
Recreation policy
Our approach to recreation is outlined in four statements: Enjoying the outdoors, Paths, Rangers, and Parks and reserves.
Our approach to recreation is outlined in four statements: Enjoying the outdoors, Paths, Rangers, and Parks and reserves.
Read about Enjoying the outdoors – supporting participation and sharing the benefits
Outdoor recreation can help to meet the Scottish Government’s national objectives set for health, the economy and the natural environment. Enjoying the outdoors describes how we promote wider participation in outdoor recreation, including through our work with local authorities, land managers and recreation bodies.
Our key priorities are that:
Read about Paths – linking people, places and nature
Our vision for paths, published in 2010, is that paths are better promoted and used by everyone more regularly – particularly by new users.
To ensure this:
The Central Scotland Green Network will include a strategic network of walking and cycling routes. We've worked with local authorities and other partners to develop a map showing current and potential future routes. Local authority planners and others can use this to guide their work to enhance existing routes, address missing links and improve connections.
Read about Rangers in Scotland
Our vision for Scotland’s rangers, which we published in 2021, recognises that they’re well placed to deliver a greener and healthier Scotland.
Read about Parks and reserves – places managed for people and nature
Our 2012 statement sets out a vision and strategic action for Scotland’s parks and reserves.
These places provide a wide variety of settings and opportunities for enjoying the outdoors. As such, they make an important contribution to the Scottish Government’s priorities on health, well-being and tourism. They’re also important for sustainable economic growth in many parts of Scotland.