Cairngorms National Park Plan · Foreword 3 Introduction 4 The Cairngorms National Park Plan and...

Cairngorms National Park PlanProgress 2008/09

Published by the Cairngorms National Park Authority © CNPA 2009. All rights reserved.ISBN 978-1-906071-05-9

www.cairngorms.co.uk

Photography by: Anke Addy, www.cairngormlandscapes.co.uk, Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust, CNPA, MurrayFleming, David Gowans, Stewart Grant, Highland Small Communities Housing Trust, Neil McIntyre, George Logan,Andy Rockall, Duncan Shaw, Donald Stewart, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint, Will Boyd Wallis.

Front cover photo: Loch Pityoulish © David Gowans

This publication contains a progress report for 2008/09towards the achievement of the Cairngorms National Park Plan.The map is for information only and should not be used fornavigational purposes. Reproduction is prohibited without thepermission of the copyright holders.

• 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

• British Geological Survey

• 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

• 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 Destination Management Organisation

• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

• Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society

• Scottish Enterprise

• 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 theCairngorms 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 2008-2009.

Cairngorms National Park Plan Progress 2008/09 1

Contents

Cairngorms National Park map

List of partners 1

Foreword 3

Introduction 4

The Cairngorms National Park Plan and the Progress Report 2008/09 5

Progress in 2008/09 6-7

Cairngorms National Park Plan ‘Health Check’ 2009 8-9

Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscapes 10-11

Integrating Public Support for Land Management 12-13

Supporting Sustainable Deer Management 14-15

Providing High Quality Opportunities for Outdoor Access 16-17

Making Tourism and Business More Sustainable 18-19

Making Housing More Affordable and Sustainable 20-21

Raising Awareness and Understanding of the Park 22-23

Cairngorms above mist

Cairngorms National Park Plan Progress 2008/09 2 3

Foreword Facal-toisich

Tha sinn air Plana a’ Phàirc Nàiseanta a’ libhrigeadhairson dà bhliadhna a-nis agus tha mi a’ smaointinn gubheil an aithisg adhartais seo a’ sealltainn na chaidh a’dhèanamh.Tha gu leòr eisimpleirean air an adhartas arinn sinn san aithisg seo ach tha mi gu sònraichtetoilichte fhaicinn gu bheil daoine òga fhathast a’ sàs ann abhith a’ faighinn a-mach mun Phàirc Nàiseanta a’Mhonaidh Ruaidh agus tlachd fhaighinn bho cur-seachadan prataigeach agus tro ceanglaichean leis anCurriculum for Excellence.Tha mi cuideachd toilichtegun robh mòran bhuidhnean eile air cuideachadh athoirt dhuinn leis am Pròiseact Cat-Fiadhaich a’Mhonaidh Ruaidh a’ leasachadh gus an gnè ainmeil seo a’dhìon.

Tha sinn air leth ar slighe gus am plana còig bliadhna a’Phàirc Nàiseanta a’ choileanadh agus ‘se deagh àm ath’ann sùil a thoirt air an adhartas a rinn sinn mu thràth,na tha sinn an dùil a dhèanamh agus na dùbhlain a tharomhainn thairis air na bliadhnaichean a tha ri tighinn.

Bheir na h-atharraichean anns an t-suidheachadheaconomach nàiseanta agus eadar-nàiseanta a tha sinn airfhaireachdainn ann an 2008 agus 2009, buaidh air a’Phàirc Nàiseanta.Tha seo air gnìomhachasan togail a’bhualadh agus tha a h-uile coltas ann gum bi leasaicheantogail eile air am bualadh cuideachd. Bi bacadh air cusairgead ga chosg leis an roinn phoblach agus bheir seobuaidh air mar is urrainn dhuinn am plana a’ PhàircNàiseanta a’ choileanadh. Agus, tha cothroman ùra anochdadh gu nàiseanta mar an targaid reachdail gusgasan a’ lughdachadh gu 42% ro 2020 agus 80% ro 2050.

Seo dìreach feadhainn de na h-adhbharan a thaÙghdarras am Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh air anaithisg seo a chuir ri chèile thairis an t-Samhradh 2009.Tha sinn airson dèanamh cinnteach gun urrainn dhuinnfreagairt fhaighinn air na dùbhlain seo agus gun urrainndhuinn an obair a tha ri dhèanamh, a dhèanamh thairisair an ath dà bhliadhna agus Plana am Pàirc Nàiseanta a’choileanadh agus gun cuir e ri builean NàiseantaRiaghaltas na h-Alba.

