The restrictions imposed by lack of space on maps, as well as the requirement for them to appear uncluttered, means that many abbreviations are used to describe features on maps. Ordnance Survey (OS) use a range of symbols and abbreviations on their maps; some are only used on the large scale maps (for example, Mastermap), others on small scale maps (for example, Landranger Maps).

This is just a short list of some very common OS map feature abbreviations. The National Library of Scotland maintains a much more comprehensive list.

Abbreviation	Definition
Allot Gdns	Allotment Gardens
Amb Sta	Ambulance Station
Bdy	Boundary
BG	Burial Ground
BM	Bench Mark
Br	Bridge
BS	Boundary Stone
Cemy	Cemetery
Ch	Church
CH	Club House
Dismtd Rly	Dismantled Railway
El Sub Sta	Electricity Sub Station
EMB	Embankment
F Sta	Fire Station
FB	Foot Bridge
FC	Forestry Commission
FE Sta	Fire Engine Station
Ferry V or F	Ferries - Vehicular, Foot
FP	Foot Path
Gas Gov	Gas Governor
GH	Green House
H	Hydrant
L Ho	Lighthouse
LC	Level Crossing
MH & MLWS	Mean High and Mean Low Water Springs
MP	Mile Post
MS	Mile Stone
NTL	Normal Tidal Limit
NTS	National Trust for Scotland
PC	Public Convenience
PO	Post Office
PW	Place of Worship
Resr	Reservoir
Rly	Railway
Sch	School
SM	Sloping Masonry
Twr	Tower
WB	Weighbridge
YH	Youth Hostel

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