Scottish land use from the air

Aerial photography by Richard Cross

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Native

Deuchny, Perthshire

Native woodlands were the dominant natural ecosystems in post-glacial Scotland, but they were lost mainly as a result of human action or neglect.

Great Map

Eddleston, Scottish Borders

A 50m x 40m scale model of Scotland in the grounds of Barony Castle Hotel near Eddleston in the Scottish Borders. Built 1974 – 1979, rediscovered in 2010 and recently restored.

Plantations

Corran, Lochaber

Woodland cover in Scotland is around 18% of the land area. Of this about 90% is timber plantations made up of Sitka spruce and other conifers.

Golf

Dunkeld, Perthshire

Scotland has around 580 golf courses. If each covers an average area of 45ha2 (111 acres2) for 18 holes this is a total area of 261 kilometres2 (101 miles2).

Machair

Luskentyre , Isle of Harris

Machair is a Gaelic word meaning “fertile plain”. Found in the far north west it makes for good grazing for crofters and is home for many rare plants.

Tideline

Outer Hebrides

Mainland Scotland has 6,160 miles (9,910 km) of coastline. Including the many islands, this increases to 10,250 miles (16,500 km).

Brochs

Dun Bhuirgh, Isle of Lewis

Brochs are circular stone structures dating back to the iron age. For a long time they were considered to be defensive but recent studies suggest they were dwellings and a statement of prestige.

Reservoir

Glensherup, Ochil Hills

There are 670 reservoirs in Scotland, 80% of which are created by embankment dams to supply drinking water or hydro power. Most are over 100 years old.

Monument

Hopetoun, East Lothian

Standing 95 ft (29 m) high the Hopetoun (Garleton) Monument was erected in 1824 in memory of John Hope, 4th Earl of Hopetoun. There is a similar one in Fife.

Worship

Galson, Isle of Lewis

Teampall nan Crò Naomh (Church of the Holy Blood) is a ruined 13th century chapel and a reminder of the relationship between religion and the landscape.

Deer Fence

Fionn Ghlean, Lochaber

Deer fencing is used to protect saplings against red deer. Once established the boundary between plantation and grazed land is often stark.

Daffodils

Kinclaven, Perthshire

Scottish daffodils flower later than their southern counterparts and sales depend on where Easter falls in the year. Flowers and bulbs are exported around the world.

Lazy Beds

Huisinis, Isle of Harris

Lazy beds (Gaelic feannagan) are a method of cultivation introduced by the Vikings, their traces can be seen throughout the Highlands and islands.

Straw & Manure

Ewingston, East Lothian

Key inputs and outputs for farms across the country. One feeds while the other helps grow the feed for the estimated 1.75 million cattle in Scotland.

Green Island

Loch Harmasig, Isle of Harris

Islands provide plants, shrubs and trees with protection from grazing and hint at what Scotland could look like with control on deer and sheep numbers.