We are now two years into the delivery of this NationalPark Plan and I think this progress report demonstratesthe achievements that are being made across all itspriorities for action. There are many good examples ofprogress in this report, but I am particularly pleased thatyoung people continue to be closely involved in enjoyingand finding out more about the Cairngorms NationalPark, both through practical activities and through linkswith the Curriculum for Excellence. I’m also delightedthat so many diverse partners have helped to developthe Cairngorms Wildcat Project to safeguard one ofScotland’s and the Cairngorm’s most iconic species inwhat is the only project of its kind in the UK.

As we approach the mid-point of this National ParkPlan’s five-year term, it is a good time to take stock ofprogress so far, our expectations of future work, and thechallenges that we are likely to face over the next two tothree years.

The changing national and global economic conditionswe have all experienced over 2008 and 2009 will haveimpacts on the National Park.This has already affectedthe construction and house building industry and is likelyto affect future development of affordable housing.Thepublic sector is entering a period of more constrainedspending and this will influence how we continue todeliver the National Park Plan.There are alsoopportunities from new national priorities such asScotland’s recent statutory target to reduce greenhousegas emissions by 42 per cent by 2020 and 80 per centby 2050.

These are some of the reasons why the CairngormsNational Park Authority is co-ordinating a National ParkPlan ‘Health-Check’ over the summer of 2009.We wantto make sure that we can collectively respond to thesechallenges, and ensure that we tailor our work over thenext two years to ensure the continued delivery of thisNational Park Plan’s priorities for action and theircontribution to the Scottish Government’s NationalOutcomes.

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 additional, different orspecial management needs of theCairngorms National Park. It wasapproved by the Scottish Executive inMarch 2007 and is the blueprint forhow the Cairngorms National Parkwill be managed 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 alreadymanaging the Park. It sets out thelong-term vision (25 years) for thePark and the priorities for action for the first five years of the Plan from 2007–2012.

Introduction

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.

Castle Roy

Inshriach birch


The CairngormsNational ParkPlan and the ProgressReport 2008/09

Mountain hare

The Cairngorms National Park wasdesignated in 2003 because it wasrecognised that it was a special placethat should be managed differently tomake the most of its special qualities.The Cairngorms National Park Planwas prepared to co-ordinate andprioritise the additional, different orspecial management needs of thePark.The Park Plan is implemented bya wide range of partners from thepublic, private, community andvoluntary sectors.

This second annual progress reportfor the Cairngorms National Park Planhas been prepared by the CairngormsNational Park Authority (CNPA) onbehalf of all the partners whoimplement it. It summarises what hasbeen achieved for the Park Plan’sseven priorities for action in its secondyear, where we think we are indelivering the Plan’s five-yearoutcomes, and highlights future workand milestones.

This report is about the achievementsthat have been made by all thepartners in delivering the Park Plan’sseven priorities for action over thepast year.

The day to day management of theCairngorms National Park continuesto be carried out by the organisations,land managers, businesses,communities and individuals who didso before the area became a NationalPark. Many of them also deliverservices, manage and contribute tothe Park’s special qualities in ways thatthe Cairngorms National Park Plandoes not need to prioritise or co-ordinate.Their work remains vital tothe Cairngorms National Park’ssuccess.

This report is an update on progresswith delivery of the CairngormsNational Park Plan across its sevenpriorities for action (see box below)and the report has a section

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

dedicated to each.We have reportedthe achievements in 2008/09 as wellas highlighting the milestones weexpect during 2009/10. Each priorityalso incorporates one or two casestudies to illustrate the range ofachievements and activities in moredepth.

During the 2008/09 year the partnersmade significant progress in deliveringthe National Park Plan.We know thisbecause we have been monitoringprogress in delivering actions set outin the Park Plan and the five-yearoutcomes for each priority for action.This monitoring is reported to theCairngorms National Park AuthorityBoard every four months to provideregular updates.These progressreports can be viewed on theCairngorms National Park Authority’swebsite (www.cairngorms.co.uk).

