Scotland’s Geodiversity Charter 2018-2023 (pdf download)

Scotland has world-class geodiversity that provides the foundation of our remarkable geoheritage and essential benefits for people and nature. It has a profound influence on landscape, the economy, historical and cultural heritage, habitats and species, education, health and well-being.

Scotland’s Geodiversity Charter encourages the promotion and management of Scotland’s geodiversity and better integration of geodiversity into policy and guidance, consistent with the economic, social, cultural and environmental needs of Scotland. This will help to protect a crucial aspect of our natural heritage and deliver more sustainable management of Scotland’s natural resources.

The Charter presents a vision that is supported by more than 90 organisations large and small, from across Scotland and beyond: that geodiversity is “recognised as an integral and vital part of our environment, economy, heritage and future sustainability to be safeguarded for existing and future generations in Scotland”.

First published in June 2012, the Charter has been revised and updated by the Scottish Geodiversity Forum and our partners. Publication of the Charter is supported by grants and in-kind support from Scottish Natural Heritage, the British Geological Survey, the Edinburgh Geological Society and the Geological Society of Glasgow. Further signatories are very welcome at any time – please get in touch!

Contact: Colin MacFadyen, NatureScot (Colin.MacFadyen@nature.scot) and Helen Fallas (hfallas@bgs.ac.uk)

Case studies

Case studies illustrate how individuals and organisations can work to maintain and celebrate Scotland’s geodiversity, and support the Charter. Case studies are updated regularly – further contributions welcome.

Geodiversity for Local Authorities

Local Geodiversity Sites are a springboard for valuing, interpreting and celebrating geology in local communities. Local Authorities – working in partnership with regional and national expertise – can designate sites and include them in Local Development Plans to ensure their value is widely recognised.
Further information, examples and sources of support.

Signatories to the 2018-2023 Charter

A total of 96 organisations from across Scotland have signed Scotland’s Geodiversity Charter:

NATIONAL ORGANISATIONS Scottish Geology Trust Scottish Natural Heritage British Geological Survey GeoConservation UK Historic Environment Scotland James Hutton Institute Landscape Institute Scotland Mineral Products Association Scotland National Museums Scotland Royal Scottish Geographical Society Scottish Environment Protection Agency The Geologists’ Association The Geological Society Visit Scotland Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland Bat Conservation Trust Botanical Society for Scotland British Ecological Society’s Scottish Policy Group British Society for Geomorphology English Geodiversity Forum Froglife International Appalachian Trail Scotland John Muir Trust Mountaineering Scotland Mountain Training Scotland National Trust for Scotland The Palaeontological Association Plantlife Scotland Quaternary Research Association Ramblers Scotland Salmon and Trout Conservation (Scotland) Scottish Association of Geography Teachers Scottish Centre for Geopoetics Scottish Lime Centre Trust Scottish Mineral & Lapidary Club Scottish Tourist Guides Association Scottish Wild Land Group Scottish Wildlife Trust Trees for Life Woodland Trust Scotland

UNIVERSITIES University of Aberdeen University of Dundee School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh University of Glasgow Heriot-Watt University University of the Highlands and Islands Edinburgh Napier University School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of St. Andrews University of Stirling University of Strathclyde LOCAL AUTHORITIES / REGIONAL ORGANISATIONS Aberdeen Geological Society Angus Council Arran Geopark Cairngorms Campaign Cairngorms National Park Authority City of Edinburgh Council Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership Dynamic Earth Earth Science Society, University of Glasgow East Dunbartonshire Council Edinburgh Geological Society Geological Society of Glasgow Glasgow City Council The Highland Council Highland Geological Society Lochaber Geopark Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park North West Highlands Geopark Orkney Islands Council Perth and Kinross Council Shetland Amenity Trust / Geopark Shetland West Lothian Council

COMMUNITY Friends of Hugh Miller Friends of Kelvin Valley GeoBus Geodiversity: Argyll & the Islands geoHeritage Fife Grampian Speleological Group Lochranza Centre CIC Lothian and Borders GeoConservation Strathclyde Geoconservation Tayside Biodiversity Partnership Tayside Geodiversity The Way of St Andrews

COMMERCIAL BioGeoD Border Geo-Science Breedon Northern Ltd EnviroCentre Ltd Hamlet Mountaineering Hills of Hame Geowalks Mr Wood’s Fossils Mull Geology Selkie Ventures Wilco Geotechnics Ltd Wilderness Scotland

Supporting documents

Scotland’s Geodiversity Charter 2018-2023 (pdf download)

Charter Updates (News from the Forum and Charter signatories, and further case studies): Autumn 2013  | Spring 2015 | Summer 2016

Taking the Charter forward – advice for Local Authorities This paper, prepared by the Charter Working Group, outlines how Local Authorities and other Land Owners / Managers can implement the Charter.

Taking the Charter Forward – Tourism Scotland’s geoheritage has significant potential to increase visitor numbers and enhance the visitor experience throughout the country. This paper outlines actions by different stakeholders to help implement the Charter.