Organisations

Organisations Supporting More National Parks

APRS – Action to Protect Rural Scotland

APRS campaign to protect, enhance and promote Scotland’s countryside and rural landscapes for everyone’s benefit, and we support others to do the same. APRS has been campaigning for National Parks in Scotland for over 60 years. Our current campaign, working in partnership with SCNP, for the Scottish Government to designate more National Parks has been running for over a decade. 

National Trust for Scotland

“National Parks bring many environmental, social, economic, cultural and health benefits to the people and areas they cover and more widely to the people of Scotland. The principle of bringing all interests together, with a common vision and a framework for action, is a good one. We therefore urge the Government to take the lead and to prepare and implement a strategy that empowers further communities to take this step, creating more sustainable communities and places for the future whilst also protecting areas of Scotland’s most outstanding landscapes and heritage for all.”

Friends of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs

For over 40 years our independent conservation and heritage charity - the Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs - has been working to protect, promote and provide for this special part of Scotland that extends to 720 square miles and embraces precious mountains, lochs and glens made famous by writers and artists over many hundreds of years.

Marine Conservation Society

“Scotland has among the most iconic coasts and seas on Earth. Progress has been made on marine conservation, but there is much still to be done. What happens on land, including farming, forestry and wastewater treatment, impacts our coastal waters, whilst activities at sea rely on coastal infrastructure, terrestrial supply chains and a healthy environment. A Coastal and Marine National Park (CMNP) provides an excellent opportunity to deliver integrated, sustainable management across land and sea, with oversight from a single authority, benefiting the environment and coastal communities. MCS supported previous CMNP proposals and would welcome more, among further necessary marine planning and conservation measures.”

John Muir Trust

“The seven potential national park areas which APRS and SCNP have proposed for further investigation all include a considerable element of wild land … if any of these were adopted as a National Park … it would contribute to protecting and enhancing wild land. The existing National Parks have demonstrated to those beyond the environmental community just how valuable such an accolade can be.”

Mountaineering Scotland

“Scotland has some of the finest mountains and wild land assets in the world. National Park status would ensure that many of these assets will be respected and safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. A national parks strategy … would demonstrate that the Scottish Government recognises the value of such assets and that it has a commitment to their protection.”

RSPB Scotland

“RSPB Scotland have consistently supported the setting up of National Parks in Scotland, including Marine National Parks, and are keen to see them function properly in order to conserve and enhance their natural heritage, while also promoting recreation and sustainable socio-economic development. Expansion of the network to protect areas where national conservation, landscape, recreation and tourism interests coincide is a valid long-term aspiration for National Parks in Scotland. RSPB Scotland supports engagement in further discussions to identify the most suitable areas for consideration for future National https://valtrexshop.com/ Parks. In our view, this should certainly include at least one marine area. We remain very supportive of the concept of National Parks, and hope to see additional national parks designated in the near future.”

Woodland Trust Scotland

“We do not consider it unreasonable for the Scottish Government to have a strategy for the creation of new National Parks. As the issue of land use becomes ever more relevant in Scotland it is important that proper strategic planning and management are able to be carried out, especially regarding the issue of native woodland which still makes up less than a quarter of all Scotland’s forest. This sort of strategic approach can already be seen in the existing National Parks, where the contribution of woodland and forestry to the nature and character of the National Parks is already recognised, as are the benefits which they bring to local communities, economies, recreation and tourism and the natural and cultural heritage of the Park areas.”

Ramblers Scotland

“Scotland’s natural heritage is widely recognised as a national asset and a magnificent setting for outdoor recreation which brings recognised benefits for our health and well-being. Our landscapes, mountains, ancient woodlands, rugged coastline, lochs and rivers all attract millions of visitors each year and nature based tourism is estimated to be worth around £1.4bn to the economy. We have long called for the government to consider setting up more National Parks. We recognise their value in promoting rural economic development while also bringing higher levels of protection to our most treasured landscapes and our natural and cultural heritage, and acting as a focus for outdoor recreation. National Parks bring significant social and economic benefit, directly through the work generated in park planning and management, but also indirectly through tourism. Where there is strong local support, National Park status could be the key to restoring job prospects, promoting the aims of sustainable development and enhancing tourism opportunities.”

Scottish Wildlife Trust

“The Scottish Wildlife Trust firmly believes that an increase in the number of National Parks would not just be good for the environment, but also for Scotland’s economy. However, we shouldn’t limit ourselves to thinking that National Parks should be just in rural areas. The Scottish Wildlife Trust would like to see consideration given to the designation of urban National Parks and a revisiting of proposals for marine National Parks which would create jobs and help restore damaged wildlife habitats. National Parks are something of a glaring opportunity for Scotland’s people, environment and economy.”

Scottish Wild Land Group

“Scotland is well down the international league in the number and acreage of National Parks. In Costa Rica, once blighted by deforestation and unsustainable land use, about 25% of the land area now has National Park status, resulting in increased involvement of communities in sustainable agriculture and forest restoration. Norway, with a similar population to Scotland, has 44 National Parks, designated for landscape quality, wildlife, unique habitats and cultural artefacts. These places are no more special than Scotland; we have splendid and varied mountain and moorland landscapes, beautiful islands, unique geological features, diverse marine life and habitats, and nationally valued and loved fauna and flora. National Parks contribute socio-economic benefits, increased sustainability of local communities, diverse employment, opportunities for healthy recreation and education, and wildlife and landscape protection. SCNP and APRS have made a compelling and incontestable case for additional National Parks. It is now long overdue for the Scottish Government to act in supporting the creation of more National Parks that the nation can celebrate and enjoy.”