SCOTTISH ministers have decided not to pursue a proposal to designate Galloway and Ayrshire as a national park.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon confirmed that opposition to the nomination and the reporter’s recommendations against it meant that the region in south-west Scotland would not join the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs as the country’s third national park.
Campaigners in favour of the park have described the decision as "deeply sad", accusing "intensive and often misleading lobbying" giving ministers "misunderstandings about the role and impact of national parks".
Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Gougeon said NatureScot had analysed the findings of the consultation and found 54% of responses opposed the proposal and 42% of responses supported it.
The majority of consultation responses were completed by people living and working in Galloway and Ayrshire, and taking account of local responses alone, 57% opposed the proposal while 40% were supportive.
She shared: "It [the report] notes that support was greatest among environment, recreation and tourism sectors, whilst landowners, land managers and those working in the farming, forestry and renewable energy sectors had the strongest reservations.
"Based on the evidence gathered during the investigation and consultation, the reporter has advised that, whilst it considers that the proposed area meets the conditions for a national park set out in the legislation, the proposal does not have sufficient clarity, nor has it garnered sufficient local support to proceed to the next stage of designation."
Gougeon (above) added: “While there is substantial support for a national park and what it could deliver for the south-west of Scotland, there is also significant opposition. I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new national park in Galloway over many years."
The minster thanked members of the Galloway National Park Association and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Unesco Biosphere, and stressed the Scottish Governments commitment to "our existing national parks and the vital leadership role that they play in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, promoting sustainable land management and supporting the economic and social development of local communities".
John Thomson, chair of the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, said the Government decision was "a huge missed opportunity" and was "a major failure".
He said: "The country's two existing national parks are already at the forefront in tackling the ever more pressing climate and biodiversity emergency, and in leading the way to the greener, healthier and happier wellbeing economy that the Scottish Government said it was pursuing.
“A new national park for Scotland was supported by all political parties. The ministers' decision represents a major failure to capitalise on Scotland's peerless combination of natural and cultural assets. For Galloway, it is a huge missed opportunity to secure not only profile and resources but a stronger say over its future. All those with the region's interests truly at heart will now have to redouble their efforts to protect its precious landscapes and habitats from the many threats that they face".
Kat Jones, director of Action to Protect Rural Scotland, said the move was "a betrayal of the Galloway people" and questioned how the Government will "make the far more challenging changes" in the face of climate change.
She said: "The news that Galloway is no longer under consideration to be Scotland’s next national park should send a chill down the spine of everyone campaigning to make the world a better place. That a policy so popular with the public, and a designation with so much promise for the region, has been dropped, seemingly in response to a well-funded media campaign spreading fear and misinformation, is a tragedy.
“But this is not just a tragedy for the people of Galloway and southern Ayrshire, who were set to benefit most from the national park, this decision impoverishes all of us. National parks are a recognition of the best of our nation’s landscapes, and this decision will impact Scotland’s standing as a country that values and protects its nature.
“This decision is a betrayal of the Galloway people who have worked tirelessly for seven years to bring well-deserved national recognition for the special landscapes of their area.
“If the Scottish Government can’t muster the energy to get a policy as popular, with as many co-benefits, and with such cross-party support, as a national park over the line, how will we make the far more challenging changes we will need to stave off the nature and climate emergencies?”
Karen Blackport, co-convener of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Bright Green Nature, said: “By scrapping plans for a Galloway National Park, the Scottish Government has yet again proved it cannot successfully plot a path to a wilder Scotland. This decision undermines efforts to restore nature, protect wildlife and support resilient rural communities. Amidst a climate and biodiversity crisis, Scotland needs leadership and vision – not another retreat from meaningful action.
“The Scottish Government must now use the Natural Environment Bill to begin a new phase for Scotland’s national parks – ensuring that everyone can benefit from wilder national parks that can be the jewels in the crown of Scotland’s nature recovery and its journey towards becoming a Rewilding Nation.”
RSPB Scotland also reacted to the decision, stating: "Today’s announcement that a new national park for Galloway will not be going ahead is very disappointing news.
"It has been over 20 years since our two existing national parks, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and the Cairngorms, were designated. Since then, these places have evolved into important landscapes both for nature and for people.
"A number of RSPB Scotland’s reserves sit within national parks, and we believe that a third national park in Scotland – whether in Galloway or elsewhere – should be a welcome proposal that would deliver positive outcomes for nature.
"Following today’s decision, RSPB Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to swiftly come forward with alternative additional measures that clearly demonstrate its commitment to restoring nature and tackling the nature and climate emergency."
