Regional Parks
What are they?
Regional parks are large areas of attractive countryside which lie close to Scotland's larger towns and cities, and which are therefore popular for outdoor recreation. By their nature, regional parks often include landscapes which are considered to be of regional importance, and can also provide important havens for wildlife. The parks have been created in order to provide co-ordinated management for recreation alongside other land uses such as farming and forestry.
Where are they?
There are currently three regional parks in Scotland:
There is a local campaign for a new regional park in the Campsie Fells.
How are they protected and managed?
Regional parks are managed by local authorities, with support from Scottish Natural Heritage.
Although it is still formally designated, the management of the Loch Lomond Regional Park has been taken over by the National Park Authority as part of the larger Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park 
.
How are they selected and designated?
Regional parks are designated by local authorities, with support from Scottish Natural Heritage, under section 48A of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967 as amended by section 8 of the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1981 .