Many parts of Scotland legally protected for nature are in a worse condition than 15 years ago, a worrying new report revealed. Around 18 per cent of Scottish land currently has legal nature protections – but a study by Scottish Environment LINK found some of these measures are not working.

There are more than 1,800 sites in Scotland protected by law, such as designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and European conservation and protection sites. But the report found a fifth of features in these areas – including habitats and species – to be in an “unfavourable condition”.

The authors added: “There have been significant and persistent issues with management, monitoring and insufficient resourcing of protected areas.” We told last week how more than 80 per cent of Scots are worried about the impact of climate change on Scotland’s nature – while many fear our natural environment is in decline.

Want to see more SNP fails? – Politics Matters