MINISTERS have been accused of dragging their feet over their pledge to create seven new national parks in Scotland as charities named at least seven more potential sites.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms have both attracted millions of visitors to their stunning natural beauty since they became national parks a decade ago.

The Scottish Campaign for National Parks (SCNP) and the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland (APRS) claim the country's unique environment needs to be better protected and recommended seven other sites.

In total, 3500 national parks exist around the world with 15 in the UK, including Scotland, and the charities have identified seven candidates for national park status in a new report.

The document, Unfinished Business, claimed further areas of outstanding importance of landscape and recreation in Scotland are worthy of national park designation and earmarks new locations in addition to Loch Lomond and the Cairngorms.

The charities argue Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and Black Mount deserve the accolade along with a coastal and marine national park, centred around Mull. They also claim the Cheviots should be turned into a national park as an extension to the Northumberland National Park.

Galloway, Glen Affric, the island of Harris and Wester Ross should also join them, argues the report published yesterday.

The charities believe Scotland has been slow to realise the potential of national parks, with expert reports in 1945, 1974 and 1990 recommending the establishment of a least four or five parks.

Last year, Northern Ireland's environment minister said he would be pursuing national park legislation and wanted two national parks there.

The charities point to the SNP manifesto at the 2011 election which included a commitment to work with communities to explore the creation of new national parks.

However, the charities said: "The SNP Scottish Government has taken no action to fulfil this commitment since then."

The community on the island of Harris supported the idea of a national park on the island in 2011.

However, the islands council did not support and it failed to received the backing ministers. The SCNP and APRS argue a Harris park should not be restricted to the terrestrial environment, but also include a coastal and marine element.

Jimmie Macgregor, president of APRS, said: "Scotland's landscapes rank among the best in the world – we have wild mountains, pristine rivers and lochs, ancient forests, stunning coastline and islands, all rich in wildlife and history. Yet out of 3500 national parks in the world, Scotland has only two. They have been a great success – surely it's time for more."

Bill McDermott, chairman of SCNP, said: "Scots-born naturalist, explorer and writer John Muir inspired the creation of the world's first national parks in 19th-century USA and is known as the Father of National Parks.

"It would be a fitting tribute to his memory if the Scottish Government committed to more national parks in 2014, the Year of Homecoming and the centenary of Muir's death."

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Few countries can match Scotland's natural environment, which offers an enjoyable and educational experience for people of all ages across the country. In this Year of Natural Scotland we are celebrating Scotland's great outdoors and encouraging Scots and visitors alike to appreciate the wealth of opportunities on offer from Shetland to the Borders.

"Our national parks go from strength to strength and play an important role in maintaining a green, unspoiled Scotland for future generations to enjoy, and in supporting the economic development of communities within the parks."

Ministers have agreed to meet with the SCNP in due course and will consider the report in full.

Scottish Conservative rural affairs spokesman Alex Fergusson said: "Had the SNP not put the brakes on further national park development when it came to power in 2007, Scotland would already be benefiting from more than just the two original national parks."