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Cairngorms National Park PlanProgress 2009/10

Published by the Cairngorms National Park Authority © CNPA 2010. All rights reserved.ISBN 978-1-906071-11-0

www.cairngorms.co.uk

Photography by: Anke Addy, Albyn Housing Society, www.cairngormlandscapes.co.uk, Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust, CNPA, Peter Cairns, David Gowans, Stewart Grant, Neil McIntyre, Alison Lax, VisitScotland, Will Boyd Wallis.

Front cover photo: Loch Insh © David Gowans

• Aberdeenshire Council

• Aberdeenshire Rural Housing Enabler

• Angus Council

• Association of Cairngorms Communities and all the Community Councils and Community Associations in the National Park

• Aviemore and the Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation

• Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group

• British Geological Survey

• Cairngorms Campaign

• Cairngorms Chamber of Commerce

• Cairngorms Deer Advisory Group

• Cairngorms Farmers Market

• Cairngorms Hostels

• Cairngorms LEADER

• Cairngorms Local Biodiversity Action Plan Project

• Cairngorms National Park Authority

• Cairngorms Water Vole Project

• Creative Cairngorms

• Crofters Commission

• Dee Catchment Management Partnership

• Deer Commission Scotland

• Deer Management Groups in the Cairngorms

• Forest Research Services

• Forestry Commission Scotland

• Highland and Moray House Builders

• Highland Council

• Highland Foundation for Wildlife

• Highland Housing Alliance

• Highland Small Communities Housing Trust

• Highlands and Islands Enterprise

• Historic Scotland

• Homes for Scotland

• John Muir Trust

• Lantra Scotland

• Learning and Teaching Scotland

• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority

• Macaulay Institute

• Moray Council

• National Farmers Union Scotland

• National Trust for Scotland

• North East Mountain Trust

• North East Scotland Biological Records Centre

• Royal Commission on Ancient & Historic Monuments Scotland

• Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms Destination Management Organisation

• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

• Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society

• Scottish Enterprise

• Scottish Environment Link

• Scottish Environment Protection Agency

• Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

• Scottish Government Housing and Regeneration Directorate

• Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate

• Scottish Natural Heritage

• Scottish Rural Property and Business Association

• Scottish Water

• SportScotland

• The Cairngorms National Park Advisory Forums

• The estates, farmers and other land managers in the Cairngorms National Park - in particular, Alvie & Dalraddy, Balmoral,The Crown Estate Glenlivet,Glen Feshie, Kinveachy, Lynaberack, Mar Lodge and Rothiemurchus estates, and those estates who are part of the Caenlochan Glen Section 7 Control Agreement

• The Heather Trust

• UHI Millennium Institute

• VisitScotland

• Wild Scotland

The range of partners who helped implement the Cairngorms National Park Plan during 2009-2010.

Cairngorms National Park Plan Progress 2009/10 1

Contents

List of partners 1

Foreword 3

Introduction 4

The Cairngorms National Park Plan and the Progress Report 2009/10 4-5

Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscapes 6-7

Integrating Public Support for Land Management 8-9

Supporting Sustainable Deer Management 10-11

Providing High Quality Opportunities for Outdoor Access 12-13

Making Tourism and Business More Sustainable 14-15

Making Housing More Affordable and Sustainable 16-17

Raising Awareness and Understanding of the Park 18-19

Cairngorms National Park illustrated panorama Inside Back Cover

The VisionImagine a world class National Park.

An outstanding environment in which the natural and cultural

resources are cared for by the people who live there and visit; a

renowned international destination with fantastic opportunities

for all to enjoy its special places; an exemplar of sustainable

development showing how people and place thrive together.

A National Park that makes a significant contribution to our local,

regional and national identity.

This is our vision for the Cairngorms National Park in 2030.Frosty scene

Cairngorms National Park Plan Progress 2009/10 2 3

Foreword Facal-toisich

Tha nas lugha na dà bhliadhna aig Plana PàircNàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh ri dhol gu 2012 musbi tionndadh ùr air a chleachdadh airson 2012 gu2017.Tha mi air leth toilichte gu bheil sùil againnam bliadhna ri còrr air trì chairteal de thoraidheana’ Phlana seo a bhith air an coileanadh aig 2012 –mòran a bharrachd air a’ mheasadh a bha againnan-uiridh. Bha seo mar thoradh air obair nan com-pàirtichean uile ann an lìbhrigeadh Plana naPàirce agus an ‘Sgrùdadh Slàinte’ a rinn sinn an-uiridh airson measadh air adhartas.

Bha coileanadh anns gach Prìomh-amas Gnìomhaann am Plana na Pàirce rè na bliadhna a chaidhseachad. Am measg an fheadhainn as cudromaichedhomhsa tha stèidheachadh foirmeil Com-pàirteachas Gnothachais a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidhagus leasachadh leantainneach air pròiseactan tronphrògram Clim-ATIC a fhuair maoineachadh bhonAonadh Eòrpach, a’ gabhail a-steach Carbad Dealaina’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh agus brosnachadh connadh-fiodha ionadail mar chumhachd a tha nas ìsle annan gualan ann am Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ MhonaidhRuaidh.

