Regulator profile

NatureScot

Enforcement Regulator Scotland

What NatureScot does

Scotland's nature agency. Advises government, manages protected areas, licenses activities affecting wildlife. Formerly Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

Scottish equivalent of Natural England. Manages NNRs and SSSIs in Scotland.

Nature ConservationProtected AreasWildlife Licensing

Contact NatureScot

Phone
01463 725000

Official guidance from NatureScot

Curated guidance documents to help you understand your obligations.

Bats and licensing | NatureScot (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance · Scotland

Beavers and Licensing | NatureScot (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance · Scotland

European protected species licensing | NatureScot (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance · Scotland

Protected species: badgers | NatureScot (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance · Scotland

Dolphins, whales and porpoises and licensing | NatureScot (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance · Scotland

Land management order | NatureScot (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance · Scotland

Managers of conservation land and greenspace: relevant policy | NatureScot (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance · Scotland

Muirburn licensing | NatureScot (opens in a new tab)

Detailed Guidance · Scotland

View all 325 guidance documents (opens in a new tab)

Legislation that NatureScot directly enforces.

Primary legislation

Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Protection of Badgers Act 1992 Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 - Scottish access rights Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 WNESA 2011 WMMSA 2024

Secondary legislation

Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 Scottish Statutory Instrument The Deer (Close Seasons) (Scotland) Order 2011 Scottish Statutory Instrument Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedule 9) (Scotland) Order 2012 Scottish Statutory Instrument Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019 The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024 (Commencement No. 2 and Saving Provision) Regulations 2024 Scottish Statutory Instrument

Legislation connected to NatureScot’s remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.

Establishing / enabling

Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 UK Act of Parliament Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 UK Act of Parliament

Referenced in enforcement

Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 UK Act of Parliament National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000 UK Act of Parliament Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 UK Act of Parliament Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 UK Act of Parliament Air Quality Standards (Scotland) Regulations 2010 Scottish Statutory Instrument Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 Scottish Statutory Instrument Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 UK Act of Parliament Environment Act 2021 (enhancement) UK Act of Parliament

Sectors regulated

Agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and pets

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