Bid launched for Loch Awe national park

A bid to create a new national park around Loch Awe has been launched by Avich and Kilchrenan Community Council.

 

The Scottish Government is asking communities across Scotland whether their local area could be designated as the country’s newest national park.

 

Individuals, groups or organisations considering making a proposal can now register early interest. Nominations will officially open later this year.

 

The government has committed to designating at least one new national park in Scotland by Spring 2026.

 

Registering their interest with the Scottish National Parks Strategy Project, Avich and Kilchrenan community councillor Niall MacLeod said: "I and my community council colleagues are heading a campaign to create a National Park at Loch Awe.

 

"We have also been looking at a Regional Park and the differences and likelihood of either being brought forward to a successful outcome.

 

"Most importantly the community councils from all around the loch have been consulted and all are in favour of going forward.

 

"Further to our Avich and Kilchrenan Community Council meeting yesterday (June 5) evening, in which we again discussed the creation of a national park around Loch Awe, [we] brought it to the attention of Kieron Green, the Argyll and Bute councillor.

 

"It was requested he now acknowledges our intent at the Argyll and Bute Council and to his fellow councillors to put it on their radar.

 

"Loch Awe is the longest fresh water loch in Scotland, it has 80 miles of shore line. This is home to a diverse and stunning selection of wildlife."