Editing NatureScot (section)

==History==
[[File:Scottish Natural Heritage logo.gif|thumb|Former logo of Scottish Natural Heritage|alt=]]
The agency was formed as Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) in 1992 from the amalgamation of the [[Nature Conservancy Council|Nature Conservancy Council for Scotland]] and the [[Countryside Commission for Scotland]] to "secure the conservation and enhancement of, and to foster understanding and facilitate the enjoyment of the natural heritage of Scotland".<ref name="Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991">{{cite web|title=Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991|date=1991|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/28/contents|access-date=17 April 2016}}</ref>

In March 2003, Scottish Ministers announced their decision to transfer SNH's headquarters from Edinburgh to [[Inverness]], with around 270 jobs to be transferred.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11900038.Scottish_Natural_Heritage_HQ_will_move_to_Inverness/|title=Scottish Natural Heritage HQ will move to Inverness|website=Herald Scotland|date=20 March 2003 |access-date=2016-04-19}}</ref> Prior to the move, relocation costs were variously estimated at between £22 million and £40 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3195708.stm|title=SNH staff move 'could top £40m'|date=2003-10-16|newspaper=BBC|access-date=2016-04-19}}</ref> The decision to transfer SNH's headquarters was heavily criticized by [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSPs]], unions, Edinburgh civic leaders and staff.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/inverness-ready-for-scottish-natural-heritage-s-first-fifteen-1-516488|title=Inverness ready for Scottish Natural Heritage's First Fifteen|website=www.scotsman.com|access-date=2016-04-19}}</ref> Criticism focused on the cost of the move, the disruption to staff and the risk of compromising the effectiveness of SNH's work. Up to 75% of headquarters staff were reported to be against the move.<ref name=":0" /> Relocation took place between 2003 and 2006, many staff left at this point as they did not wish to, or were unable to transfer location.

In 2006, SNH headquarters staff moved into Great Glen House, a £15 million purpose-built headquarters building in Inverness. Great Glen House was built by Robertson Property, working with Keppie Design. As part of the tendering process, SNH set seven environmental and sustainability criteria for the design including achieving an 'Excellent' rating under the [[BREEAM]] system. The final design met all criteria and achieved the highest ever BREEAM rating for a public building in the UK.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.snh.org.uk/press/detail.asp?id=1554|title=About SNH - Press Releases|website=www.snh.org.uk|access-date=2016-04-19}}</ref>

On 1 August 2010, the functions of the [[Deer Commission for Scotland]] were transferred to SNH by section 1 of the [[Public Services (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2010]] and the Commission was dissolved.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&searchDay=9&searchMonth=8&searchYear=2010&searchEnacted=0&text=%26quot%3bDeer+Commission%26quot%3b&extent=E%2bW%2bS%2bN.I.&extentMatchOnly=0&confersPower=0&blanketAmendment=0&sortAlpha=0&PageNumber=1&NavFrom=0&parentActiveTextDocId=3705410&ActiveTextDocId=3705415&filesize=1471|title=Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010}}</ref><ref>The Public Services (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2010 (Commencement No.1) Order 2010 (SSI 2010/221)</ref>

In 2020 SNH was re-branded as NatureScot.<ref name=rebrand>{{cite web|url=https://www.nature.scot/naturescot-brand|title=NatureScot Brand|access-date=2 September 2020|publisher=NatureScot}}</ref>