National parks of Scotland

There are currently two national parks of Scotland, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, created in 2002, and Cairngorms National Park, created in 2003. These national parks were designated as such under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, legislation passed by the devolved government in Scotland, almost 60 years after the idea of British national parks was first suggested.

Like the national parks of England and Wales, neither of the Scottish parks are wilderness areas owned by the government. The majority of the land is in private ownership; more importantly, much of the land has been worked by humans for thousands of years, in places quite extensively. Like their English and Welsh counterparts, then, the parks in Scotland are effectively "managed landscapes".

Conservationists argue that this would not be so bad if the landscapes had been historically managed with sympathy for indigenous flora and fauna, but like many areas of the Scottish Highlands, historical deforestation, overgrazing by sheep and deer, and extensive 20th century aforestation with non-native tree species (particularly conifers) have resulted in landscapes without much integrity. It is hoped that the new national parks will address these issues; however, concerns remain that tourism interests and developers may have more influence than conservationists in the management of the new park areas.

Like national parks in England and Wales, each national park in Scotland is administered by a National Park Authority. Under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000, national parks in Scotland have four aims:

• Conservation and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage
• Promotion of the sustainable use of the natural resources
• Promotion of public understanding and enjoyment (including recreation)
• Promotion of sustainable social and economic development

The National Park Authority is charged with ensuring that these aims are pursued. Although the four aims have equal status, conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural heritage come first in cases of conflict with the other aims.

See also

• Conservation in the United Kingdom
• National parks of England and Wales
• National parks of Northern Ireland
• National parks of the United Kingdom

External link

• http://www.loch-lomond.net/park/national_park.html

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