23.Section 15(1) requires the Scottish Ministers to manage the land specified in subsection (2) for the purpose of furthering the achievement of sustainable development. This applies to (a) land in the national forest estate (defined at section 13) that is not forested; and (b) other land that is not forested that is (i) owned by the Scottish Ministers having been acquired under section 18(1) or section 19(1); (ii) managed by the Scottish Ministers having been acquired under section 18(1) or 19(1); or (iii) managed by the Scottish Ministers in accordance with arrangements entered into under section 17(1) for the purpose of the duty in subsection (1).
24.Section 15(3) qualifies the application of section 15 in the case where the Scottish Ministers have entered into arrangements with other persons for the management of land in accordance with section 17(1). Section 17(4) provides for the application of section 15 in relation to that land to be subject to the terms of those arrangements.