This study examines the changing face of environmental groups in Scotland between 1992 and 2006. It capitalises on the unique opportunity presented by the availability of 1992 data on various aspects of the groups in operation within the Scottish environment movement. Collection of the equivalent data in 2006, using a postal questionnaire, presented the chance to examine these issues during a time period in which important structural changes had occurred. A range of hypotheses were generated from two key theoretical approaches, namely resource mobilisation and political opportunity structures and also from the interaction between these two approaches. Results showed that groups have undertaken the process of professionalisation over this time period, with the aim of maximising their potential to mobilise resources. Moreover, they have also responded to the changing political opportunity structures, particularly in relation to Scottish devolution. The combination of these two processes has resulted in growing institutionalisation in relation to the aims and strategies of groups within the Scottish environment movement.

On the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, the challenges and forces conditioning the community are natural and social. Buffeted by the Atlantic sea and perched at the periphery of the most westerly inhabited islands in Scotland, linguistically different to mainland Scotland, religiously distinct from much of the rest of the Hebrides and bearing the psychological legacy of nineteenth century Highland Clearances, this case-study illustrates how a social-ecological system responds to the dominant narrative of conservation in the marine policy environment. This thesis explores the cultural depths of a conflict between the local community and the Scottish Government around the creation of two marine Special Areas of Conservation (mSAC) off the coast of the island. Barra's rich maritime heritage suggested the presence of embedded values that appeared to be colliding with values driving the mSAC designation process. Visual participatory methods were used to understand what 'conservation' means for the islanders and to find a way of connecting the worldviews of decision-makers with the marine environment lived and experienced by the local community. The story of Barra exposes the perils of isolating the human dimension of conservation and planning that ensures sustainable livelihoods from the natural ecosystem conservation dimension. It considers how challenging the dominant narrative of conservation through the articulation of competing realities can create space for different narratives to emerge. It provides insights into the role played by competing value systems in natural resource management and conservation conflicts.