Understanding the Drivers of Increased Participation Outdoor Recreation in Scotland

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Introduction 1. The Scottish Government (SG), on behalf of the Scottish Ministers, wishes to commission a piece of research to help understand the drivers behind the steady increase in participation in outdoor recreation which has occurred among adults in Scotland since 2012. The purpose of this research is to provide information to help the SG, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and its partner organisations, increase and widen recreational use of the outdoors, reducing inequalities in participation, and ensuring everyone enjoys the benefits. 2. This specification sets out what is required, provides background information on participation in outdoor recreation and suggestions on method, but bidders are welcome to propose alternative methods for carrying out this work within the available budget and timescale. Scope /Statement of Requirement Research objectives and target audience 9. Neither the SHS nor SPANS provide a detailed understanding of what factors are driving these increases in participation nor of the relative importance of different drivers or challenges among different population groups, particularly equalities groups. To fill this evidence gap, additional research is now required to provide a better understanding of existing attitudes and behaviours and how the increases in participation observed since 2012 can be sustained over the long-term, with any limitations to participation among equalities and low-participation groups overcome. This evidence will help inform policy and the planning of future interventions and communications aimed at widening participation and addressing inequalities. 10. The aims of this research are: - To identify, and provide a qualitative understanding of, the specific factors that motivate different groups of people to visit the outdoors; to understand how these factors interact and the relative importance of different factors among different population groups, including groups, such as the BAME population and people with a long-term limiting health condition, where increases in participation have been less evident; - To provide a qualitative understanding of how and why behaviour and attitudes regarding visits to the outdoors have changed over the last few years (i.e. pre - Covid-19 lockdown) and, more recently in response to Covid-19 and social distancing; - To make recommendations on how any positive changes in behaviour and attitudes can be sustained over the long-term and, in particular, to highlight opportunities to widen participation among lower participation groups. 11. The target audience for the research is adults who currently visit the outdoors for leisure or recreation. The research sample should include people who are regular outdoor visitors (i.e. who visit the outdoors once a week or more frequently) as well as those who visit on a more occasional basis.