In June 2005,the Scottish Executive announced their intention to create Scotland's first coastal & marine national park during 2008. This follows the Government's consideration of the responses received from the consultation on ‘Strategic Framework for Scotland's Marine Environment’ in 2004.

As a first step towards establishing a coastal and marine national park, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) was requested by the Scottish Executive to provide advice on some of the aims,powers and governance structure.

Following extensive stakeholder engagement and debate, this advice has now been finalised and on 31st March 2006 it was submitted to Scottish Ministers. Ministers will undertake a formal consultation during 2006.

Further details of this consulation will be available in due course, once Ministers have had time to consider SNH's advice and decide on the next steps. Further extensive consultation would then be required as part of the formal designation process required to establish a national park during 2008.

Further information