Two Scottish charities have stepped up their campaign for more national parks with a petition at Holyrood.
The Scottish Campaign for National Parks (SCNP) and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS) want MSPs to urge the Scottish Government to designate more national parks, including at least on coastal and marine national park.
Ross Anderson, SCNP chairman, said: “We have not taken this step lightly. The Scottish Parliament rightly asks people not to submit a petition until they have taken substantial action to resolve their issues of concern. This certainly applies in our case.”
He said the charities have met every environment minister since 2004, published a major report – Unfinished Business – identifying seven suitable areas in 2013, met MSPs for proposed areas, published articles and newsletters, and engaged with national organisations and communities.
The charities believe more areas need protecting over and above the two existing national parks covering Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms.
The proposals for new national parks include Harris, Wester Ross, Glen Affric, and the Ben Nevis-Glen Coe-Black.
John Mayhew, APRS director, said: “Scotland’s first two national parks have achieved a great deal in their first decade, and they inspire pride and passion amongst local people and visitors.
“There are other outstanding landscapes in Scotland worthy of national park designation, and local and national public support for this.
“More national parks would generate many environmental, social and economic benefits. They would bring additional resources, strengthen Scotland’s international standing for environmental protection and support our crucial tourism industry.
“It is now time for the Scottish Government to prepare a strategy to designate more of Scotland’s land, coast and sea as national parks.”
The Scottish Government insisted it remains unconvinced there is a compelling business case at this time to establish any more national parks.