The James Hutton Institute
This page is no longer updated. The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute joined forces with SCRI on 1 April 2011 to create The James Hutton Institute.
THE STATE OF SCOTLAND'S FARMED ENVIRONMENT 2005
5. LANDSCAPE
WHAT IS LANDSCAPE?
The term landscape can mean different things to different people: Landscape encompasses all the physical elements of the environment that surround us – the natural (landform, water, and natural vegetation) and the cultural (the patterns of land use, buildings and other structures – old and new). But as well as the physical fabric, it is people's experience and perception of the land and adjacent sea that turns their surroundings into landscape.
Scotland 's landscape is made up of
- the physical foundations (predominantly hard-rock geology, which created extensive upland and mountainous areas)
- the natural land cover (peatlands, pine- and oakwoods, heather moorland)
- the cultural overlay (through woodland clearance, agricultural activities, settlements) (SNH, 2003).
Landscape as an overarching concept affects all aspects of agriculture/environment interactions. The adoption of sound landscape management practices yields benefits in terms of conservation of cultural heritage and enhanced quality of life, and economic benefits in terms of the landscape supporting tourism and recreational activities (Birnie et al., 2004). At present the National Scenic Areas (a landscape designation) have no legal status in the planning process although this may be revised within the terms of the new Planning Bill. There are strong landscape interests within the context of the two Scottish National Parks.
Historic Landscapes of Scotland >>