ORGANISERS of a public meeting in New Cumnock were encouraged by the level of interest in Scotland’s newest national park.

Representatives of the Galloway National Park Association were at the town hall to host the latest of a series of events seeking people’s views and comments.

A large section of East Ayrshire would be included within the park’s boundaries with New Cumnock a potential gateway to its northernmost section.

Andy McNab, a trustee of the association, said: “We were delighted to meet residents of New Cumnock who were clearly both interested in the idea and very clear about its importance.

“Feedback included the issue of the countryside around New Cumnock, which has been blighted by open cast mining, also that much of the forestry has reached maturity and is being felled.

“People recognised why the area was not proposed for inclusion in the park itself but considered that the village and surrounding area could benefit from becoming a northern gateway to it.

“Many of those in attendance recognised that traditionally national parks have been designated to manage recreational pressures but, in the case of Galloway, the designation was seen as a means to fostering rural regeneration.”

Questions were asked about how a national park might operate and how it could benefit the area as a whole at the meeting — there have been 34 held so for with an accumulative total of more than 1,000 going along.

Mr McNab added: “Everything that was said will be carefully considered and reported to a conference in the autumn when a decision will be made on whether to take the campaign to Holyrood as the next stage.”

Scottish Ministers will only start the process of designation if they can see genuine, grassroots approval from the people concerned.