Galloway and Ayrshire National Park proposal: advice to ministers
NatureScot's advice on the proposal for a new national park.
To: Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands
From: Prof Colin Galbraith FRSE, Chair, NatureScot
5 May 2025
Dear Cabinet Secretary,
Official Sensitive: Proposal for a new National Park in Galloway – NatureScot Reporter Advice
I am pleased to be able to provide our advice as Reporter on the proposal for a new National Park in Galloway.
When you asked NatureScot to undertake the role of Reporter, we knew we had a challenging task ahead of us. This has proved to be the case. The consultation work has been extensive in range and nature as we have consciously sought to reach across the breadth of the target audiences identified in your proposal document, as well as the wide range of interest groups active across the South of Scotland. While we are aware that some of the discussions around the proposal became polarised on occasion, we believe that the time taken to talk with so many interested individuals and organisations has given us a comprehensive overview of the issues facing the area and the potential for a new National Park to address these challenges.
The Reporter work has been complex. In preparing this advice, my Board has been mindful of the task set us: to assess how a new National Park could contribute to Scottish Government priorities; take account of local circumstance; meet the needs of local communities; and, achieve environmental benefits alongside economic growth and progressive land use. You also asked us to gauge the level of support for the proposal and alternatives to it. In addition to simply considering the numbers for and against, we have looked at the strengths and weaknesses of the arguments presented on either side.
Based on the evidence we have gathered as Reporter, it is clear that while there is support for the National Park and what it could deliver for the area, significant opposition, complexities and uncertainties remain about what a National Park might mean for individuals, communities and businesses in the area.
Our advice to Ministers is that you consider not proceeding with the designation but instead consider opportunities to strengthen existing arrangements. Whilst our analysis suggests that the wider area considered meets the conditions set out in the Act, our view as Reporter is that the proposal has not sufficient clarity or garnered sufficient support locally to proceed.
Our Report sets out the detail of our analysis and outlines what strengthening existing arrangements could encompass. As requested, it also includes recommendations on the arrangement for a possible National Park should Ministers decide to proceed with the designation.
In your commission to me of 24 July 2024, you requested that I ensure that any views which are those of NatureScot as statutory adviser on natural heritage matters are kept clear and distinct. I have therefore written to you separately with my Board’s recommendations to you as your statutory adviser on nature conservation.
Finally, I would welcome a meeting with you to discuss our Report.
Yours sincerely,
Prof Colin Galbraith FRSE
Chair, NatureScot
Contact
Email: NationalParks@gov.scot