New National Park Commission - National Event

NatureScot has been asked by the Scottish Government to work with them in establishing at least one new National Park by 2026, beginning with preparing further advice on what National Parks are expected to deliver for Scotland and how future areas can be selected for designation. Further background on this work can be found on the Scottish Government website.

This is an exciting and challenging commission for NatureScot, but it is only part of the first non-statutory phase of work needed to allow Ministers to initiate the statutory process of National Park designation set out in the National Parks (Scotland) 2000 Act.  The time available for it is limited with finalised advice to be compiled in January 2023.

To help develop this advice NaturScot have established a National Park stakeholder advisory group. You can download the papers and confirmed notes. There is also a list of Frequently Asked Questions.

The consultation on the role and approach to National Parks, and how nominations for new National Parks could be evaluated, is now live (closing date 30 November 2022).

Does your organisation or group want to know more about the current consultation, and have an opportunity to discuss it before submitting a response? If so, then please sign-up below to one of the three online events we are running during November.

Sign-up for North - 11 November - 0930-1130

Sign-up for South - 16 November - 1400-1600

Sign-up for National - 17 November - 1500-1700