Galloway could become Scotland's next National Park

Local inhabitants, communities, businesses and other stakeholders will be enjoined to weigh in and provide input as to whether Galloway ought to be given the new national park status.

Additionally, they will be given the chance to suggest where exactly the new park boundary should lie.

Rob Lucas, chair of Galloway National Park Association, described the development as 'fantastic news'. 

"It would bring transformational economic and environmental benefits to the area and strengthen our local communities.

“We are grateful to the thousands who attended events and shared their views over the last seven years which helped to shape our bid.

"We look forward to contributing actively to the next important step in the process for putting a National Park at the heart of a sustainable future for Galloway," he said. 

Proposed boundary (Image: Galloway National Park)

The plans however, have been opposed by Scotland's National Farmers Union. 

Vice president Alasdair Macnab said: “NFU Scotland views the creation of a new national park in Scotland as unacceptable, a view supported by 93 per cent of our members, and I can reassure our farmers in the Galloway area that we will continue to support your opposition every step of the way.

“Based on the experience of many farmers and crofters currently living and working in either the Cairngorms National Park or the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, it is clear that existing parks have failed to make a positive contribution to farming and crafting.

"The consultation process now starting must be transparent, credible and inclusive – which it has not been in Galloway to date.”

Nominations for new National Parks also came from Lochaber, Loch Awe, Scottish Borders and Tay Forest.

NatureScot will be spearheading the public consultation and investigating as to whether Galloway should join the ranks of Loch Lomond, the Trossachs and Cairngorms.

Their findings will be tendered to ministers in April next year.