A NATIONAL PARK IN GALLOWAY? A DISCUSSION PAPER OCTOBER 2017 www.gallowaynationalpark.org Designed by Belted Media, www.beltedmedia.com Printed on recycled paper by J and B Print, Newton Stewart Published by Galloway National Park Association October 2017 GNPA gratefully acknowledges the financial support from a number of private individuals, Dumfries & Galloway Council and the Scottish Campaign for National Parks that made this report possible. For more information on GNPA, see www.gallowaynationalpark.org GNPA is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with OSCR. Reg No SC047398 A NATIONAL PARK IN GALLOWAY? A DISCUSSION PAPER OCTOBER 2017 This report represents the views of GNPA only GNPA gratefully acknowledges the following for the use of their images: Allan Wright (Cover), Patrick Laurie (P4, P47), Graeme Warren (P14), Alan Cameron (P18), Forestry Commission Scotland (P22), Iain Macfadzean (P24), Outdoor Council (P27, P44), Firth Partnership (P32), and shutterstock (P40). All other images by Alan Wake www.gallowaynationalpark.org www.gallowaynationalpark.org CONTENT FOREWORD “I believe this is This document has been carefully a good moment assembled to encourage and 6 Introduction inform public engagement on the to trigger such a possibility of creating a national park 8 What is a National Park? discussion on the in Galloway. Given the challenges concept of a park, the region is presently facing 10 Why should Galloway be designated a National Park? economically and socially, I believe its possible powers, this is a good moment to trigger 16 How would a new National Park be created? responsibilities such a discussion on the concept and boundaries” of a park, its possible powers, 18 How would a Galloway National Park be organised responsibilities and boundaries.The and what does a NPA have to do? Galloway National Park Association was set up in late 2016 and has 26 What areas could be in the National Park? already attracted much interest and support and it is clear that many of 38 What are the potential benefits of a Galloway you would like more information National Park? in order to encourage a healthy debate. I hope you will find this 51 THE WAY FORWARD paper helpful in considering the pros and cons of promoting a model for sustainable development which could bring great benefit to the people and communities of the South-West. We welcome your response. Dame Barbara Kelly Galloway National Park Association President 5 www.gallowaynationalpark.org www.gallowaynationalpark.org 1.4 Data collated by the Crichton Institute in 2013 revealed that the Introduction number of people in employment in Dumfries and Galloway fell by 9000 between 2008 and 2013, unemployment doubled to 8%, and the region had the lowest average weekly pay for full time workers in Scotland. The outlook with the squeeze on public sector employment, a particularly large sector in Dumfries and Galloway, and the potential impacts of Brexit on agriculture are worrying. 1.5 Galloway’s landscape, wildlife, history and culture provide the primary resource for economic development but the landscape has changed and is changing as a result of afforestation, renewable energy and changes in agriculture. There is a commitment by the Scottish Government to more afforestation whilst Brexit may initiate further changes in farming. 1.6 The Galloway National Park Association (GNPA) is a Scottish Charity 1.1 Galloway is a beautiful place to live and visit. Whilst recognising that (SC047398) formed by a group of local people who believe a National the borders of Galloway have changed over time, we have broadly Park could benefit Galloway and address some of its needs. Our defined it as that area stretching from the Nith Valley in the east trustees and members currently include farmers, landowners, artists, to the North Channel in the west and from the Solway shore in the tourism operators and conservationists. We hope greatly to expand south to the lower ground in Ayrshire north of the Galloway Hills. It our membership to incorporate the widest possible range of people. thus incorporates parts of three local authority areas: Dumfries and Galloway, East Ayrshire and South Ayrshire. 1.7 The purpose of this discussion document is to present our understanding of the National Park concept, the process of creating 1.2 This area embraces rugged and rolling hills, attractive river valleys, fine a Park, the nature of a National Park Authority, powers and pastoral scenery and a remarkable coastline including spectacular cliffs, responsibilities, boundaries and the potential impacts of Park status. sandy beaches and broad estuaries. These beautiful landscapes have This report is designed to inform public engagement, to explain our inspired artists like Charles Oppenheimer, writers like S. R. Crockett initial thinking, and to set out feasible alternatives. This is the start and John Buchan and the National Bard, Robert Burns. Galloway has of the process and the report will change and develop in response to a distinct