<p>Welcome to your new community information platform for the new national park proposal for Galloway. Take the time to discover what is being proposed, explore key facts and information, then share your thoughts via the interactive map, surveys and meetings.</p><p>We&#39;re looking forward to working alongside you to develop our advice. This website aims to offer information on everything you might wish to explore about the proposed national park for Galloway, and the phases of public consultation taking place. You&rsquo;ll find a timeline of what to expect from NatureScot as we investigate the idea and when you will see the results of our advice; you will be able to see where you can take part in discussions and activities in your area; how you can have any unique questions answered, and &ndash; most importantly &ndash; how to tell us what you think about this locally special, nationally important proposal.&nbsp;</p><p>We have also recently published our Reporter plan, which outlines our work. It can be accessed in full on the NatureScot website: <a href="https://www.nature.scot/doc/national-park-proposal-galloway-reporter-plan" id="isPasted" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NatureScot Reporter Plan</a>.</p><p>To receive updates throughout the process, subscribe using your email.&nbsp;</p>

Welcome to your Community Information Platform

The Scottish Government has proposed a new National Park in Galloway.

The suggested area NatureScot has been asked to provide advice on are shown in our interactive map survey, which you can add comments to by clicking the 'Have your say' button and placing a pin on the map. The Scottish Government is open to the National Park area being smaller or bigger than the area outlined here. 

Have your say on the proposals today.

Galloway National Park Information Hub

Add logic to update projects latitude and longitude

What a National Park is and why this area is being considered. 

Bruce's Stone, Loch Trool

Why a National Park in Galloway?

<h2 id="isPasted">What is a National Park?</h2><p>National Parks are an internationally-recognised designation for protecting and enhancing some of a country&rsquo;s locally special, nationally important places for nature and culture.</p><p>Scotland is unique in having National Parks with statutory aims that include promoting sustainable use and community development alongside the conservation and enjoyment of the area. These aims empower our National Parks to be places where nature is thriving and enjoyed by all and to offer social and economic benefits. They enable Parks to drive forward urgent action to tackle climate change and be places where sustainable use and enjoyment of the area are at the heart of community wellbeing and prosperity.</p><p>Both of Scotland&rsquo;s existing National Parks are run by public bodies whose governing boards have a majority of local representatives on them, 20% or more of which are directly elected by local residents. Their powers vary, but they do not replace their local authorities for services such as education, transport, waste collection and housing. Land in the National Parks continues to be owned and managed by individuals, commercial or third sector organisations, or public bodies.</p><h2>Why is this area being considered for a National Park?</h2><p>In 2023, Scottish Government sought bids for new National Parks from across Scotland. Five areas were nominated by local groups including a joint bid from the Galloway National Park Association and Galloway &amp; Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve supported by Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Councils. Appraisal of these nominations by the Scottish Government against published criteria led to the selection of this area for further consideration as Scotland&rsquo;s third National Park.</p><p>The statutory proposal is the first phase of the designation process set out in the National Parks (Scotland) Act 1990. NatureScot has been appointed as Reporter for this phase. The reporting stage is important as it provides the first opportunity for you to express a view on these issues and the principle of National Park status itself.</p><p>The work undertaken by the nominating group provides the starting point for the proposal, but the Reporter investigation will provide the detailed advice which Scottish Government will draw upon when deciding whether to proceed or not to the next phase of the designation process.</p><p><br></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is/en-GB/map/proposed-national-park-area" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Share your thoughts about the proposed boundaries via our interactive map survey</strong></a></h3><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>and</strong></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/tell-us-your-thoughts/step1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Let us know your ideas about what a national park should do!</strong></a></h3><p><br></p>

Find out more about Scotland's existing National Parks.

Red Kite

Scotland's Existing National Parks

<h2 id="isPasted">Find out more about Scotland&#39;s existing National Parks</h2><p>There are currently two National Parks in Scotland, find out more about them via their respective websites linked below:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park</a>&nbsp; (established in 2002).</li><li><a href="https://cairngorms.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cairngorms National Park</a> (established in 2003, and extended in 2010).</li></ul><p>To hear some perspectives of people who live and work in the current National Parks, watch this National Park Video hosted on the NatureScot website.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5CqRRU8Mgfk?si=lh9ksNDnc2oZRoIu" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

Let us know your thoughts on the information provided so far. 

How are we doing?

