Galloway national park 'would boost Doon Valley economy'

That's the view of Dalmellington estate owner Mark Gibson, who has campaigned for the last six years for neighbouring Galloway to get the award. 

The charted surveyor and zoologist says Dalmellington would be one of the key entry points into the new proposed national park, and would give the local economy a boost in the same way as it has done to the two national parks Scotland already has, in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and in the Cairngorms.

Mark, who owns the Craigengillan Estate, believes the decision will also benefit Cumnock and other southern parts of East Ayrshire.

The 72-year-old is a member and trustee of the Galloway National Park Association, which made a joint bid for national park status for the area, along with the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO biosphere team.

Mark Gibson owns the Craigengillan estate near Dalmellington, close to the border with Dumfries and Galloway. (Image: Contributed)

Mark is also a former trustee of Dumfries House, which has become a major draw for visitors and a huge contributor to the area's economy since it opened its doors to visitors in 2008. 

He says the decision to choose Galloway as the proposed location for the country's third national park is "fantastic news".

A final decision on the proposed designation is expected next year.

Mark told the Chronicle: "It will hopefully bring outside investment and visitors to the area as well as being good for nature.

"We believe that Dalmellington will become an important gateway to the new national park.

"At the moment visitors coming from the south bypass Galloway and head straight north to places like Loch Lomond. Hopefully that will no longer happen.

"The proposal to make Galloway a national park also gives us something that we can now promote and market to visitors."

Population projections issued by East Ayrshire Council earlier this year predict that the number of people living in the Doon Valley electoral ward will fall by 4 per cent by 2028.

That forecast, if it comes true, would continue a steady trend of population decline in the Doon Valley area which has seen the number of people living in Dalmellington itself fall by more than 7 per cent since 1991.

In Patna, the population has dropped by 17.8 per cent in the same period, and in Bellsbank the decline is an eye-watering 36.55 per cent in the last 32 years - from 2,041 people to just 1,295.

Now demolished, these empty and surplus homes in Mossdale Terrace in Bellsbank, pictured in 2010, were a stark sign of the Doon Valley area's significant population decline. (Image: Google Street View)

Mark says that Galloway, like Dalmellington, has an ageing population, and also the lowest levels of youth employment in Scotland.

But he believes that decline can be reversed in the coming years - and says that national park status, and the increase in visitor numbers that is expected to result, can have a big part to play in turning round the area's fortunes.

He added: "We are confident that that a national park can deliver in the same way as Dumfries House.

"Since the announcement we have already received inquiries from people asking about the availability of B&B.

"We are also hoping it will encourage young people to stay here in Dalmellington rather than leave to the bigger towns and cities."

The handsome mansion house at Craigengillan, and the 3,000 acres or so of land surrounding it, was once owned by Scottish roads engineer and tarmac inventor John Macadam.

Over the years it's been visited by the likes of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Prince Rainer III of Monaco, Somerset Maugham, Prime Ministers Neville Chamberlain and Stanley Baldwin, and King Gustav and Queen Helena of Sweden, to name but a few.

Mr Gibson bought the estate 25 years ago and has since transformed it into an area of native woodland, pasture, wetlands, heaths, lochs, an organic sheep farm, stables, forestry and holiday accommodation.

But his enthusiasm for turning the the neighbouring region into a national park isn't shared by everyone.

The national park bid for Galloway was submitted jointly by the Galloway National Park Association and the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere. (Image: Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere)

Some farmers say they fear it will create added layers of bureaucracy and red tape, while other opponents say the estimated £10 million annual cost would be better spent on local services and building projects.

If the proposal gets the go-ahead, Galloway will have its own elected national park authority and could also be given planning powers.

Galloway was nominated against rival bids from the Scottish Borders, Lochaber, Loch Awe and Tay Forest.

The successful bid highlighted the area's "diverse landscapes and stunning coastline, its outstanding biodiversity and rich cultural heritage".

Local people will now be consulted on whether Galloway should become a new national park and where the boundary should be drawn.

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon confirmed in July that Galloway is the government's preferred site for a proposed new national park.

NatureScot will lead the public consultation before submitting its findings next April

The Scottish Government will then take a final decision on national park status, before approval by the Scottish parliament.

Rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon MSP said:"The proposal is community led, has the backing of many local businesses and makes a strong case on the benefits that national park status will bring for people who live in the area, for the local economy and for the environment.

"At this stage it is still a proposal."

Galloway, which has the largest forest in Britain, will bring the total number of national parks in the UK to 16 if its designation is confirmed next year.