Scots ‘losing touch with nature’, says conservation chief Scots are losing touch with their natural environment and should spend more time outdoors for the good of their health, […]

Scots are losing touch with their natural environment and should spend more time outdoors for the good of their health, the chairman of the nation’s official conservation agency has said.

Mike Cantlay, who took up his role at Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) earlier this summer, called on people to “get out there” and spend more time in the wilderness.

“In many senses Scots have lost their way a bit in terms of their appreciation of Scotland” The i newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription. Mike Cantlay

In an interview with i, he said the Scottish countryside should be viewed as a “Natural Health Service” due to the benefits that exercise and fresh air could bring.

He also said he would be open to the creation of more national parks in Scotland if it could be proven that they would benefit local communities.

SNH, which is funded by the Scottish Government, was created 25 years ago and is responsible for promoting and caring for the country’s natural heritage.

Dr Cantlay said the outdoors could also play a key role in improving people’s health, amid repeated warnings about obesity and stress.

“In ten years’ time, the concept of the natural health service, not just the National Health Service, I think is going to be very much to the fore,” he said.

“In some ways it’ll be about inspiring people to be more involved…the natural environment has a bigger role to play in the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland.

“Scots used to be out there, physically. Work was physical, be it rural or city-based, and inevitably with the lives that we live that’s less so.”

Lost appreciation

Dr Cantlay, who joined the agency after spending six years at tourism body VisitScotland, said one of his aims in the role would be to encourage people to spend more time outdoors.

“In many senses Scots have lost their way a bit in terms of their appreciation of Scotland, the natural environment and the countryside,” he said.

“There was a time when all Scots effectively holidayed at home – today, most Scots’ main holiday is not at home. It’s just an evolutionary thing.”

He continued: “How many folk have never been past Inverness? How many folk have never been past Perth? [They should] get out and see more of it, because it is all so different.

“When you travel anywhere there is an environmental cost, but surely encouraging Scots to get around and understand their country better and their natural environment better is more important.”

Urban greenery

Dr Cantlay also said he wanted to start “bringing nature to where people are” by making urban green spaces more appealing and encouraging school trips to the countryside.

Describing cities as the “battleground” where people’s minds about the outdoors could be changed, he backed the creation of better cycling and walking routes.

“It’s about ensuring that as a population in Scotland we are more comfortable with being outside,” he said,

“If there’s an opportunity to be outside and get where we want to go ourselves, rather than use transport, that we do that.”