Regional parks of Scotland
The regional parks of Scotland are areas of attractive countryside that are of importance for recreation due to their proximity to population centres. The parks are defined to co-ordinate the management of these areas by providing visitor facilities such as car parks, footpaths, ranger services and visitor centres.
Regional parks are defined and managed by
As of 2018 it was estimated that the three regional parks together received at least 2 million visits each year.[2]
History
The origins of the regional parks can be traced back to the work of the former Countryside Commission for Scotland. In a 1974 report the commission outlined the main aims of the regional park designation:
[Regional parks] could be some thousands of hectares in area, with recreation as the dominant use in parts only. The areas within a regional park which would be intensively used for recreation would be linked together by footpaths, with a view to reducing pressure on areas of sensitive farming and forestry interests. Regional parks can be designated by the regional authorities in consultation with the CCS and subject to the approval of central government, and generally they will be managed by the regional authorities with funding support from central government.
— A Park System for Scotland, 1974
By 1990 there were four regional parks in existence, however the number dropped to the current three in 2002, when the new
Management
Each regional park is managed by a joint committee consisting of members appointed by the constituent local authorities, alongside representatives of local landowners and other interested organisations. Funding for park activities is provided by the constituent local authorities, but since 2005/6 there has been no direct funding of the parks from the Scottish Government. The lack of central funding has led to a reduction in staff numbers at all three parks.[8]
Within each regional park certain areas are designated as country parks, "core areas" with more concentrated provision for outdoor recreation:[9]
- Clyde Muirshiel: Castle Semple Loch and Muirshiel Country Parks
- Lomond Hills: Lochore Meadows Country Park
- Pentland Hills: Hillend and Bonaly Country Parks
List of regional parks
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References
Citations
- ^ a b c d Regional Parks in Scotland - A Review. p. 3.
- ^ Regional Parks in Scotland - A Review. p. 7.
- ^ Regional Parks in Scotland - A Review. p. 5.
- ^ "Regional parks". NatureScot. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ Regional Parks in Scotland - A Review. p. 4.
- ^ Regional Parks in Scotland - A Review. p. 13.
- ^ "Opposition mounts to more, bigger Loch Awe wind farms and turbines". Oban Times. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
- ^ Regional Parks in Scotland - A Review. pp. 4-5.
- ^ Regional Parks in Scotland - A Review. pp. 3-4.
- ^ "About Clyde Muirshiel". Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Lomond Hills". Fife Coast & Countryside Trust. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "What is a Regional Park?". Pentland Hills Regional Park. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
Bibliography
- "Regional Parks in Scotland - A Review" (PDF). Scottish Campaign for National Parks. October 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2020.