Mark Gibson OBE has spent 24 years restoring and reviving the 3,000-acre Craigengillan Estate in East Ayrshire, on the banks of Loch Doon.
Mark has long been committed to the idea of a National Park and is a patron of GNPA (the Galloway National Park Association) which has been campaigning for designation since 2017.
The association is firmly in favour of plans to create Scotland’s newest national park, which would cover parts of East and South Ayrshire, as well as Dumfries and Galloway.
Craigengillan Estate owner, Mark Gibson (Image: Colin Hattersley) A public consultation is currently under way, and runs until February 14, allowing locals to access information about the proposals.
Mark’s firm belief is that a National Park could prove a powerful force in bringing together and strengthening existing conservation work, as well as allowing the funding of new opportunities.
In addition, he believes it would be a source of many new jobs and business opportunities, not least because local producers and service providers could market themselves under a new National Park brand.
He said: “National Park status would enhance our ability to do much more for the region and to create a better future for so many people, particularly younger people and future generations.
“National Parks are very good at bringing people together to collaborate in the interests of nature, the environment and the community, and that’s very much what we need.”
Plans are earmarked for a site covering parts of Ayrshire (Image: NQ Archive) Having worked to help with economic regeneration efforts for the village of Dalmellington, which suffered badly when mining came to an end, he is acutely aware of the need to develop new, fulfilling and sustainable sources of employment.
The Craigengillan Estate has existed for around 400 years, but its fortunes retreated in the 20th century, with Mark pouring his heart and soul into it.
Mark said: “There was a lot of disrepair when I first found it, but there was a magic too – a bit like a sleeping beauty.
“Underneath all the dereliction you could see the beauty that there was in all sorts of ways – in the landscape, in the amazing wildlife habitats, in the historic buildings. Much has been achieved, but so much more is possible.
“And I firmly believe that a National Park would make it so much easier for projects all across the region to succeed and bring so many benefits to our region.”