and others who live and work there. An Access Code developed by Scottish Natural Heritage and approved as part of the establishment of the right of access, will set out the details of how responsible access should be exercised. We will provide additional resources to SNH and local authorities for the creation of new footpaths, particularly around towns and over enclosed land, such as the Great Glen Way which is expected to open in 2002.
A Clean and Safe Environment
If we are to maintain the reputation of our environment, we need to improve the quality of the water at our beaches and reduce pollution in our rivers. We also need to deal more carefully with our waste, recycling more and dumping less. We are committed to bringing Scotland's 60 designated bathing waters up to European standards and improving the quality of rivers, lochs and coastal waters. This will be achieved by the £1,800 million programme for modernising water industry infrastructure and action, based on research now being undertaken, to reduce pollution from diffuse sources. We are consulting on giving the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) powers to issue notices forcing polluters to carry out improvements. SEPA published a national waste strategy last winter, and will ensure that, in implementing it, the different circumstances of rural areas, with lower volumes of waste, are properly recognised.
Planning
The planning system has an important role to play in the sustainability of rural communities, and the Executive is committed to ensuring that, through its planning policies, rural areas are able to develop and thrive. These policies are contained in Scottish planning guidance on rural development ("National Planning Policy Guideline 15: Rural Development") which was published in February 1999.
Farm diversification projects have a role to play in supplementing incomes from agriculture. In general, the planning system has been supportive of schemes which maintain and enhance economic activity and employment in rural areas. To help farmers take projects efficiently and effectively through the planning system, we propose to update, by September 2000, our advice on farm diversification and planning permission.
Farming
The sustainable development of our countryside includes working with farmers to benefit nature. We are finding new ways to encourage farming practices which respect the environment. The Rural Stewardship Scheme, to be launched later this year, will be the main plank in Scotland's agri-environment programme. It will help to promote a viable and environmentally-friendly farming industry by providing financial support for farming methods that protect and enhance Scotland's landscape, habitats, wildlife and historic environment. We expect that the number of participants in agri-environment schemes will increase by at least 15% annually. Our commitment is demonstrated by the increased resources being devoted to agri-environment schemes - £18.9 million in 1999-2000, £20.2 million in 2000-2001, and £21.5 million in 2001-2002. We will ensure that our extensive programme of agricultural, biological and related research addresses the need to balance agricultural development with environmental sustainability, for example through the protection of the semi-natural uplands which predominate in Scotland. We are undertaking research into pollution from farms which can lead to the death of fish and other animals and spoil the quality of recreational waters. Action is already being taken on nitrate pollution. To minimise burdens for farmers, however, proposals include sensible relaxations of controls with no environmental benefit.
|
Thatched Houses Maintenance Scheme For the past 15 years, Historic Scotland has operated the Thatched Houses Maintenance Scheme, which involves generous grants, together with practical advice, to help owners and occupiers keep up the few surviving examples of a distinctive aspect of Scotland's built heritage. For most of this time, the Scheme has been run in partnership with "Cairdean nan Taighean Tugha/Friends of the Thatched Houses", a voluntary and award-winning organisation originating on the Island of Tiree but which expanded to embrace local efforts throughout the Highlands and Islands. Many buildings (in a surprising variety of local styles, materials and techniques) have been assisted, and in several cases saved, by this Scheme and the associated skills have been boosted. |
Freshwater Fishing
One of Scotland's greatest assets is its stocks of salmon and sea trout. Apart from the contribution which these and other fish make to biodiversity, they bring visitors and employment to local communities. Stocks continue to decline, however, for reasons that are not fully understood. We will continue to work closely with managers, proprietors and others to sustain and enhance stocks, and will undertake a public consultation later this year on possible new measures. We will also be exploring opportunities to widen angling opportunities generally, consistent with sound conservation and management.
Forestry
Scotland's remaining native woodlands are an important conservation resource for both natural and cultural heritage and we have the opportunity to restore some of the ecological richness of the forest cover we have lost over the centuries. This is being done through the restoration of native woodlands, and their expansion, and through promoting greater diversity in all our forests. Around half the trees currently being planted in Scotland are broadleaves. We will restore or create a further 15,000 hectares of native woodland by 2003.
Cultural Heritage
Scotland's rich and diverse cultural heritage is a tangible and visible record of the peoples of Scotland. Our diverse cultural heritage embraces extensive remains of past human activity, as well as artistic, historic and scenic associations, and diverse living cultural traditions. The cultural heritage provides an important sense of place for rural communities and is a source of enjoyment and inspiration for future generations.
Since 1953 Historic Scotland and its predecessors has made a major contribution to the repair of historic buildings throughout Scotland. Historic Scotland will continue to seek to maximise the impact of its activities in rural areas, including through working in partnership with other funding agencies such as the Heritage Lottery Fund. Efforts are also being made to release the potential economic benefits which could flow from the exploitation of sources of traditional building materials and the revival of craft skills.
