Living as we do on the fringes of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, we’ve had a ringside seat as to the challenges and benefits these protected spaces offer.

And now Scotland’s two parks, Loch Lomond and Cairngorms, are to become three within the next four years.

That will take the UK’s total to 16; three of the existing ones are in Wales and ten in England. Of the ten bidders for Scottish National Park status seven have been identified as contenders by the relevant campaign bodies.

 

The aurora borealis shines above Loch Lomond (Gerry Docherty)

The aurora borealis shines above Loch Lomond (Gerry Docherty)

 

These could do worse than take a gander at some of the tensions the existing parks have encountered; it’s always prudent to look before you make such a major leap.

Scotland has come quite late to this party, given that the earliest and best known American ones were set up in the middle of the 19th century, one of them, Yosemite, thanks in no small part to our own John Muir, who chronicled his travels there and helped draft the proposal.

But areas like Yosemite and the equally popular Yellowstone have proved more resistant to urban intrusion than some of those which followed them.

 

The John Muir Way above Loch Lomond (Pic - Becky Duncan for Scottish Natural Heritage)

The John Muir Way above Loch Lomond (Pic - Becky Duncan for Scottish Natural Heritage)

 

Readers of the Advertiser will be well aware of the bid to install a theme park on the shores of Loch Lomond, still the subject of a bitter battle between developers, who claim it will create jobs and boost the economy, and green activists, who say it will contravene the whole purposes of preserving and nourishing areas of natural beauty.

Then there’s been the stushie over wild camping. The folks who love the freedom implied, loathe the idea of that being curtailed by regulations and rangers. The objectors to it point to the dirty habits of some of the enthusiasts, leaving litter and worse around their impromptu sites.

 

Loch Lomond from Inverbeg, by Charlie McGinn

Loch Lomond from Inverbeg, by Charlie McGinn

 

So ca’ canny, all you folks lusting after National Park status. All, in fairness, have much to recommend them. The Scottish Borders are bonny and now home to the Great Tapestry of Scotland and a rail service from the capital. Though for my money the Galloway region is a much under-rated beauty spot too, and hosts the wondrous Spring Fling for artists and makers to welcome visitors.

Much as I love Mull and can see the attraction of a coastal and marine park, access to the islands at the moment is somewhat unpredictable. The area around Ben Nevis and Glencoe is already popular, not least with mountain bikers, but I’d say Fort William does not easily qualify as a glamorous destination.

 

The bonnie banks from Inveruglas

The bonnie banks from Inveruglas

 

Also flagged up as contenders are Glen Affric, Harris and Wester Ross, all of which are outstandingly beautiful, but I’m not convinced NP status would keep them that way. Those glorious beaches on Harris might be a mite less glorious covered in tourists, however popular the latter with local businesses.

If you want evidence of how an inspired idea can go partly agley look no further than the North Coast 500, sold as the ultimate road trip around the stunning landscape of Wester Ross, Caithness, Sutherland, Easter Ross and the Black Isle starting and ending at the highland capital of Inverness.

 

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs became Scotland’s first National Park in 2002, soon followed by the Cairngorms; a third will be added by 2026 (Image - Graham Christie)

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs became Scotland’s first National Park in 2002, soon followed by the Cairngorms; a third will be added by 2026 (Image - Graham Christie)

 

A brilliant concept, now blighted by an avalanche of motor homes and motor cyclists, all of whom bought into the notion of a fabulous staycation. However parts of the NC 500 are now so congested that locals complain they can’t go about their normal business.

Bits of the route, glorious as it is, feature single track roads which were never intended for massive vehicular traffic. Certainly not the kind which thinks passing places are the ideal parking spot for a daud of photography.