National Nature Reserves - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We want everyone to have a great experience at the places NatureScot manages. Please always follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Scotland’s world-leading access rights allow everyone to enjoy the outdoors as long as they do so responsibly. Please ensure your recreational activities don't affect the enjoyment of other visitors or disturb or damage the nature which people come to see or hear. 

 “Access rights extend to [nature reserves] but remember that they are carefully managed for nature conservation and to safeguard rare animals and plants. Take care to avoid damaging the site or disturbing its wildlife, or interfering with its management or enjoyment by others. Depending on your activity, you might be requested to follow a specific route or to avoid exercising access rights in a specific area: following such local guidance can help to safeguard the natural heritage of these areas.”

In keeping with the Access Code, some places have agreed local access arrangements – please follow these. We will usually provide temporary signs on-site to explain these arrangements, such as to protect nesting birds or pupping seals from frequent and repeated disturbance. If you’re unsure why they are needed, please ask the site manager or email nnr@nature.scot.

Everyone is welcome. We know that the outdoors can present difficulties for people with accessibility requirements. We’re constantly looking for opportunities to improve our facilities to ensure all of our visitors can enjoy their visits. We recommend contacting the site manager in advance for detailed access arrangements, or email nnr@nature.scot. 

We are looking at options to provide greater information online about accessibility and will update this advice in due course. In the meantime we’d love you to visit the Euan’s Guide website to tell us (and others) what’s good and where we need to do better.

We welcome all assistance dogs – except on the Isle of May and Noss as noted in the section on 'dogs' section.

We welcome responsible wild camping in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and the practice of leaving no trace. But do not light a fire on any land during any prolonged dry period or at any time in any forest, woodland, scrub or meadow or on peaty ground. Please note and follow local Scottish Outdoor Access Code advice on lighting fires.

Most NatureScot lands are protected places for nature with widespread sensitive habitats and species and our nature reserves are protected and managed as highly valuable places for people to enjoy nature, which could be permanently destroyed by fire.

It is important you avoid damaging these special features and committing an offence.  Do not build shelters or fire sites.

If in doubt, contact the site manager for advice, or email nnr@nature.scot.

Can I stay over night in my campervan or motorhome in a NatureScot National Nature Reserve car park?

We are trialling allowing overnight use at a limited number of our sites. Our sites are all National Nature Reserves created to protect and enhance nature; please respect them, other visitors and leave them clean and tidy. Most do not have any facilities to support overnight use and have limited capacity. Stays are limited to single nights. 

Where possible we encourage you to use local campsites and caravan facilities and support the local economy in areas you are visiting. 

You can donate if there is a terminal or RingGo payment at the reserve, or via My Park Scotland - please say which reserve you're staying at. We suggest a donation of £10 per vehicle towards the upkeep of our reserves. 

Please bear in mind that these are working locations and staff occasionally may be carrying out tasks at what you see as anti-social hours.

Have you got the right vehicle? 

Stay the Night only covers self-contained motorhomes and campervans; this means vehicles that include accommodation and internal toilet facilities. 

It does not include tents beside cars, roof-top, pop-up, pup or toilet tents, or any motorhome or campervan without its own internal toilet. 

None of our participating car parks are suitable for large vehicles (over 6 metres) and there is no provision for caravans. Check the details for your chosen car park before travelling. 

What is the time limit?

You can stay for 1 night only at a time between 6pm and 10am. You must not return to the same car park within 48 hours to stay overnight. You may use a car park during the day to explore and enjoy our National Nature Reserves.

Where do I park?

Park safely within marked bays and for safety reasons leave at least 4 metres between you and your neighbour for health and safety reasons. Make sure not to block other vehicles, gates, or trails, and stay off verges. Remember emergency services and reserve staff may need access at any time. All locations have a capacity limit for motorhomes and campervans and most have a limit on vehicle size. 

You cannot book sites it works on a first come first served basis. Please have a plan B in place if there is not enough space.

Which NNRs are in the trial?

