NatureScot designates SSSIs under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. SSSIs are protected by law. It is an offence for any person to intentionally or recklessly damage the protected natural features of an SSSI. SSSIs were first designated under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949. The majority of these were later re-notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. All 1981 Act SSSI designations are carried forward, and all new SSSI designations are now made, under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. More information about the designation and background planning work related to SSSIs can be found on the [NatureScot website](https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/protected-areas-and-species/protected-areas/national-designations/sites-special-scientific-interest-sssis). Complete metadata record on [spatialdata.gov.scot](https://spatialdata.gov.scot/geonetwork/srv/eng/catalog.search;jsessionid=19161E105FFC9820365BD50CBE70F689#/metadata/ECA527A8-DC9A-49F3-8911-F4CF9C3019A5)