1 INTRODUCTION
Aim & Objectives
1.1 This report summarises findings from one of three projects commissioned by the Scottish Government under its Rural Land Use Study ( RLUS), with all three intended to contribute to a Land Use Summit to be held in November 2009.
1.2 Whilst closely connected with the other RLUS projects, the aim of this particular project ( RLUS3) was to "provide a better understanding of the role the public sector can play in encouraging and facilitating approaches that deliver a wide range of benefits from Scotland's rural land resource." Within this, specific objectives related to the rationale for public sector actions, the different types of measures available, the effectiveness of different measures, and opportunities to align measures more effectively. The objectives, however, did not extend to explicit evaluation of current Scottish policies or of specific future policy actions.
Methodology
1.3 The methodology adopted for the project was a desk-study review of documented evidence within and outwith Scotland, including from similar research underway elsewhere in the UK, plus a number of semi-structured interviews within Scotland.
1.4 The reviewed documented evidence included academic literature relating to land use policies, but also to more general topics of public administration, policy integration and sustainable development. Consultancy and internal government reports were also considered, particularly in attempting an audit of policy measures currently in use within Scotland. Evidence was sought via database searches and sources suggested by interviewees and other contacts. Annex A offers a bibliography of reference material used, only some of which is cited explicitly in the report. Annex B summarises results of the policy audit.
1.5 The interviews were conducted with selected representatives of both policy practitioners and stakeholder interests at both a national and a local level, the latter in the form of two case-study areas (Skye and Dumfries & Galloway), with additional material also being provided by members of the project's Stakeholder Advisory Group ( SAG). Annexes C, D & E respectively list the interests represented on the SAG and/or interviewed, the discussion guide used and a summary of interview findings. Annex F offers a glossary of technical terms and acronyms.
1.6 The remainder of this report is arranged in ten further chapters, each drawing on insights from both the literature and the interviews conducted. Chapter 2 rehearses the benefits of rural land use and the rationale for land use policies. Chapters 3 to 8 consider each of six types of policy instrument before chapters 9 and 10 consider how to choose between and to integrate them. Chapter 11 suggests some implications that follow from the findings. Chapters 2 to 8 draw almost exclusively from the literature and interviews, with Chapter 11 offering some analytical interpretation. Since the project's remit precluded making specific policy recommendations, none are offered.