NATURAL HERITAGE ZONES: A NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF SCOTLAND’S LANDSCAPES Contents Purpose of document 6 An introduction to landscape 7 The role of SNH 7 Landscape assessment 8 PART 1 OVERVIEW OF SCOTLAND'S LANDSCAPE 9 1 Scotland’s landscape: a descriptive overview 10 Highlands 10 Northern and western coastline 13 Eastern coastline 13 Central lowlands 13 Lowlands 13 2 Nationally significant landscape characteristics 18 Openness 18 Intervisibility 18 Naturalness 19 Natural processes 19 Remoteness 19 Infrastructure 20 3 Forces for change in the landscape 21 Changes in landuse (1950–2000) 21 Current landuse trends 25 Changes in development pattern 1950–2001 25 Changes in perception (1950–2001) 32 Managing landscape change 34 4 Landscape character: threats and opportunities 36 References 40 PART 2 LANDSCAPE PROFILES: A WORKING GUIDE 42 ZONE 1 SHETLAND 43 1 Nature of the landscape resource 43 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 51 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 51 4 Building a sustainable future 53 ZONE 2 NORTH CAITHNESS AND ORKNEY 54 Page 2 11 January, 2002 1 Nature of the landscape resource 54 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 72 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 72 4 Building a sustainable future 75 ZONE 3 WESTERN ISLES 76 1 Nature of the landscape resource 76 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 88 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 89 4 Building a sustainable future 92 ZONE 4 NORTH WEST SEABOARD 93 1 Nature of the landscape resource 93 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 107 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 108 4 Building a sustainable future 110 ZONE 5 THE PEATLANDS OF CAITHNESS AND SUTHERLAND 111 1 Nature of the landscape resource 111 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 124 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 125 4 Building a sustainable future 128 Zone 6 WESTERN SEABOARD 129 1 Nature of the landscape resource 129 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 145 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 146 4 Building a sustainable future 149 ZONE 7 NORTHERN HIGHLANDS 150 1 Nature of the landscape resource 150 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 164 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 165 4 Building a sustainable future 168 ZONE 8 WESTERN HIGHLANDS 169 1 Nature of the landscape resource 169 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 186 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 188 4 Building a sustainable future 190 ZONE 9 NORTH EAST COASTAL PLAIN 191 1 Nature of the landscape resource 191 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 204 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 205 Page 3 11 January, 2002 4 Building a sustainable future 208 Zone 10 CENTRAL HIGHLANDS 209 1 Nature of the landscape resource 209 2 Importance and value of the zonal landscape 218 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 219 4 Building a sustainable future 220 ZONE 11 CAIRNGORM MASSIF 221 Nature of the landscape resource 221 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 233 3 landscape and trends in the zone 233 4 Building a sustainable future 235 ZONE 12 NORTH EAST GLENS 236 1 Nature of the landscape resource 236 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 248 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 249 4 Building a sustainable future 251 ZONE 13 LOCHABER 252 1 Nature of the landscape resource 252 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 268 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 270 4 Building a sustainable future 272 ZONE 14 ARGYLL WEST & ISLANDS 273 1 Nature of the landscape resource 273 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 288 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 290 4 Building a sustainable future 292 Zone 15 CENTRAL ARGYLL AND BREADALBANE 293 1 Nature of the landscape resource 293 ZONE 16 WESTERN SEABOARD 319 1 Nature of the landscape resource 319 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 341 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 342 4 Building a sustainable future 345 ZONE 17 WEST CENTRAL BELT 346 1 Nature of the landscape resource 346 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 364 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 365 4 Building a sustainable future 369 Page 4 11 January, 2002 ZONE 18 WIGTOWN MACHAIRS & OUTER SOLWAY 370 1 Nature of the landscape resource 370 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 378 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 379 4 Building a sustainable future 381 ZONE 19 WESTERN SOUTHERN UPLANDS & INNER SOLWAY 382 1 Nature of the landscape resource 382 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 398 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 399 4 Building a sustainable future 401 ZONE 20 BORDER HILLS 402 1 Nature of the landscape resource 402 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 418 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 