Rè 2010, tha sinn cuideachd a’ cur ar n-aire air dèna prìomhachasan a bu chòir a bhith san ath PhlanaPàirc Nàiseanta, a bhios a’ ruith bho 2012 gu 2017.Mar sin bidh CNPA a’ bruidhinn ri mòran dhaoineagus chom-pàirtichean bho na h-earrannan poblach,prìobhaideach agus saor-thoileach gus dreachd dePhlana Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh adheasachadh airson co-chomhairle ann an 2011.

The Cairngorms National Park Plan now has lessthan two years to run to 2012 before a newversion is used for 2012 to 2017. I'm delighted thatthis year we expect more than three quarters ofthe outcomes in this Park Plan to be completed by2012 – a big increase over our assessment from lastyear.This has been down to all the partners' workin delivering the Park Plan and to the 'Health-Check' we held last year to take stock of progress.

There have been achievements in each of the ParkPlan's Priorities for Action during the past year.Those that stand out for me include the formalestablishment of the Cairngorms BusinessPartnership and the continued development ofprojects through the EU funded Clim-ATICprogramme, including the introduction of theCairngorms Electric Vehicle and promotion of local woodfuel as a lower carbon energy source in the Cairngorms National Park.

During 2010, we are also turning our attention towhat the priorities should be for the next NationalPark Plan, that will run from 2012 to 2017.TheCNPA will therefore speak to many people andpartners from the public, private and voluntarysectors in order to produce a draft CairngormsNational Park Plan for consultation in 2011.

David Green/Daibhidh Green

Convener/Neach-gairm

Cairngorms National Park Authority

Ùghdarras Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh

The Cairngorms National Park Planwas developed to co-ordinate andprioritise the special managementneeds of the Cairngorms NationalPark. It is the blueprint for how theCairngorms National Park will bemanaged over the next 25 years.

The Cairngorms National Park Planwas prepared by the CairngormsNational Park Authority (CNPA) inpartnership with all those groups,organisations and individuals from thepublic, private, community andvoluntary sectors already managingthe Park. It sets out the long-termvision (25 years) for the Park and thepriorities for action for the first fiveyears of the Plan from 2007-2012.

The Cairngorms National Park Planand the Progress Report 2009/10

This annual progress report for theCairngorms National Park Plan hasbeen prepared by the CairngormsNational Park Authority (CNPA) onbehalf of all the partners whoimplement it.

The report summarises what hasbeen achieved for each of the ParkPlan's seven priorities for action in2009/10; where we think we are indelivering the Plan's five-yearoutcomes; and also highlights futurework and milestones. Each priorityalso incorporates a case study topractically illustrate the range ofachievements and activities in more depth.

The day to day management of theCairngorms National Park continuesto be carried out by the organisations,land managers, businesses, communitiesand individuals who did so before thearea became a National Park.

Introduction

The Cairngorms and Nethy Bridge from Broomhill

The seven Priorities for Action for 2007–2012 are:

• Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscapes• Integrating Public Suppor t for Land Management• Suppor ting Sustainable Deer Management• Providing High Quality Oppor tunities for Outdoor Access• Making Tourism and Business More Sustainable• Making Housing More Affordable and Sustainable• Raising Awareness and Understanding of the Park

Many of them also deliver services,manage and contribute to the Park'sspecial qualities in ways that theCairngorms National Park Plan doesnot need to prioritise or co-ordinate.Their work remains vital to theCairngorms National Park's success.

Monitoring the progress of eachpriority is reported to the CairngormsNational Park Authority board everyfour months.These reports can beviewed on the Cairngorms NationalPark Authority's website(www.cairngorms.co.uk).


The CairngormsNational ParkPlan and the ProgressReport 2009/10

Walking group

Progress in 2009/10

Despite many changes taking place inthe National Park and the worldaround it since the first National ParkPlan was launched in 2007, significantprogress during 2009/10 was made.

Figure 1 demonstrates that 78 percent of the expected priorities foraction outcomes highlighted in theoriginal plan are expected to beachieved by 2012 with the work thatis already planned and committed.Some of the remaining 22 per centof outcomes are likely to be achievedby 2012 or soon after with plannedwork, but some may need reviewedor taken forward in the nextPark Plan.

This overall picture is much healthierthan that painted in last year'sprogress report.This is due to furtherprogress being made over the pastyear and to a more consistentapproach to assessment beingimplemented through the mid-term'Health Check' that was co-ordinatedlast year.

Next steps

By the time this report is published inthe Summer of 2010, all stakeholderswill be engaged on the issues thatneed to be tackled for the next five-year National Park Plan that will takeeffect from 2012 onwards.This newPlan needs to be ready forconsultation by Summer 2011 withthe final plan presented to Ministersearly in 2012 for approval.

