Scotland’s soils are an important natural resource. They play an essential part in all of our lives, providing us with a wide range of benefits. Some of these benefits are obvious, like growing food, while many are less clear, like filtering water, reducing flood risk and influencing climate.
This website provides data and information on Scotland’s soils. You can look at a range of maps and download the data associated with these maps. We also point to other useful sources of data and information. You can find out about what soils do for us, how well they do it and what happens when they are damaged.
Information for agriculture, forestry, planning & development
Find out moreScotland's exhibits at the World Congress of Soil Science, Glasgow, 2022
Find out moreNational coverage of the main soil types across Scotland
Find out moreRisk maps show areas of soil at risk of erosion, runoff, leaching and compaction
Find out moreThe distribution of carbon and peatland classes across the whole of Scotland
Find out moreProvides information on how well a piece of land could grow crops
Find out moreThis website relies on the expertise, knowledge, data and information provided by our valued partners.
Through partnerships and collaborations, Scotland’s environment web is a growing network of interconnected, trusted and authoritative sources of environmental, data and information – find out more