A community land trust is strengthened by the knowledge, partnerships, and stewardship that surround it. This page highlights additional organisations, tools, and guidance that support land management, conservation, and other sustainable activities in support of common benefit and well-being – from NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland, and other collaborating partners.
This page is intended as a practical gateway to further information that can help communities make informed, sustainable decisions about their land.
NatureScot
Scotland’s protected areas safeguard the very best of our landscapes, plants and animals, and rocks, fossils and landforms.
Nature30 represents a fresh approach to conservation. Such areas offer an alternative to traditional Protected Areas (PAs) by recognising areas that deliver positive, sustained, and long-term outcomes for biodiversity, as a result of the land management, regardless of the primary objective of this management. Nature30 is also known as OECMs (or Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures).
The Big Biodiversity Layer is a tool which will aid anyone wishing to explore their lands potential to be recognised as an OECM and contribute towards Scotland’s 30 by 30 efforts, which are part of a global initiative aiming to ensure at least 30% of land important for nature is safeguarded by 2030.
NatureScot’s BBL One MapStory is an excellent overview of the data and tools available to advance this purpose, namely, to introduce a ‘bottom-up’ and all-of-society approach to conservation and a sustainable future. GIS data layers are available for download (also see NatureScot’s GIS viewer).
View professional advice on topics ranging from planning and development to land and sea management, and from education to funding for natural heritage projects.
Forestry and Land Scotland
Biodiversity and Conservation: Scotland’s rich and diverse forests are important natural assets. As designated custodians, their continuing health and improvement is a vital part of FLS’ work.
Communities: We’re always excited to see local people and communities make use of their nearby national forests and land. Whether holding wellbeing events, running outdoor learning projects, managing or even purchasing land from us through the Community Asset Transfer Scheme (CATS), community groups have a number of opportunities to get involved.
Our Community Strategy sets out our priorities under three key principles and provides examples of existing community initiatives. Our strategy is an open invitation for local groups to come forward with ideas on how Scotland’s national forests and land can benefit the wider communities of which they are part.
FLS’s three key principles are: (i) supporting the transition to a fairer, green Scotland; (ii) supporting sustainable and thriving rural communities; and (iii) engaging and involving communities in decision making. These principles also contribute to land reform and community empowerment legislation, as well as to community wealth building, the transition to net zero, and tackling the biodiversity crisis. They also support FLS in delivering its many duties and obligations under the Forestry and Land (Scotland) Act 2018, Scotland’s Forestry Strategy 2019 to 2029 and sustainable forest management standards.
Kyle of Sutherland Development Trust
The aim of KoSDT is to ensure that long-term, sustainable benefits are achieved throughout the community and the Kyle of Sutherland area. It focuses on how best to utilise funding from local wind farms and renewable energy projects, while ensuring match funding opportunities are secured. KoSDT runs many development projects and maintains community assets.
KoSDT also serves as a gateway to much useful local information, including links to community organisations, community councils, and current events.
VentureNorth
Working with local businesses, communities, and stakeholders, VentureNorth helps provide a united voice and vision for the development and promotion of responsible, sustainable tourism across the region. VentureNorth’s Central Sutherland Area Guide includes Ardgay, Bonar Bridge, Lairg, and Rosehall.
Kyle Chronicle
The Kyle Chronicle is an independent, unaffiliated local newsroom that covers Ardgay, Bonar Bridge, Culrain, Rosehall, Invershin, Spinningdale, Migdale, Strath Oykel, Strathcarron and Glen Cassley.