built heritage including prehistoric monuments, castles, public engagement. baronial mansions, farmhouses and steadings and planned towns. This built heritage reflects the particular and varied history of Galloway that 1.8 The report is intended for anyone with an interest in a has seen St Ninian and Robert the Bruce, smugglers and Covenanters, Galloway National Park. We welcome any comments to agricultural improvers and industrial pioneers. [email protected] 1.3 Galloway is characterised by a strong sense of community. The multiplicity of community organisations is demonstrative of this. Each small town and each village takes pride in its history, traditions, distinctiveness and character but Galloway is not without its economic “We welcome any comments to problems arising in part from its relative isolation. Whilst in the past [email protected]” Galloway was at the heart of many sea routes and associated trading, today it is “at the end of the road.” 6 7 www.gallowaynationalpark.org www.gallowaynationalpark.org 2.5 Whilst the designation of National Parks in England and Wales What is a National proceeded apace, no executive action was taken in Scotland to follow Park? up the recommendations of the Ramsay Report. Indeed, it was not until 2000 that legislation was passed to allow the creation of National Parks in Scotland (the National Parks Scotland Act – the Act) notwithstanding the international recognition of its outstanding landscapes. 2.6 The Act provides that Scottish Ministers may propose the designation of a National Parks where: “(a) the area is of outstanding national importance because of its natural heritage or the combination of its natural and cultural heritage; (b) the area has a distinctive character and a coherent identity, and (c) designating the area as a National Park would meet the special needs of the area and would be the best means of ensuring that the National Park aims are collectively achieved in relation to the area in a co-ordinated way.” Introduction 2.7 The Act further sets out the statutory aims of a National Park as: “(a) to 2.1 Many of the world’s most inspiring landscapes have been designated conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area; as National Parks. These include the Pyrenees in France, the Sierra (b) to promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area;(c) Nevada in Spain, Banff in Canada and the English Lake District. to promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the 2.2 The first National Parks were designated in the late nineteenth century. form of the special qualities of the area by the public, and(d) to promote The conservation movement and the campaign for National Parks sustainable economic and were greatly assisted by John Muir, a Scot who moved with his family social development of the to the USA. These early Parks were remote areas of wilderness where area’s communities.” public ownership was the norm. By the early to mid-twentieth century, 2.8 The last of these aims however, there was a recognition that other areas merited special is distinctive to Scottish protection because of their outstanding landscape, wildlife and/or National Parks and is a cultural heritage and that this protection could be realised without clear statement of the public ownership. importance of ensuring that 2.3 The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has the Parks bring benefits to developed a categorisation of National Parks and protected areas. local people as well as to Parks in the UK are categorised as areas…”where the interaction of the wider public. people and nature over time has produced an area of distinct character 2.9 So far, two National Parks with significant ecological, biological, cultural and scenic value: and have been designated in where safeguarding the integrity of this interaction is vital to protecting Scotland: Loch Lomond and sustaining the area and its associated nature conservation and and the Trossachs and the other values.” Cairngorms. In preparing this report, we have National Parks in Scotland spoken to officers and 2.4 In the immediate post-war period investigations took place into the residents of both Parks to prospects for National Parks in the United Kingdom. In Scotland, the gain an understanding of Ramsay Report (1945) identified parts of Galloway as eminently suitable the practical realities of as a National Park but it was considered that its status as a Forest Park designation. was sufficient to ensure its protection. Map 1 National Parks, AONB and NSA 8 9 www.gallowaynationalpark.org www.gallowaynationalpark.org 3.4 In terms of wildlife, there are four wetland sites of international Why should Galloway importance (Ramsar sites), some four or five Special Areas of be designated a Protection (depending on precise boundaries), sixteen Special Areas for Conservation, two National Nature Reserves and between 85 National Park? and 98 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (designated for biological or geological importance).