Summary of the challenge contributions

The National parks - challenge exercise: summary analysis has now been published.

The challenge

It is almost 20 years since Scotland’s first National Parks  in Loch Lomond and Trossachs and Cairngorms were established.  Both National Parks are home to some of Scotland’s most outstanding scenery, are internationally important areas for nature and receive millions of visitors each year.  The Parks work closely with their communities, land managers, local businesses, third sector and individuals to tackle the biodiversity and climate crisis, to help manage facilities for visitors, to promote responsible access, develop sustainable communities and ensure sustainable development.

The current Programme for Government contains a commitment to establish at least one new National Park in Scotland by Spring 2026.  To be able to do this in an open and transparent manner, we need to be able to assess any area which is put forward for designation against a set of agreed expectations for what National Parks will deliver for Scotland going forward.  This is where we need your help and ideas.

Find out more about the work of Scotland’s existing national parks at: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and the CairngormsInformation on National Parks more generally and the designation of Scotland’s first two national parks is available from NatureScot's website.

Our ask of you

  1. What do you value most about Scotland's National Parks?
  2. How can National Parks help the environment?
  3. How can we better manage visitor pressures in National Parks?
  4. What criteria should we use to decide where the next new National Parks in Scotland should be?

How to take part

  • you first need to register to add an idea or comment 
  • start by taking a look at existing ideas – you can order by those with the highest rating or most comments
  • you can also use the search and filter tools to find specific topics
  • if you have a new idea that isn’t already on the site, click Add Idea to submit it
  • if you see an idea you could add to, or want to comment on, simple click on it to open the thread and add your comment

If you have any problems registering, logging in or using the site please contact DigitalEngagement@gov.scot - we will be available Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

What happens after I post?

  • ideas and comments will be published as soon as possible – we’re moderating daily during the week from 8am to 5pm but there may be a delay at busier times and during weekends
  • posts that duplicate existing ideas will be locked to keep the conversation in one place
  • posts that are off-topic or don’t meet our moderation policy will not be published
  • please note that we can’t reply to posts or answer questions

This challenge is now closed. Thank-you for all your contributions! This page will be updated in due course once the ideas and comments have been reviewed and taken on board by the National Parks team.