• Ariundle (managed by FLS) – capacity = 2
• Beinn Eighe (Glas Leitir Trail and Lochside car park) - capacity = 3
• Beinn Eighe (Visitor Centre car park) - capacity = 5
• Cairnsmore of Fleet (Visitor Centre – no parking here)
• Cairnsmore of Fleet (Viaduct car park) – capacity = 4
• Creag Meagaidh - capacity = 10
• Flanders Moss – capacity 2
• Forvie (Visitor Centre car park) - capacity = 3
• Glasdrum Wood- capacity = 2
• Hermaness - capacity = 3
• Knockan Crag - capacity = 8
• Loch Leven (Burleigh) - capacity = 4
• Moine Mhor - capacity = 2
• Muir of Dinnet - capacity = 6
• St Cyrus - capacity = 6
• Tentsmuir (Morton Lochs only, not the FLS car park) - capacity = 4

What are the terms and conditions?

To ensure a pleasant stay for everyone, please follow our guidance:

• Overnight use is for informal one-night stopovers. Don’t stay for more than one night.
• Don’t use generators – these can disturb wildlife and other visitors.
• Use your own self-contained toilet facilities inside your vehicle only. Visit CAMPA for advice on waste disposal sites in Scotland.
• If there are on site toilets do not use these for waste disposal.
• Leave 4 metres between you and your neighbour for health and safety reasons.
• Park within marked bays.
• Don’t block any gates or trails.
• Don’t park on verges.
• Don't start fires or use barbecues.
• Take all rubbish away with you and leave no trace of your visit.
• Keep noise levels down, especially between 10 pm to 7 am.
• Keep dogs on a lead or under close control. Please pick up after your dog.
• Car park too full? Please check Visit Scotland for nearby campsites.

What is 'invitation to pay'?

Starting in late March 2025, this is a trial inviting people to pay for car parking at 8 of NatureScot's National Nature Reserves (NNRs) (listed further down). Payment is not mandatory, but it is gratefully received. All funds raised will go directly to supporting the vital work that takes place at our reserves, your support will help us to protect, restore and value nature.

Why are we charging, shouldn't visiting the countryside be free to everyone? 

We’re proud of our National Nature Reserves and our staff work hard to protect and maintain them for all visitors to enjoy. These special places represent some of Scotland’s finest landscapes and habitats and are a key part of our work to protect, restore and value nature. This is particularly important given the nature and climate crises we are facing.

We want everyone to be able to access and enjoy nature, but at the same time there is a significant and growing cost to looking after these sites. That’s why we’re exploring whether asking people to make a small contribution for car parking will help us raise funds that would be reinvested to enhance the visitor experience, improve these important nature sites and help tackle the climate and biodiversity crises.

As NatureScot is a government agency, don’t my taxes already contribute to your work?

While NatureScot is a publicly funded body, we are facing the same budget restrictions as many other organisations, at a time when visitor numbers and pressures are increasing. Looking after our National Nature Reserves takes a significant and growing amount of time, resources and funds. We need to consider a range of ways to generate sustainable income to allow us to do more positive work at these sites, which represent the best of Scotland’s nature.

Where is my money going?

All funds raised will go back into protecting and restoring nature and maintaining visitor facilities at our National Nature Reserves.

The additional funding will help support the day-to-day management of these special sites, protecting habitats and species through for example, expanding native woodlands, restoring heath and peatland habitats and removing invasive non-native species, as well as expanding our knowledge of Scotland’s natural world through supporting surveys, research and outreach projects.

Funding raised from car park charging will also be reinvested to maintain and improve visitor facilities such as toilets, visitor centres, paths, picnic areas, car parks, nature hides and signage. It could also help us to employ seasonal staff to engage with visitors, enhance the visitor experience and support reserve management at the busiest times of year.

Will you be charging at all NatureScot National Nature Reserve Sites?

This is a pilot project that applies to 8 NatureScot National Nature Reserves. There are currently no plans to introduce charging at other NatureScot sites beyond these eight at this stage. The pilot will be reviewed in due course and lessons learnt will inform our approach to car park charging in future.

The pilot project only applies to sites managed by NatureScot. Partner organisations who manage other reserves all have different approaches to charging.

These are the reserves in the pilot project: 

Beinn Eighe NNR, Creag Meagaidh NNR, Knockan Crag NNR, Muir of Dinnet NNR, Loch Leven NNR at Burleigh Sands, Tentsmuir NNR at Morton Lochs, Caerlaverock NNR and Forvie NNR.

How will the car park charging be enforced?

