An intervention by chair, Mike Cantlay, pictured right, led to the rejection of scientific advice from NatureScot staff that the protected woodland would be damaged, according to internal documents obtained by The Ferret.

This paved the way for the development — a footpath and watchtower in The Trossachs by Loch Katrine — to be given the go-ahead.

The former Green MSP, Andy Wightman, called for an investigation and for Cantlay to “consider his position” if he was found to have acted inappropriately. The Scottish Greens, whose current MSP, Lorna Slater, is the minister responsible for NatureScot, warned that “serious questions” have to be asked about Cantlay’s intervention.

In 2018 Cantlay was described as a “strong supporter” of the developer, the Steamship Sir Walter Scott. He is also a former convener of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority and former chair of the Scottish Government’s tourism agency, VisitScotland.

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