Should be achieved with existing work/resource

Needs more work/resource to be achieved

0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0 8 0 9 0 1 0 0

All National Park Plan Five-Year Outcomes

Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscapes

Integrating Public Support for Land Management

Supporting Sustainable Deer Management

Providing High Quality Opportunities for Outdoor Access

Making Tourism and Business more Sustainable

Making Housing More Affordable and Sustainable

Raising Awareness and Understanding of the Park

32 outcomes

7 outcomes

2 outcomes

4 outcomes

6 outcomes

6 outcomes 1outcome

2 outcomes 2 outcomes

5 outcomes 2 outcomes

9 outcomes

2 outcomes

1 outcome

1outcome

Prio

ritie

s fo

r A

ctio

n

Percentage

Figure 1 - Progress towards five-year outcomes

Achievements during 2009/10

• A rare plant project was established to secure the future survival of four of the rarest and most endangered plants in the Cairngorms National Park

• A pictorial guide on dragonflies and damselflies was produced to help people report sightings of these incredible insects

• Seven approvals worth £31,000 were made under the Cairngorms Biodiversity Grant Scheme

• A campaign to eradicate non-nativeplants was undertaken

• Initial preparations were progressed for a Big BioBuzz Day that will encourage as many people as possible to get involved in biodiversity related activities

• The creation of a community heritage officer post to help develop the cultural heritage ambitions of communities around the Park

• The first ever Scottish wildcat officer was appointed to manage a project that aims to secure the future survival of this endangered species

This priority for action is intended toensure that the important geology,wildlife, habitats, diverse landscapesand human history of the CairngormsNational Park are at least maintainedand wherever possible strengthened.

It recognises that many of thesefeatures are important because of theway people have lived and managedthe land in the past, and that currentand future management holds the keyto their continued health.

It is likely that the outcomes for thispriority for action should besubstantially achieved by 2012 withwork that is programmed. Challengesexist in developing projects thatimprove habitat connectivity withinthe Park.The 2010 International Yearof Biodiversity will provide a particularimpetus to both engagement andbiodiversity targets.

• A Scotland Rural Development Programme application resulted in three farms near Carr-Bridge attracting £9,000 of funding to helphalt the decline in farmland waders

Milestones for 2010/11

• Delivery of three simultaneous Big BioBuzz 24 hour events to celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity 2010

• Organisation and delivery of a Community Heritage Conference

• Ongoing delivery of the rare plantsand wildcat projects

Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscapes

Loch Muick

Twinflower

Ensuring that the

important geology,

wildlife, habitats,

diverse landscapes

and human history

are at least maintained

and wherever possible

strengthened.


Dotterel

Lesser butterfly orchid

Based at SNH's offices at Achantoulnear Aviemore, Andy will implement a programme of practical sitemanagement, set up translocations and establish new populations of theendangered plants. He said: “Thisproject is a really exciting opportunityto raise awareness of the plight ofthese endangered plants and towork alongside land managers andexperts in the field to develop anddeliver targeted conservation actionon the ground.

“Surveys will be conducted at a widerange of sites and the most suitablesite-specific approaches will beemployed to enhance the survivalprospects of the target species.Land managers will be consulted ateach step of the process and thelongevity of this work will besecured by incorporating actions into long-term management plans.”

Cairngorms Rare Plants Project

A project to help secure the futuresurvival of four of the rarest and mostendangered plants in the CairngormsNational Park was started in 2009/10.

Thanks to a multi-agency approach tofunding for the three year, £155,000Cairngorms Rare Plants Project,twinflower, intermediate wintergreen,lesser butterfly orchid, and smallcow-wheat will be the focus of atargeted conservation approach.Innovative management techniquessupported by high quality academicresearch will be utilised.

Targets set out in the CairngormsLocal Biodiversity Action Plan, the UKBiodiversity Action Plan, theCairngorms National Park Plan andScottish Natural Heritage's (SNH)Species Action Framework will beachieved as a result of the project.

Funding of £80,540 was secured fromthe Esmée Fairburn Foundation,£45,000 from SNH’s Species ActionFramework and £30,000 from theCNPA.The University of Aberdeenalso provides an in-kind contributionfor the Cairngorms Rare PlantsOfficer, Andy Scobie.

A database of sites will also bedeveloped and searches conducted inareas of suitable habitat. The help ofvolunteers and local recorders willbe fundamental to the success of this,and members of the public will alsobe encouraged to get involved.


