With a new National Park proposed in Galloway next year Area Manager Andrew Bielinski, who covers Dumfries and Galloway, looks at the current role of National Parks in Scotland and what they might look like in the future. Earlier this year the Scottish Government announced that Galloway was its preferred location for a new National Park, in line with its ambition to designate a new National Park by 2026. RSPB Scotland believes that a new National Park – whether in Galloway or elsewhere in Scotland – should be a welcome proposal. Scotland currently has two National Parks - Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and the Cairngorms. These were established over twenty years ago and have evolved into important landscapes both for nature and for people.
The evidence shows that National Parks galvanize action for nature. Scotland’s National Parks have a vital role to play in tackling the interlinked nature and climate crises and in delivering a just transition. Through the coordinating role of National Park Authorities, government agencies, local communities, NGOs and businesses are able to work together and drive progress towards a shared vision. It is through this integrated approach to people and nature that our National Parks are positioned to deliver the kind of landscape scale change we need to see.
RSPB Scotland are urging the Scottish Government to be ambitious in drawing up the boundary of any new National Park, recognising that an area which is bigger and more joined up will create greater opportunities for collaboration and landscape scale action for nature and climate. For the proposed National Park, key opportunities for collaboration include through the existing Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.
The future of National Parks in Scotland
The Scottish Government has committed to halt nature loss by 2030 and to fully restore nature by 2045. These targets are soon to become legally binding through the Natural Environment Bill, which will also set in law Scotland’s target to protect 30% of land and seas for nature by 2030 (known as 30 by 30).
Today, around 18% of Scotland’s land is legally protected for nature. This figure does not include National Parks in their entirety because many areas are not effectively managed for nature and therefore aren’t counted as important for biodiversity.
The latest State of Nature report has revealed that catastrophic declines in wildlife across Scotland are ongoing. Today, one in nine species are threatened with national extinction. In recognition of this, the Scottish Government has outlined its ambition to “strengthen the leadership role of Scotland's National Parks for nature recovery and just transition to net zero”. RPSB Scotland strongly supports the creation of this overarching purpose for Scotland’s National Parks.
RSPB Scotland are urging the Scottish Government to bring these National Park reforms forward while fulfilling its commitment to designate a new National Park before the end of this parliament in 2026. In doing so, building on the positive direction our National Parks are moving in, these areas can play a significant role in halting biodiversity loss, tackling the climate emergency and making a significant contribution to meeting the international 30 by 30 commitment.
In addition to these reforms, it is vital that both National Parks and Scotland’s wider network of protected areas are properly funded. On the 4th of December, the Scottish Government’s commitment to addressing nature’s decline will be put to the test as its spending plans for the next year are laid out. Our recent blog explains why this budget is crucial for nature in Scotland.
We are calling on the Scottish Government to increase investment in nature funding – sign the petition to add your voice: https://scotlink.eaction.online/naturefunding.
Andy Hay
Have your say
While the Scottish Government has indicated its preference for a new National Park in Galloway, this is by no means a done deal. There are still lots of details to be worked out, including the area that the park would cover and the role of a new National Park Authority.
Through the Scottish Government’s consultation – which is now open for responses until 14 February 2025 – residents, businesses, and members of the general public can share their views on the proposed National Park designation. A final decision will then be made by Ministers next spring once responses to the consultation have been considered.
Main image: Mossy trees at Wood of Cree nature reserve, by Andy Hay