Scottish Coastal and Marine National Park

The Scottish Executive has launched a roadshow as part of a consultation process to get feedback on the creation of Scotland's first Coastal and Marine National Park. The touring vehicle is fitted with high-tech facilities to show short films on all ten candidate areas - Solway, Argyll Islands and Coast, Ardnamurchan, Small Isles and the South Skye Coast, North Skye Coast and Wester Ross, North Uist, Sound of Harris, Harris and South Lewis. The proposals have become controversial, with environmentalists arguing strongly in favour of the plan. But local businesses and inshore fishermen are worried that a national park would impose additional bureaucracy and restrictions on commerce in Scotland's fragile coastal communities. But the government and its advisors insist that coastal and marine-based activity should be managed in a more sustainable manner, for the long-term benefit of Scotland's national heritage.