Conservation charity the John Muir Trust has hailed a new move to protect wild areas from development

Scottish Natural Heritage has published a map detailing 42 areas which should be given added protection.

Covering 19% of Scotland’s land area, the terrain detailed in the map will be protected from development under the National Planning Framework.

This recognition of Scotland’s wild land as a nationally important asset that needs to be safeguarded marks a historic breakthrough

The John Muir Trust believes this should result in more consistent decision making by planners and government, and it should discourage energy companies from targeting the 42 areas that make up the wild land map.

Stuart Brooks, chief executive of the John Muir Trust, said: “This recognition of Scotland’s wild land as a nationally important asset that needs to be safeguarded marks a historic breakthrough.

“Scotland’s landscapes are spectacular, contributing to our quality of life, our national identity and the visitor economy.

“The John Muir Trust has fought long and hard over many years with the support of many thousands of people to achieve official recognition for wild land and we welcome this commitment.

“Although this falls short of our request for the absolute protection of wild land from large scale developments, we applaud the Scottish Government for taking this bold step in the face of a sustained campaign to undermine wild land protection by powerful vested interests.’’