GALLOWAY is now the front-runner to become Scotland’s next national park, the Scottish government announced today.

The creation of a third national park formed part of the then SNP-Green Scottish government’s coalition agreement and as the process began in February, five areas stepped forward to vie for the status — Tay Forest, Loch Awe, Lochaber, Galloway and the Borders.

On a visit to the area, SNP Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon announced that Galloway beat the competition to become the proposed site and a consultation on details such as boundaries will be launched and led by government agency NatureScot with its conclusions expected by April 2025.

Visiting Shambellie House in Dumfries, Ms Gougeon said: “I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard on these proposals and all other communities who came together to explore the idea of a new national park.

“The competition was extremely tough and the bids have clearly shown the outstanding natural and cultural heritage we have in Scotland, as well as people’s ambitions for the rural communities they live in.”