Galloway proposed location of Scotland's third national park, Mairi Gougeon announces

Scotland’s third national park is proposed to be located in Galloway, rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon has announced.

It was one of several areas that had bid to become home to a new national park – with ministers now confirming Galloway is the proposed choice.

The competition for where the new park should be located was “extremely tough”, Gougeon said, adding the bids had showcased Scotland’s “outstanding natural and cultural heritage”.

A consultation will now take place – led by NatureScot – which will further look into whether Galloway should join the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs in having national park status.

Findings from the exercise, which will also consider where the boundaries for the new national park could be drawn, are expected to be submitted to ministers in April 2025.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said the competition to become Scotland’s third national park had been ‘tough’ (Andrew Milligan/PA) PA Media

Speaking on a visit to Shambellie House in Dumfries – which could be included in the new national park area – Gougeon said after “carefully considering” all the nominations, ministers were “proposing to create a new national park for Scotland in Galloway”.

Rob Lucas, chair of Galloway National Park Association, said: “This is fantastic news that the case for Galloway to be proposed as Scotland’s third national park has been recognised.

“It would bring transformational economic and environmental benefits to the area, and strengthen our local communities.”

Gougeon said the call for Galloway being granted national park status was “community led, has the backing of many local businesses and makes a strong case on the benefits that national park status will bring for people who live in the area, for the local economy and for the environment”.

She added: “At this stage it is still a proposal. NatureScot will now lead a consultation with local people, communities and businesses to gauge support, and to look at specifics like the proposed boundary and how it should take account of local circumstances and help to meet the needs of communities.

“We received nominations for new national parks from some really special places – Lochaber, Loch Awe, Scottish Borders and Tay Forest.

“I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard on these proposals and all other communities who came together to explore the idea of a new national park.

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

A consultation will take place on granting national park status to Galloway and whether it would include locations such as Garlieston beach (Lucinda Cameron/PA) PA Media

NatureScot chairman Professor Colin Galbraith said the organisation was “looking forward to the extensive opportunity for consultation” as the next part of the process.

He said: “In preparing our advice, we will consult widely with everyone who has an interest in this special place.

“We will make a particular effort to meet and listen to people who live and work in the area as it is these voices which will be crucial if Scotland is to establish its third national park that can deliver a successful partnership for people and nature.”