Figure 1 shows the assessment ofprogress in delivering the NationalPark Plan’s outcomes at May 2009.The CNPA estimates that nearly 45per cent of the five-year outcomes willbe achieved by 2012 with existingwork and resources, but that around55 per cent of outcomes will requiremore work and/or resources to be achieved by 2012. None of the outcomes have been fully achieved yet.

Two outcomes, linked to publicsupport for land managementdelivering public benefits, and the gapbetween those in housing need andsupply of affordable housing, are

considered unlikely to be achievableby 2012 given current economicconditions and delivery mechanisms.The first outcome relates to thetargeting of land management supportto deliver specific priorities within theNational Park, which currentmechanisms are only partiallydelivering.The second outcome(linked to the supply of housing forthose in need), has been influenced bythe economic downturn andparticularly by the constraints onavailability of credit to funddevelopments.

Progress in 2008/09

The National Park Plan’s five-yearoutcomes are monitored to provide asimple guide to progress.We use asimple classification that explains thelikelihood of each outcome beingachieved by 2012.The assessment ofprogress is made by the CNPAthrough consultation with the mainpartners involved in each priority foraction. It is based on a combination ofthe progress in delivering the ParkPlan’s actions; any information availableon indicators or other data; and anyother relevant information available tothe programme manager.The classesare described below:

1 Outcome will not be achieved

2 Outcome unlikely to be achieved

3 Outcome needs more

work/resource to be achieved

4 Outcome should be achieved with

existing work/resource

5 Outcome has been achieved

Figure 1 - Progress towards five-year outcomesShould be achieved with existing work/resource

Needs more work/resource to be achieved

Unlikely 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

18 outcomes

4 outcomes

1 outcome

3 outcomes

3 outcomes 3 outcomes


1 outcome 2 outcomes 1 outcome


21 outcomes

5 outcomes

1 outcome 1 outcome

2 outcomes

2 outcomes

Prio

ritie

s fo

r A

ctio

n

Loch Alvie

Percentage

Figure 1 shows that the partners’work and effort over the first twoyears of the Plan is leading toprogress.The outcomes set out in theNational Park Plan are ambitious, andmany are on track to be delivered by2012.The more detailed lists ofachievements and case studies foreach priority for action show that theNational Park and the people who livein, work in, visit, enjoy, and learn fromit are benefitting from that work.


It also shows that we cannot becomplacent about the effort requiredover the next three years.The twooutcomes that we think are unlikely tobe achieved by 2012 may still beachieved by then if additional oralternative approaches can bepursued, or on a longer timescale.Wealso think that more than 50 per centof the remaining outcomes need morework and resources to be achieved by2012.This presents us all with achallenge as wider economicconditions are likely to constrainprivate and public sector funding overthis period.

Finally, given the challenges we knoware facing us, it should help us toreflect on what outcomes are mostimportant, whether we need to tacklesome in different ways, and how wecan continue to make better use ofour resources up to and beyond2012.This is the stimulus for the mid-term ‘health check’ of deliverythat the CNPA will co-ordinate onbehalf of the partners during 2009.

Glen Banchor

Highland pony

This annual progress report on theNational Park Plan comes at the endof the second year of implementation.This is a significant point in the ParkPlan’s cycle for two reasons.

First, we will soon be half way throughthe five-year delivery period, and needto consider how to make the most ofthe second half. This means takingstock of delivery, looking at where weare doing well and where we are notdoing so well, assessing our resources,and making sure we are doing asmuch as possible over 2010-12 todeliver the Park Plan’s outcomes.

This may mean doing more work, ordoing things differently in the future. Itmay also mean we need to re-prioritise some work, or accept thatthere will be areas we won’t have theresources to tackle as well as wewould like.

Second, by the time we produceanother annual progress report in2010, we will be starting work toprepare the next five-year NationalPark Plan.This means that we will need to have identified theinformation that is most relevant anduseful to both assess the performanceof this Plan and set the context for aneven more effective one from 2012.

Much of this work has been ongoingsince the production of the last Stateof the Park report in 2006.Wealready have access to more accurateand more comprehensive informationabout many of the resources in thePark as well as pressures on it.However, the next State of the Park report needs to focus on theinformation that is most useful andmost helpful.

