Caithness and Sutherland's Flow Country may benefit as Scotland’s New National Park stakeholder consultation is launched

The Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland may achieve national park status after the launch of a consultation today.

The New National Park stakeholder consultation, led by NatureScot, marks the next stage of the Scottish Government’s commitment to establish at least one new national park by spring 2026.

Contributions are invited to help define how a new national park will protect and restore nature, tackle climate change and promote sustainable land use.

It is nearly 20 years since the first two national parks were created in Scotland. Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park was established in 2002 and Cairngorms National Park was established in 2003, following the approval of the National Parks (Scotland) Act in 2000.

NatureScot has already established a national stakeholder advisory group to bring together a wide range of organisations and sectors with an interest in achieving this goal. Now further key stakeholder and interest groups from across Scotland’s local authorities, visitor destination groups, conservation, planning and education bodies are being invited to contribute to the new national park consultation about the role of Scotland’s national parks and the criteria for selecting a new one.

The New National Park stakeholder consultation will be open for contributions until November 2022.

Highland Council leader Cllr Raymond Bremner previously said that Caithness could benefit from national park status for the Flow Country. He welcomed an opportunity for a new national park in Highland after the Scottish Government’s biodiversity minister Lorna Slater opened the debate back in June. "I think that the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland is an excellent example of opportunity for a national park among the numerous others through the Highlands," said the council leader.

"I have advocated the benefits of World Heritage status for the Flow Country over the past few years and believe that national park status would further promote the national and global asset that we have on our doorstop. I'm keen for us to follow through on this and other options we have here in Caithness and in the greater Highlands."

Biodiversity minister Lorna Slater said: “Our national parks do essential work to restore our natural environment, tackle the climate crisis, help manage facilities for visitors, promote responsible access and develop sustainable communities. That is why we are committed to establish at least one new national park in Scotland by the end of this Parliamentary session in 2026."

Alongside conserving and enhancing nature, Scotland’s national parks also have aims to promote the sustainable use of the area’s natural resources; the public’s understanding and enjoyment of its special features; and the social and economic development of the communities who live there.

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