Local Nature Conservation Sites - Scotland

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Local Nature Conservation Sites - Scotland

Restricted Data

Local nature conservation sites (LNCS) is a non-statutory designation given by local authorities to areas of locally important nature and landscapes. NatureScot, on behalf of the Local Nature Conservation Sites Working Group, published guidance (https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/local-designations/local-nature-conservation-sites) for local authorities on the establishment and management of LNCS systems in Scotland.

One of the LNCS working group's recommendations was that all local authorities should adopt the LNCS name in place of the many different local names. However, many councils still use alternative names for these sites such as Local Biodiversity Sites, Local Wildlife Sites, Local Geodiversity Sites and Sites of Interest for Nature Conservation. We have merged these all into this national dataset.

Four LAs are still to confirm and digitise their LNCSs.
Dataset Created
05/06/2026
Licence
Restricted
Contact
Improvement Service
Last Updated
05/06/2026
Data Provided by
Improvement Service
Alternative Name
lnatcs
Lineage
This dataset was amalgamated, optimised and published by the Spatial hub. The following quality assurance checks and corrections are carried out on the data: - Polygons are dissolved/ aggregated by key name and local authority. - The minimum polygon area allowed in the data is 25 square meters - Checks for invalid geometry types - The maximum angle for any spikes is 3 degrees - Any duplicate geometry is removed from the data - Polygons with no key names are not removed Please contact spatialhub@improvementservice.org.uk for more details.
SSDI Link (External Site)
Frequency of Update
as needed
site_ref site_name date_designated type habitat notes policy_ref url local_authority la_s_code
67 Aberdeen - Inverness & Kittybrewster Railway Line None Biodiversity None Mostly neutral grassland, tall ruderal, scrub and pockets of woodland. Provides a green corridor through the city. None None Aberdeen City S12000033
28 Allan Park Pond None Biodiversity None Artificial pond, well vegetated and supports a good diversity of water and marsh plants. Insect fauna including dragonfly and damselfly present. Surrounded by plantation woodland. None None Aberdeen City S12000033
None BLACK ISLANDS, LOCH AWE None Biodiversity None None None None Argyll and Bute S12000035
None River Kelvin None Biodiversity None None NE112 None East Dunbartonshire S12000045
61 Culter Compensation Dam None Biodiversity None A small body of water formed by the damming of the Ord Burn. There is good marginal vegetation with a good range of marsh and waterside plants, including some unusual sedges. None None Aberdeen City S12000033
63 Baads Moss None Biodiversity None The site is comprised mainly of lowland fen, rush pasture and acid grassland. There are also some small areas of neutral grassland and dry heath, plus three ponds. None None Aberdeen City S12000033
34 Den of Maidencraig None Biodiversity None Variety of habitats including broadleaved woodland, rush pasture, scrub woodland, neutral grassland, running water and a pond. Recently created areas of woodland in the east of the site have developed well. None None Aberdeen City S12000033
None BROCK, TIREE None Biodiversity None None None None Argyll and Bute S12000035
EDC 10 Manse Burn, SSSI None Geodiversity None SSSI. Internationally important for its Carboniferous age fossils. Bearsden sharks have exceptional preservation and 11 new bony fish species have been found here. Quality and variety of the Carboniferous assemblage is unrivalled worldwide. NE101 None East Dunbartonshire S12000045
1 Balnagask to Cove None Biodiversity None Mixed habitats, on a rich substrate supporting herb rich grasslands, wet flushes, coastal heathland, rocky cliffs and rock pools. Interesting insect fauna and nesting sea birds. Geologically interesting due to metamotphosed migm None None Aberdeen City S12000033

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This is version 1.0
Last Updated on 19/05/2026