by Despite having some of the most beautiful, dramatic and wild landscapes in the UK, there are only two national parks in Britain in Scotland. But that is about to change. In October 2023, the Scottish government launched its nomination process for a new national park. Four months later, the five areas just named have been announced: Scottish Borders, Galloway, Lough Aber, Lough Ove and Tay Forest.
The conditions were that designated areas must be of “outstanding national importance” as defined by their natural and cultural heritage, distinctive character or identity.
The two national parks that currently exist in Scotland, Loch Lomond & Trois, and the Cairngorms, were officially established in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The government has pledged to create at least one new national park by the end of its parliamentary session in 2026. Now it is up to NatureScot to investigate each proposal.
The new national park (or parks) could be the first in the UK since the South Downs was named in 2010. A separate but concurrent search is underway to choose England’s next national park. The race will be on to decide which country will get there first.
The Scottish government says national parks bring “significant benefits to their communities”, particularly in terms of bringing in visitors to support the economy. In 2022, almost £450 million was generated from tourism in Loch Lomond and the Troiss. Over two thirds of the people who live in the area work in jobs that are supported by tourism. In the case of an area like Galloway, one of the poorest regions in Scotland, national park status could be transformative.
“What the national parks model in Scotland is doing is asking how people can thrive and work in these parks,” explains Scotland Telegraph Travel expert Robin McKelvie. “It’s not just about protecting red squirrels, it’s about protecting communities.”
From a biological point of view, however, the conservation rules attached to national park status may be important. Scotland is home to many of Britain’s most endangered species, including wildcats, red squirrels, golden eagles and pine cats. A new national park could save some of these species from extinction. Lough Aber, for example, has one of Britain’s only Atlantic rainforests and ancient Caledonian pine forests; both critical habitats.
However, there will be challenges, according to McKelvie. “Across Scotland, people who are already established and invested in the land – who have estates with salmon and trout fishing rights, or game hunting rights – could face barriers,” he says.
So which of the five areas will achieve national park status? We looked at each of the offers and asked McKelvie which one might have been chosen in the end.
Borders of Scotland
The proposed Scottish Borders national park would sit on top of England’s Northumberland National Park. Home to some of the most dramatic historical sites in the UK, the area was fought over by the Romans and the Pictish tribes and Henry VIII launched several invasions of Scotland during his reign in the area.
There are a variety of historic sites including the medieval monasteries of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh, Smailholm Tower and Ullair Castle. The Leaderfoot Viaduct provides pleasant walks and Lough St. Mary is popular with anglers, while the wild moors around the Waterloo Monument offer scenic views.
However, the Scottish Borders has never been particularly popular with visitors. The area came last in terms of expenditure and the number of foreign visitors in an assessment carried out by VisitScotland.
Robin’s Verdict
“People blink and miss a place when they come up from England. It doesn’t have high mountains, but it does have great rolling scenery. Sir Walter Scott loved it. The Clough River runs through it. It is a bucolic, forested, living landscape. There is a human trail: there are many small towns and villages so it is not as wild and rugged as the highlands, but it is very scenic. It is an underrated part of Scotland.”
Gall
Located west of Dunmry, Galloway has been called “Scotland in miniature” because of its dramatic coastlines, rich forests, valleys, rivers, lakes and open moors. Currently, the main attraction is Galloway Forest Park, an area of 299 square miles thought to be the largest forest in Britain.
It is a wildlife sanctuary that thrives on species including the red squirrel, black grouse, coot, snake and salmon. In addition, Galloway has a number of tourist attractions including the ruined castles of Caerlaverock, Thraeve and Dunskey, as well as stone circles.
However, Galloway has a reputation as one of the poorest regions in Scotland whose rapidly aging population may not have the resources or facilities to sustain a major national park in the future.
Robin’s Verdict
“Gallery is spectacular. The first ever forest park in the United Kingdom was the Galloway forest park, which was the forerunner of any Scottish national park. It was also the UK’s first dark sky park. It has things going for it, but most people go straight from Gretna to Glasgow on the motorway and miss Galloway completely. Unlike the Highlands, which was cleared, it is very wooded. It was there that Robert the Bruce used to fight guerilla campaigns against England. It deserves more attention.”
Loch Ova
Twenty-five miles long, Loch Ova certainly lives up to its name. The proposed national park would extend beyond the lake, offering scenic views into the highlands, from Bridge of Orchy to the Straits of Jura incorporating the Kilmartin Valley.
Loch Ove’s bid for national park status recalls much of what has brought visitors to the Lake District over the years; The lake itself has clear possibilities for water sports activities, walking and cycling around the edge. The area also focuses heavily on hill sheep farming at the foot of the volcanic Ben Cruachan hills, just as in Cumbria.
Due to its proximity to Loch Lomond, however, some might argue that Loch Ove is not very diverse. The area is a huge source of hydroelectric power as well as large dams whose presence could spoil the rough and wild atmosphere of a national park.
Robin’s Verdict
“There is already a lot of tourism there because it is on the way to Oban and it has the famous Kilquarn castle. It’s a lake that many Scots don’t know about, even though it’s the longest freshwater lake and famous for fishing. Of all the options, I’d say it doesn’t have the same grandeur. It’s not too far from Loch Lomond and you might say it’s ‘more of the same’.”
Lough Aber
With Ben Nevis already attracting visitors, Loch Abar’s bid to become a national park is partly a plea for more funding to help communities manage those drawn to the UK’s highest mountain. But there is more to Loch Abar than just Ben Nevis.
The area is also home to the Glenfinan Viaduct, made famous in Harry Potter and the society of secrets as part of the Hogwarts’ Express route. There are white sandy beaches on its eastern shore, chambered cairns, castles, and remains of cleared settlements on the land. Golden eagles, red deer, common seals, otters and red squirrels are common.
However, judging by the comments from local people on the Loch Abar proposal’s public website, some people are against the proposed national park, fearing that it will take away rights and ownership from local people.
Robin’s Verdict
“The national park would have to be careful not to damage the fragile economy. It needed to be managed carefully. However, it would be my number one choice. We are in the Gaeltacht here so everything is big: big skies, big mountains, big ocean. This is Scotland’s Hollywood; easily the most scenic of them. Here you will find the highest mountain in the UK, winding rivers, endless Atlantic skies. Everything in Lochaber is bigger, brighter, and better. All five of Scotland’s great wildlife are there, as well as whales and dolphins.”
Tay Wood
Located just off the A9 between Edinburgh and Inverness, the Tay Forest would place a national park at the heart of Scotland. With more than 200,000 acres of woodland (some ancient bluebell woodland) the area is already popular for outdoor recreation, balancing its tourism with biodiversity.
Tay Forest has been designated as a site of special scientific interest and a special area of conservation for salmon, otters and lampreys, and the Tay Forest is bursting with wildlife. There are also stone circles, historic scotch distilleries, waterfalls and stunning views.
Given its success in attracting tourists, NatureScot may see it as a shoo-in, although it may decide that the area is already doing well.
Robin’s Verdict
“Great Perthshire Gaelicity. This is where Queen Victoria fell in love with The Queen’s View. The forests are beautiful. It’s wild, has the Munro mountains, and the longest river in Scotland: the Tea. It feels like the most likely option because it is already set up with transport networks. It is very popular for outdoor sports and adventure so much of the white water rafting, hiking and mountain biking infrastructure already exists. That’s all in his favor.”
