Scotland should have seven more National Parks. The recommendation has come from two environmental organisations – The Scottish Campaign for National Parks and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland.
They suggest that in addition to Scotland’s two existing National Parks, Loch Lomond and the Cairgorms, there should be seven more:
Mull Marine National Park
The Cheviots
Galloway
Glen Affric
Harris
Wester Ross
Jimmie Macgregor, president of The Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, said: “ Scotland’s landscapes rank amongst the best in the world. We have wild mountains, pristine rivers and lochs, ancient forests, stunning coastlines and islands, all rich in wildlife and history. Yet out of 3,500 National Parks in the world, Scotland has only two. The first two have been a great success – surely it’s time for more.”
A full report on the suggested parks, entitled “Unfinished Business”, was launched in Perth on Wednesday. Bill McDermott, the chairman of the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, said: “ The Scots-born naturalist, explorer and writer John Muir inspired the creation of the world’s first National Parks in the USA in the 19th century. It would be a fitting tribute to his memory if the Scottish government committed to more National Parks in 2014, the Year of Homecoming and the centenary of John Muir’s death.”