Scotland is famous for its outstanding landscapes. Its mountainous uplands, native pinewoods, blanket bogs, heather moorlands and dramatic coastline support many globally threatened plants and animals. With the help of funding from players of the National Lottery this rich natural heritage is being conserved and cared for. It is also being made easier to enjoy, giving more people the opportunity to experience the great outdoors.

[quote]“Scotland is famous for its outstanding landscapes. its mountainous uplands, native pinewoods, blanket bogs, heather moorlands and dramatic coastline.”[/quote]

The £100m landmark was reached with the award of £9m to four major new landscape projects, stretching from the north-west tip of the country down to the Scottish borders:

• Coigach & Assynt Living Landscapes Partnership will see some of the most rugged and spectacular of Scotland’s upland and coastal scenery restored in a five-year project. It will include a major education project for schools
• Seven Lochs will create Scotland’s largest urban nature park spanning the boundaries of Glasgow and North Lanarkshire. It will bring together built heritage with five nature reserves to create a national visitor destination
• Riverlife, Almond and Avon will encourage communities living along the banks of these industrial revolution rivers to reconnect and take responsibility for them in a bid to restore and protect aquatic life
• South of Scotland Golden Eagle project plans to reintroduce this iconic bird to the south of Scotland where, once widespread, the population is now tiny and under threat

Lucy Casot, Head of HLF Scotland: “As the summer weather encourages people outside to explore, projects such as these are opening up the natural world so that it’s easier for everyone to discover. It’s thanks to players of the National Lottery that we can support projects like these in what they do.

“By awakening and instilling nature in communities across the country, we’re not only helping care for the health and wellbeing of the people that live there, but inspiring respect and understanding for the long-term future of our outstanding natural heritage.“