Scotland's New National Park Appraisal Panel: final report

Lochaber

The panel noted the size of the proposed area (c. 465,000 hectares) which is slightly greater than Cairngorms National Park. They noted the coherent identity of the core area of the proposal and the fact that many of its assets have international standing – particularly in the core area of Ben Nevis and Glen Coe. However, although the proposed area reflects an historic administrative boundary within Highland region, the identity of the proposed area potentially becomes less coherent in relation to wider areas beyond the core mountain massif and the justification for including other parts of the proposed area was less clear.

The nomination presents evidence of the extensive natural heritage designations that are of outstanding national importance. This includes SACs, SPAs, RAMSAR sites, NNRs, SSSIs and unique habitats such as Atlantic Rainforest. The panel recognised that international importance was an important component of several designations in the Lochaber nomination area, in addition to the extensive areas of wild land and areas designated as National Scenic Areas (and the overall landscape value of the area more generally). Coastal features, habitats and landscapes also represent an important of this nomination (features not represented in Scotland’s existing National Parks). The panel also noted evidence of significant cultural heritage assets that are of outstanding national importance, ranging from scheduled monuments to significant battlefields and the Gaelic language.

In terms of how a National Park in Lochaber could meet the special needs of the area, the nomination clearly and extensively sets out how National Park designation could support nature restoration in the area. By contrast, the nomination identifies limited opportunities for conserving and enhancing the area’s cultural heritage. Nor does it set out a detailed assessment of the potential for sustainable management of the area’s natural resources within the specific section relevant to this criterion. Nevertheless, the core panel recognised that in considering the nomination as a whole, several relevant examples and points were made relating to both of these sub-criteria more generally. As a result, the core panel recommended that both these sub-criteria be adjusted from the expert score of minimal/not addressed to a score of partial in both cases. The nomination provides a good analysis of key socio-economic issues facing the area (including age profiles and population decline), however it offers limited specific detail on how National Park designation would help to address these issues.

The nomination sets out the national and international importance of the area for Scotland’s tourism economy and it identifies a range of key, and immediate, visitor management issues, setting out how National Park designation could help address these (e.g. through a National Park Authority’s visitor management functions and its ability to work across and convene different communities, businesses and stakeholders).

The nomination identifies a range of issues of wider strategic importance (including climate change, active travel and tourism) but it provides limited detail about how National Park designation would help the area to deliver against these.

On local engagement, the nomination provides evidence of a broad and extensive level of public engagement with relevant groups and communities within the six months prior to submitting the nomination.

In terms of local support, the nomination demonstrates partial local support, however it also highlights a division in opinion between those supporting and those opposing National Park designation. For example, 918 survey responses indicated that 48.7% of respondents were in favour of a National Park whereas 42.6% were opposed and 8.7% were unsure. Highland Council have provided a letter to say that, since they have not had the opportunity to enable a formal debate and vote on Lochaber’s nomination, they cannot specifically support the nomination, however they do not object to it progressing to the next stage of the process.

The panel noted that further public and stakeholder engagement and consultation would need to be undertaken to determine the level of local support comprehensively. The panel also noted that the nominating group have made Lochaber’s nomination conditional on further detailed consultation and a ballot of residents aged 16 and over to determine the level of support for a National Park in a more comprehensive way.

Overall assessment for Lochaber nomination: