Scotland's First Geopark is Launched

19 September 2005

Scotland's first Geopark was launched by TV celebrity Professor Aubrey Manning on September 12th amidst music, poems and fun activities for the public. The launch was timed to be part of the Scottish Geology Festival and was held at Scottish Natural Heritage's (SNH) Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve (NNR) in Sutherland, which forms part of the Geopark.

Professor Manning, presenter of the BBC series 'Talking Landscapes' and 'Earth Story', is a zoologist, author and frequent broadcaster. His last TV series 'Earth Story' attracted audiences of up to three million viewers and he has been dubbed 'Geology's Mascot' by The Geological Society, the UK national society for the geo-sciences.

The North West Highlands Geopark is a 2000km2 area which represents some of Europe's most outstanding geological treasures. As well as the NNR, the park includes limestone caves which house bones of polar bear and wolves, the famous sea stack of the Old Man of Stoer, and 'Lewisian Gneiss', which at 3000 million years old, is Europe's oldest rock.

The Geopark is expected to attract visitors and help to support sustainable economic development in the area. Geopark status is a European accolade and is recognised by UNESCO. It was awarded to the North West Highlands because of the area's geology and the existing visitor facilities.

The purposes of a Geopark are to protect geological heritage, promote geology to the public and to use geology and other aspects of its natural and cultural heritage to promote sustainable economic development, normally through tourism.

Other areas that have secured Geopark status have seen considerable benefit from it, mainly through increased nature-based tourism. The Geopark initiative is expected to help the Highlands compete better in a wider national and international nature-based tourism market place.

Jack McConnell MSP, First Minister of Scotland, lent his support to the new Geopark and commented:

"This is not only an achievement for Wester Ross and North West Sutherland, but for Scotland as a whole. Congratulations to all those involved in what is the first of its kind in Scotland - clearly marking the North West Highlands as having special qualities on an international scale. It will be a valuable accolade for Scotland."

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