National Nature Reserves

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are areas of land set aside for nature. As in other countries, the accolade is given to Scotland’s best wildlife sites, to promote their conservation and enjoyment.

Most reserves contain nationally or internationally important habitats and species, so the wildlife is managed very carefully. Visitor facilities are designed and managed to ensure that people can enjoy NNRs without harming or disturbing the wildlife that lives there.

Scotland has 43 NNRs; these are special places, showcasing the very best of Scotland’s nature, and cover just under 2% of Scotland’s land area.

Included in the series are mountain tops, ancient woodlands, remote islands with huge colonies of breeding seabirds, and lowland lochs that are vitally important staging posts for migrating birds.

There is an A-Z list of sites managed by NatureScot in our Enjoying the Outdoors pages or you can find information on all the NNRs in Scotland on the Scotland's National Nature Reserves website.

Designation

Since 2013, a partnership of NNR providers and community representatives has overseen the award of the NNR accolade.

The current partnership comprises representatives of:

• Community Land Scotland
• Forestry and Land Scotland
• National Trust for Scotland
• RSPB Scotland
• Scottish Land and Estates
• NatureScot
• Scottish Wildlife Trust
• South Lanarkshire Council
• Woodland Trust Scotland

View the partnership’s National Nature Reserve selection criteria and standards.

NatureScot continues to fulfil the statutory designation functions under the:

• National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949
• Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Most NNRs are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest and many are Natura sites – Special Areas of Conservation and/or Special Protection Areas.

Ownership and management

NNR managers must own or have sufficient management control of the land, e.g. through a lease or formal agreement. NatureScot manages many of Scotland’s NNRs, while partner organisations own and manage others. Some NNRs are managed jointly.

The management priority is to conserve the important habitats and species present within the NNR. But management must also provide opportunities for people to enjoy and engage with nature.

National Nature Reserve principles

The vision for the NNR accolade is based on three clear principles agreed by the NatureScot Board in August 2012:

1. The national accolade of National Nature Reserve will be applied to land and water of acknowledged significance for nature that is being managed to agreed high standards for nature and the enjoyment of nature. Nature on these reserves will be of national importance and the sites will be managed primarily for nature in the long term and for people to enjoy nature.
2. National Nature Reserves will be run by a range of public, private, community and voluntary organisations; and the accolade will be managed by a partnership representing these organisations.
3. This partnership will agree selection and review criteria, and set high and demanding management standards expected of a national accolade.

How to apply for the accolade

Any landowner, community or organisation interested in attaining the NNR accolade on their land should first read the FAQ for potential applicants.

To indicate your interest in applying, you should email the partnership secretariat at [email protected]

The National Nature Reserve logo

The NNR logo is the visual representation of the National Nature Reserve accolade and provides opportunity for NNRs to celebrate their achievement and status. The logo badges NNRs as places where people can expect a high quality and unique wildlife experience. The NNR logo guidelines set out how the logo should be used.