CairngormsNational ParkPlan ‘HealthCheck’ 2009

Highland Games

Common blue butterfly

For those reasons, the CNPA will co-ordinate a National Park Plan delivery‘Health-Check’ over the summer of2009. It will not be a review of thePark Plan itself but will focus ondelivery of the Park Plan, the workneeded, and resources required oravailable over the remaining years toachieve its outcomes.

It will also look at the informationcurrently available that can tell us howwe are doing, whether it is goodenough, or whether we can get betterinformation to inform this Park Planand the next one.The review ofinformation will inform researchpriorities for the National Park leading


up to the next State of the ParkReport and National Park Plan from2012.

The ‘Health-Check’ will be carried outwith partners through the existingpriority for action delivery teams andestablished advice forums. Its findingsand implications will be reported tothe CNPA Board in the autumn of2009. All partners should use theopportunity to review their own andour collective contributions todelivering the National Park Plan over the past two years, and thecommitment needed for thenext three.

Climbing Coire an t-Sneachda

Red squirrel Starry saxifrage

Achievements during 2008/09

• A Cairngorms National Park Biological Recording System was being developed by the North East Scotland Biological Records Centre to collate and make available biological records

• Launch of the Cairngorms Wildcat Project – a flagship project to help conserve and raise awareness of this nationally important species

• Study undertaken into the feasibility for riparian woodland planting as part of the River Dee catchment management

• Conference hosted by RSPB and CNPA on the current status of capercaillie and work needed to assist population recovery

• Capercaillie conservation work including 2000m of deer fence marking, 1200m stock fence repair,89Ha habitat creation and up to 140Ha habitat improvement was funded through the Species Action Framework

• Continuation of American mink control as part of a north-east water vole conservation project co-ordinated by the University of Aberdeen

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. Itrecognises that many of these featuresare important because of the waypeople have lived and managed theland in the past, and that current andfuture management holds the key totheir continued health.

Surveys were established in 2007/08or continued into 2008/09 for wildcat;twinflower; inbye semi-naturalgrasslands; wetlands; riparianwoodlands; Arctostaphylos heath; andaspen woodland in Strathspey.

Projects to undertake activemanagement were established in2007/08 or continued in 2008/09 for :water vole; capercaillie; black grouse;red squirrel; wildcat; semi-naturalgrasslands; native woodlands; waterbodies/water courses; non-nativeplants; pine hoverfly; freshwater pearlmussels; wetland restoration;goldeneye; mink; grey squirrel; andtwinflower.

• Farmland wader initiative introduced by RSPB and farm conservation advisors recruited to assist land managers making SRDP applications

• Pilot phase of National Wetland Inventory commenced by SEPA in the Cairngorms National Park to provide baseline information for wetland conservation and enhancement

Milestones for 2009/10

• Update of the Landscape Character Assessment for the Cairngorms National Park to be completed including analysis of the landscape special qualities

• Rare plant conservation project to be established by University of Aberdeen, Plantlife, SNH and CNPA

• Implementation of prioritised actions in the Spey Catchment Management Plan

• Community Heritage Project to belaunched to support communities in the Park to understand,conserve and enjoy their local cultural heritage

Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscapes

Water vole

Ensuring that the

important geology,

wildlife, habitats,

diverse landscapes

and human history

are at least maintained

and wherever possible

strengthened.


Lily Loch

Scottish wildcat

Cairngorms Wildcat Project

A project to help safeguard theScottish wildcat – one of Scotland’smost iconic mammals – has beenlaunched in the Cairngorms NationalPark which is a stronghold for thisdeclining species and is now the focusof effort funded through Scotland’sSpecies Action Framework. Apartnership including the RoyalZoological Society of Scotland,Scottish Gamekeepers Association,Forestry Commission Scotland,Scottish Natural Heritage, the WildMedia Foundation and the CNPA hasjoined forces to raise awareness andtake practical conservation action inthe National Park.

The project builds on a conferenceheld in 2008 in Aviemore which drewa wide range of people and

Cairngorms Biological Recording System

The North East Scotland BiologicalRecords Centre is developing a newsystem that will help collate recordsand information on the presence anddistribution of species and habitats inthe National Park.These can be storedin a range of places and formats andinclude anything from casualobservations by members of thepublic to surveys commissioned bypublic agencies.

