Digital boundaries of Candidate Noise Management Areas were created as part of the Round 4 strategic noise mapping analysis commissioned by Scottish Ministers to meet the requirements of the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Regulations 2006, as amended by the Environmental Noise (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018. Candidate Noise Mapping Areas support the development of noise action plans which aim to preserve noise quality where it is good, and protect quiet areas in agglomerations against an increase in noise.Candidate Noise Management Areas are a subset of Noise Areas where the health effects are highest, determined through a consideration of noise exposure levels and the number of people exposed to noise. The approach to identifying Candidate Noise Management Areas is statistical, covering the entire population encompassed by the noise maps. It is not a precise assessment of harmful effects for specific buildings, nor are the extents of the Candidate Noise Management Areas definitive. They are indicative of areas relatively high concentration of people highly annoyed by noise. The methodology for identifying Candidate Noise Management Areas has been updated in line with the current END methodology, and has been used for Scotland with respect to noise from roads and railways.Local Authorities will prioritise the Candidate Noise Management Areas to determine which will be addressed during the implementation of the Noise Action Plan, designating them as Noise Management Areas.