Feedback from an Evening with Cairngorms National Park CEO by Ted Leeming

Sometimes, a journey leads you down paths never contemplated when you first set out.

Just how does the Scottish Government’s commitment to planting 45,000 acres of forest each year between now and 2050 work to mitigate the biodiversity crisis?

Galloway faces an existential crisis. A trio of demographic, economic and environmental decline risks turning this jewel of Scotland into little more than a giant power generating facility accompanied by plantations of cheap wood. Major changes are needed, and perhaps one such major change would be the establishment of a national park.

The proposers of a national park in Galloway claim that its establishment will result in a better future for people, communities, economy, culture and the environment in the area. Is this likely? What are the real issues that need to be addressed during this consultation? Who is best placed to provide the solutions we need? How can the friction and concern in our communities be minimised? And what’s the hurry?