When complete in 2011, theCairngorms Biological RecordingSystem will provide a focal point thatwill help realise greater value from thedata; promote the identity and informmanagement of the Park; increaseawareness and understanding of thePark’s natural heritage; and make theinformation publicly available. A seriesof events were held around the Parkto encourage people to collate andsubmit their records.

The system should also help tomanage, update and verify biologicalrecords for the Park; promote interestand encourage both the recording andsubmission of new data; and transferall Cairngorms National Park recordsto the National Biodiversity Networkthat can then be widely accessed viathe internet.

organisations together who agreed toact now to help save the Scottishwildcat. Major threats to the speciesare thought to include hybridisationand disease transmission withdomestic cats and being mistakenlykilled during feral cat control.

As well as raising awareness of theplight of the wildcat, the project aimsto safeguard wildcat populations forthe future by working withveterinarians, cat welfare charities andcat owners to increase levels ofneutering and vaccination of domesticcats. In addition, this project will workwith gamekeepers and other landmanagers to ensure that predatorcontrol activities do not put wildcatsat risk.

For more information visitwww.highlandtiger.com.


• Provision of advice and guidance tosupport implementation of Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) in the National Park through two land management support officers and SRDP case officers

• Series of seminars delivered on theopportunities of the SRDP

• Farm visits arranged to advise on potential options to deliver public benefits and identify potential support

• 57 Rural Development Contracts awarded to land-based businesses in the National Park

• Two seminars delivered and publication of a guide to help farmers estimate and reduce greenhouse gases following the completion of a carbon footprint pilot on 16 farms

• Ongoing development of a Woodfuel Action Plan to stimulate the woodfuel market

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, moreclearly linked to the tangible deliveryof public benefits, and is more closelylinked to the needs and priorities ofthe Park.

.

• A ‘Low Carbon Estates’ project was started to help identify carbonreduction opportunities at estate scale and examine the feasibility forlow carbon infrastructure such as woodfuel heating

• Approximately 550 people in around 140 different land-based businesses received training on a wide range of subjects to help deliver public benefits to the Park more effectively


• Research into carbon storage capability of land management

• Woodfuel Fair to bring together producers, processors and customers

• Action to support local food and drink production and marketing

• Action to support renewable energy opportunities

IntegratingPublic Supportfor LandManagement

Glen Prosen

Grantown Show

Supporting a diverse,

viable and productive land

management sector that

continues to produce high

quality primary produce

while delivering public

benefits.


Low Carbon Estates

Six estates in the National Park havebeen working to identify opportunitiesto reduce their carbon emissions,supported by specialist advice.

The project includes a carbonfootprint of the estate business, anoptions appraisal to identify areas thatbring economic benefit, and a moredetailed feasibility study on one ofthese for implementation.

The project builds on a farm scalepilot carried out in 2008 and ishelping to identify how estatebusinesses can adapt to contribute

Scotland Rural DevelopmentProgramme

The Scotland Rural DevelopmentProgramme (SRDP) has supported arange of land-based businesses deliverpublic benefits from biodiversity andforest management to outdoor access.Case officers from the ScottishGovernment’s Rural Payments andInspections Directorate, ScottishNatural Heritage and ForestryCommission have worked alongsideCNPA’s land management supportofficers to assist land managers in the Park.

To date, approximately £4.86millionover a ten year period has beencommitted within the Park area, across57 successful Rural DevelopmentContracts awarded.The majority ofthat investment is in biodiversity andforest management, alongside otherbusiness development measures. Atthe start of 2008/09, CNPA employedtwo land management supportofficers to provide advice andguidance to land managers to helprealise the full potential of RuralDevelopment Contracts.

to national climate change targets inways that identify economicopportunities or savings, and considersthe practical barriers to makingchange within the business.

In 2009, the project will track theimplementation of options arisingfrom this study, and link with otherclimate change and land managementwork initiated in 2008 includingresearch on land capability for carbon capture.

