Shetland Local Landscape Designation Review: Final Report

5 Evidence Base
5.1 This section sets out the landscape baseline for the Shetland Islands, and
reviews the sources of information related to the Shetland landscape.
Existing landscape designations are discussed in more detail in Section 6.
Landscape Character Assessment
5.2 A Landscape Assessment of the Shetland Isles was prepared by Gillespies and
published in 1998 by SNH. 12 The landscape character assessment (LCA)
presents a detailed review of the evolution of the Shetland landscapes, and
classifies those landscapes into seven main landscape character types:
Major Uplands;
Peatland and Moorland;
Undulating Moorland with Lochs;
Inland Valleys;
Farmed and Settled Lowlands and Coast;
Farmed and Settled Voes and Sounds; and
Coastal Edge.
5.3 These seven types are further subdivided into a total of 29 sub-types, each of
which occurs in one or more discrete areas. The landscape classification is
illustrated in Figure 5.1.
5.4 In total, the LCA divides Shetland into 276 individual character units, some of
which are very small, while others are relatively extensive. As such, the
existing classification does not represent a satisfactory baseline for the
landscape evaluation process set out in the methodology (Section 2), since it
would be difficult to compare such a large number of areas at such a range of
scales.
5.5 To enable a comparative review of the landscapes of Shetland, the landscape
character types and areas within the study area were grouped and modified
to arrive at a refined classification of 52 ‘landscape character units’ (LCU).
This grouping was based primarily on associations of landscape character
types to form geographically discrete units. The ‘visual compartments’
identified in the wind farm sensitivity study have also influenced the process,
particularly in terms of splitting larger areas. These compartments are based
on natural divisions in the landscape, such as ridge lines. Each of the resulting
LCUs has been assigned a number and a locally appropriate name.
5.6 The LCUs were defined largely as a desk study exercise, though their number
and extent was modified slightly following fieldwork. They have been
identified only for the purposes of this study, and are not intended to
supersede the detailed classification presented in the LCA. The LCUs and
their names were reviewed and agreed with SIC.
12 Gillespies (1998) A Landscape Assessment of the Shetland Isles. Scottish Natural Heritage Review No.
93.
Shetland Islands Local Landscape Designation Review
Land Use Consultants
Final Report 22 October 2011