What differentiates national parks from regional parks.

The National Parks(Scotland) Act 2000 provides powers for Scottish Ministers to designatenational parks where they are satisfied: that an area is of outstandingnational importance because of its natural, or natural and cultural heritage;that the area has a distinctive and coherent identity; and that designation ofa national park would represent the best means of meeting the special needs of the area. The Act identifies the aims of National Parks as:
(a) to conserve and enhancethe natural and cultural heritage of the area;
(b) to promote sustainableuse of the natural resources of the area;
(c) to promote understandingand enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the specialqualities of the area by the public; and
(d) to promote sustainableeconomic and social development of the area’s communities.
Regional Parks may bedesignated by local authorities under powers provided in the Wildlife andCountryside (Scotland) Act 1981. The Act defines a regional park as ‘anextensive area of land, part of which is devoted to the recreational needs of the public’. Regional Park designations are subject to confirmation byMinisters.