Charges are being introduced on an invitation to pay basis. We know that some visitors will not want to pay for parking, but we hope that the vast majority will be willing to contribute, recognising the value of a visit to these special places.

How much does parking cost?

The suggested tariff is between £2 and £4 for a car for a whole day. But you can view the individual National Nature Reserve pages for suggested tariffs. Blue badge holders park free at all our car parks.

How can I pay?

Card operated terminals are in place at Beinn Eighe, Creag Meagaidh, Knockan Crag and Muir of Dinnet. You can also pay via RingGo app at these locations.

RingGo payment (either online or via phone number) is in place at Loch Leven Burleigh Sands, Tentsmuir Morton Lochs, Caerlaverock Castle Corner and Hollands, Forvie Visitor Centre and Waterside. We recommend downloading the app before you visit.

How do I get help using App?

You can find help on the RingGo website or use their live chat help service.
If you don’t have a smartphone, you can call 0203 046 0010* to pay.
At all our charging car parks, you have up to 72 hours to pay after your visit so can take your time and pay when you get better reception. Downloading the RingGo app from your official app store before you visit can help too.
If you still have a question or concern, you can email nnr@nature.scot.
*Small additional fees may apply when calling this telephone number.

What are the RingGo charges?

RingGo sends SMS messages to remind you when your parking session is coming to an end. This service costs 20p per message. You can opt out of all RingGo notifications by logging into RingGo and managing your settings.

Do Blue Badge holders need to pay?

Blue badge holders park for free at all of our car parks and many of our charging car parks are wheelchair accessible. Some of our destinations also have wheelchair accessible trails.

Is NatureScot charging for access?

Our invitation to pay car parking charges are not an access charge. Motorised transport is excluded from access rights under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Access by car - and parking - is by permission of the land manager.  Access to all our sites remains free of charge for those arriving by other means.

Can I park overnight at NatureScot National Nature Reserves? 

If you have a self-contained campervan or motorhome, you may be able to Stay the Night at one of our participating National Nature Reserves, please see the FAQ section on 'Campervans and motorhomes – Stay the Night'.

Dogs are part of the family and we know many people like to bring them on a day out – but out-of-control dogs can seriously disturb, harm and kill wildlife and livestock and affect the enjoyment of these wonderful places by other visitors.  

Please be aware that whilst you might visit a place only occasionally and feel that you cause no harm, the reserve manager and the wildlife of the reserve might have to cope with the cumulative effects of many people and their dogs.

Please check with staff if you’re unsure and follow any local site and seasonal advice, for example to follow specific routes, keep your dog on a short lead or avoid particular areas. At all times, please keep your dog under proper control and clean up after them – bag and bin your dog waste responsibly.

Note that the Isle of May and Noss ferry services do not carry dogs (including assistance dogs). If you would otherwise be able to visit, please email nnr@nature.scot and we will be happy to discuss how we might be able to make your visit possible.

You may encounter cattle, sheep and ponies on our reserves – they help us manage open habitats and provide transport over hill ground. Near livestock, you must keep your dogs on a short lead or close at heel. For more information please visit the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website.

Working with a dog behaviourist and the Tayport community at Tentsmuir NNR we have developed a package of dog training videos. Dog training and other resources will give you some great tips, information and skills to have fun and safe walks in Scotland’s outdoors as well as understand your rights and responsibilities under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Thank you for considering making a donation to one of Scotland's National Nature Reserves. 

We are able to accept donations and legacies (money left in a will) to support the ongoing management and maintenance of our Reserves. On occasion there may be individual projects that need funding such as path work, boardwalks or wildlife viewing screens. Please contact us and we can see what may be available at that time, although again, we regret no personalised memorial or plaque is allowed.

Donate online: You can donate online through MyParkScotland. To donate to a specific NNR please put the name of the reserve in the comments box.

In person at our Reserves: some of our reserves have donation posts in prominent places where you can donate using cash. 

Disturbance by drones can seriously disturb wildlife and other visitors quiet enjoyment of the countryside.

If you are flying a drone, you must comply with the Civil Aviation Authority’s guidance including the Drone Code. You must also take extra care to avoid disturbing wildlife, which may be an offence. If in doubt, ask the site manager or email nnr@nature.scot before visiting.

When going onto land to launch, land or fly your drone, follow the general guidance on responsible access in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, comply with any local advice and avoid disturbing people, wildlife or livestock.

