The rural business organisation, Scottish Land & Estates, has said the 'knowledge and experience' of farmers and land managers must be recognised as a proposal for a National Park in Galloway is consulted upon.

The Scottish Government has announced that NatureScot will conduct a public consultation and investigation into whether Galloway should join Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and Cairngorms in being assigned National Park status before submitting its findings to Ministers in April 2025.

Stephen Young, Director of Policy at Scottish Land & Estates, said: "If a Galloway National Park is taken forward then it is crucial that it provides tangible benefits to communities and businesses that cannot be delivered through other means.

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"National parks can play a positive role in delivering for rural Scotland but it is important that a balance is struck between nature and climate objectives and the social and economic realities of those who live and work in the park. It is also vital that we recognise that it is not just through national parks that land management can deliver these benefits.

"We firmly believe that cooperation is the best way forward and any new national park needs to recognise the knowledge and experience of those who work on the ground on a daily basis. The region provides an immense contribution to the UK's food security and farmers and land managers should not be hindered from putting food on the nation's plates with increased planning challenges and visitor management issues.

"Enabling new opportunities for rural communities and businesses to thrive, rather than fostering more restrictions, must be key in the creation of a new park and we hope NatureScot takes on board the opinions of a wide range of individuals and businesses within the prospective boundaries to ensure a rounded view of the proposal."