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The National
29-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scottish Government scraps plans for Galloway national park
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon confirmed that opposition to the nomination and the reporter's recommendations against it meant that the region in southwest Scotland would not join the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs as the country's third national park. It comes after what has been described as 'intense lobbying' from opponents, with the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) having recorded 29 meetings with ministers and MSPs between January last year and February this year. Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, Gougeon said: 'While there is substantial support for a National Park and what it could deliver for the southwest of Scotland, there is also significant opposition. I realise that this decision will be very disappointing for those who have been campaigning for a new National Park in Galloway over many years. 'I also recognise the huge amount of work and time that has been invested by a great many people throughout this process. I would like to thank everyone involved, including members of the Galloway National Park Association and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere." READ MORE: National park supporters urge ministers not to scrap Galloway proposal She added: 'The Scottish Government remains committed to our existing National Parks and the vital leadership role that they play in tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, promoting sustainable land management and supporting the economic and social development of local communities. Our National Parks are achieving for people and nature.' Karen Blackport, co-convenor of the Scottish Rewilding Alliance and chief executive of Bright Green Nature, said: 'By scrapping plans for a Galloway National Park, the Scottish Government has yet again proved it cannot successfully plot a path to a wilder Scotland. This decision undermines efforts to restore nature, protect wildlife and support resilient rural communities. Amidst a climate and biodiversity crisis, Scotland needs leadership and vision – not another retreat from meaningful action. 'The Scottish Government must now use the Natural Environment Bill to begin a new phase for Scotland's national parks – ensuring that everyone can benefit from wilder national parks that can be the jewels in the crown of Scotland's nature recovery and its journey towards becoming a Rewilding Nation.' RSPB Scotland also reacted to the decsion, stating: "Today's announcement that a new national park for Galloway will not be going ahead is very disappointing news. "It has been over twenty years since our two existing national parks, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and the Cairngorms, were designated. Since then, these places have evolved into important landscapes both for nature and for people. "A number of RSPB Scotland's reserves sit within national parks, and we believe that a third national park in Scotland – whether in Galloway or elsewhere – should be a welcome proposal that would deliver positive outcomes for nature. "Following today's decision, RSPB Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to swiftly come forward with alternative additional measures that clearly demonstrate its commitment to restoring nature and tackling the nature and climate emergency."
STV News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Ministers told delaying national park decision risks ‘unacceptable uncertainty'
Scottish Government ministers are being urged to press ahead with plans to establish a new national park, with supporters in Galloway insisting any delay will cause 'unacceptable uncertainty' for the region. Ministers have already announced the area could be home to what would be Scotland's third national park. The proposed park could take in parts of Dumfries and Galloway, as well as parts of South and East Ayrshire. A consultation has been taking place, with Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon due to make a statement on Thursday. It comes after what has been described as 'intense lobbying' from opponents, with the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) having recorded 29 meetings with ministers and MSPs between January last year and February this year. Those against granting national park status to Galloway have claimed it could cost the area more than £500 million by 2035, arguing such a move could prevent developments such as new wind farms. But supporters say the area is currently 'the forgotten corner of Scotland' and that designating it as a national park could attract new people, while preventing the area from becoming a 'dumping ground for inappropriate windfarms'. Scotland currently has two national parks, in the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, with Rob Lucas, chair of the Galloway National Parks Association stating: 'Galloway desperately needs a national park to give it the long-term certainty and commitment that has been missing for so long.' The region has a 'fragile economy' and is one of the 'poorest rural areas in the UK', he added. Mr Locas said: 'This is the forgotten corner of Scotland. We need a national park to put Galloway on the map to attract people to live, work and visit, and help prevent it becoming the dumping ground for inappropriate windfarms and insensitive afforestation.' Kat Jones, director of the countryside charity, Action to Protact Rural Scotland (APRS), said while Galloway has 'beautiful landscapes and special nature', the area has been 'long overlooked for investment' and has the 'fastest declining population on mainland Scotland'. Designating the area as a national park would be a 'chance to make a change for the better now', she said. The campaigner continued: 'Any delay would likely leave the designation to be completed in the next Parliament, bringing unacceptable uncertainty.' In the midst of a 'nature and climate crisis', she insisted creating a national park could help develop a new model of 'how nature, communities, farming, forestry and energy can all work together for a resilient and sustainable future'. She added: 'National parks are a recognition of the best of our nation's landscapes. Scotland, with some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, has only two of the UK's 15 national parks. 'Ministers need to make a decision that will retain Scotland's standing as a country that values and protects its nature and heritage. 'Any delay in recognising a national park would be a setback for Scotland's reputation for nature and landscape protection, and for the people of Galloway and southern Ayrshire, who are set to benefit most from the new national park.' John Thomson, chair of the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, said: 'Scottish national parks are at the forefront globally in the way that they seek to strike an enduring balance between nature protection and enhancement, truly sustainable land use and development, and community vitality and wellbeing. 'As such, they can lead in mapping the way forward for rural areas right across Scotland's wealth of fine landscapes, bringing huge benefits to both local residents and to all who value the treasures they have to offer. 'Over a century since a Scot gifted the world the concept of the national park, Scotland urgently needs more of them. 'Galloway, in particular, has waited far too long for its natural and cultural heritage assets to be recognised in this way.' Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell said: 'Any decision to scrap or delay the Galloway national park would be a disaster for local nature and communities. 'Scotland's two current national parks, the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, have shown just how valuable the status can be. From effectively managing tourism and forestry to levering investment into transport and housing, national parks are benefiting the communities they serve. 'National park status opens doors for areas that desperately need opportunities, with the potential to create high-quality jobs, boost local food production and secure landscape scale investment in nature. 'I hope the SNP ignore a small number of voices who want to stop any kind of change, anywhere. A Galloway national park would have a positive impact for nature and communities and would be managed and controlled by local people themselves. 'Scottish communities were competing against each other last year to secure a new national park, it would be an embarrassment if SNP ministers now blocked every community in Scotland from hosting a new park.' Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'I would like to thank all those who took part in the consultation on whether there should be a new national park in Galloway and South and East Ayrshire. 'Now that we have received NatureScot's report of the consultation findings and advice on the proposal, we have carefully considered these and will update parliament on Thursday on the next steps.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Supporters urge ministers not to abandon Galloway national park proposal
Ministers have already announced the area could be home to what would be Scotland's third national park. The proposed park could take in parts of Dumfries and Galloway, as well as parts of South and East Ayrshire. A consultation has been taking place, with Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon due to make a statement on Thursday where she is expected to scrap plans to establish the park. READ MORE: Community hoping to save historic church featured in much-loved novel It comes after what has been described as 'intense lobbying' from opponents, with the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) having recorded 29 meetings with ministers and MSPs between January last year and February this year. Those against granting national park status to Galloway have claimed it could cost the area more than £500 million by 2035, arguing such a move could prevent developments such as new wind farms. But supporters say the area is currently 'the forgotten corner of Scotland' and that designating it as a national park could attract new people, while preventing the area from becoming a 'dumping ground for inappropriate windfarms'. Scotland currently has two national parks, in the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, with Rob Lucas, chair of the Galloway National Parks Association stating: 'Galloway desperately needs a national park to give it the long-term certainty and commitment that has been missing for so long.' The region has a 'fragile economy' and is one of the 'poorest rural areas in the UK', he added. Locas said: 'This is the forgotten corner of Scotland. We need a national park to put Galloway on the map to attract people to live, work and visit, and help prevent it becoming the dumping ground for inappropriate windfarms and insensitive afforestation.' Kat Jones, director of the countryside charity, Action to Protect Rural Scotland (APRS), said while Galloway has 'beautiful landscapes and special nature', the area has been 'long overlooked for investment' and has the 'fastest declining population on mainland Scotland'. Designating the area as a national park would be a 'chance to make a change for the better now', she said. READ MORE: Revealed: The Scottish councils now using Elon Musk's Starlink internet technology The campaigner continued: 'Any delay would likely leave the designation to be completed in the next Parliament, bringing unacceptable uncertainty.' In the midst of a 'nature and climate crisis', she insisted that creating a national park could help develop a new model of 'how nature, communities, farming, forestry and energy can all work together for a resilient and sustainable future'. She added: 'National parks are a recognition of the best of our nation's landscapes. Scotland, with some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world, has only two of the UK's 15 national parks. 'Ministers need to make a decision that will retain Scotland's standing as a country that values and protects its nature and heritage. 'Any delay in recognising a national park would be a setback for Scotland's reputation for nature and landscape protection, and for the people of Galloway and southern Ayrshire, who are set to benefit most from the new national park.' John Thomson, chair of the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, said: 'Scottish national parks are at the forefront globally in the way that they seek to strike an enduring balance between nature protection and enhancement, truly sustainable land use and development, and community vitality and wellbeing. 'As such, they can lead in mapping the way forward for rural areas right across Scotland's wealth of fine landscapes, bringing huge benefits to both local residents and to all who value the treasures they have to offer. 'Over a century since a Scot gifted the world the concept of the national park, Scotland urgently needs more of them. 'Galloway, in particular, has waited far too long for its natural and cultural heritage assets to be recognised in this way.' Lobbyists with vested interests must not be allowed to sway the Scottish Government's decision on creating the park, Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell said. He added: 'Any decision to scrap or delay the Galloway National Park would be a disaster for local nature and communities. 'Scotland's two current national parks, the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, have shown just how valuable the status can be. From effectively managing tourism and forestry to leveraging investment into transport and housing, national parks are benefiting the communities they serve.' 'National park status opens doors for areas that desperately need opportunities, with the potential to create high-quality jobs, boost local food production and secure landscape scale investment in nature. 'I hope the SNP ignore a small number of voices who want to stop any kind of change, anywhere. A Galloway National Park would have a positive impact for nature and communities and would be managed and controlled by local people themselves. 'Scottish communities were competing against each other last year to secure a new national park, it would be an embarrassment if SNP ministers now blocked every community in Scotland from hosting a new park.' Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: 'I would like to thank all those who took part in the consultation on whether there should be a new national park in Galloway and South and East Ayrshire. 'Now that we have received NatureScot's report of the consultation findings and advice on the proposal, we have carefully considered these and will update parliament on Thursday on the next steps.'
The National
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Highland beaver release blocked after Kate Forbes stepped in
A BID to release beavers in the Highlands was delayed after intensive lobbying by farmers and landowners prompted an intervention by the local MSP and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, The Ferret can reveal. Emails released under Freedom of Information law disclose why the wildlife agency, NatureScot, postponed a long-awaited plan to move beavers into Loch Beinn A' Mheadhoin in Glen Affric. Forbes, the National Farmers Union in Scotland (NFUS) and local landowners privately piled pressure on the agency to derail a beaver licence application by the Government's Forestry and Land Scotland. The tree-felling, dam-building, semi-aquatic mammals were due to start being released in spring 2025. But NatureScot announced in April that it would 'take the summer' for more consultations because there was 'considerable concern about the proposal among the local community and its representatives'. Campaigners have condemned the delay as 'ministerial appeasement of the NFUS at the expense of Scotland's nature'. They dubbed the revelations 'beavergate', saying they raised 'urgent questions about behind-the-scenes lobbying and hidden voices'. Forbes, however, defended her role as a local MSP relaying concerns of constituents to 'relevant public bodies'. Her status as Deputy First Minister was 'immaterial to progressing constituency casework', she said. NatureScot accepted the delay could cause 'frustration', and promised a 'short and focused' engagement on 'specific impacts'. The planned release was 'contentious' and there was 'ministerial interest', it said. Beavers were hunted to extinction in Scotland in the 16th century. They were accidentally or illegally released in Tayside before 2006, and are now thought to number more than 2000 along the Tay and the Forth. READ MORE: Archaeologist may have found William Wallace's Battle of Stirling Bridge camp In 2019, the Tayside beavers were given legal protection by the Scottish Government. But farmers and landowners, who feared the damage they could cause by flooding, were licensed to shoot 352 of them between 2019 and 2022. In 2021, Green MSP Lorna Slater, then biodiversity minister, announced a change of policy aimed at allowing beavers to be moved to other parts of Scotland instead of being shot. Authorised releases have since taken place at Loch Lomond and in the Cairngorms. In March 2022 Slater asked Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) to identify land it owned suitable for reintroducing beavers. Working with the rewilding campaign group, Trees for Life, FLS developed a proposal to release up to four beaver families on land it owns in Glen Affric, above the Beinn A' Mheadhoin dam. The Ferret reported in October 2023 that FLS had postponed applying for a beaver release licence following opposition from landowners, backed by Forbes. It wasn't until January 2025, after two years of consultations, that FLS finally submitted its full licence application to NatureScot. What happened next has now been revealed by more than 80 pages of emails released by NatureScot in response to a freedom of information request by The Ferret. Local farmers and land managers, whose names have been redacted, wrote a series of angry letters, urging NatureScot to reject the licence application. They expressed alarm about the damage that beavers might do to riverbanks and salmon spawning areas. They complained that beavers had already been illegally released downstream at Strathglass, and criticised the consultations as biased. Forbes wrote to NatureScot in January, also saying that constituents were worried that beaver dams could harm salmon spawning beds. She asked for the matter to be investigated. NatureScot told NFUS it didn't 'normally' seek comments on licence applications, but was 'happy' to receive them from farmers. On February 28, 2025, NFUS wrote to NatureScot expressing 'serious concerns', calling for a 'pause' and requesting a meeting. The letter argued that, if released, beavers would quickly move downstream from Glen Affric to a 'high conflict area of productive agricultural land'. It criticised Trees for Life and FLS for 'poor' and 'inflammatory' responses to farmers' concerns. 'Pausing the processing of this application, or even better postponing it for, say, a year, will show a willingness by NatureScot to address the genuine concerns of those most likely to be impacted,' NFUS argued. 'Our members have engaged with their local parliamentarian Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister, who is in discussion with Mairi Gougeon MSP, Minister for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, and has advised that the Scottish Government will be looking into the matter.' After receiving the letter from NFUS, one senior NatureScot official told a colleague that it would be assessed. 'The case is considered novel and contentious so when we have completed, we will pass by ministers, who will take an interest,' the official wrote. NFUS chased up its letter and its demands on March 12 and again on March 31. NatureScot announced the decision to delay the Glen Affric beaver application on April 2, prompting accusations of a 'great beaver betrayal' from campaigners. Trees for Life called on NatureScot to explain its actions. 'This growing beavergate controversy raises urgent questions around the behind-the-scenes lobbying and hidden voices seeking to block Scotland's nature recovery,' chief executive Steve Micklewright told The Ferret. 'Exactly what part has Kate Forbes played in this sorry saga? Is she willing to meet and engage positively with rewilding organisations, or should we give up asking?' Micklewright argued that the issue went beyond the multiple benefits of bringing beavers back to Glen Affric. 'It goes to the heart of why the Scottish Government keeps hitting the pause button on restoring biodiversity, and whether NatureScot can show the leadership to fulfil its purpose,' he said. 'NatureScot now needs to show it can lead on nature recovery with vision and integrity – including by standing up to high-powered anti-nature lobbying. And all of our government ministers need to show that they fully support NatureScot in that.' According to the Scottish Wild Beaver Group, which campaigns to protect beavers, it was 'really disheartening' to see Forbes use her influence to halt a beaver licensing process which had been conducted with 'high community consultation standards'. The group's James Nairne said: 'It seems to mark yet another example of ministerial appeasement of the NFUS at the expense of Scotland's nature, and raises serious questions about how committed this government is to Scotland's beaver strategy and the Scottish biodiversity strategy more generally.' Malcolm Wield, a former forest manager who has lived close to Strathglass since 1993, claimed that a lot of local people were 'excited' at the idea of having beavers in the area. 'Even if many often feel the need to keep their heads down, their views have to count too,' he said. 'Undemocratic intervention by the Deputy First Minister on such an important issue is unfair and demonstrates total disregard for the breadth of views here, not to mention biodiversity.' Forbes stressed her role as a constituency MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch. 'I am obligated to relay constituency concerns and queries to the relevant public bodies and I'm proud to work hard on behalf of my constituents,' she told The Ferret. 'When multiple local residents in Glen Affric expressed concerns about the introduction of beavers at drop-in surgeries, I raised those in my constituency capacity with the relevant public bodies. 'This is consistent with the approach I would take on any issue, from healthcare to wildlife.' She added: 'My status as Deputy First Minister is immaterial to progressing constituency casework, and any suggestion to the contrary puts my constituents at a disadvantage.' NatureScot insisted it was 'absolutely committed' to expanding the beaver population across Scotland for the benefit of biodiversity. 'We understand that there may be frustration around the timeframe for this licensing decision,' said a spokesperson. 'This short and focused engagement will be on the specific impacts on land and fisheries managers and the mitigation and management available to them.' NatureScot pointed out that Scottish ministers could modify or revoke beaver licensing decisions, and it had to keep them briefed on 'any novel or contentious issues'. NatureScot's delay was backed by the Scottish Government. 'Given the concerns from the local community, it is only right that NatureScot take the time to undertake further engagement with land and fisheries managers,' said a spokesperson. READ MORE: Europe's first museum of contemporary Palestinian art opens in Edinburgh 'The Scottish Government supports the targeted reintroduction of beaver populations where appropriate. 'We want to make sure that where translocations take place, measures are put in place to ensure rural people and beavers are able to thrive.' Forestry and Land Scotland described the delay to releasing beavers in Glen Affric as 'disappointing' but said it could appreciate NatureScot's position. Consultations were extensive and allowed everyone in the local community to have their say, it argued. 'The consultation process and other inputs helped us to identify where the majority opinion lay. It also helped us to develop appropriate and adequate mitigations to address the concerns raised by those who were not in favour of beaver reintroductions,' said north region planning manager, Euan Wiseman. The National Farmers Union in Scotland said its members were committed to helping nature restoration. 'Local farmers and crofters highlighted concerns in relation to the Glen Affric beaver release to their MSP representative,' confirmed a spokesperson.
Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Times
New muirburn laws risk fuelling wildfires, campaigners warn
SNP ministers risk worsening the threat of wildfires in Scotland, campaigners say, amid fears that a new muirburn licensing scheme will delay the controlled burning of moorland. Critics argue the proposal could leave vast areas of land unmanaged, exacerbating the threat posed by combustible vegetation. Muirburn, which burns vegetation such as heather and grass, is a longstanding land management practice used to promote new growth for grazing, reduce fuel loads and manage biodiversity. Experts including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have emphasised its importance in preventing uncontrolled wildfires when carried out responsibly. • Scottish wildfire risk increases after lack of spring showers However, rural organisations including Scottish Land and Estates (SLE), the National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA)
