Regulator Profile
NatureScot
Enforcement Regulator3
Areas of regulation
20
Laws enforced
Scotland
Quick links
Nature Conservation
Protected Areas
Wildlife Licensing
What NatureScot does
Scotland's nature agency. Advises government, manages protected areas, licenses activities affecting wildlife. Formerly Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Additional information
Scottish equivalent of Natural England. Manages NNRs and SSSIs in Scotland.
Legal framework
Legislation that NatureScot enforces.
Primary legislation
- Environment Act 2021 (enhancement) Act 2021
- Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 Act 2006
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Act 1981
- Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 Act 1996
- Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 Act 2018
- National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 Act 2000
- Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 Act 1991
- Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 Act 2004
- Protection of Badgers Act 1992 Act 1992
- Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 Act 1997
- Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 Act 2011
- Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 Act 2024
Secondary legislation
- Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2010
- Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 UK Statutory Instrument 1994
- Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2007
- Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2017
- Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 UK Statutory Instrument 2019
- Muirburn (Scotland) Regulations 2021 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2021
- Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 (Authorised Operations) Order 2004 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2004
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 9) (Scotland) Order 2012 Scottish Statutory Instrument 2012
Sectors regulated
Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets