The five choices for Scotland’s new national park – and the one our expert thinks will win

Despite being home to some of the UK’s most beautiful, dramatic and wild landscapes, Scotland contains only two of Britain’s national parks. But that’s about to change. In October 2023, the Scottish government launched its nomination process for a new national park. Four months later, the five areas nominated have just been announced: the Scottish Borders, Galloway, Lochaber, Loch Awe and Tay Forest.   

The stipulations were that areas nominated must prove to be of “outstanding national importance” as defined by their natural and cultural heritage, distinctive character or identity. 

Scotland’s two current national parks, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs, and the Cairngorms, were officially established in 2002 and 2003 respectively. The government has pledged to create at least one new national park by the end of its parliamentary session in 2026. Now it’s up to NatureScot to investigate each bid. 

The new national park (or parks) might be the UK’s first since the South Downs was named one in 2010. There is a separate but concurrent search ongoing to select England’s next national park. The race will be on to decide which country gets there first. 

The Scottish government says that national parks “bring significant benefits to their communities”, not least in bringing in visitors to support the economy. In 2022, nearly £450 million was generated from tourism in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs. Over two-thirds of people who live in the area work in jobs supported by tourism. For an area like Galloway, one of Scotland’s poorest regions, national park status could be transformational. 

“What the national park model in Scotland is doing is asking how people can thrive and work in these parks,” explains Telegraph Travel’s Scotland expert, Robin McKelvie. “It’s not just about protecting red squirrels, it’s about protecting communities.”