For commercial filming with a drone, see “Can I take pictures?” above.

If you’re planning an active outdoor event on, or passing through NatureScot land, please read the National Access Forum Guidance for event organisers and contact the relevant site manager or email nnr@nature.scot as soon as possible.

If you’re interested in having another type of event, including a wedding, please contact the site manager early in your planning process, or email nnr@nature.scot, to discuss details and ensure things run smoothly. Please note it will not be possible to guarantee your exclusive use but we will be happy to discuss your requirements for your special day.

Please contact us in good time to allow for discussion and, if necessary, for us to grant permission. Depending on the event, there may be a charge. Income from events supports management of our reserves.

Do I need permission?

National Nature Reserves (NNRs) are some of the best places to see nature in Scotland and they are managed for nature first and people second. All NNRs are unique with their individual habitats, species and sensitivities at different times of year. They are often busy with visitors, often have limited parking and some have no facilities.

1.    Low impact filming, photography and sound recording activities for personal and some commercial purposes
 

These activities can usually be carried out using the right of responsible access as outlined in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (Access Code). They can be carried out free of charge and no permission is required on NatureScot land. What the Access Code says about photography can be found below in 'Further information'. If you are in any doubt please ask us for advice. It is NatureScot’s expectation that you:

•    must not have any impact on the environment or wildlife or affect other people’s enjoyment;
•    cannot book a location or parking spaces and must not restrict access for other visitors; 
•    will take the reserve as you find it and must leave no trace of your visit;
•    must follow any local guidance, signs or advice if there are any operational activities occurring;
•    must not use motorised vehicles - except for anyone with a disability using a motorised vehicle (wheelchair, mobility scooter) or vessel built or adapted for use by that person; 
•    should limit numbers of participants involved with the filming;
•    may only use portable equipment eg cameras, hides and may not leave such equipment unattended or in place for any period of time; 
•    may not place structures (eg no signs, markers or toilets) on the land;
•    must abide by all relevant laws on land and in the air when using a drone – including small lightweight drones not covered by the CAA rules - see the Drone Code.

Please share your activity with us on social media but please first consider any potential impact your activity might have on these protected places.

Instagram @naturescot, Facebook @NatureScot, X @NatureScot

We welcome donations to help with the upkeep of our NNRs. You can donate online through MyParkScotland - to donate to a specific NNR please put the name of the reserve in the comments box.

2.    You are likely to need permission and may be asked to pay a fee if: 

•    large numbers of people/crew are involved;
•    signage, bins, toilets or other structures etc are required on site.
•    motorised vehicle access is needed (or locks changed, gates used);
•    there are potential impacts on the location, or its use for other users eg areas not accessible, infrastructure is intrusive;
•    exclusive use of the location, or part of it, will be needed by the filming company on a preferred date/time;
•    an exemption order (Section 11 of Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003) is required by the filming company, in advance, on Health & Safety grounds, or wanted for commercial/privacy reasons. This is a power given to local authorities to exempt certain land from access rights.
•    where the filming has potential to impact the features of a protected area.

Please allow at least 6 weeks for permissions to be processed.

3.    Species licensing

To film certain protected species you require a licence. It is your responsibility to apply for this. You can find out more here: Licensing.

4.    Drone photography

Anyone using a drone must abide by all relevant laws on land and in the air, see the Drone Code by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

If you are using a small lightweight drone not covered by CAA rules there are still rules of etiquette and other legislation will apply eg to prevent disturbance to wildlife, the Wildlife and Countryside Act is relevant.

5.    Contact us

Email: nnr@nature.scot

If you are in any doubt about your proposed activity please get in touch for advice. Please include a brief outline of what it is you would like to do: who is the filming for, which reserve do you want to film at, what is it you want to film and why, what dates do you want to film on, how many people will be involved etc.

Other organisations also own/manage NNRs (in addition to NatureScot) and will have their own policies on photography. Please check who owns/manages which NNR at www.nnr.scot and contact them direct for further information.

Further information

This is what the Scottish Outdoor Access Code says about photography:

•    Part 2, paragraph 2.6: You can exercise access rights for recreational purposes, some educational activities and certain commercial purposes, and for crossing over land and water.

