Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Category: Conservation Areas

Delivered by: Scottish Natural Heritage

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) represent the best of Scotland’s natural heritage. They are ‘special’ for their plants, animals or habitats, their rocks or landforms, or a combination of such natural features. Together they form a network of the best examples of natural features throughout Scotland, and support a wider network across Great Britain and the European Union.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) designates SSSIs to protect the best of our natural heritage by making sure that decision-makers, managers of land and their advisors, as well as the planning authorities and other public bodies, are aware of them when considering changes in land-use or other activities which might affect them.

SNH must follow a process set out in law to designate new SSSI. We always seek to informally discuss proposals for new designations with all the owners and occupiers of the land, and how we can work together, before starting. When designating new SSSIs, SNH must formally notify every owner or occupier, and a range of other parties, of why the land is of special scientific interest. SNH must also list those operations which are likely to damage the site’s natural features, and for which owners and occupiers must obtain consent from SNH before carrying them out.