Documents

Letters to Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs

Copies of letters to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs from NGNP co-founder, Liz Hitschmann, and Ann Purvis, regarding the implications of the Natural Environment Bill on National Parks and urging her not to leave Galloway with a toxic National Park legacy.

Response from Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs

This response to a January 2025 letter to the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs confirms that the Scottish Government will not hold a referendum on the creation of a Galloway National Park before a final decision is made. It also addresses concerns about the suitability of NatureScot as the appointed Reporter and reassures that all views—particularly those of residents in Galloway and South and East Ayrshire—will be carefully considered before determining the next steps.

Response from Cabinet Secretary to Scottish Parliament’s Petitions Committee

Attached is the response from the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs to the Scottish Parliament’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee following their consideration of the petition ‘Stop More National Parks in Scotland’.

You can find more information on the Committee’s consideration of the petition, including a copy of their letter to the Cabinet Secretary, by clicking here.

Briefing note from Professor Roger Crofts

Former Chief Executive of Scottish Natural Heritage, Professor Roger Crofts, has prepared a briefing paper on the proposed Galloway National Park, in which he draws on international experiences of national parks to critically examine the Scottish Government’s proposal to create a new one in South West Scotland.

You can find more information about Professor Crofts and his work on his website by clicking here.