Historical changes
The coastline of Scotland has not only been shaped by natural forces but, over the last few centuries especially, it has also been strongly influenced by people. From the time Scotland was first inhabited, 9,000 years ago, people have settled on the coast; they were attracted by the fertile ground, the rich food resources of the sea, and the advantages for transport and opportunities for trade that the sea provides. Early communities adopted a subsistence way of life which, in comparison to today, had a low impact on the natural heritage of the coast; these communities lived in relative harmony with their environment.
However, major social and economic changes over the last few hundred years in Scotland have resulted in dramatic changes to the character and natural heritage of the coastline. More intensive farming, coastal development and increased access to the coast have all hindered the natural coastal processes and led to a loss of habitat and wild coastal land. The cities of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen have grown and spread along the coastline and numerous towns have developed, mostly as fishing ports, on mainland and island coasts alike. Outside these settlements, the density of people is still relatively low. However, despite over 85% of the coast being undeveloped, there are few stretches of coast where signs of habitation are completely absent.