New Board members announced following National Park elections

They were chosen by the people who live here in the National Park following an election count which took place last night (Thursday 7th July 2022) at National Park Authority Headquarters in Balloch.

One member was elected in each of the five electoral wards across the National Park.

• Iain Shonny Paterson was elected in Ward 1 (Cowal and North Loch Lomond) with 343 votes. Shonny, as he is known locally, has sat on the Board since November 2020 as a local authority nominated member for Argyll & Bute Council.
• David Fettes was elected in Ward 2 (Breadalbane and the Trossachs) with 646 votes. David is a rural postman from Killin where he also sits on the local community council.
• Environmental consultant and former community councillor, Richard Johnson was elected in Ward 3 (Callander) with 427 votes.
• Drymen Bakery and Deli owner, David Mackie was elected in Ward 4 (East Loch Lomond and Port of Menteith) with 359 votes.
• Sid Perrie was elected in Ward 5 (West Loch Lomond and Balloch) with 420 votes. Sid is a former ecologist and science teacher from Balloch.

Voting in the election, which takes place every four years via postal ballot, was open to all registered voters who live in the National Park and are aged over 16 years old. Turn out across the Park was 31%.

The election was organised by Stirling Council on behalf of the National Park Authority, with Depute returning office Graeme Forrester presiding over the count proceedings.

The National Park Authority Board is responsible for making strategic decisions for the Park on matters such as nature, climate, visitor management and planning. Locally elected members bring valuable understanding and perspective of the Park’s local businesses and communities but also champion and help deliver Park Authority objectives within their wards.

Board Convenor James Stuart said: “Congratulations to our five successful candidates who have been elected to the National Park Authority Board. They join us at an exciting time as this month we are celebrating 20 years of the National Park so far.

“They also join us at a pivotal moment for the organisation, as we begin to set a new long term vision for the National Park and shift our focus to step up commitments to climate and nature for the local area and for Scotland as a whole.

“I am delighted to have Shonny, David, Richard, David and Sid on Board to help shape a better, more sustainable future for the National Park.

“I also want to say a big thank you to our five outgoing Board members for their years of service and hard work.”

The newly elected members take up their duties with immediate effect and their term will run until July 2026.

You can read the election results in full and find out more about National Park Board and Committees.