A new Outdoor Recreation report from NatureScot’s Scotland’s People and Nature Survey (SPANS) 2023/24 reveals that 61% of Scots engage in outdoor recreation at least weekly, with 17% venturing out daily. It also highlights the importance of urban greenspaces in outdoor recreation.
The survey found that 41% of outdoor visits in Scotland take place in a park or other open greenspace in an urban area, making them the most popular destination. Woodland and forest visits follow closely at 39%.
Young people (16-34 years) and residents of the 10% most derived areas are more likely to use urban greenspaces, reinforcing their importance in ensuring equitable access to nature.
However, residents from the most deprived areas are less likely to engage in outdoor activities, pointing to a need for more inclusive policies and investments in local parks.
People in Scotland participate in a wide range of outdoor activities with walking being the most popular outdoor activity, the overwhelming majority of visits involved walking (93%).
Walking was also the most popular way to get to local parks, overall, 84% of people said they normally walk or wheel to their local greenspace.
These findings emphasize the crucial role of local, accessible urban greenspaces in promoting health and well-being.