Five areas bid to be Scotland's next national park
Galloway is one of the areas taking forward a bid to become a national park
- Published
Five areas will compete to become Scotland's next national park.
The Scottish Borders, Galloway, Lochaber, Loch Awe and Tay Forest all submitted bids before the deadline passed at midnight.
The Scottish government has promised to create at least one more by the end of this parliamentary session in 2026.
A number of areas had already decided not to take their proposals forward following community consultation.
How did we get here?
Any new park would join the current ones in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms
Scotland currently has two national parks - the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs - but it is more than 20 years since a new one was created.
A power-sharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens agreed that "at least one" would be designated by the end of this parliamentary session.
The nominations process opened in October last year with the window to submit applications closing at midnight on 29 February.
The five bids will now be appraised before a detailed investigation is carried out by NatureScot and legislation is brought forward to create the new park.
What is a national park?
National parks such as Yosemite, pictured here, have been designated around the world
The term is used to describe an area set aside by a national government for the preservation of the natural environment.
It may be designated for purposes of public recreation and enjoyment or because of its historical or scientific interest.
Most of the landscapes and their accompanying plants and animals in a national park are kept in their natural state.
The national parks in the United States and Canada tend to focus on the protection of both land and wildlife, those in the United Kingdom focus mainly on the land, and those in Africa primarily exist to conserve animals.
Who is in?
A bid for the Borders is being taken forward
The full list of contenders has been announced by the Scottish government.
They are at the Tay Forest, Loch Awe, Lochaber, Galloway and the Borders.
These proposal will now be appraised by the Scottish government against its published criteria.
A further consultation will be held once a preferred site or sites is identified, which is expected to be in the summer.
Who is out?
A bid for Skye and Raasay has been ruled out
A number of areas ruled themselves out of the contest following community consultation.
Residents had reservations about an "awful lot of disadvantages" that could come with securing the designation for Skye and Raasay.
A community survey found that the majority of people were against seeking the status for Wester Ross.
It was also reported that the group behind plans for Ben Wyvis and Glen Affric had dropped out citing concerns over the limited timeframe and resources., external
An Affric and Loch Ness proposal has been shelved too.
National parks campaigner Nick Kempe said he was worried the process of gathering bids had divided communities.
He said: "At the moment we will end up with what I would describe as culture wars rather than actual discussion about what we need to happen on a local basis.
"That includes how we protect the natural environment and about how national parks could help to resolve the rural housing and employment crises."
Who is in favour?
Lorna Slater said it was time for Scotland to have more national parks
Biodiversity Minister Lorna Slater has described Scotland's two current national parks as among the country's "greatest assets".
“National park status has boosted their economies, supported local business and engaged communities to make the parks work for those who live and work in them," she said.
She thanked everyone who had worked "so positively and proactively" in the process to establish a new park.
"I look forward to meeting with those who have led the nominations to hear directly from each community what they would want to see from becoming a national park," she added.
Who is against?
Farmers and crofters have protested against a bid to create a park in Lochaber
The bids which are being taken forward are not without their opposition.
Among the most vociferous opponents has been the agricultural sector due to fears of additional bureaucracy.
In Galloway, they have raised concerns - dismissed by campaigners - that the status could damage growth and tourism potential.
That bid has been backed by all the local authority areas it covers as well as South of Scotland Enterprise and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere.
Another south of Scotland submission in the Borders has gone ahead despite being branded "incoherent" by the council and failing to secure its support.
Campaigner Malcolm Dickson said many other groups had backed the plans.
"Scottish Borders Council didn't support our bid - but that doesn't mean to say they're opposed to it," he insisted.
A Lochaber proposal generated a protest at the weekend of about 100 people - including farmers and crofters - but was still submitted.
Farming union NFU Scotland has stated that the existing parks have "failed to make a positive contribution" to the sector.
It will be up to the assessment process to balance those conflicting views when deciding how many proposals make it over the final hurdles.
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