Galloway national park opponents and supporters react as plans scrapped

OPPONENTS SAY THEY ARE 'VERY RELIEVED' THE BID WON'T MOVE FORWARD BUT SUPPORTERS SAY IT IS A 'BIG LOSS'. 13:02, 30 May 2025 Opponents and supporters of a Galloway

National Park have given their reaction to the Scottish Government’s announcement that the proposal has been scrapped. The No Galloway National Park say they are “very relieved” that the bid

won’t move forward. But the Galloway National Park Association have described the move as a “big loss”. Rural Affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon announced on Thursday the idea was being

binned. She said 54 per cent of people who responded to the NatureScot consultation opposed a national park and 42 per cent were in favour, with the majority of those responding from

Galloway and Ayrshire. READ MORE: Scottish Government abandons plans to create national park in GallowayREAD MORE: Around 130 Dumfries and Galloway jobs under threat at Stagecoach West

Scotland No Galloway National Park co-founder Liz Hitschmann said: “We are very relieved the Scottish Government has recognised the strength of opposition to the imposition of a national

park on our region, but the overwhelming response from local people directly affected was impossible to ignore. Article continues below “We are so grateful to all those who have supported

our campaign, which from a standing start less than a year ago has steadily built momentum as people understood what a national park could really mean. “There is no question Dumfries and

Galloway needs investment in our infrastructure, but it did not need millions frittered away on another layer of bureaucracy which could override local wishes, and the many government-funded

organisations in the area need to deliver that investment.” Campaign co-founder, Denise Brownlee, added: “The Cabinet Secretary has promised a real plan for investment building on those

existing structures and everyone in Dumfries and Galloway and Ayrshire needs to hold her to that.” Rob Lucas, the chairman of the Galloway National Park Association, was disappointed at the

move. He said: “This is a big loss for our countryside and wildlife, for everyone living in the region and for our entire country. “Our disappointment is not just for the loss of a National

Park, but for the whole future of Galloway which has been badly let down once again. “Galloway and its fragile environment, communities, and economy face huge challenges that must be

overcome. “After years of neglect and decline it must now fall to those who opposed a National Park to address these issues and to do so without the certainty and money the Park would have

brought. “Although the minister has decided not to proceed, it is clear that the spotlight has rightly been shone on Galloway which is clearly on the map for now at least. “We hope that any

new measures put forward, although no substitute for a national park, will enable Galloway to come together and collectively develop a brighter future for this very special area.” Click here

for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. The Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Partnership had worked on the submission that Galloway should be home to Scotland’s third

national park. Vice chair of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, Patrick Wiggins, said: “The last few months have seen passionate arguments both in favour of and against the

creation of a new national park for Scotland. “Our position has always been that any future national park should embrace the ethos of our UNESCO Biosphere by reflecting the voice and the

views of local people, so whilst disappointed with the outcome we are pleased that NatureScot’s recommendation does exactly this. We were satisfied with the public consultation process which

was accessible, thorough and transparent. Article continues below “Importantly from our perspective, the report offers encouragement as we look ahead to the future activity of the GSA

Biosphere Partnership. We are pleased to have the vocal support of Scottish Ministers and recognition of our potential to attract investment, develop environmental protections, and help

build sustainable communities in Scotland’s south west.”