•    Part 2, paragraph 2.7: includes ‘photography’ as a typical pastime that would be included as a ‘recreational activity’ mentioned in paragraph 2.6.

•    Part 2, paragraph 2.9: Access rights extend to activities carried out commercially or for profit, provided that these activities could also be carried on other than commercially or for profit (ie by the general public for recreational purposes or for educational activities or for crossing land).   It then gives an example of a commercial photographer writing about or taking photographs of the natural or cultural heritage. The activity – photography – could be done by anyone else exercising access rights and is there for a free activity.

•    Part 3, paragraph 3.63: if you wish to take detailed photographs of houses or other buildings you need to respect the privacy and peace of mind of those living or working there. Talking to the occupier can help a lot. If you wish to film a TV programme to further people’s understanding of the natural or cultural heritage and whish requires only hand-held equipment and involves no vehicles off the road, talk to the land managers beforehand and listen carefully to any advice provided. If you need to use vehicles or stay in an area for a few days or put down equipment or are filming for other purposes, you still require the permission of the relevant land managers. If you are writing a guidebook, leaflet or other promotional material about access in an area, try to talk to the relevant land managers to see if any local issues relating to privacy, safety or conservation need to be referred to in the publication.
 

Some of our NNRs already host geocaches or have features listed as EarthCaches.

Geocaches do not normally cause problems as long as they’re discreetly concealed and are not buried. Please contact the site manager, or email nnr@nature.scot, before installing a geocache to ensure that it doesn’t result in disturbance or damage to nature. If this does occur, we will try to contact the responsible person and ask them to remove the cache, or we will remove it. 

Similarly, before placing a real or virtual location for an online game please contact the site manager for advice on avoiding sensitive areas.

Most NatureScot lands are protected places for nature with widespread sensitive habitats and species, and some are also of historic importance. Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and any local advice, bearing in mind that anything more than very minor and limited digging, without uprooting plants, may be an offence.

You may not use a metal detector at all if the place is of historic importance as this would be an offence. Historic Environment Scotland provides further advice in its booklet on metal detecting, cultural sites and the law.

We regret we are not able to accept or maintain personalised memorials such as plaques, commemorative benches, cairns or trees.

We are however able to accept donations and legacies (money left in a will) to support the ongoing management and maintenance of our National Nature Reserves. On occasion there may be individual projects that need funding such as path work, boardwalks or wildlife viewing screens. Please contact us and we can see what may be available at that time, although again, we regret no personalised memorial or plaque is allowed.

Donate online: You can donate online through MyParkScotland. To donate to a specific NNR please put the name of the reserve in the comments box.

To contact us about a legacy or larger donation: please email us at nnr@nature.scot

May I scatter cremation ashes?

We understand that many people are very attached to certain special places and may request to have their ashes scattered there. However, some of the habitats we manage are fragile and contain rare plants and wildlife and so we ask that you contact us for advice before scattering ashes on any of our National Nature Reserves.

Please email us at nnr@nature.scot

We regret we do not allow memorials of any kind and respectfully ask you not to leave any plaques, flowers, plastic wreaths or any other materials.

We’d love you to get more involved and there are various ways you could do this.

Volunteering - Check out each of our NNR pages on our website for opportunities to learn about and help manage a nature reserve as a volunteer.  Our volunteers come for a few days to a few months and from a single event to every week.  They help us with all aspects of reserve management – including working in visitor centres, guiding groups, managing trails and monitoring wildlife.

If you’re interested, please fill in a Volunteer Expression of Interest Form, noting which reserve you’d like to work on and email the form to volunteer@nature.scot.

Educational visits and research – You are welcome to bring your class or study group to our reserves.  Please contact the site manager in advance for up-to-date advice on facilities and current management activity - as well as to check if other groups are visiting that day.

Management planning –  We periodically review our plans for the development and management of each of our NNRs and consult widely with communities, special interests and others on our proposals.  We advertise these consultations on our website and through local contacts and social media.  We are always pleased to receive feedback and suggestions from visitors at any time – just email us at nnr@nature.scot.

Community engagement – We support the Scottish Government’s target of achieving 1 million acres of and in community ownership by 2020.  If your community would be interested in developing its role in managing an area of NatureScot-owned land, with a view to potentially taking on its management or ownership, please get in touch at nnr@nature.scot  and we can discuss how we could make this happen.