Galloway wins bid to become Scotland's third National Park
The news is being greeted as a massive economic and environmental boost to the region
Galloway has won the bid to become Scotland’s next National Park.
The region has come out on top to become the third in the country, after it was voted number one ahead of Lochaber, Loch Awe, Scottish Borders and Tay Forest.
It’s reckoned the news will be transformational for the area in terms of economic benefits as well as the major environmental boost.
There will be a further survey into the suitability of the joint proposal from the Galloway National Park Association and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO biosphere.
Local residents, communities, businesses and interested parties will be invited to get involved and share their views on whether Galloway should become a new national park and where the boundary for the new park should be drawn.
NatureScot will conduct the public consultation and investigation into whether Galloway should join Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and Cairngorms before submitting its findings to Ministers in April next year.
Many benefits for economy
During a visit to Shambellie House within the proposed new park, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “After carefully considering all of the nominations we received, I am very pleased that we are proposing to create a new National Park for Scotland in Galloway.
“The proposal is community led, has the backing of many local businesses and makes a strong case on the benefits that national park status will bring for people who live in the area, for the local economy and for the environment.
“The competition was extremely tough, and the bids have clearly shown the outstanding natural and cultural heritage we have in Scotland, as well as people’s ambitions for the rural communities they live in.”
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.”