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Group behind Galloway National Park campaign disbanded

Getty A loch surrounded by trees and and a hilly landscape in the distanceGetty
Plans which could have seen Galloway become a national park were dropped last year

A group set up to campaign for Galloway to become a designated national park has been officially dissolved.

The Galloway National Park Association (GNPA) was created in 2016 and put forward the argument for the region to become Scotland's third national park, alongside the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs.

The Scottish Government dropped the plans in May 2025, following an extended consultation process.

The former chair of the GNPA, Rob Lucas, said it was "proud" to have fought for a national park and was grateful to everyone who had been involved and supported them.

The park, if created, would have covered large parts of Dumfries and Galloway, as well as parts of Ayrshire.

However, the emergence of the area as a potential site proved contentious.

Following an extended 14-week consultation, NatureScot delivered its findings in a report to the Scottish government, which then announced the decision not to proceed.

Campaigners in favour of the designation described that as a "missed opportunity" but opponents welcomed the move saying they were "very relieved".