Unspoilt British moors and stunning coastline set to become national park | UK | News

The UK’s new national park is set to be created in Galloway, Scotland, after an “extremely challenging” tender process. Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced the project, stressing that all applications had highlighted Scotland’s exceptional natural and cultural heritage.

This stunning landscape includes windswept rolling moors, rugged coastlines and beautiful beaches as well as farmland which can all be preserved and protected.

If successful, Galloway will become the first national park in southern Scotland, which could boost tourism in the region.

Currently, Scotland is home to two national parks: the Cairngorms, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

NatureScot will now conduct a consultation to further explore Galloway’s potential as the home of a third national park. This will include looking at where boundaries could be drawn, reports the mirror.

The results are expected to be submitted to the authorities by April 2025.

During a visit to Shambellie House in Dumfries, an area that could potentially be included in the proposed park, Ms Gougeon said that after carefully considering all nominations, ministers were proposing to create a new national park for Scotland in Galloway.

Rob Lucas, chairman of the Galloway National Park Association, hailed Galloway’s recognition as Scotland’s third national park as “fantastic”. He highlighted the transformative economic and environmental benefits it would bring to the region while strengthening local communities, according to the Daily Record.

Mairi Gougeon, Scotland’s Environment Minister, has expressed her support for the proposal to grant Galloway national park status. She stressed that the proposal is “community-led, has the support of many local businesses and highlights the benefits that national park status will bring to local people, the local economy and the environment.”

She added: “At this stage this is still a proposal. NatureScot will now consult with local people, communities and businesses to gauge support and consider details such as the proposed boundaries and how they should take into account local circumstances and help meet the needs of communities.”

“We have received applications for new national parks from some truly special places: Lochaber, Loch Awe, the Scottish Borders and Tay Forest. I would like to thank everyone who has worked so hard on these proposals and all the other communities who have come together to explore the idea of ​​a new national park.”

“The competition was extremely tough and the entries clearly demonstrated the exceptional natural and cultural heritage we have in Scotland, as well as people’s ambitions for the rural communities in which they live.”

NatureScot chairman Professor Colin Galbraith echoed his sentiments, saying the organisation “looks forward to the extensive consultation opportunity” that will be the next stage of the process. A spokesperson added: “In preparing our advice we will consult widely with all those who have an interest in this special place. We will make a special effort to meet and listen to the people who live and work in the area, as it is these voices that will be crucial if Scotland is to establish its third national park that can deliver a successful partnership between people and nature.”