Galloway proposed as Scotland’s new National Park

The Scottish Government has announced that Galloway will be taken forward as the next proposed National Park in Scotland. SCNP has long campaigned alongside APRS (Action to Protect Rural Scotland) on the benefits and importance of National Parks. The two organisations published a report and call for action entitled Unfinished Business in 2013 which highlighted seven areas that would be worthy of consideration as National Parks, including Galloway. We are delighted to see the process towards designation move a step forward!

Welcoming the announcement, John Mayhew, Chair of Scottish Campaign for National Parks (SCNP) said:

“SCNP warmly welcomes the Scottish Government’s decision to take forward the NP proposal for a third national park in Galloway.  We look forward to seeing wide public engagement and consultation during the next step in the process. This will involve a much more in-depth look at the benefits of designation, the boundaries of the National Park, and the specifically tailored arrangements for the new Park’s governance and management.

“Today’s announcement comes after decades of campaigning at a national level. We are delighted that the unflagging effort put into making the case has got to this point, and that National Park status will be able to benefit the area’s residents and visitors, as well as putting nature and climate resilience at the heart of decision making.”

Rob Lucas, Chair of Galloway National Park Association said:

“This is fantastic news that the case for Galloway to be proposed as Scotland’s third National Park has been recognised. It would bring transformational  economic and environmental benefits to the area and strengthen our local communities.

“We are grateful to the thousands who attended events and shared their views over the last seven years which helped to shape our bid. We look forward to contributing actively to the next important step in the process for putting a National Park at the heart of a sustainable future for Galloway.”

Galloway has been selected from five areas nominated by local groups, following an appraisal process which evaluated the five bids received. The report of the appraisal panel can be found here: National Parks - Landscape and outdoor access - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

There is still a considerable statutory process to complete before a new National Park is designated. The Scottish Ministers’ formal proposal for the designation of a new National Park in Galloway is subject to the outcome of a Reporter investigation - a process which NatureScot has now been commissioned to undertake. The Reporter’s work will include extensive public consultation and engagement with local communities, stakeholders, businesses, landowners and managers and public bodies to discuss, test and further shape and refine the National Park proposal. More details about the reporting process can be read on  NatureScot’s website and details of the legislative requirements of the reporting process are included in the formal proposal document that the Scottish Government has published. The Reporter investigation is likely to take around 9 months after which Ministers will consider the outcome.  In 2025 the report of the investigation will be laid before the Scottish Parliament and published. Following that, the Scottish Ministers may decide to make a draft designation order to establish a National Park in the area. The draft designation order would be subject to public consultation and scrutiny before the final order is laid before Parliament for approval.