Discover your Local Nature Reserve

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are places where you can enjoy and learn more about the local wildlife or geology. They’re as easy to access as our parks and other greenspace, but you can expect a more natural environment.

Scotland currently has 75 LNRs, which offer about 10,800 hectares in total to explore. These wild places, where plants and animals can thrive, are often close to our cities and towns. Others are on the coast or in the countryside. LNRs can be all sorts of places – from marsh and meadow to woodland and wetlands. Some even used to be industrial sites.

Happy Valley Local Nature Reserve, in Orkney, is Scotland's most northerly LNR.  Wigtown Bay LNR, an estuary in Dumfries and Galloway, lies furthest south. The most recent LNR designation was the extension to Stevenston Beach LNR in North Ayrshire in June 2019.

Search SiteLink for Local Nature Reserves near you, either using the map below or by entering your local authority. 

Some reserves may include a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and/or a Natura site. Two cities have sites that hold the Green Flag Award.

A local authority is responsible for managing any LNRs in its area and will usually do so through its countryside ranger service.

Local Nature Reserve activities

Thinking of running an event on an LNR? You may be able to get funding if it supports volunteering and community action.

The Volunteering Matters Action Earth – Scotland campaign gives out grants on behalf of NatureScot to volunteer groups for environmental activities.

Find out more

Learn about the Local Nature Reserve designation.