Conservation charity John Muir Trust (JMT) is backing a call for The Scottish Government to reconsider the designation process for National Scenic Areas (NSAs).

Christine Metcalfe, on behalf of Avich & Kilchrennan Community Council in the Loch Awe area of Argyll & Bute, has launched a petition calling on Ministers to re-examine the process for designating NSAs, as well as to consider increasing the number of NSAs in Scotland.

As of 2015, the Government has revealed there are no plans to designate any further NSAs.

With 40 NSAs currently across Scotland, the petition argues that new areas should be created due to continuing pressures from various sectors, including the renewable energy industry.

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JMT said some areas have not been yet recognised as needing National Scenic Area status, such as Loch Awe in Argyll. The region is extremely narrow and therefore vulnerable to significant detrimental impacts from any large renewable energy or infrastructure projects.

In addition, the charity argued by affecting the area's tranquility and beauty, it will impact on the locally dependent tourism sector and upon the natural wildlife in the Loch Awe area (which includes the Glen Etive and Glen Fyne Golden Eagle Special Protection Area).

The JMT said: "The John Muir Trust supports this petition to ensure the protection of Scotland's important landscapes from industrial-scale development. Members of the public can sign the petition and give comments before it closes on 7 June, prior to further consideration by the Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee."

To view the petition, visit here.

(LM/MH)