Following the final consultation period, the Scottish Executive have published the details of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, in the form of two orders which are being placed before Parliament for approval.

A new map, published at the same time, differs from the previous one. The biggest change is that the boundaries of the park have been extended to include fully Glen Ogle, Glen Dochart and the village of Killin, which many saw as a natural eastern gateway to the park. Also confirmed as included in addition to the core area, are the Argyll Forest Park, the Lake of Menteith, Ben Vorlich, Glen Ogle and Loch Earn, and the communities of Tyndrum and Crianlarich.

Introducing the orders, Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister Allan Wilson said:

The Executive is committed to establishing National Parks in Scotland. These will be unique. The social and economic aims are equally important to the aims of conservation, recreation and the sustainable use of resources. The Orders, which we have now lodged for Parliament's approval, are the outcome of a lengthy process of consultation and discussion. They are the key to the door of our first National Park, an essential element in the process of establishing the Park Authority.

There will be 25 members of the National Park Authority (NPA). Five members will be directly elected, there will be ten local authority nominees and a further ten appointed by Scottish Ministers. The suggested split of the ten local authority nominees is: Stirling four, Argyll & Bute three, West Dunbartonshire two, and Perth & Kinross one.

Mr Wilson later announced a £1.9 million increase in the funding allocation for the park's first year in operation. He said

We are committed to ensuring that Scotland's first National Park gets off to the best possible start. I am therefore pleased to allocate this further level of assistance which enhances considerably the original allocation. I believe this will allow the Park to fund a reasonable programme of activity in its first year.
This additional funding reflects the increased area of the Park, particularly the inclusion of the Argyll Forest park. It is also a further endorsement of the Executive's long-standing commitment to ensure that National Parks are appropriately resourced.

The Scottish Parliament is expected to approve the orders in time to allow the park to be established at the beginning of July, this year.

Official opening - 24th July 2002

Scottish Executive news release - Park Organisation
Scottish Executive news release - Funding
Previous story - public consultation
MCofS response to original consultation