• A woodfuel fair was delivered to bring together producers,processors and customers of this alternative fuel source

• An effective online resource was developed as part of the Low Carbon Cairngorms initiative

• A Cairngorms Farmers Forum,which engages directly with land management communities, was set up to enable collaborative working on land management issues

• Land based projects like 'Maximising Farm Woodlands' havehelped farmers and land managers look at opportunities that existon farms

• 41 applications totalling just over £5.25m have been approved underthe SRDP

• Ongoing provision of advice and guidance was provided to support SRDP in the National Park throughtwo land based support officers

• Approximately 780 people in around 200 different land based businesses received training on a wide range of subjects to help deliver public benefits in the Park more effectively

This priority for action is intended tosupport a diverse, viable andproductive land management sectorthat continues to provide high qualityprimary produce such as food andtimber, while delivering public benefitsthat are compatible with the Park'sspecial qualities and make a growingcontribution to employment and thelocal economy.

The priority seeks to move to asimpler system of support that ismore integrated across sectors, clearlylinked to the tangible delivery ofpublic benefits, and is more closelylinked to the needs and priorities ofthe Park.

The main challenge over the next twoyears is to maximise the opportunitiesof the rural priorities support systemto target priorities in the NationalPark and to provide proactiveguidance to land managers on theopportunities and how to realisethem.The Scotland RuralDevelopment Programme (SRDP)will therefore be a powerful tool fordelivering the final outcomes underthis priority for action.

• A hill and river exhibition at Braemar Castle showcased the importance of salmon fishing, deer management and grouse shooting to the Deeside economy


• Ongoing implementation of the woodfuel action plan

• Recruitment of a project officer by the Spey Catchment Management Partnership

IntegratingPublic Supportfor LandManagement

Sawmill at Boat of Garten

Stone walling

Supporting a diverse,

viable and productive land

management sector that

continues to produce high

quality primary produce

while delivering public

benefits.


The woodfuel fair and website isbacked by the EU funded Clim-ATICproject which receives funding fromthe EU's Northern PeripheryProgramme.The initiative involvedPerth College, Centre for MountainStudies, Forestry CommissionScotland, Highland Birchwoods, theCairngorms National Park Authority,local authorities and industryrepresentatives.

Alvie Estate was chosen as the venuefor the first event as Alvie Housealready uses woodfuel and the Estateruns its own onsite wood supplybusiness. Estate owner JamieWilliamson said: “Using locally sourcedwood for heating has reduced our

Woodfuel Fair

A woodfuel fair took place which was the first step in implementing aWoodfuel Action Plan for theCairngorms National Park. It wasdesigned to show householders andbusinesses alike how they couldeffectively use the plentiful supply ofwood in the National Park.This willhelp tackle climate change and reducedependency on fossil fuels.

Tackling climate change is a majorpriority in the Cairngorms NationalPark Plan and the promotion of athriving woodfuel industry has thepotential to promote the sustainableuse of the Park's natural resourcesand can benefit the local communityeconomically with increased forestryactivity and employment.

A programme which helps communitiesadapt to the impacts of climatechange provided backing for thewoodfuel fair, which was the first ofseveral information events to takeplace during the year under thebanner Low Carbon Cairngorms. Awebsite at www.lowcarboncairngorms.orgexplains everything people need toknow about woodfuel.

heating costs, given us greatercontrol of our energy requirementsand made the estate more selfsufficient. It has also diversified ourincome and opened up anothermarket for our timber.”

John Risby from Forestry CommissionScotland added: “The businesscommunity and public organisationsare starting to look more closely atusing woodfuel as a viable alternativefor their energy needs and we needto keep this momentum going.Theevent in the Cairngorms National Parkbrought a number of partnerstogether who can help answerquestions and demonstrate the benefitsof using woodfuel.”

Glen Beg

Jamie Williamson, David Green and Danny Alexander MP at Woodfuel Fair


• Good progress was made towards the development of a Cairngorms Deer Framework including the drafting of a range of 'principles' for sustaining the deer resource

• Three meetings of CDAG took place to develop cohesive thinking across the National Park

• Further progress was made on 'Joint Agency Working' on designated sites with the aim of ensuring their management brings them into or keeps them in 'favourable condition'

• 'National Eat Venison Day' was promoted by the CNPA board in conjunction with national events promoted by the Scottish Venison Working Group

• Research was carried out into the hybridisation between sika and red deer

• An open day exploring the potential for wildlife tourism as a means of supplementing estate income was held on Alvie and Dalraddy Estate

• With guidance from CDAG, the CNPA responded to the consultation on the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill

This priority for action is intended tohelp balance the social, economic andrecreational benefits that deer bring tothe Park with the ecological processesin which deer are a natural part.The Cairngorms National Park Planincludes the objective of increasing thevalue of the deer resource.

The continued operation of theCairngorms Deer Advisory Group(CDAG) has been fundamental insupporting good communication andunderstanding between deermanagers, agencies, the public,community interests and NGOs.

Four of the five 5-year outcomes areconsidered achievable by 2012.Theother – helping a wider range ofpeople enjoy deer stalking – isconsidered to need more work,although the Scotland-wide initiativeCountry Sports Tourism Group isalready helping to take this forward.

