Photo © Paul Tarling

  WHAT IS A

  NATIONAL PARK?

The UK’s fifteen National Parks were designed to enhance and conserve the natural and cultural heritage of unique landscapes. National Parks encourage communities to use and enjoy their resources sustainably, promoting growth and development around an international brand of quality.

Some of Britain’s most iconic places are National Parks – The Peak District, the Pembrokeshire Coast and the Cairngorms are among those already seeing the benefits of designation. Galloway is a strong contender to be next in line.

In England the Westminster Government has set up the Glover Review to consider whether to expand England’s network of parks as well as areas of outstanding natural beauty.  This report will be completed later this year.

Scotland’s National Parks have the specific aim of promoting sustainable economic and social development in the areas designated. Not everywhere can be a National Park but most of Galloway easily passes the “special places” test.

ABOUT US

   Galloway National Park Association was set up by a group of local people who believe a National Park could deliver economic and social benefits for our communities. Our Trustees and members include farmers, landowners, artists, tourism operators and conservationists, and the list is steadily expanding. 
   
  The Association was founded in November 2016 and received Scottish charitable status in May 2017.

The GNPA Vision Statement

A National Park made in Galloway for Galloway will:

Work with our COMMUNITIES to:

Give them a strong voice in their future through the National Park Board and Partnership Plan
Improve the availability of affordable housing and digital connectivity
Support key local services and community initiatives
Improve access to the outdoors for all with associated health and well-being benefits.

Work for NATURE and CLIMATE CHANGE to:

Ensure that Galloway’s special landscapes and wildlife are safeguarded.
Enhance the biodiversity and resilience of our forests, peatlands and saltmarshes.
Create space for species to move as the climate changes.
Work in partnership to contribute to Net Zero.

Work to improve the ECONOMY to:

Make Galloway a better place in which to live, work and attract people from outside the area.
Increase prosperity across a range of sectors and bring new permanent jobs and investment to the area.
Broaden Galloway’s economic base, building on our environment and primary industries.
Offer our youngsters more chance of building their lives where they grew up.

Read our Vision Leaflet

Use the buttons below to read about our views on the influence of a National Park on different sectors.

Economy

Farming

Tourism

Wind Farms

BACKGROUND

We came together to increase public awareness of National Parks and to explore how local communities might benefit if Galloway is designated as one.

The Association aims to place a National Park at the heart of a sustainable future for Galloway, combining our area’s rich natural, cultural and historic assets with a clear vision for growth and development.

The GNPA’s founding document sets out our purposes as: 

  promoting the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural assets of the area for public benefit.
promoting, undertaking and publishing research into issues affecting conservation and enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage of the area and to identify how this may be furthered through the designation of a National Park.
advancing public education and understanding of how a National Park could contribute to improving health and wellbeing through the enjoyment, understanding or enhancement of the area’s natural and cultural assets.

GALLERY

Clatteringshaws Reservoir ©Phil McMenemy

Paddling up the Black Water of Dee ©John Shields

Stone Wall with Wigtown in the distance ©Paul Tarling

Sparling Bridge, Newton Stewart ©David Inglis

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS OF GALLOWAY

If you have some photographs of Galloway that you would like to share, please email them, along with your name, email address and a description of each photograph to: gallowaynationalpark@gmail.com.