419 4 Building a sustainable future 424 ZONE 21 MORAY FIRTH 425 1 Nature of the landscape resource 425 2 Importance and value of the zone landscape 442 3 Landscape and trends in the zone 443 4 Building a sustainable future 445 Page 5 11 January, 2002 Purpose of document This National Assessment provides an overview of Scotland’s landscape resource and is divided into four parts: • a descriptive summary of the resource from a national perspective; • a description of the nationally significant characteristics of the Scottish landscape, building on the more detailed Landscape Character Assessments commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage; • an overview of changes in landuse and development that influence the character of the Scottish landscape and an examination of how these affect both the physical landscape character and its perception; and finally • an analysis of these changes in relation to the threats and opportunities they pose for the nationally significant landscape qualities. Page 6 11 January, 2002 An introduction to landscape For its size Scotland has a diverse landscape. Primarily influenced by its geology and geomorphological history the diverse range of landscape character is directly related to the land form and the variety of rock types and soils which underpin the physical landscape. These physical features and processes, along with climate, have influenced the natural vegetation pattern and, combined with accessibility, have in turn influenced cultivation and settlement patterns. Much of the current pattern of land use and development reflects the physical limitations and opportunities provided by the natural environment. However, the tangible elements of physical relief and pattern of vegetation and settlement are only a component of what we now refer to as ‘landscape’. The term has an established meaning as land that is appreciated through visual experience. Visual appreciation is still the dominant sense, but in contemporary usage the meaning of landscape has been developed to include aspects which are more than just about our visual senses. Perceptions such as the degree of enclosure or exposure, or historical and aesthetic attributes which may create a very particular, and often intangible ‘sense of place’, also contribute to the term ‘landscape’. In this way, the study of landscape aims primarily to explore how people respond to the physical landscape, and to identify, assess and understand its aesthetic values. The role of SNH The remit of SNH is set out in its founding legislation, The Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991. This states that the aims of SNH are to ‘...secure the conservation and enhancement of, and to foster understanding and facilitate the enjoyment of, the natural heritage of Scotland.’ The Act defines the natural heritage as ‘...the flora and fauna of Scotland, its geological and physiographic features, its natural beauty and amenity.’ There is no clear statutory definition of ‘natural beauty and amenity’, although there is an explanation of the elements embraced by the term in Section 78(2) of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 which states that natural beauty is ‘....construed as including references to the conservation features of geological or physiographical interests therein and of the fauna and flora thereof’. In more popular terms ‘natural beauty and amenity’ is simply interpreted as what people see, experience and enjoy as they react to their surroundings. SNH uses the word ‘landscape’ as a more descriptive and analytical interpretation of ‘natural beauty and amenity’ in the course of its work. SNH’s recently published Corporate Strategy – A Natural Perspective, sets out the context for its work over the next ten years. The strategic framework is founded on three themes: 1. caring for the natural world; 2. enriching peoples lives; 3. promoting sustainable use. The landscape work of SNH bridges all three themes. Broad objectives within the strategy set out SNH’s approach to conserving landscapes (Theme 1), outline activities designed to enhance the quality of settlements and the green space around these (Theme 2), and inform Page 7 11 January, 2002 decisions about the design of new built development and sustainable use of natural resources (Theme 3). Landscape assessment When SNH was formed in April 1992 it quickly became apparent that there was no coherent or comprehensive body of knowledge or inventory in existence on the landscapes of Scotland. Landscape assessment had first emerged in the mid-1980s as a tool which set out clearly to separate the classification and description of landscape character, that is what makes one area ‘different’ or ‘distinct’ from another, from landscape evaluation. SNH initiated its own Landscape Character Assessment programme in 1994 to fill the substantial gap that existed in our knowledge of the extent and diversity of Scotland’s landscapes. Between 1994 and 1998 29 regional LCA studies (see reference list) were undertaken with the co-operation and support from local planning authorities, and a range of other statutory and community organisations.