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Scotland’s national walking charities urge all political parties to deliver a healthier, cleaner and safer Scotland by stepping up their commitment to everyday walking and wheeling

Walking Scotland and Living Streets Scotland have published ‘The Power of Walking – A Walking and Wheeling Manifesto for 2026,’ which outlines four practical steps the future Scottish Government can take to make walking and wheeling safer, more accessible, and more integrated into daily life:

• Put walking and wheeling at the heart of government – with progressive leadership across health, transport, planning and climate agendas.
• Invest in walking and wheeling – focusing on long-term funding, behavioural programmes, and better connections to public transport.
• Prioritise walking and wheeling in communities – through improved infrastructure, inclusive design, and access to green spaces.
• Improve safety for walking and wheeling – by promoting pedestrian-first streets including reduced traffic speeds and enforcement of pavement parking bans. 

Walking Scotland and Living Streets Scotland have set out a clear and achievable plan for the next Scottish Government and have called for all political parties to endorse the actions. 

The proposals set out are practical, proven measures that reflect what people across Scotland need. By taking these simple four steps, the organisations believe that the next Scottish Government can create a Scotland where walking and wheeling are not just possible, but easy, safe and enjoyable for everyone.

With research showing that 85% of Scots already walk or wheel regularly, and many wanting to do more, the manifesto highlights a clear opportunity for Scotland to lead the way in active, inclusive and sustainable travel.

Putting walking and wheeling first can bring big returns for Scotland by helping people stay healthier for longer, cutting pressure on the NHS, and supporting local jobs and businesses.

Investment in walking and wheeling delivers exceptional value: returning around £6 for every £1 spent and preventing thousands of serious health conditions. It also means cleaner air and more connected, welcoming communities where everyone can get around safely and easily.

Kevin Lafferty, CEO of Walking Scotland, said: “Walking and wheeling are some of the most powerful tools we have to improve health, tackle climate change and bring communities together.

“They’re simple, affordable and accessible, and people across Scotland want to do it more. This manifesto shows how we can make that happen, with practical steps that will help everyone enjoy safer, easier and more active everyday journeys.

“This is why we’re calling on the next Scottish Government to take these four steps – not as a nice-to-have, but as a vital part of building a fairer, healthier and greener Scotland.”

Chris Thompson, Programme Manager, Living Streets Scotland said: “We all deserve streets that are safe and welcoming, so we can enjoy the many benefits that come from walking and wheeling our everyday journeys. 

“Many of us want to walk more but need better pavements, better public transport connections and better walking routes to feel safe and confident to do so. A commitment to invest in walking is a commitment to creating a Scotland where people enjoy healthier lives and communities thrive.”

Walking addresses inequality – it is the most inclusive form of physical activity. Everyone should be able to experience the benefits of walking and wheeling. Accessible, well-maintained paths and pavements, and access to high-quality and sustainable public green and recreational spaces for every community in Scotland are vital to encouraging people to walk and wheel.

Walking Scotland’s 2023 national survey found that improved safety, better paths locally and having someone to walk with were key factors that would encourage people to walk or wheel more often. This is why this Walking Manifesto looks for a commitment to a Path Fund to improve and maintain path networks.

The manifesto is published online, available here:

https://walkingscotland.org.uk/a-walking-and-wheeling-manifesto/

Increasing tree production to help tackle climate change

The First Minister has opened a new £26 million facility to help grow more trees for Scotland’s forests and woodlands.

Newton Tree Nursery, near Elgin, will support Forestry and Land Scotland to almost treble their tree production – from seven million to nearly 20 million trees per year by 2029. It will help support the sustainable management of Scotland’s national forests and land and help tackle the climate emergency, while also supporting the rural economy.

Seedling operations at the redeveloped tree nursery began in March 2025 and 12 million trees have already been established within the glasshouse. The new nursery is the UK’s largest and most advanced tree-growing glasshouse and sets a new standard for bio secure, sustainable, and high-volume forest nursery production.  

The facility ensures that an adequate supply of high-quality trees is available to supply the publicly managed forests of Scotland with those forests supporting rural economies, providing flood mitigation, improving biodiversity and sequestering carbon. 

First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s world-renowned forests and woodlands are a natural powerhouse, and one of the most important resources we have to tackle the climate emergency.

“Our investment in this state-of-the-art glasshouse will not only contribute to environmental sustainability and help to restore habitats, but it will also support rural jobs and the sustainable use of timber in the construction industry. The Newton Tree Nursery project is a national asset, powering Scotland’s green recovery, forestry resilience, and environmental goals for decades to come.  

“Tackling the climate emergency and growing Scotland’s economy are two of my government’s top priorities and together they go hand in hand. We cannot do one without the other and innovative, industry leading facilities like the Newton Tree Nursery will play a vital role in achieving these goals.”

Forestry and Land Scotland CEO Kevin Quinlan said: “Newton Nursery represents a major investment by the Scottish Government in the future of forestry in Scotland.

“It strengthens Forestry and Land Scotland’s ability to supply young trees at the scale and standard needed to support a resilient, productive and sustainable forest resource. 

“This is especially important for the timber industry – which continues to grow as Scotland looks to reduce reliance on imports and embrace timber as a low-carbon material of the future. By increasing capacity at Newton, we’re investing at the very start of that supply chain – ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality planting stock for years to come.”