National Parks
Scotland has two National Parks:
- Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, established in 2002
- Cairngorms National Park, established in 2003 and extended in 2010
National Parks serve as models of sustainable development. They do this by:
- working to protect and enhance their natural and cultural heritage
- promoting responsible access to nature
- supporting local economies and communities
- managing millions of visitors annually
Find out more about the role and work of Scotland’s National Parks:
Proposal for a new National Park
In October 2023 we invited local communities to put forward nominations for their area to become Scotland’s next National Park. We received nominations from communities in Galloway, Loch Awe, Lochaber, Scottish Borders and Tay Forest. These nominations were appraised against published criteria:
The outcome of the appraisal process is summarised in a report:
- new National Parks appraisal panel report (July 2024)
After considering the outcome of the appraisal process we proposed to designate a new National Park in south west Scotland. This was subject to the outcome of a Reporter investigation.
Consultation process
NatureScot, in its role as Reporter, was required to consider the proposal for a new National Park and produce a report to Scottish Ministers.
The Reporter’s work included extensive public consultation and engagement with local communities, stakeholders, businesses, landowners and managers and public bodies to discuss, test and further shape and refine the National Park proposal. Read more on NatureScot’s website.
On 7 November 2024 a public consultation was launched on the proposal for a new National Park in the Galloway and Ayrshire area. The consultation ran until 14 February 2025.
An initial Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report was undertaken to accompany the Future of National Parks proposals for consultation between September and November 2023.
An addendum to the SEA Environmental Report was prepared to accompany the consultation on the proposal for a new National Park in Galloway and Ayrshire.
Following this consultation work, NatureScot provided a report to Scottish Ministers in its role as the statutory Reporter. NatureScot additionally provided separate advice to the Scottish Government in its role as natural heritage advisor.
- a report on the proposal for a National Park in south west Scotland (May 2025)
- Galloway and Ayrshire National Park proposal: advice on natural heritage matters (May 2025)
- Galloway and Ayrshire National Park proposal: NatureScot Advice (May 2025)
On 29 May 2025 we announced that we will not pursue the proposal to designate a new National Park in Galloway and Ayrshire. This was because of significant opposition to the proposal and the Reporter’s recommendation not to proceed with designation.
Constitution and role of National Park Authorities
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority and the Cairngorms National Park Authority were established as executive non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) under the provisions of the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000.
We provide annual funding to the Park Authorities in the form of Grant in Aid, which they use to deliver the 2000 Act’s statutory aims as well as other functions and duties conferred on them by the Act.
The 2000 Act sets out four National Park aims:
- to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage
- to promote the sustainable use of the natural resources of the area
- to promote understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public
- to promote sustainable social and economic development of the communities of the area
The Park Authorities’ role is to co-ordinate the collective delivery of these four statutory National Park aims, and in this way ensure a sustainable future for these areas.
National Park Partnership Plans
The 2000 Act requires each of the Park Authorities to prepare a five-year National Park Partnership Plan to serve as an overarching management plan. These plans set out how all those with a responsibility in each park, across public, private and voluntary organisations, will co-ordinate their work to address the most important issues in relation to conservation, visitor experience and rural development.
The Park Authorities are responsible for leading the delivery of their respective plans and for ensuring the National Parks’ activities continue to align with our national strategies and aims. Here are the current National Park Partnership Plans:
- Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Partnership Plan 2024 - 2029
- Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan 2022 – 2027
National Park Authority planning functions
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority is responsible for deciding all planning applications in the National Park area.
The planning system in the Cairngorms National Park is managed by the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the five local authorities which operate in the National Park, with the Park Authority ‘calling in’ and deciding those applications which are big or important to the National Park.