Lochaber Geopark which covers the area around Ben Nevis, was designated in 2007 as one of six UK areas of geological interest, or ‘geoparks’, by UNESCO, but it has lost this status because it cannot afford to employ a required full-time officer.
Unesco has withdrawn geopark status from an area of the Highlands that inspired work by scientist Charles Darwin in the 1800s.
Volunteers running Lochaber Geopark could not raise the funds needed to employ a full-time project officer, a requirement of the designation.
The status, which aims to protect and promote landscapes, was awarded by Unesco in 2007.
Scotland’s other parks are North West in Sutherland and Geopark Shetland.
The status is revalidated every four years.
For the Lochaber Geopark see: LINK
BBC News: LINK
