Supporting Scotland’s Geoparks
Scotland’s Geoparks are areas that have sites and landscapes of international geological significance, that are promoted and managed for tourism, conservation and education. Geoparks in Scotland are expected to be financially self-sustaining, and they do not receive any on-going funding from the Scottish Government. Each Geopark is run by a local community organisation, so they have different structures and priorities. The Scottish Geology Trust recognises the value and importance of Geoparks in Scotland, as regions of best practice, with management plans that complement our vision and charitable aims.
Scotland’s Geoparks are where geology meets the public. With over 40,000 visitors to their visitor centres every year, they provide a key interface for promoting Scottish geology.
In the short-term SGT will provide a focus for the promotion of the geoparks and provision of advice and information sharing. In the medium term, core funding for geoparks will be a priority, together with working with partner organisations to widen opportunities for the public to come face-to-face with geology.
The Trust will work with all partner organisations and bodies to build a strong case for the importance of the geoparks to society as a whole, and bring this to the attention of government, industry, wider geological communities and the general public.
Explore Scotland’s Geoparks:
• Shetland UNESCO Global Geopark
• North West Highlands UNESCO Global Geopark
• Lochaber Geopark
• Arran Geopark
The Scottish Geology Trust will:
- Support the core running costs of Geoparks in Scotland, where needed to ensure sustainability.
- Advocate on behalf of Geoparks to policy makers, the government and business sector. There is an urgent requirement for the integration of geoheritage into the broader social, economic and nature conservation policies for rural areas and we will press for recognition in national and local policy, and by the business sector, to assist in the future sustainability of Geoparks.
- Foster a culture of partnership working for the fulfilment of these fundamental requirements, backed up by policy.
- Provide an advice service for those communities interested in creating new geoparks, geology parks or similar, by providing contact with existing bodies such as the UK Committee for UNESCO Global Geoparks.
- Encourage volunteering at geoparks by all those interested in geology.