Wood chipping

Woodland grazing


• Cairngorms Deer Advisory Group (CDAG) continues to bring land managers, public agencies and communities together for information sharing and advice on deer management

• A number of events have been held to improve public awareness and understanding of deer management, including: deer viewing, venison cookery, deer ecology/management, and work with primary schools and the Scottish Parliament

• Joint agency work on the Cairngorms Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) is making significant progress addressing the effects of deer on designated sites

• Genetic testing carried out on deercarcasses to check for sika/red deer hybridisation

• Analysis of social, economic and environmental effects of deer reductions commenced

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.TheCairngorms National Park Planincludes the objective of increasing thevalue of the deer resource.


• Draft framework for the management of wild deer in the Cairngorms National Park

• Deer management plans will be complete or in development over the whole Park

• Cairngorms National Park venison products promoted in schools,restaurants and the catering industry

• Best practice methods of habitat monitoring broadly adopted acrossthe Park

• The tourism opportunities of wild deer will be further developed

• Combined impacts of sheep and deer will be considered in deer management plans on both designated and non-designated sites

• Joint agency work will continue to bring designated sites into favourable condition

SupportingSustainableDeerManagement

Deer stalking party

Roe deer

Balancing the social,

economic and recreational

benefits that deer bring

with the ecological

processes in which deer

are a natural part.


Primary schools enjoy deer days

Primary school children from theCairngorms took part in one of two,2-day events that taught them moreabout deer in the CairngormsNational Park.

The first day of one of these eventswas held outside at Balmoral Estateand run by the estate, the DeerCommission for Scotland and theCairngorms National Park Authority. Itwas then back to the kitchen for thesecond day!

Red deer and roe deer are our largestindigenous mammals and are a symbolof natural grace and wildness in theNational Park.To see deer behavingnaturally in the wild is an unforgettableexperience. In light of this, the need tocontrol them can be a difficult conceptto grasp.

The children learnt that deer are animportant part of our natural andcultural heritage, and that they are animportant economic resource whichneeds to be managed.They took partin games which explained the need fordeer management and were shownthe equipment used for culling andextracting deer from the hill.

The children also got to put on whitecoats and examine the preparation of carcasses in the deer larder beforeattending a cookery demonstrationback at school hosted by Fi Bird of‘Stirrin’ Stuff ’.

Louise Duckworth, head teacher ofBallater Primary School summed it allup by saying: “This was one of themost relevant experiences pupils fromBallater have had the privilege toparticipate in as deer management has such a crucial role in our localeconomy.”

Deer picture by Georgina from Ballater Primary School

Stag in pine wood

• A new path has been built to provide a safe route to school for children in Stathdon

• The Old Logging Way, linking Aviemore to Glenmore was completed and opened by Fergus Ewing MSP, Minister for CommunitySafety

• The Scottish Outdoor Access Code was promoted throughout the National Park and a course was delivered for dog owners about responsible behaviour

• The Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum was used by CNPA and others for advice and held an annual open event in Braemar

• Guidance for organisers of outdoor access events and land managers has been published and is available in both hard copy and at www.cairngorms.co.uk

• The Cairngorms Explorer travel timetable was produced

• The Heather Hopper bus service operated throughout the summer months linking the east and west ofthe Park

• Further health walk schemes have been developed in Tomintoul and Strathdon

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


• Draft Core Paths Plan, containing proposals for some 879km of path submitted to Scottish Ministers for approval

• Funding has been secured for upgrading the core paths network for the next two years

• A new bridge was constructed across the Gynack River in Kingussie replacing one that has been closed for the last four years


• The Local Inquiry on the Draft Core Paths Plan will take place before autumn 2009

• A programme of upgrading 20 paths around the Park will commence in spring 2009

• Upland path works will be prioritised through a public workshop and funding secured to deliver repairs over the next five years

• A review of funding for the Speyside Way will be completed

• Guidance for good practice in pathsigns will be published and promoted

• Design guidelines for path leaflets in the Park will be produced

• Guidance will be developed to assist those who wish to promote routes within the Park

• Health walk schemes will be expanded to cover more communities in Badenoch and Strathspey

Providing High QualityOpportunitiesfor OutdoorAccess

Outdoor access event, Braemar

Woodland walkers

Helping more people

enjoy even higher

quality outdoor access

to benefit their health,

wellbeing and

understanding of

the Park.


Gynack Bridge

In 2005, the Gynack Bridge inKingussie was found to be structurallyunsound and was condemned.Thebridge was an important part of thepath network around Kingussie andthere was strong community supportfor it to be replaced.The KingussieCommunity Development Company(KCDC) and partner organisationsworked with the Cairngorms OutdoorAccess Trust (COAT) to secure areplacement.

