Protecting our geodiversity and geoheritage

The Trust will contribute to developing better understanding and conservation of Scotland’s geodiversity, through public regulations, such as the planning system or the forthcoming Environment Act, and how land uses are incentivised through public funding.

The Trust will also continue to protect Scotland’s geodiversity and geoheritage through our membership of Scotland’s Landscape Alliance, of which we are a founding member. The Alliance promotes the importance of Scotland’s landscapes in relation to climate resilience, biodiversity enhancement, Scotland’s economy, and public health and wellbeing. We are also a signatory of Scotland’s Geodiversity Charter which commits the Trust to maintaining, promoting and enhancing geodiversity as an integral part of Scotland’s natural heritage.

Find out more about Scotland’s Landscape Alliance

In our management of our sites we will always adhere to and promote the Scottish Fossil Code, Scottish Outdoor Access Code, the Ethical Rock Collection Policy and the Scottish Core Code. We operate a minimum interventionist approach by adopting management practices that allow natural processes to occur.

A key strand of our policy is engagement. We are committed to engaging people to experience and value our geodiversity and geoheritage. Through our new 10-year strategy Nature, Beauty and Heritage for Everyone we are building a new visitor centre at Corrieshalloch Gorge which will offer visitors a way to further engage with this unique geological place. And Hugh Miller’s Birthplace puts on storytelling sessions and walks, has created downloadable fossil colouring sheets for children and welcomes school visits.

Our sites are fundamental parts of Scotland’s geodiversity and geoheritage. We hope to see you at one soon!

Read more about the Trust’s geodiversity policy and geoconservation work