Ministers in the Scottish parliament have decided not to pursue national park plans for Golloway and Ayrshire. 

Mairi Gougeon, rural affairs secretary, revealed that this announcement comes from the planning official’s recommendations.

Gougeon explains that “while there is support for the new national park, there is significant opposition.”

The Scottish Rewilding Alliance has issued a response, as they continue the fight for Scotland to be named a rewilding nation.

Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance says:

“The Scottish Government has yet again proved it cannot successfully plot a path to a wilder Scotland.”

Blackport argues that the decision “undermines efforts to restore nature and protect nature,” amidst a climate and biodiversity crisis.

Galloway and Ayrshire would have marked Scotland’s third national park, alongside the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs created in 2002 and the Cairngorms in 2003.

The alliance also calls for the Scottish government to use the Natural Environment Bill to begin a new phase for Scotland’s national parks. 

Gougeon recognises the work and time invested in the process, and thanks members of the Galloway National Park Association and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere.