A formal consultation has begun on whether a new National Park should be established in Galloway. This includes key details such as the park boundary, how it should be governed, and even what it ought to be called. But while the proposal has gained backing from Ramblers Scotland and others, not everyone is convinced a new Scottish National Park is a good idea, with farmers and some local residents strongly opposed.

"A new National Park in Galloway is still a proposal and not a done deal, and this is an opportunity for anyone with an interest in the proposal to have their voice heard. We are committed to ensuring every aspect of this is fair, transparent and as inclusive as possible" said Pete Rawcliffe, Head of People and Places for NatureScot, who are responsible for delivering the consultation.

"We need the communities who live and work across the south west of Scotland to take part in this consultation, and tell us what matters to them in order to make sure our advice to government is a fair reflection of the views held in their area."

The formal consultation runs until 14 February 2025 and is accessible online. A consultation leaflet will be distributed to 52,000 households and businesses within the proposed area, and public events will be held in the coming weeks, facilitated by independent consultants on behalf of NatureScot with the aim of ensuring that people are supported to share their opinions.

In spring 2025 NatureScot will report the findings of its public engagement to Ministers, with the Scottish Government being the ultimate decision maker on whether there will be a Galloway National Park. The Scottish Parliament would then scrutinise the draft legislation before deciding whether to approve it - some MSPs already having come out against.

Walking charity Ramblers Scotland is urging outdoor enthusiasts to take part in the consultation, believing that the national park – if delivered well – has the potential to boost walking opportunities, by improving path networks and protecting access rights. They say it will also enrich nature, in an area that runs from coastline to mountain summits. In addition, Ramblers Scotland expects a new National Park would be a boon to local jobs and businesses, and lead to an expansion in public transport and active travel links.

Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: "Scotland has waited a long time for its third national park and Galloway is an exciting choice, with huge potential for this to be a win-win for both locals and visitors.

"Experience shows that national parks are often better placed than other areas to attract vital funding, to promote outdoor recreation and to support more people – from all backgrounds – to responsibly enjoy walking and nature. 

"While Ramblers Scotland supports the overall plan, we believe that walkers will only see the benefits if the national park is delivered effectively. So, I urge walkers and other outdoor enthusiasts to engage with the proposals, and to argue for the many benefits for outdoor recreation during this important consultation phase." 

The park designation process started in 2023 when communities and organisations across Scotland were invited to submit nominations for their area. Several areas made it to final selection, while other bids pulled out part-way through the process, citing rushed timescales, a lack of adequate resourcing for volunteer bidding teams, poor communication from Government, and in some cases entrenched or even hostile opposition to National Parks from interest groups and some members of the community.

"When compared with England, Scotland's allocation of National Parks is surprisingly scanty, especially considering the wealth of potential" wrote Galloway-based hillwalker and UKH contributor Ronald Turnbull in a recent article on this site.

"Some may feel that Galloway's hill ground and landscape qualities, great as they are, aren't quite up there with other areas that had at one stage or another been in the running during a rather shambolic bidding process, places of international renown such as Glen Affric, Lochaber or the Isle of Skye. We can't help spotting a certain amount of wood-pulp plantation encircling Galloway's bigger hills; we may not be altogether thrilled by the Wigtownshire Moors that make such a dispiriting start to the Southern Upland Way.

"Others of us, noting how the roads, restaurants and footpaths aren't as convincing as they could be, can't wait for the improved infrastructure, while anticipating the influx of designation-driven visitors [and] the boost to the local economy..."

But the establishment of a new Galloway National Park (whatever it's called) is not going to be plain sailing, even at the consultation stage. Opposition to the entire idea is strong among some in the area, with both the National Farmers Union Scotland and rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates having come out against, and a campaign group No Galloway National Park has been formed. The debate in Galloway already appears to have become acrimonious, with accusations of dirty tricks and a high level of mistrust in the transparency of the process.

NFU Scotland's Vice President Alasdair Macnab, who also opposed the notion of a National Park in the area of Easter Ross where he lives, said: "NFU Scotland views the creation of a new national park in Scotland as unacceptable, a view supported by 93 per cent of our members, and I can reassure our farmers in the Galloway area that we will continue to support your opposition every step of the way.

"Based on the experience of many farmers and crofters currently living and working in either the Cairngorms National Park or the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, it is clear that existing parks have failed to make a positive contribution to farming and crofting. The consultation process now starting must be transparent, credible and inclusive – which it has not been in Galloway to date."

• The Galloway National Park Association's bid can be read here