Digital Datasets for use in Geographic Information Systems

Scottish Natural Heritage holds a wide range of geographically referenced digital data which are available to download from:

• Natural Spaces
  
  

Geographic Information Charter Statement

“The Charter Standard Statement has been produced to promote the effective use of geographic information held by government.” DoE 1997  Scottish Natural Heritage is working towards meeting the objectives stated in the Charter.

The Statement says:

• Consult users when preparing specifications or drafting legislation for the collection of data.
  Scottish Natural Heritage consults with internal and external customers in regard to specifications, drawing on established standards as a model.
• Provide information about what data are available.
  Metadata records for digital geographic information held by Scottish Natural Heritage are available through the GIgateway www.gigateway.org.uk and are also available to download from our Natural Spaces pages.
• Digital data and paper maps are usually made available free of charge.
  Scottish Natural Heritage complies with the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) (1992) in regard to information provision and charging.
• Make data available, unless there are specific reasons for not doing so, in which case those reasons should be explained.
  There is a clear presumption in favour of release of information, under the terms of the EIR. Scottish Natural Heritage must provide information to anyone who asks or provide a written explanation of the decision not to supply, in exceptional circumstances.
• Ensure that data adhere to British, European and international standards and classifications, unless there are specific reasons for not doing so, in which case those reasons should be explained.
  Scottish Natural Heritage has adopted relevant standards where they exist, for example, use of the National Vegetation Classification for habitat surveys and use of national and international standards for metadata (more information on the GIgateway site www.gigateway.org.uk)
• Deliver data in standard digital, or other, formats wherever possible.
  Scottish Natural Heritage makes geographic information available in a variety of digital and other formats.
• Supply accompanying documentation with data to enable users to judge the fitness for their purpose.
  Detailed metadata is supplied with each dataset.
• Consult users before destruction of any dataset subject to prior guidance of the appropriate national record office.
  Scottish Natural Heritage always endeavours to consult with a range of users including any relevant public bodies prior to the deletion of corporate datasets.
• Requests for maps and other geographic information.
  In the first instance, please visit ( Natural Spaces) for further information and the option to download SNH GIS data.  Should you have additional queries, please contact:
  

Scottish Natural Heritage
Geographic Information Group
Great Glen House
Leachkin Road
Inverness
IV3 8NW

• Provide information about how users can complain if they are not satisfied with the service they receive.
  Complaints should be made to the above contact address, in the first instance. If the user is still not satisfied with the response, they should refer to the “Customer Care” statements here .