Considers the importance of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), which came fully into force on 1 January 2005. Looks at its new statutory right of access to information held by a wide range of Scottish public authorities, thereby enhancing public accountability. Discusses other main features of the Act: the establishment of an independent Scottish information commissioner to police the legislation, and the requirement to create and maintain a publication scheme. Examines the access rights to environmental information held by public authorities, requests for which now come under the new Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs) regime. Advises on how to match the request with the right regime and notes the differences between the FOISA and EIRs regimes. Concludes that if public authorities embrace their new obligations, greater transparency and openness will permeate the public sector.