Protection of the natural environment must be at the forefront of an enlarged Cairngorms national park.

That’s the view of the John Muir Trust, named after the originator of the national park concept, which expressed its support for the extension of the park into the area around Blair Atholl. A public consultation into legislation to allow the enlargement ends on Friday.

Speaking today, the JMT chief executive Nigel Hawkins said: “We welcome this proposal to move the park’s boundary south to take in Blair Atholl and spectacular nearby hills such as Beinn a’Ghlo.

“The Park currently only includes the northern Cairngorms. This extension will embrace the southern Cairngorm mountains as well, truly earning Scotland’s first national park the title of ‘The Cairngorms National Park’.

“Right now the only indication that you are entering Britain’s largest national park is a sign by the road at Drumochter,” he said.

“Moving the boundary to Blair Atholl will give the park greater presence, as well as bringing potential economic benefits to area.”

But he warned that protection of the environment in the Cairngorms must come before the need to boost economic activity in the region.

“At this review of national parks, after their first five years, we must remember that the Parks were established to protect our best natural heritage.

“This must be foremost and will contribute to economic aims. Tourists come to see stunning landscapes and wildlife. Let’s not kill the golden goose by putting short-term economic gain first.”

The Cairngorms national park is home to 16,000 people; 40 per cent of its area is protected by designations protecting its environment, much of which is of international significance.

The Cairngorms National Park Boundary Bill was introduced into the Scottish Parliament by MSP John Swinney, the Scottish Nationalist Party member for North Tayside.

The John Muir Trust is named after the Dunbar-born founding father of the national-park movement. After emigrating to America as a child, he successfully campaigned for the establishment of national parks to safeguard vast tracts of wild lands such as Yosemite Valley in California.

The trust owns and manages Schiehallion, Quinag, Sandwood Bay and parts of Ben Nevis and the Red Cuillin on Skye.