Towards a Mission Statement

The reappraisal of SCNP gives an opportunity for the organisation to define the nature of the body it seeks to develop; how that has changed with changed circumstances, what new requirements need to be taken into account in the changed circumstances; what overriding central purpose and direction it seeks to pursue; why it should be in business at all; what are its values and what constitutes its unique contribution. The answer to these points allows for a clear focus on the ethos, values and direction of the organisation, as originally expressed in the constitution, and encapsulates why SCNP remains relevant to the national parks debate.

The Objects

The objects and purposes of SCNP have recently been updated to take account of charitable status and the new legislative climate within which it now operates. It is clear that the objects remain relevant to the developing situation with national parks in Scotland and give enough flexibility to meet all foreseeable circumstances.

The Original Vision

The original vision of the organisation pre-dates the national parks legislation and, not unreasonably, was geared to securing that legislation as a first step. Thus it campaigned for a limited number of national parks to be established in Scotland largely in line with the Mountain Areas of Scotland report by the former Countryside Commission for Scotland.

Changed Circumstances

The changed circumstances brought about through the new legislation heightens the need for a much better geared voluntary sector to increase the awareness of national park issues amongst the population at large and the government and agencies in particular.

New Requirements

Now that the first step of national parks legislation has been achieved, the focus of the organisation will now shift to one of helping to secure optimum stewardship of national parks as they are established and managed and to addressing aspirations for further national parks. In both cases SCNP has a strong and robust view on what is required to secure sustainable management of Scotland's finest land and seascapes. starting with the need for independent park authorities with full responsibility for planning.

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