Greens call for at least two new national parks to be established in Scotland

Plans for at least two new national parks to be established in Scotland over the next five years have been unveiled by the Scottish Greens.  

The party has listed a number of prospective sites for the new parks, including, the Cheviots and Borders, Galloway, Ben Nevis and Glen Coe, Harris, Wester Ross and Glen Affric.

They’ve also called for new regional parks to be set up in places like the Campsie Fells and Ochils

Scotland currently has two national parks: Loch Lomond and the Trossachs established in 2002, and Cairngorms which was set up in 2003.

A new report from the party says expanding the country’s park network could be a centrepiece in Scotland’s efforts to tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

As well as establishing at least two new national parks in the next parliament, they also want to see park authorities given greater powers over how the land is used within the boundaries, increasing environmental protections, putting more land into public ownership, and ensuring all parks benefit from ranger services.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said Flamingo Land’s recent controversial plans to develop a tourist resort on Loch Lomond as an example of why better protections are needed.

The Yorkshire theme park firm withdrew its £30m bid to build the Lomond Banks project last year after more than 55,000 people objected to the palns.

However, they have now submitted a new proposal to build visitor accomodation on a site close to the River Leven at Balloch.

Harvie said: “A Scot [John Muir] invented the notion of a National Park, so it’s shameful that we have so few here in Scotland, and those that we do have are in poor condition and under threat. 

“Unlike the great American National Parks, ours are not run for and by the people, but instead are dominated by grouse shooting and commercial developments that threaten vital wildlife habitats.

“The Scottish Greens will renew our national and regional parks as part of our bold, coordinated efforts to restore nature and tackle the climate and nature emergencies. That means at least doubling the number of national parks and creating regional parks to restore our natural environment, boost tourism and create rural jobs.

“This level of ambition is only possible if our national and regional parks ae invested in and have the protection of park authorities with real powers so that the public and local community interest can be put ahead of commercial interests like Flamingoland. Our future depends on it.”