WELCOME FOR HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE INCLUSION IN CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK

WELCOME FOR HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE INCLUSION IN CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK

North Tayside MSP, Mr John Swinney, Perth and North Perthshire MP, Mr Pete Wishart, and Highland Ward Councillor, Ms Kate Howie, have today [Wednesday], welcomed the confirmation that Highland Perthshire will be included in the Cairngorms National Park.

The modification of the Cairngorms National Park Designation Order was included in a report on Scotland’s National Parks, published by the Scottish Government.

Commenting on the news, Mr Swinney said:

“I am delighted to hear that this report has included the designation order to extend the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park to include Highland Perthshire.

“Local people will be fully aware of my commitment to this campaign, including through my private member’s bill on this issue while I was a backbencher and my vigorous campaigning. It is great to see that this is finally coming to fruition.

“I hope that the order can be concluded soon and that we can officially have Highland Perthshire where it belongs- as the gateway to the Cairngorms National Park.”

Mr Wishart added:

“Once again, the SNP Government has delivered for the people of Highland Perthshire.

“It is crazy that Highland Perthshire has previously been excluded from the Cairngorms National Park. Now this anomaly has been put right.

“This will be of great benefit to Highland Perthshire and I know that it will be keenly welcomed by the local people.”

Councillor Howie said:

“During my election campaign, I met with the then Environment Minister, Mike Russell MSP. He made a commitment to me that the boundaries of the Cairngorms National Park would be changed.

“I am delighted to see that this promise has been kept and that we are seeing the orders published for the inclusion of Highland Perthshire within the Cairngorms National Park.

“Already, in places such as Blair Atholl, we have been working hard in anticipation of this change, with the development of the gateway centre. This gives us the impetus to continue with our work in the area.”
Graphic courtesy of VISITSCOTLAND