The deadline for submissions to the NatureScot consultation on the proposed Galloway National Park is 14th February and we strongly encourage all visitor economy businesses to feed in their views before then. Take part here.
Visitor economy businesses keen to learn more about the impact of national parks are encouraged to join a webinar in which the CEOs of the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Cairngorms Business Partnership / Visit Cairngorms will offer a unique insight into the lived experience of the Cairngorms since establishing a national park.
Webinar – Galloway National Park: listening to the experience of the Cairngorms
Wednesday 22nd January 2025
13.30 – 14.30
Each of the recent SSDA Locally Led Destination Development meetings which took place in D&G included time for local tourism businesses to discuss the Galloway National Park proposition. Many of the businesses that attended asked the SSDA for more information about the experience of Scotland’s two existing national parks.
As a result, the SSDA and VisitScotland have together organised this digital meeting for visitor economy businesses in which we have two key speakers who will share their candid experience of the Cairngorms National Park and answer businesses’ questions:
Grant Moir: CEO, Cairngorms National Park Authority.
Grant has been CEO of the Cairngorms National Park Authority for twelve years. He was previously Director of Conservation and Visitor Experience at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority. Grant is a member of the National Visitor Management Group, the Scottish Government Biodiversity Programme Board and the Deer Strategic Board. He is also a board member of National Parks Partnership. The Cairngorms National Park was established in September 2003 and the Cairngorms National Park Authority became fully operational, taking on all its statutory powers, on 1 September 2003.
Craig Mills: CEO, Cairngorms Business Partnership & Visit Cairngorms
The Cairngorms Business Partnership (CBP) is the Chamber of Commerce for businesses in the Cairngorms National Park, as an affiliate of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce they are the primary representative organisation and voice for the business community. They are funded by their 400+ members and also act as the Destination Management Organisation, operating www.visitcairngorms.com, with over 120k social media followers.
We encourage tourism businesses keen to learn more to join us for this uniquely insightful webinar.
It will be fascinating to learn more about the Cairngorms experience but we are keen to emphasise that what is being proposed for Galloway is not an exact replica of the Cairngorms National Park, the Loch Lomond National Park, or any existing UK national park. Rather, local communities and businesses in Galloway are being asked whether they would like a national park and, if so, what sort of national park would be most appropriate for Galloway. Each national park is uniquely designed around what local communities want and need: there is not a one size fits all approach. When filling in the survey you can have your say about the size, powers, and decision-making around a possible national park.
