GALLOWAY has beaten four other locations to emerge as the Scottish Government’s top choice for a new National Park.
And now a consultation will be carried out across the region ahead of progressing the bid.
Campaigners are delighted and have thanked everyone for the huge support.
Rob Lucas, chair of the Galloway National Park Association, above, said: “This is superb news for Galloway, its people, its environment and its economy. We have been campaigning for almost eight years for Galloway to be designated as a National Park for Scotland and this is a huge step forward.
“We very much hope to see a new Galloway National Park come into being in 2026.
Welcoming the news, South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said: “I am absolutely delighted and it is testament to the tenacity and dedication of campaigners that we’re now looking at Galloway being the preferred site for Scotland’s next National Park.”
However, there is still strong opposition from the farming sector and NFU Scotland have said they will oppose the bid.
Vice president Alasdair Macnab said: “NFU Scotland views the creation of a new national park in Scotland as unacceptable, a view supported by 93 per cent of our members.
“Existing parks have failed to make a positive contribution to farming and crofting. The consultation process now starting must be transparent, credible and inclusive – which it has not been in Galloway to date.”
Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson understands their concerns and insists the industry must be properly consulted. He added: “It is vital that attention is paid to how the Galloway landscape has come to be the landscape we love, and that very much includes the influence and guardianship of our farmers. We must not see additional bureaucratic burdens placed on our farming and rural businesses.”