Scotland's culture and history, manifested through the built heritage, is one of the most important reasons why visitors come to Scotland. This is represented by a range of sites, from prehistoric remains such as standing stones and burial sites to historic houses, castles and more recent industrial monuments. Some of these properties are in private hands, others in the hands of the National Trust for Scotland or in public care through Historic Scotland.
|
photoColonsay Village Hall A good example of the success of the Local Capital Grants Scheme is Colonsay Village Hall. Colonsay is designated as one of the eight Initiative at the Edge areas to encourage development in fragile areas. The new Hall built at Scalasaig, replaced the old wooden hall which was in a dilapidated condition. The new Hall cost £363,000 and received funding not only from the Scottish Executive but also from the 21st Century Halls Programme, Argyll & Bute Council, Argyll & Isles Enterprise and through local fund raising activities. Colonsay Village Hall opened on 20 May 2000. The new Hall will be used by a variety of community groups and will host all types of events from ceilidhs to training courses, giving Colonsay a viable and valuable community facility. |
Recreation and Sport
About 20% of all sport and recreational activity in Scotland takes place in the countryside. Up to 11/4 million tourists from other parts of the UK visit Scotland to participate in mountaineering, climbing or hill walking each year, generating £275 million annually and supporting almost 10,000 jobs. 25% of all holidays taken in Scotland are activity based. Opportunities to enjoy and participate in sport and recreation activities are as important for people living in rural areas as they are for those in towns and cities. While local authorities and the voluntary and commercial sectors are the main providers of sport opportunities, advice and assistance on the planning and design of sports facilities is available through sportscotland, funded by the Executive. sportscotland has made a significant investment in sport facilities throughout Scotland, many of which are in rural areas, and in sport development. sportscotland will continue to assist rural and island communities to integrate within Scottish sport and reduce their competitive disadvantage. It will establish the Islands Forum by 31 August 2000.
Village Halls
For many rural communities, the local village hall such as Colonsay Village Hall in the Case Study above, is an important part of the life of their village, providing the main (and sometimes only) community facility for meetings, youth groups, play groups and social events. The Executive recognises the vital role which these facilities play, and provides assistance towards the creation of community facilities, such as village halls, through the Local Capital Grants Scheme. Grants totalling £1.116 million were awarded to 31 village halls across rural Scotland in 2000-01.
National Cultural Strategy
While the environment is a vital part of our heritage, our culture is an equally important aspect of what it is to be a Scot, in the past, present and future. Rural Scotland is associated with a great deal of our cultural heritage. Our National Cultural Strategy, to be published this summer, will aim to meet people's cultural needs, to promote their creativity, to provide access to world-class standards of performance and to enable all to celebrate Scotland's culture. Provision and access will be carefully evaluated to ensure that everyone has opportunities to participate. We will promote innovation and creativity in both traditional and new art forms, drawing upon current and developing technologies, skills and ways of thinking.
Gaelic
Gaelic remains relatively strong in rural areas of North-West Scotland. Gaelic contributes to the vitality of rural areas through events such as the local Mod or a local Feis group, and the "Gaelic economy", including related tourism and sales of Celtic music, is significant. The regeneration of the Sleat peninsula of Skye owes much to the Gaelic college, Sabhal Mor Ostaig. We have proposed to make Gaelic-medium education a national priority in education, and provide support through a scheme of specific grants, funding up to 75% of the cost. There are 59 primary schools in Scotland offering Gaelic-medium education. We are committed to increasing the supply of Gaelic-medium teachers and to locate training for them in the Highlands. We also provide £8.5 million a year to the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, based in Stornoway. We will work towards secure status for Gaelic, foster the unique role of Sabhal Mor Ostaig and take forward the recommendations of the Fraser report on Gaelic broadcasting.
Our Approach
Scotland's natural and cultural heritage is a valuable asset for all of Scotland. However, for rural areas, it is often central to their identity and plays a large part in the lives of those who live and work there. Through our policies and actions, we aim to find new ways to sustain our heritage, while building on its strengths. We are beginning this process by:
introducing, following consultation, a new system for nature conservation;
bringing our bathing waters up to the standards set by the European Union and improving the quality of rivers;
establishing the first National Park for Scotland in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs by summer 2001, with the Cairngorms following as a second National Park;
launching a Rural Stewardship Scheme later this year, to promote a viable and environmentally friendly farming industry;
consulting during 2000 on how to sustain and enhance salmon stocks;
restoring or creating a further 15,000 hectares of native woodland by 2003;
publishing a National Cultural Strategy for Scotland in summer 2000, and taking this forward; and
working towards the secure status of Gaelic.