Community interest in new national park plan is growing across Highlands
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Holyrood Notebook by Ariane Burgess
A new national park in Scotland? Yes, please! That's what campaigners like the Campaign for Scottish National Parks have been saying for decades. And they are quite right to do so.
Scotland is blessed with some of the world's most beautiful landscapes, from the Highlands' rugged mountains and glens to the serene lochs and islands of the west coast.
But did you know Scotland only has two national parks, Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, compared to nine in England and three in Wales?
That is set to change. The Scottish Greens negotiated the inclusion of at least one new national park with the Scottish Government as part of the Bute House Agreement.
Lorna Slater, minister for biodiversity, recently launched the nomination process to create at least one new national park in Scotland by 2026. This is an exciting opportunity for the people of Scotland, as a national park designation could bring many benefits to the region and its inhabitants.
A new national park would help protect and enhance the natural environment, home to a rich diversity of wildlife and plants. A national park could also support sustainable land management practices, such as conservation grazing, peatland restoration and woodland expansion, which would help mitigate climate change and improve biodiversity.
A new national park could boost the local economy, creating jobs and attracting visitors. A national park would provide funding and guidance for infrastructure improvements, such as roads, paths, signage, facilities and services. This would make the area more accessible and enjoyable for residents and tourists.
A national park would also promote local businesses, such as accommodation providers, food producers, craft makers and outdoor activity providers, who could benefit from increased demand and recognition.
A new national park would enhance the social and cultural well-being of the communities within and around it. A national park could foster a sense of pride and identity among the locals, who could have a say in managing and developing the area. A national park would also encourage education and engagement with nature, offering opportunities for learning, volunteering and recreation. A national park would provide people living in Scotland and visitors with a way to experience and appreciate Scotland's stunning nature in a supported way.
So, how can we make this happen? The agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens was explicit in that Scottish ministers will only designate new national parks in response to local community demand.
Excitingly, there are already expressions of interest from groups in the Highlands who want to see a new national park established in their area. These include Lochaber, Skye and Raasay and Glen Affric. These groups are working to gather evidence and support for their proposals to include in their application to the Scottish Government for consideration.
If you want to get more information on the process for proposing a new park, email the national parks team at nationalparks@gov.scot. The call for nominations closes on February 29, 2024.
A new national park in Scotland would greatly benefit the country and people. Let's make it happen!
- Ariane Burgess is a Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands.
