Dumfries and Galloway is the first region in Scotland to produce pioneering environmental documents for its nationally important landscapes. The Council, in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage, has published Management Strategies for its three National Scenic Areas.

Viewpoint Voices

The National Scenic Areas have a wonderful range and variety of views.

Since 2004 a network of viewpoints has been developed across the NSAs to encourage people to visit, enjoy and find out more about these special places.

Writers and artists have been inspired by the NSAs over the years, and the Year of Creative Scotland in 2012 provided an opportunity for local people to be inspired by them too.

The Viewpoint Voices project involved people visiting six viewpoints with poet Jean Atkin, and then writing short poems inspired by their visit. Participants included secondary school pupils and groups from the University of the 3^rd Age (U3A). Some were experienced creative writers and others had never written a poem before.

Once the poems were complete they were recorded and the voices can now be heard in a series of short films. We hope you enjoy the poems and the views, and will be inspired to visit the viewpoints.

The Viewpoints Voices project was funded by Scottish Book Trust, Creative Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council.

You can view the poems by visiting the Council's youtube channel.

The publication of these strategies marks a new beginning in caring for our finest scenery.

The areas - the Nith Estuary, the East Stewartry Coast and the Fleet Valley - were designated over twenty years ago for their outstanding beauty and in order to protect them as part of Scotland's heritage. There are only forty National Scenic Areas (NSAs) in Scotland, the majority located in the mountainous north west of the country.

The Management Strategies were developed over a two year period through a process that involved many people living and working in the areas. Information was gathered about the special qualities of each area and knowledge shared about how the areas have been changing over the last twenty years. Local issues affecting the NSAs were raised and ways to positively influence change identified.

Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Natural Heritage have endorsed the Management Strategies, and they have been adopted as supplementary guidance to the Structure and Local Plans. A wide range of organisations and individuals have expressed support for the Strategies and are committed to assisting in their implementation.

Implementation of the Strategies will require the delivery of a wide range of actions involving numerous organisations and individuals. It is vital that those who live and work in the NSA continue to be involved and informed during the implementation process.

Advisory Groups have been established in each of the NSAs to take forward this ongoing process of participation and partnership. They will provide a local focus for activity within the Areas, help steer the implementation of the strategies and guide the work of the Project Officer.

• East Stewartry Coast Management Strategy [PDF] [2Mb]
• National Scenic Area Map - East Stewartry Coast [PDF] [3Mb]
• Fleet Valley Management Strategy [PDF] [3Mb]
• National Scenic Area Map - Fleet Valley [PDF] [2Mb]
• Nith Estuary Management Strategy [PDF] [4Mb]
• National Scenic Area Map - Nith Estuary [PDF] [955kb]