A bold and thoughtful plan for one of Scotland’s most precious landscapes has earned national acclaim.
The Highland Council’s work to support the newly inscribed Flow Country World Heritage Site has taken home the “Best Plan” award at the Royal Town Planning Institute’s Scottish Awards for Planning Excellence 2025.
The plan triumphed over heavyweight entries including National Planning Framework 4, the Hawick Place Plan and the Hagshaw Energy Cluster.
This win celebrates the vision behind protecting The Flow Country, a vast expanse of peatland that is now officially on the world stage.
UNESCO’s decision last July to recognise the site marked a milestone moment.
The Flow Country became the world’s first peatland to be awarded World Heritage status, and Scotland’s first natural World Heritage Site.
That distinction places it in the same league as the Great Barrier Reef and the Serengeti, underscoring its global importance and the urgent need for its protection and restoration.
The award ceremony, held on 16 June at the Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh, saw Highland Council’s Nicole Wallace and David Cowie proudly receive the accolade.
Nicole Wallace, who leads on environment and sustainable travel, expressed her joy at the recognition.
She highlighted the importance of the Council’s planning tools, including a heritage impact assessment toolkit, but also praised the wider Flow Country Partnership for its tireless efforts.
“This is a shared achievement,” she said.
“It’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and how vital our ongoing work will be.”
Councillor Ken Gowans, chair of the Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said the planning success reflects a deeper commitment to confronting climate and ecological challenges.
“Planning helps us protect the site’s extraordinary natural value,” he said, “while ensuring our communities remain at the heart of decisions about future development.”
The RTPI’s annual awards shine a light on excellence in planning and the role it plays in building stronger, greener communities across the globe.
As a Scottish winner, The Flow Country planning submission will now go forward to compete at UK level later this year.
The Highlands has always known the worth of its wild places.
Now the world is catching up.