<h2 style="text-align: center;">Thank you for your feedback, please press &#39;Next&#39; to submit your response</h2>

An interactive map of the suggested area NatureScot has been asked to provide advice on.

What is special about this area?

This is an interactive map of the suggested area NatureScot has been asked to provide advice on, though Scottish Government are open to it being <b>smaller or bigger</b> than this.

<p>Click on the 'Have Your Say' button on the top right hand corner to add a pin anywhere you would like to tell us more about. </p>

<a href="https://newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/alternative-accessible-survey-for-map/step1" target="_blank">If you are using a screenreader - please use our accessible survey here</a>.
</p>

Share your thoughts on a Galloway National Park at this stage.

Glen Trool

What should a National Park do?

<p style="text-align: center;">Scotland is unique in having National Parks with four statutory aims that include promoting sustainable land-use and community development alongside the conservation and enjoyment of the area.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center;">While it would need to take forward all of these aims:</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br></p>

<h2 id="isPasted" style="text-align: center;">Thank you for your feedback, please press &#39;Next&#39; to submit your response</h2>

What to expect from the engagement and consultation process and how to get the most from this website. 

Powillimount Beach

Key Information

     

<h2><strong>The Scottish Government has proposed a new National Park in Galloway</strong></h2><p>We&#39;re looking forward to working alongside you to develop our advice. This website aims to offer information on everything you might wish to explore about the proposed national park for Galloway, and the phases of public consultation taking place. You&rsquo;ll find a timeline of what to expect from NatureScot as we investigate the idea and when you will see the results of our advice; you will be able to see where you can take part in discussions and activities in your area; how you can have any unique questions answered, and &ndash; most importantly &ndash; how to tell us what you think about this locally special, nationally important proposal.</p><p>NatureScot has been asked to investigate that proposal, to help Scottish Government decide:</p><ul><li>if it should be given National Park status</li><li>what geographical area it should include</li><li>what form its governance should take (e.g. number of board members)</li><li>what powers it should have (e.g. planning, access)</li><li>its likely structure and operation.</li></ul><p>The suggested area NatureScot has been asked to provide advice on are shown in our <a href="https://newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is/en-GB/map/proposed-national-park-area" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">interactive map survey</a>, which you can add comments to by clicking the &#39;Have your say&#39; button and placing a pin on the map. The Scottish Government is open to the National Park area being smaller or bigger than the area outlined here.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Have your say</strong></h2><p id="isPasted"><strong>1)&nbsp;</strong>NatureScot will be distributing a leaflet to all households in the postcode districts in and close to the proposed park area, explaining the consultation process and how to be involved in it.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>2)</strong> We will also be hosting a series of meetings with local authorities, community councils and other local organisations, as well as holding drop-in surgeries across the area to provide information about the proposal, listen to issues raised and seek ideas about what a National Park could look like in detail.</p><p><strong>3)&nbsp;</strong>This community information website is an opportunity for people in the local community to access key facts and have your say in an informal space. You can tell us what you think by <a href="https://newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/tell-us-your-thoughts/step1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">filling out the surveys</a> on this website, which will be updated throughout the process, or you can contact us via email at <a href="mailto:nationalparkreporter@nature.scot">nationalparkreporter@nature.scot</a>.</p><p><strong>4)&nbsp;</strong>There will then be a formal 12-week public consultation on the proposed new National Park, starting in November 2024 and available on NatureScot&rsquo;s website. To ensure that as many people as possible have a chance to contribute, NatureScot will run a series of complementary events and activities during those 12 weeks, we welcome and support &nbsp;participation from ethnic minority communities, disabled people and other underrepresented groups. All the views expressed during the consultation will be reported to Scottish Government as part of NatureScot&rsquo;s advice.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>This is not the only opportunity to have your say...</strong></h2><p>Following receipt of NatureScot advice and analysis at the conclusion of our Reporter role in April 2025, if the Scottish Government then decides to designate a National Park in Galloway, it will consult further on the more detailed contents of a Draft Designation Order.&nbsp;</p><p>The final stage of the process involves the approval of the Designation Order by the Scottish Parliament and will include the chance for you to provide views to constituency MSPs and through evidence to parliamentary committees. <a href="https://newnationalparkgalloway.commonplace.is/timeline" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">View our live timeline</a> <a href="https://gallowaynationalparkproposal.commonplace.is/timeline" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"></a> for more information on the ongoing stages of the process.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p>