Land Use Strategy

Scotland’s distinctive and diverse range of landscapes are a significant part of the country’s natural and cultural heritage. They make a valuable contribution to Scotland’s economic, cultural and social interests, benefiting people’s health and wellbeing, as well as tourism and the local economy.

The twin climate change and environment crises mean considerations as to how we own, use and manage our land have never been as important as they are now. Scotland’s land and the natural capital it supports are some of our most valuable assets. It is vital to our environment, economy and wellbeing as individuals and communities.

Scotland’s land and the natural capital it supports is one of our most valuable assets, vital to our national prosperity and to our wellbeing as individuals and communities. Scotland’s Land Use Strategy recognises the value of Scotland’s land and sets out our long-term vision and objectives for sustainable land use.

The way in which land is owned, managed, and used is centrally important to a variety of outcomes including achieving our net-zero and biodiversity targets. It is only through understanding these multiple and sometimes conflicting relationships we can look to secure the fine balance that will be needed to allow our land to contribute sustainably to our multiple long term national priorities.

The strategy provides the opportunity to bring together these different strands and set out an integrated approach which balances the different demands which we place on our land.

The third strategy contained the following 2050 vision:

• 2050 Vision: A Scotland where we fully recognise, understand and value the importance of our land resources, and where our plans and decisions about land use will deliver improved and enduring benefits, enhancing the wellbeing of our nation.

Whilst seeking to achieve the following objectives:

• Land based businesses working with nature to contribute more to Scotland’s prosperity
• Responsible stewardship of Scotland’s natural resources delivering more benefits to Scotland’s people
• Urban and rural communities better connected to the land, with more people enjoying the land and positively influencing land use

Scotland’s 4th Land Use Strategy is due for publication by the end of March 2026 and work is underway regarding its development.

The third strategy is available here. For information on the development of the fourth strategy contact lus4@gov.scot.