Despite being home to some of Britain's most beautiful, dramatic and wildest landscapes, Scotland contains only two of Britain's national parks. But that's going to change. In October 2023, the Scottish Government launched its nomination process for a new national park. Four months later, the five nominated areas have just been announced: the Scottish Borders, Galloway, Lochaber, Loch Awe and Tay Forest.
The provisions were that the nominated areas had to be shown to be of "outstanding national importance", as defined by their natural and cultural heritage, distinctiveness or identity.
Scotland's two current national parks, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, and the Cairngorms, were officially established in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The government has pledged to create at least one new national park by the end of the parliamentary session in 2026. Now it's up to NatureScot to investigate every bid.
The new national park (or parks) could be the first in Britain since the South Downs was named one in 2010. A separate but simultaneous search is underway to select England's next national park. The race will begin to decide which country will arrive first.
The Scottish Government says national parks "deliver significant benefits to their communities", not least by attracting visitors to support the economy. In 2022, almost £450 million was generated from tourism in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs. More than two-thirds of people living in the area have jobs supported by tourism. For an area like Galloway, one of Scotland's poorest regions, national park status could be transformative.
"What the national park model in Scotland does is ask the question of how people can thrive and work in these parks," explains Robin McKelvie, Telegraph Travel's Scotland expert. "It's not just about protecting red squirrels, it's about protecting communities."
Biologically, however, the conservation rules associated with national park status may prove important. Scotland is home to many of Britain's most endangered species, including wild cats, red squirrels, golden eagles and pine martens. A new national park could save some of these species from the brink of extinction. For example, Lochaber is home to one of Britain's only Atlantic rainforests and ancient Caledonian pine forests; both vital habitats.
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There will be challenges, McKelvie thinks. "Across Scotland, people who are already established and invested in the country - who have estates with salmon and trout fishing rights, or game hunting rights - can create obstacles," he says.
So which of the five areas will ultimately win national park status? We looked at each of the bids and asked McKelvie which bid would ultimately be selected.
Scottish borders
The proposed Scottish Borders National Park would join the top of the existing Northumberland National Park in England. The area is home to some of Britain's most dramatic historical sites. The area was fought over by Romans and Pictish tribes and Henry VIII launched several invasions of Scotland during his reign in the area.
There are a variety of historic sites including the medieval abbeys of Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso and Jedburgh, Smailholm Tower and Floors Castle. The Leaderfoot Viaduct offers pleasant walks and St Mary's Loch is a popular spot for anglers, with the wild moors around the Waterloo Monument providing fine views.
However, the Scottish Borders have never been particularly popular with visitors. According to a VisitScotland assessment, the area came last in terms of foreign visitor expenditure and numbers.
Robin's verdict
'The place people blink and miss when they come from England. It has no high mountains, but it does have a beautiful rolling landscape. Sir Walter Scott loved it. The River Tweed meanders through it. It is a rural, forested, living landscape. The human imprint is there: there are many small towns and villages, so it is not as wild and rugged as the highlands, but it is very picturesque. It is an unsung part of Scotland."
Galloway
Located west of Dumfries, Galloway was described in its bid as "Scotland in miniature", due to its dramatic coastlines, rich forests, valleys, rivers, lochs and open moorlands. Currently the main attraction is Galloway Forest Park, an area of 299 square kilometers that is believed to be the largest forest in Britain.
It is a haven for wildlife where species such as red squirrels, grouse, curlews, vipers and salmon thrive. Galloway is also home to a number of intriguing tourist attractions, including the ruined castles of Caerlaverock, Thraeve and Dunskey, as well as stone circles.
However, Galloway is also known as one of Scotland's poorest regions, where its rapidly aging population simply does not have the resources or facilities to maintain a large national park in the future.
Robin's verdict
"Galloway is beautifully picturesque. The very first forest park in Britain was Galloway Forest Park, which was a forerunner of every Scottish national park. It was also the first dark skies park in Britain. There is plenty to do, but most people go straight from Gretna to Glasgow via the motorway and miss Galloway completely. Unlike the Highlands, which have been logged, it is very wooded. It is where Robert the Bruce waged guerrilla campaigns against England. It deserves more attention."
Loch awe
With a length of twenty-five kilometers, Loch Awe certainly lives up to its name. The proposed national park would extend beyond the lake and provide picturesque views of the highlands from the Bridge of Orchy to the Sound of Jura containing Kilmartin Glen.
Loch Awe's bid for national park status is reminiscent of much of what has endeared visitors to the Lake District over the years; the lake itself offers clear parallels for water sports activities, walking and cycling along its edges. Sheep farming on the volcanic foothills of Ben Cruachan is also a major focus in the area, as in Cumbria.
However, given its proximity to Loch Lomond, detractors may argue that Loch Awe doesn't offer much variety. The area is also a huge source of hydropower, with large dams whose presence could dampen the rugged, wild atmosphere of a national park.
Robin's verdict
"It's already quite touristy because it's on the way to Oban and it's home to the famous Kilchurn Castle. It's a lake that many Scots don't know about, despite being the longest freshwater lake and famous for its fishing. Of all the options I would say it doesn't have the same grandeur. It's not far from Loch Lomond and you could say it's 'more of the same'."
Lochaber
Lochaber's bid to become a national park is already attracting visitors thanks to Ben Nevis and is partly a plea for more funding to help communities manage those drawn to Britain's highest mountain. But Lochaber is more than just Ben Nevis.
The area is also home to the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in Harry Potter and the secret room as part of the Hogwarts' Express route. There are white sandy beaches on the east coast, cairns with chambers, castles and the remains of evacuated settlements on land. Golden eagles, red deer, harbor seals, otters and red squirrels are common.
However, judging by comments from locals on the Lochaber bid's public website, there is opposition to the proposed national park from some quarters, who fear it will deprive locals of rights and property.
Robin's verdict
"The national park must be careful not to harm the fragile economy. It would have to be managed carefully. However, it would be my number one choice. We're in the Highlands here, so everything is big: big skies, big mountains, big ocean. This is Hollywood Scotland; easily the most scenic of them. Here you'll find Britain's highest mountain, flowing rivers and endless Atlantic skies. Everything in Lochaber is bigger, brighter and better. It has all of Scotland's big five wildlife, plus whales and dolphins."
Tay forest
Located just off the A9 between Edinburgh and Inverness, the Tay Forest would form a national park in the heart of Scotland. With more than 200,000 hectares of woodland (some of which is ancient bluebells), the area is already popular for outdoor activities, balancing tourism and biodiversity.
Tay Forest has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation for salmon, otters and lampreys. Wild animals come out of the ears. There are also stone circles, historic Scottish distilleries, waterfalls and breathtaking views.
Given its success in attracting tourists, NatureScot might regard it as a bull's-eye, although it might decide that the area is already coping well enough.
Robin's verdict
"Spectacular Perthshire highlands. This is where Queen Victoria fell in love with The Queen's View. The forests are beautiful. It's wild, there are Munro mountains and Scotland's longest river: the Tay. It seems the most likely option, because transport networks are already in place. It is popular for outdoor and adventure sports, so much of the infrastructure for whitewater rafting, hiking and mountain biking already exists. That will all count in his favor."