• Opportunities for increased access to deer stalking was explored with the Country Sports Tourism Group

• School children from Deeside learned about deer, their management and venison first handon Glen Tanar Estate


• Completion of the Cairngorms National Park Deer Framework

• A pilot study will be carried out todemonstrate the value of presenting deer management objectives across the National Parkin a map format as an aid to communication and discussion

• Further research is planned on the hybridisation between sika and red deer where sika are more common, for example west of the River Spey

• Two events are planned to promote 'making the most of venison' by land managers, chefs and butchers across the National Park

• An event to involve school childrenin the story of deer management and venison – from hill to plate – isplanned

SupportingSustainableDeerManagement

Herd of red deer

Roe deer

Balancing the social,

economic and recreational

benefits that deer bring

with the ecological

processes in which deer

are a natural part.


The Cairngorms Deer AdvisoryGroup (CDAG), which met threetimes during 2009/10, discussed awide variety of issues and undertooka range of activities to continue theexcellent work of the group.

Members visited Glen Feshie on a factfinding tour, by kind permission ofAnders Holch Povlsen and hosted byThomas MacDonell. For the last sevenyears, Glen Feshie Estate, under avoluntary deer control agreementwith government agencies, hasundertaken to enable the continuedsurvival and regeneration of the nativeforest in the Glen. It was clear fromthe visit that the hard work is payingoff. It began as a controversial step tobring about a dramatic change in deernumbers and has resulted in a verymuch improved habitat to which thedeer will, in time, return. Some members of CDAG remain cautiousabout the short term effects of thecull on the deer herd, but in the main,the long-term benefits that have beenachieved for both the deer and theirhabitat were applauded by the group.

CDAG also considered their role interms of the delivery of 'Scotland'sWild Deer: A National Approach',accepting that the Deer Commissionfor Scotland and Cairngorms NationalPark Authority will rely heavily uponthe support of CDAG and deermanagers to achieve it.To this endthere were a number of discussions tohelp inform the development of aCairngorms Deer Framework duringthe year which when complete later in2010 will lead to further action tohelp 'sustain the deer resource'.

Following a study that was carried out on the hybridisation between sikadeer and red deer, CDAG agreed thatit would be preferable to have aPark-wide objective. Some interesting

statistics from the survey were alsoproduced which resulted in CDAGrequesting further information onextending the study into areas wherethe two species were perhapsinteracting more.

Following a presentation on GISmapping tools that was provided bythe Macaulay Land Use ResearchInstitute, CDAG members agreed thatit would be useful to obtain maps ofthe Cairngorms National Park thatshow sensitive habitats, grazingtolerance, deer preference andmanagement objectives. Combiningthese will provide a useful means ofhighlighting key areas of concern,leading to where attention may needto be focussed in the future.

Red deer in snow

Visitors to Glen Feshie Estate viewing the benefits of native woodland regeneration

Cairngorms Deer Advisory Group


• A Local Inquiry into the Draft Core Paths Plan was undertaken which led to the adoption of the Core Paths Plan

• Partner contributions of £500,000 allowed The Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust to operate successfully with path works undertaken in Braemar, Carr-Bridgeand Kingussie

• Scottish Government approval in principle has been provided on theextension of the Speyside Way andwork was progressed on securing permissions with land owners

• Two workshops were organised which attracted 40 delegates involved in event organisation and land managers, on effective planning for future events

• A new post was established to train walk leaders and co-ordinate work of the Walking to Health project in Badenoch and Strathspey

• The number of health walk schemes was expanded across the National Park

• The Scottish Outdoor Access Code was further promoted

This priority for action is intended tohelp more people enjoy even higherquality outdoor access to benefit theirhealth, wellbeing and understanding ofthe Park.

This priority for action has six 5-yearoutcomes, all of which are consideredlikely to have been substantiallyachieved by 2012.This priority foraction is closely linked to thedevelopment and management of thecore paths plan for the National Parkand implementation of associatedaccess legislation.

Work is ongoing to improve pathnetworks in the National Park and willcontinue alongside other support formanaging countryside access.

• A new footbridge over the River Don was approved that will provide more walking opportunities and a safe link to Lonach Hall

• A wide ranging campaign to promote responsible outdoor access with dogs was started

• A new £30,000 all-abilities, 900 metre long woodland walkway wasopened in Grantown-on-Spey


• 70 per cent of the core paths network will be fit for purpose

• Planning permission will be sought and a funding package developed for extending the Speyside Way south from Aviemore to Newtonmore

• Land managers will be assisted to find solutions to irresponsible camping

• Guidance on the responsible promotion of outdoor access will be promoted

• There will be more health walking groups operating in the National Park

Providing High QualityOpportunitiesfor OutdoorAccess

Path to Coire an Lochain

Newly constructed path at Strathdon

The Cairngorms Outdoor AccessTrust (COAT), which is a multi-fundedinnovative environmental charity thathas been created to promotesustainable access to the CairngormsNational Park, successfully completeda major volunteer training initiative todeliver a suite of health walks in thePark during 2009/10.

