The concept of 'wild land' is related to (but is different from) that of 'wilderness', a term more commonly used in North America, where it has a legal status.
There has been a long, rich and continuing discussion regarding 'wild land' in Scotland, where its definition includes cultural and perceptual as well as ecological criteria, and it is also linked to opportunities for outdoor recreation. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) commissioned the CMS to undertake a study of the benefits and opportunities attributed to such land.
The study included a review of the legislative and policy context; assessment of the social, economic and environmental benefits, and where possible costs, and their measurement; an overview of existing, emerging and potential projects/initiatives for the safeguard, enhancement and management of Scotland's wilder landscapes, and relevant initiatives elsewhere; and the development of recommendations on the means of their evaluation, and opportunities for and constraints to their full realisation.
The final report of this study is available on Scottish Natural Heritage's website in their publications section. A paper based on this research (The call of different wilds; the importance of definition and perception in protecting and managing Scottish wild landscapes) was published in the Journal of Environmental Planning and Management in 2008.
In 2008, carrying forward this research theme, Rob Mc Morran was involved with a team from Leeds University led by Dr Steve Carver, in a project to map wildness across the Cairngorms National Park. The final report from this project was presented to the park in late 2008. Since then Rob has become involved in a Scottish Government commissioned review of wild land status and conservation in Europe.