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Seòmar agus comataidhean

UNESCO Awards Official Global Geopark Status to Arran

  • Submitted by: Kenneth Gibson, Cunninghame North, Scottish National Party.
  • Date lodged: Friday, 25 April 2025
  • Motion reference: S6M-17291

That the Parliament welcomes that the Isle of Arran has been awarded official Geopark status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); recognises that this means worldwide recognition of the geology on the island, which has provided a habitat for humans and nature for thousands of years; understands that the announcement comes less than nine years after the idea was first mooted at a Cold Water Islands Conference hosted by VisitArran on the island in 2016, and was welcomed with delight by VisitArran CEO and chair of Arran Geopark, Sheila Gilmore, who highlighted that to gain UNESCO status is "an amazing accolade" and that thanks must go to all those in the community who have worked and contributed in any way to this achievement; is aware that UNESCO awards Geopark status to selected areas and is responsible for the World Heritage Sites around the globe; believes that Arran's microclimate plays a major factor in the island's local produce, from whisky to toiletries and that its popularity with tourists has long been recognised by visitors from across the world, and wishes everyone at VisitArran, the Arran Trust and Arran Geopark continued success.


Supported by: Karen Adam, Colin Beattie, Stephanie Callaghan, Finlay Carson, Annabelle Ewing, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Rona Mackay, Stuart McMillan, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance, Elena Whitham