The Cairngorms Walking to HealthProject aims to encourage physicalactivity in a safe, social way that getspeople from a wide range ofbackgrounds and fitness levels walkingmore as a step towards increasingtheir activity levels and wellbeing, whileappreciating the special qualities of theNational Park around them.

Guided weekly walks typically last 30-60 minutes and are adapted to suitthe pace of walkers and are followedby some refreshments in a local café.

A new post was created to help trainwalk leaders and during the year anumber of volunteer walk leadersfound out how to effectively set upand lead walks as well as deal withbasic first aid incidents.

Helping more people

enjoy even higher

quality outdoor access

to benefit their health,

wellbeing and

understanding of

the Park.


Manager of COAT Dougie Baird said:“The 238 walks that have alreadybeen delivered between April andDecember 2009 have been wellreceived by those taking part.As well as improvements to fitness,participants have highlighted howimportant the social aspects ofgetting together regularly are. As wellas our project funding partners, weare also working with specific groupslike Alzheimer Scotland and CLANCancer Group to provide walksfor people with these illnesses andtheir carers.

“We are very grateful to a wide rangeof partners for supporting this andother activities that COAT is involved

with, especially Paths to Health andnew European LEADER funding.Volunteers remain the cornerstone ofthis project as they encourage awelcoming, safe and supportiveenvironment for those taking part.”

Earlier in 2009, COAT also organiseda training course delivered by theInternational Nordic WalkingAssociation to allow local health walkleaders to deliver a Nordic walksession.This is one of the mostadaptable exercises around that worksthe whole body rather than just thelegs. As 2010 progresses, COAT willbe looking for new volunteers inGrantown-on-Spey, Carr-Bridge,Kingussie, Newtonmore and Laggan.

Walking group organised by Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust

White water canoeing

Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust

• An environmental support schemefor businesses was established withthe Business Gateway service

• Aviemore and the Cairngorms 'business barometer' continued to obtain feedback on business confidence and future intentions

• A major tourism conference was delivered and a wildlife tourism training day was organised


• A Park-wide and cross-sector 'Food for Life' programme will deliver key actions from the Cairngorms Food and Drink Action Plan

• Development of the environmentalsupport for businesses to reduce waste, energy use and environmental impact

• Re-award of the European Charterfor Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas


• Continued roll out of Cairngorms National Park brand including incorporation on Stagecoach busesin Badenoch and Strathspey

• A 'Brand Pack' was launched to support businesses to use the Park brand

• Launch of a new electric vehicle tohighlight and adapt to the effects ofclimate change

• Cairngorms Business Partnership developed and launched, providing a focus and lead for the business sector

• 133 projects were approved by theCairngorms Local Action Group under the European LEADER programme

• A comprehensive visitor survey was completed with over 2,000 questionnaires gathered

• A socio-economic survey was completed that updates existing data and provides an indication of the economic health of the Park

• A Cairngorms-wide food and drinksurvey was completed

• A guide promoting the use of local timber in construction was completed

This priority for action is intended toincrease the diversity, vibrancy andsustainability of the economy of theCairngorms National Park.ThePark's special qualities provide anincreasing basis for economicactivity and business use of theCairngorms National Park brandimproves commercial advantageand quality standards.

Many communities in the Park havecompleted community action plansand will have been therefore able toinfluence the way their communities'develop.The development of amarketing framework is a priorityfor the newly created CairngormsBusiness Partnership during 2010/11and the effects of these improvedstructures will be felt byconsumers/customers or businessesin the National Park in the future.

Making Tourismand BusinessMoreSustainable

Aviemore Railway Station

Golfing at Kingussie

Increasing the

diversity, vibrancy

and sustainability

of the economy of

the Cairngorms

National Park.


Cairngorms ElectricVehicle launch

Visitor accommodation

The Cairngorms EV project is apartnership initiative being led by theCairngorms National Park Authorityand Perth College UHI with supportfrom HITRANS (the Highlands andIslands Transport Partnership),Community Energy Scotland, theClimate Challenge Fund and localschools and colleges.

The car was road tested by theBadenoch and Strathspey CommunityTransport Company – a local charityhelping people who do not haveaccess to transport to get to localservices such as doctors, dentistsand shopping.

Whilst the project is about tacklingand adapting to climate change, theelectric car is helping to meet manyother aims in the National Park Planfrom promoting sustainable transportto combating social inclusion issues.

Cairngorms Electric Vehicle

The first electric vehicle to be used ina rural community was unveiled in theCairngorms National Park by FergusEwing MSP, the Scottish Government'sMinister for Community Safety whowas on hand to test drive theCairngorms Electric Vehicle (EV) fromAviemore to Kingussie High School.

