Businesses join forces and back calls for Galloway National Park
The proposal was knocked back by the Scottish Government earlier this year.
Businesses are joining forces to persuade the next Scottish Government to create National Park in the south west of Scotland.
The suggested boundaries would cover East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway.
The idea was knocked back at Holyrood earlier this year despite campaigning from the Galloway National Park Association and support from local politicians.
But the group hasn’t given up hope and is now bringing together around 50 businesses to back the proposal.
A new “Count Me In” initiative has been set up to highlight the benefits the park status would bring.
Companies which have signed up agree it would be great for the local economy, create an internationally recognised brand, bring more tourists and spending, attract people to live and work in the region and create marketing opportunities.
Rob Lucas, Chair of the Galloway National Park Association, said, “Galloway has a very fragile economy and the Covid-19 pandemic has made things incredibly tough.
“A National Park in Galloway would bring huge benefits, allowing companies of all kinds to recover and to flourish by raising awareness of the area, bringing in businesses and offering superb marketing opportunities.
“Businesses in towns and villages across the region are depending on the next Scottish Government to recognise that this is the right move for the economy, the community and for our natural environment.”
The Conservatives, Greens and Liberal Democrats have all declared their support for more National Parks in Scotland. Labour will also include a commitment to National Parks in its manifesto being published later today. (Thursday 22nd April 2021).
Support is growing rapidly from candidates in Dumfriesshire, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, and from those on the South of Scotland list.
Constituency MSP Finlay Carson (Conservative) and regional MSPs Colin Smyth (Labour) and Emma Harper (SNP) have all continued to be active in their support.
But Ben Macpherson, Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, recently told a parliamentary debate that his government currently has no plans for further National Parks - even though we have just two in Scotland.