Today it has translated into one of Europe's most environmentally aware countries. Scotland was founded as a kingdom in 1034, and after centuries of fending off invasions, became united with England under a common king in 1603. It has not been an altogether happy marriage, and in 1997 the Scots voted to reestablish their own parliament and run their own affairs, thank you very much. They had seized the reins of control over the natural attributes of their homeland before this. In 1992 the Scottish Office Minister for Tourism set up a Tourism and Environment Task Force with the objectives of increasing environmental awareness throughout the tourism industry, promote sensitive development, introduce mechanisms that anticipate and reduce the environmental impacts caused by users and providers of tourist facilities.
Sustainable tourism is both goal and method.
Caring for the landscape, wildlife and heritage of Scotland makes commercial sense, opens up new business opportunities and contributes to a positive environmental future. Lest you think no one is watching the tourist, surveys have shown the flip side as well as the economic benefits. Traffic congestion, litter, erosion on footpaths, beaches and dunes, disturbances to plant, bird and animal life, come back to the human intruder. Beaches, trailer parks and road routes are being examined and lessons learned put into guidelines. Those who abuse the privilege of touring will get more than a scolding by a passing Scotsman.