But Looks Set To Repeat English & Welsh Mistake With The Second

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has warmly welcomed today's launch of Scotland's first National Park around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, but warns that plans for the second National Park in the Cairngorms, due to be launched in 2003, are going disastrously off course.

Along with other recreation bodies in Scotland, the MCofS has campaigned for the introduction of this top-tier conservation designation north of the border. The Council is therefore delighted that Princess Anne is launching our first National Park today at a ceremony in Balloch.

The celebrations for the launch of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are, however, overshadowed by the ongoing process to set up the Cairngorms National Park. Whereas the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is its own planning authority, the proposal for the Cairngorms is for three local authorities to retain those powers.

MCofS Access and Conservation Officer, Mike Dales, has said: "This is repeating the mistake that was made in England and Wales in the 1950's."

Their first two National Parks (Peak and Lake Districts) were created in the early 1950's with full planning powers, then the third (Snowdonia) was denied planning powers because of pressure from local authorities. Another seven Parks were then created and all chose to follow the Snowdonia model. This costly mistake was finally rectified in 1995 when the Environment Act made all English and Welsh National Parks their own planning authority.

Mike Dales goes on to ask; "Why is it that the Scottish Executive has chosen to repeat a mistake that has now been recognised south of the border; and if history repeats itself, is it likely to be 2043 before we finally get a Cairngorms National Park that is really worth raising a glass to?"

MCofS President, Pete Hill, says; "Unfortunately, by then the continued lack of protection of the mountains and lowland woods could have accounted for untold damage from bulldozed roads and pressure for second homes."

Returning to today's launch, Pete Hill goes on to say; "The Cairngorms debate goes on, but today is a day to raise a glass to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Scotland has finally become a member of the family of nations with National Parks, and the MCofS looks forward to working with the National Park over the coming years."

The MCofS will be keeping mountaineers informed of all National Park issues on this website.

24 July 2002