A CHARTER FOR THE OPEN HILL
Protecting the hills and moors of the Scottish uplands
* Recognising the contribution of the open landscape of
hills and moors to the history, culture and identity of
Scotland
* Recognising the importance to the tourist industry of the
wide vistas across open landscapes, and the importance
to local employment through the management of
moorland
* Recognising the international importance and rarity of
Scottish moorland habitats
* Recognising the natural origins of the open, unwooded
hills and moors
* Recognising the current threats to the open hill, in
particular its fragmentation through forestry and
woodland planting
* Recognising, also, the ever-increasing infrastructure
being imposed on moorland, including vehicle tracks,
wind farms, dams, reservoirs, power-lines and masts
We,
the
undersigned,
request
that
the
Scottish
Government
takes
steps
to
retain
the
remaining,
unfragmented
areas
of
open
hill
in
Scotland
through
the
identification
of
the
key
areas
to
be
safeguarded
for
future
generations.
NOTES
What is meant by ‘the open hill’?
The upland landscape of Scotland is characterised by wide tracts of
unwooded moorland. There are many kinds of moorland, including heather
moorland (particularly in the east), wet heath (particularly in the west),
grass moor and peatlands. This Charter encompasses all types.
Origin of moorland
There is a widespread belief that most of the Scottish moorland has been
created through human action, particularly the destruction of natural forest
which once covered most of the land.
However, research shows that the moorland has developed naturally, its
extent increasing as woodland, which was more common thousands of
years ago, naturally declined.
This decline occurred through changes in climate, through long-term loss of
fertility through leaching, and through the continual presence of grazing
animals, particularly red deer. Modern research has identified the
importance of grazing animals in shaping the landscape of natural
ecosystems, with there being nothing natural about low levels of grazing.
Nature conservation value of moorland
Most moorland habitats, including dry heath, wet heath and peatbog, have
been recognised as internationally important in the European Commission’s
Habitats Directive, i.e. they are listed in Annex 1 of the Directive.
Unwooded, temperate moorland comprises internationally rare ecosystems,
with a continuous link back to the Ice Age. Landscapes where the
vegetation pattern has never been designed, the soil ploughed or the land
planted, are now very rare in Europe, especially on the scale of the Scottish
uplands.
Open moorland supports many important species, including red deer,
breeding waders, golden eagles, hen harriers, red grouse, heather, cross-
leaved heath, bog asphodel and rare liverworts.
Importance to the climate
The soils of the uplands are rich in organic matter (humus and peat) and
therefore extremely important as a carbon store.
Historical and cultural importance of moorland
In historical times, the open hills and moors have been the backdrop to the
history and culture of Scotland, including the Highland clans, Border raids,
battles, castles, crofting, cattle droving, the Clearances, sporting estates,
hill farming, music and song. Currently the management of moorland
provides important rural jobs to the benefit of the local economy.
Open moorland: a distinctive Scottish landscape
The open hill of lochs and glens, heather and bog has become the landscape
which now epitomises Scotland. It is a draw to tourists, who enjoy the wide
vistas and the easily visible hills. Many areas have been identified as
National Scenic Area, and the wildness of much of the remaining open hill
has been recognised by its inclusion in Wild Land Areas.
_________
Note: This Charter is not about how moorland should be managed, but
concentrates on the need to retain moorland in the first place – the need to
produce a Locational Strategy for Moorland.
If you are concerned by the ongoing loss of the open moors and
hills of Scotland, then please sign this Charter
Download a Charter sign-up form
for use by community groups, local
shops, local events, &c 1-page pdf
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The Charter, together with the signatures, will be presented to
Scottish Ministers at the end of 2026
It has been created by individuals, independent of any organisation, who are
concerned that the Government is making no effort to retain the open hills
which characterise Scotland
Founder members: James Fenton, Isle of Seil Bill Cowie, Isle of Skye
For further details contact: admin@hill-charter.scot
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