The adapted five-door Vauxhall Astrafeatures the distinctive CairngormsNational Park brand and colours andis available in the Cairngorms NationalPark under the banner of Clim-ATIC –an EU Northern PeripheryProgramme project aimed at helpingcommunities adapt to the effects ofclimate change and which is led by theCentre for Mountain Studies atPerth College UHI.

The keys were handed over to theBadenoch and Strathspey CommunityTransport Company and will helpcontribute to a sustainable lowcarbon economy in the Park,becoming a ground breaking projectfor others throughout Scotland topossibly replicate.

Clive Bowman, Clim-ATIC programmeleader said: “Electric may not be theanswer everywhere, but we want todemonstrate that there arealternatives to using fossil fuels, whichwill help the National Park'scommunities adapt to climate change.

“While encouraging more bus and railtravel is essential to combat theeffects of global warming we also thinkthere is a place for shared transportand hopefully the trial of the electricvehicle will prove successful.”

• Rural Empty Property Project and Scottish Government funding was targeted for key housing projects inthe Park

• The 'Our Community A Way Forward' community planning structure was selected by the Scottish Government as a good demonstration of best practice

• New housing innovations were explored like how to help new homes in the Park that receive no subsidy

• Village improvements for the communities of Dalwhinnie,Kingussie, Newtonmore and Lagganwere implemented

• Funding was secured for a Cairngorms Construction Training Project

• Nine Park communities attended a'Big Learning Day' to share experiences of community action planning in the area

• Ongoing work with private landlords and other agencies was carried out to raise the quality of existing properties and introduce better management practices


• An action plan for Ballater was produced and a housing partnership group was set up following the Ballater One Voice Our Future community action planning process

• Several key housing schemes were in the process of being built or were completed following previousplanning approvals including 25 affordable homes at Aviemore

This priority for action is intended toimprove access to good quality,sustainably designed and affordablehousing to help maintain sustainablecommunities in the long-term.

Despite some new supplies ofaffordable housing being createdbetween 2006 and 2009 and someothers expected to come on-streamby 2012, the overall pressure foraffordable housing is unlikely to reducesignificantly.With funding for affordablehousing being primarily guided by localauthorities, it is unlikely that anysignificant additional resources foraffordable housing in the Park will beprogrammed by them before 2012,especially given the wider, pooreconomic conditions.

MakingHousing MoreAffordable andSustainable


• 15 unemployed Badenoch and Strathspey residents to complete their year's training as part of the Cairngorms Construction Training project

• Securing an unsubsidised affordablehousing project in the Cairngorms National Park

• Completion and occupation of house(s) renovated under the Rural Empty Property grant projectat Candacraig

• Complete the 3rd phase of community action planning processin Aviemore, Rothiemurchus,Glenmore and Kincraig

• Training sessions with private landlords and other agencies will raise the quality of existing properties and introduce better management practices

• Both the Cairngorms National ParkLocal Plan and Cairngorms National Park Sustainable Design Guide are programmed for adoption by the CNPA by the end of 2010

Braes of Ballnagowan, Nethy Bridge

Improving access to good

quality, sustainably

designed, and affordable

housing to help maintain

sustainable communities

in the long-term.


Housing in the National Park

Despite the economic downturnstifling the building and constructionsector during 2009/10, there wereseveral areas of work that manypartners, committed to the success ofthe Cairngorms National Park Plan,were active in.These will hopefullybear fruit in the final two years of thecurrent National Park Plan.

The Highland Small CommunitiesHousing Trust helped to secure multi-agency funding of £156,383 for threeyears from the EU LEADERprogramme, the Scottish Government'sWider Role Fund, Cairn HousingAssociation and the CairngormsNational Park Authority (CNPA) forthe Cairngorms Construction Trainingproject. Issues like unemployment; thelack of affordable housing; andpromoting highly sustainable housingdesigns will be taken forward underthis initiative.

Elsewhere, a home at CandacraigEstate is being renovated as part ofthe Rural Empty property project anda further property has been identifiedto apply for grant funding from theScottish Government.

Following the development of acommunity action planning exerciseearlier in 2009, communities in theDeeside and Donside areas within theCairngorms National Park are to gettheir own development manager todevelop, plan, manage and deliver arange of projects including housing inthe area over the next three years.Funding support from the Europeanfunded LEADER programme,Aberdeenshire Council and the CNPAhas been provided.

Gordon Riddler, chair of Ballater(RD) Ltd, which is managing andco-ordinating the project on behalf

of agency partners said: “Thisappointment is an excellent resultfrom a lot of hard work and agencysupport involved in recent communityaction planning.

“It will be a challenging and rewardingexperience for anyone interested inengaging with the communities in theCairngorms National Park to deliver arange of projects to support theirfuture needs. It also provides a greatnew opportunity for communities,individually and collectively, toidentify and realise projects tosupport their sustainability and futuredevelopment.”

