MUCH of Scotland could easily be designated as a national park given it’s stunning beauty and worldwide popularity.

But of course there are only two designated national parks in Scotland, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms.

It is fair to say that both are not to everyone’s taste, particularly residents who have long complained that it brings an extra level of bureaucracy that they could well do without.

However, there is also little doubt that there have been great improvements within the parks, particularly in infrastructure improvements that make the visitor experience so much better.

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But does Scotland need another one? That all depends on who you ask really. The government has promised to create at least one new national park by 2026, and the nomination process closes on February 29.

Scottish national parks aim to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of outstanding landscapes National park status also means promoting the understanding, enjoyment and sustainable use and development of the area and local people have a greater say in decisions affecting the park compared with other areas.

Several areas have already put themselves forward including the Lammermuir hills in the Borders and Glen Affric and Loch Ness.

But there is a potential row brewing over another area – Skye and the neighbouring islands of Raasay and Rona which is also being proposed if islanders back the idea.

Judging by the first set of comments, many islanders do not back the idea at all and it is hard to blame them given Skye’s recent problems with over tourism.

Mark Wringe, of Sleat, told the BBC that a public consultation event had not provided him with insights into advantages of having the designation.

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He said: “I really want to know what they are because my fears are there are an awful lot of disadvantages, in particular the philosophical problem that we are seen as a park and a recreational resource.

“I think that most of urban Scotland doesn’t see that we are a community that lives and works here, as we always have done. I think if we are seen as just a play place that is detrimental to life here and other places like Skye.”

Skye and other islands have suffered badly in recent years from an influx of visitors that the infrastructure simply can’t cope with.

By designating the most popular island as a national park – namely Skye – then this would surely only encourage even more visitors to cross the bridge.

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Then there is the added layer of bureaucracy to contend with which could hinder future housing developments which all of the islands desperately need.

Affordable housing schemes, such as one which opened recently on the island with others currently under construction, may be delayed by new rules which apply to national parks.

The islands face unique problems and it is hard to see how becoming a national park will help to address these adequately.

There will be some benefits of course and islanders must be told what these are before hey can make a considered judgment on whether to support it or not.

Vague, woolly promises will not do anybody any good at all.