National Parks

National Parks in Scotland apply an integrated approach to people and nature. They aim to conserve and enhance their natural and cultural heritage, promote sustainable use of their natural resources; promote understanding and enjoyment; and promote sustainable economic and social development of their communities

There are two National Parks in Scotland: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs (established 2002), and Cairngorms (established 2003, extended 2010). Discover more about our National Parks.

NatureScot supports our National Parks and the care, enjoyment and sustainable use of the natural heritage within them.

Update on proposals for establishing new National Parks in Scotland

Following the submission and evaluation of local bids for National Park status, in July 2024 Scottish Ministers proposed a new National Park in southwest Scotland and appointed NatureScot to be the Reporter. This involved investigating and consulting on the proposal. As Reporter, we were also asked to report on the evidence we gathered and express a view on the proposal.

Separately, as the Government’s statutory natural heritage advisor for Scotland, we were asked to provide our expert position on whether there should be a new national park in that area.

On 5 May 2025 we delivered our advice, including the Report and two letters which separately set out our points of view as Reporter and natural heritage advisor.

Our advice as Reporter, based on the evidence of the consultation and having gauged public opinion, was that the Scottish Government ought not to proceed with a new National Park.

Our position as natural heritage adviser, based our expert view that there would be benefits to the natural heritage and the response to climate change, is that there is a case for a new National Park in the region.

On 29 May 2025 Scottish Government announced that it has decided not to proceed with the designation of a new National Park in southwest Scotland. The consideration of any further National Parks will now be a matter for a future Scottish Government to consider.

Reporter advice and background information

As Reporter, we were asked to develop and consult on the detailed arrangements for the proposed national park and to gauge public opinion on it. We concluded that local support for the proposal was probably not sufficiently strong for the Scottish Government to proceed with designation.

Instead, we advise that a range of existing mechanisms should be strengthened, to support people and nature in the region.

The Report and letters are published on the Scottish Government website.

The tionndaidhean Gàidhlig de gheàrr-iomradh na h-aithisg 's na litrichean a tha a' dol leis an aithisg air an làraich-lìn againn.

Natural Heritage Advisor position

Our natural heritage advisor position is distinct from the advice we delivered as the Reporter commissioned to develop and consult on the detailed arrangements for the proposed national park and to gauge public opinion on it.

As natural heritage advisor, we expressed our support for a new National Park in a letter to the Scottish Government. This recommendation was made because of the natural heritage benefits a park would bring and in response to the climate emergency.

The letter is published on the Scottish Government website.

Tha tionndadh Gàidhlig den litir againn a thaobh comhairle air cùisean ceangailte ri dualchas nàdarra air an làraich-lìn againn.

Accompanying reports

Background information on the statutory Reporter work is provided in a series of 21 reports. They are set out in categories below and can be accessed from there.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).