Ballater

Cottage at Carr-Bridge

• A multi-agency funding package was initiated for a wooden shelter in which Carr-Bridge Primary School pupils can work on outdoor learning initiatives

• The trial sale of panoramic posterswas carried out by the CairngormsBusiness Partnership


• The southern boundary to the extended Cairngorms National Park will be marked with granite signs – subject to Scottish Government approval

• Three ranger bases and two visitorcentres will be upgraded to includeinterpretation about the special qualities of the National Park

• Agree three year policy on ranger services in the National Park and host the Scottish Ranger Rendezvous

• Develop learning resources for twoNational Nature Reserves that encourage greater use by pupils

• Develop a new marketing strategy for the National Park

• Launch of a new visitor website by the Cairngorms Business Partnership and Cairngorms Learning Zone – a new education website

• Scoping work for entry point signs for extension of the Cairngorms National Park was carried out

• Support for community information boards and use of panoramic paintings to show how communities fit into the National Park were produced

• A major refit of three VisitScotland Information Centres, using the National Park brand, photos and panorama, was completed

• Guidance for community path leaflets and three new path leaflets were produced

• A new leaflet promoting the Cairngorms National Nature Reserves was produced and work on better signage on three reserves was completed

• A new all-abilities visitor hide at Insh Marshes National Nature Reserve was built by RSPB with partner support

• The appointment of an outdoor learning post to develop outdoor learning opportunities for schools was made

• A 'barriers report' was produced showing how teachers use the outdoors

• 2,200 people completed a John Muir Award in the Cairngorms andtwo Junior Rangers programmes were organised

This priority for action is intended toincrease awareness of the CairngormsNational Park and its special qualitiesthroughout the Park and Scotland. Itwill help people to understand andappreciate why it is special and why itis managed in particular ways.Although four of the seven outcomesin this priority for action are likely tobe substantially achieved by 2012, tworequire additional effort from partnersto be achieved.These relate toincreasing awareness of the Parkacross Scotland and to more peoplehaving an understanding of its specialmanagement needs.

A third outcome relating to theopportunities for people to beinvolved in practical caring for the Parkand its special qualities also requiresextra work, but is achievable.Work inother priorities including developing amarketing strategy; establishing theNational Park web portal; andextending awareness of the NationalPark brand will all make a majorcontribution to achieving theoutcomes for this priority for action.


• Co-ordination and grant support for eight National Park ranger services was provided by the CNPA

RaisingAwareness andUnderstandingof the Park

Public viewpoint near Boat of Garten

Increasing awareness

of the Cairngorms

National Park and

its special qualities

throughout the Park

and Scotland.


Visitor Information Centres

The VisitScotland Information Centrein the Cairngorms National Park atAviemore was refurbished in 2010incorporating state of the art facilities.

The Centre was the first of threeVisitScotland Information Centres inthe Cairngorms National Park to berevamped as part of the nationaltourism organisation's plans to update,rebrand and improve facilitiesthroughout its entire informationnetwork.

Working in close partnership with theCairngorms National Park Authorityallowed VisitScotland to incorporate aCairngorms National Park identity byusing the Cairngorms brand. Adedicated National Park zone givespeople all the information they needabout the Park, helping them makethe most of their visit.

Aviemore was amongst the firsthandful of Information Centres tobenefit from this investment whichincludes a new interior design andimproved layout and zoning, all ofwhich is based on detailed consumerresearch, in order to improve thevisitor experience.

VisitScotland's Aviemore InformationCentre attracts around 150,000 visitorseach year and with footfall alreadyexperiencing a 27 per cent increasesince the start of 2010, this isexpected to continue now that theupgrade has been completed. Localpeople as well as visitors are encouragedto call in to reacquaint themselveswith the wide range of services onoffer inside the new facility.

VisitScotland's Regional Director, ScottArmstrong, said: “The InformationCentre at Aviemore has an impressivenew look and feel with interactivefacilities designed to engage visitors

and residents alike, inspiring themto explore Aviemore and thesurrounding area.

“We have been delighted to work inpartnership with the CairngormsNational Park Authority to ensure theneeds of all visitors to the NationalPark are met if not exceeded. Ourprofessional and knowledgeableVisitScotland staff will continue todeliver excellent, friendly help andadvice from a world class facility thathelps meet and exceed prioritieslaid out in the Cairngorms NationalPark Plan.”

Visitors at Loch an Eilein

Cairngorms National Park zone at the Aviemore Visitor Information Centre

This panorama is one of five views of the Cairngorms National Park commissioned by the CNPA.This view is from the southern boundary of the Park, looking to the north.

Cairngorms National Park Authority14 The SquareGrantown-on-Spey Moray, PH26 3HG Tel: 01479 873535 Fax: 01479 873527Email: [email protected] www.cairngorms.co.uk

For a large print version of this publication, please contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority at the above address or telephone 01479 873535.

© CNPA 2010.All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-906071-11-0

Design: 2bcreative.co.uk Print: J.Thomson Colour Printers

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