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Article published 07/10/2022

Next stage of National Park consultation

The next stage of the Scottish Government’s commitment to establish at least one new National Park in the lifetime of this parliament, by spring 2026, begins today (7 October) with the launch of a consultation.

The New National Park stakeholder consultation, led by NatureScot, is inviting contributions which will help define how a new National Park will:

  • protect and restore nature
  • tackle climate change
  • promote sustainable land use

It follows on from The Future for National Parks in Scotland online discussion launched earlier this year by the Scottish Government

NatureScot has already established a national stakeholder advisory group to bring together a wide range of organisations and sectors with an interest in achieving this goal.

Now further key stakeholder and interest groups from across Scotland’s local authorities, visitor destination groups, conservation, planning and education bodies are being invited to contribute to the new National Park consultation about the role of Scotland’s National Parks and the criteria for selecting a new one.

Our National Parks do essential work to restore our natural environment, tackle the climate crisis, help manage facilities for visitors, promote responsible access and develop sustainable communities. That is why we are committed to establish at least one new National Park in Scotland by the end of this Parliamentary session in 2026.

Earlier this year I launched a national discussion to understand what the public value most about our National Parks and to seek views on what they should be delivering for Scotland, its communities and its visitors.

For the next stage in the process, NatureScot will lead an online public consultation and host stakeholder meetings to give everyone the opportunity to feed in their views and ideas. NatureScot will also work with partners to engage young people, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities including through bespoke surveys and workshops.

The consultation will lead to a transparent means of assessing candidate National Parks, and will inform our strategy for supporting our Parks to do more for local communities, visitors and nature.

Lorna Slater, Biodiversity Minister

Our ambition for a new National Park for Scotland is that it will drive the transformation needed to tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, helping to halt nature loss by 2030 and restore nature on a landscape scale by 2045.

National Parks are special places valued by the nation. The scenery and wildlife of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms are some of the best in Scotland and are wonderful places to enjoy the outdoors.

It is exciting to imagine that potential for another beautiful area in Scotland to become a National Park.

Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive, NatureScot

Scotland’s National Parks

It’s nearly 20 years since the first two National Parks were created in Scotland. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park was established in 2002 and Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003, following the approval of the National Parks (Scotland) Act in 2000.

National Park status helps to safeguard and enhance the special qualities of these two areas, balancing the needs of people, landscape and nature.

The two existing park locations are some of the most heavily visited areas in the country.

The Park authorities help to co-ordinate work to benefit the area in the long-term, with local people being more involved in these decisions.

Alongside conserving and enhancing nature, Scotland’s National Parks also have aims to promote:

  • the sustainable use of the area’s natural resources
  • the public’s understanding and enjoyment of its special features
  • the social and economic development of the communities who live there

Background

At this stage, NatureScot is not seeking views on specific areas for new National Parks but opportunities for this will follow during the next stages of work in 2023 when the Scottish Government will invite nominations for new National Park areas.

There will be further consultation during the statutory process of designation of a selected area or areas running up to 2026, when The Scottish Parliament will take all final decisions on the establishment of a new National Park.

Further information on NatureScot’s commission to support the establishment of a new National Park for Scotland can be found on our website.

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