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Will designating an area as a National Park simply attract more visitors causing problems for communities and wildlife?
A major reason for the designation of Scotland’s first two National Parks in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs and the Cairngorms was that both were very popular areas for recreation and tourism. Managing this needed the long-term approach, powers and functions, and funding that National Parks bring.
While ongoing issues remain, both National Parks have demonstrated their ability to enhance visitor management for their areas and are working on long-term issues around local housing and sustainable traffic management.
Both now deploy their own ranger services which are properly equipped, permanent and financially supported to provide services and education, or fund others operating services in the Park.
Many parts of Lochaber already face similar challenges to those experienced in the two current National Parks but without the support and finance to find solutions. A National Park will be able to help manage for these visitors.
Lochaber could substantially benefit from enhanced visitor management. Tourism has changed substantially in recent years with the massive increase in mobile tourism, shorter stays, motorhomes and adventure and wildlife tourism all bringing new challenges for management. We have not kept up with the pace of change in rural Scotland and much could be done to protect the environment and provide a more sustainable system into the future. This will require human and financial resources to be effective and a National Park would provide this.
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