KCDC worked hard to secure afunding package and COAT was ableto complete the budget, secure all the

Old Logging Way

A landmark path in one of Scotland’smost popular areas for recreation wasthe latest addition to the Park’sextensive paths network.The new5.5km path linking the communities ofAviemore and Glenmore wascompleted in the summer of 2008.

The path – named the Old LoggingWay – stretches throughRothiemurchus Estate and benefittedfrom the co-operation and support oflandowners Johnnie and PhilippaGrant, the CNPA, Scottish NaturalHeritage, the Highland Council,Sustrans and Forestry CommissionScotland.

Scotland’s Minister for CommunitySafety Fergus Ewing opened the newpath which provides a safe route foroff-road users such as walkers,runners, cyclists and horse riders.Thepath will also provide other benefitsincluding a better, more even surfacefor runners.

necessary permissions, and managethe design and construction contracts.The bridge and works werecompleted in March 2009 and it hasalready proved popular with thecommunity.

As well as replacing the bridge, theproject created a viewing platform andnew interpretation panel upstream ofthe new bridge.The nearby pathswere also improved to make themaccessible to a wider range of people.The bridge and viewing platform nowprovide a unique view of the river andunderline its historical importance tothe community.Together they form acritical part of a much largerinterpretive trail for the town.

Donnie Grant of KCDC said: “It hasbeen really useful to be able to call onan organisation like the Trust to helpus in replacing the bridge and tacklingmajor construction projects.Thewhole community is delighted to seethe river crossing restored as it hasalways been a vital link in the town.We look forward to working with theTrust in the future on other projects.”

Gynack Bridge

Northern corries footpath

• Ballater (Deeside) and four communities in Badenoch and Strathspey to complete communityaction plans

• Further development and expansion of the ‘business barometer’ across the Park

• Marketing support and business development provided for Cairngorms Hostels and Creative Cairngorms to increase membership and provide a sustainable future

• Food and drink related projects developed to raise the value of local produce, especially with visitors

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

• Marketing support and assistance for Cairngorms Farmers’ Market Association

• Aviemore and the Cairngorms DMO led event on ‘Leading Service Excellence’

• Pilot project initiated using hand-held technology to capture feedback from visitors.

• Royal Deeside and the CairngormsDMO ‘product knowledge learning journey’ pilot project initiated


• Tourism conference planned for November 2009

• Comprehensive visitor survey across the Park due for completionby April 2010

• Economic survey to compare economic data with previous studyand highlight areas for potential future action due for completion by October 2009

• Launch of first stage of Park web portal, focussing visitors on the Park

• Launch of ‘Brand Pack’ to support businesses using the Park brand

This priority for action is intended toincrease the diversity, vibrancy andsustainability of the economy of theCairngorms National Park.


• A tourism industry conference washeld on ‘Green Places, Green Profit’

• Cairngorms Local Action Group was re-established with new LEADER programme, securing £2.17million European funding for the Park and approval of funding for 78 projects

• The range of Cairngorms National Park family brands was extended to include Creative Cairngorms

• Research study to assess visitor payback schemes was commissioned and completed

• Pilot community engagement project was rolled out across the National Park

• Aviemore and the Cairngorms DMO ‘business barometer’continued to obtain feedback on business confidence and future intentions

• Detailed study was completed to explore options for greater collaboration and efficiency across the business community

Making Tourismand BusinessMoreSustainable

Royal Lochnagar Distillery

Salmon fishing

Increasing the

diversity, vibrancy

and sustainability

of the economy of

the Cairngorms

National Park.


Cairngorms Farmers Market

Glenshee Ski Centre

should provide a stronger voice andbetter value for money for theirmembers than they can provide ontheir own. However, otherorganisations may find joining moredifficult to achieve in the short termand for these reasons, the model forthe business partnership has beendesigned to make progress with aflexible membership.

Although the partnership is still in itsearly development and has challengesto overcome, significant effort has sofar been made by the various groupsinvolved, and there is real enthusiasmfor taking the proposals furtherforward.The partnership offersexciting options for future private-public sector engagement and thepotential for more efficient andeffective support to the businesscommunity across the Park.

A Collaborative Business Model – The CairngormsBusiness Partnership

The Cairngorms Chamber ofCommerce (CCC) and theDestination ManagementOrganisations (DMOs) areenthusiastic partners in the delivery ofthe Cairngorms National Park Plan.Over the last year, the CCC has beenworking with the DMOs and otherbusiness groupings in different parts ofthe Park to develop a more coherentmodel for business collaboration and astronger overall voice for businesses.

The proposals involve a pooling of thestaff resources of the DMOs and theCCC to allow everyone to benefitfrom their combined expertise andcritical mass.Their work would beoverseen by a board of directorsmade up of representatives of thevarious groups, individuals andorganisations to ensure that theycontinue to meet the needs of allareas and organisations.

Bodies representing different areas orbusiness sectors would be able to jointhe board of directors and pool theirfunding resources in return forcombined activities, or simply buyservices directly from the organisation.For some organisations, membershipof the wider business partnership

Former chairman of the CairngormsChamber of Commerce DuncanMackellar said: “The proposedCairngorms Business Partnership will enable organisations to work in a complementary way to provide one cohesive and powerful voice forbusiness. It will help increase efficiencythrough pooling resources andexpertise, and prove a powerfulmechanism for levering in fundingfrom public agencies.

“The current economic situationmakes it more important than everthat the private sector works inpartnership with the public agenciesto achieve the common aims of allwho live and work in the CairngormsNational Park.”


• Further community needs assessment projects, incorporating housing needs surveys to be established across the National Park

• Implementation of the action plans agreed with communities to take projects forward

• Undertake research to identify the impact of Park housing supply on businesses

• Identify projects which can access Scottish Government funding or toincrease the supply of affordable private rented housing whether forrenovation or new build

• Further activities to promote awareness and understanding of sustainable energy efficient housing design will be identified


• Community needs project established in Ballater

• A programme of community needsprojects was established in Badenoch and Strathpsey with Voluntary Action in Badenoch and Strathspey

• Quick win projects for each of the communities in Grantown-on Spey,Cromdale and Advie and Dulnain Bridge including improvements to Dulaig Park and speed indicator devices in Cromdale and Dulnain Bridge

• Provision of housing information links through the Park-based website

• Two training courses on housing management practice and good practice were delivered in partnership with the Scottish RuralProperty and Business Association

• A sustainable drainage design guidewas developed in partnership with the Highland Housing Alliance and the Highland Council

• The completion of four low cost home ownership sustainable homes at a former Forestry Commission site at Milehouse,Kincraig with the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust

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

Several key activities were progressedand completed under this priorityduring 2008/09 but others willcontinue to be relevant and ongoingthough 2009/10 and possibly beyond.These include:

• Development of the Cairngorms National Park Local Plan and the Cairngorms National Park Sustainable Design Guide;

• Co-ordination of housing work andsharing of housing information between partners; and

• Ensuring the Cairngorms National Park Plan's priorities are incorporated in Local Authorities' Strategic Housing Investment Plans

MakingHousing MoreAffordable andSustainable

Braemar village

Crested tit

Improving access to good

quality, sustainably

designed, and affordable

housing to help maintain

sustainable communities

in the long-term.


Milehouse affordable housing

The Highland Small CommunitiesHousing Trust has led efforts todevelop four innovative, affordablehomes for sale at Milehouse nearKincraig.The Trust has continued itswork of providing new affordablehomes on sites across the Park, but itsmost significant project of the year hasbeen the provision of the Milehousehomes using the ScottishGovernment's Rural HomeOwnership Grants.

The homes combine design featuresand technical specifications that willmake them pleasant to live in andefficient to run, as well as minimisingimpacts on the environment by usinglocally sourced timber, maximisingsolar gain and installing wood burningstoves.

The new homes are built on landbought by the Trust from the ForestryCommission under the NationalForest Land Scheme with the activesupport of the Kincraig and VicinityCommunity Council, Highland Council,CNPA and the Scottish Government.

The Trust’s new CEO,Tom Hainey, isconfident that it will be able to play aneven more positive and innovativerole in the Cairngorms National Parkand Highland’s rural communities in2009. “I know that a shortage ofaffordable and sustainable housing inrural areas is a particular problemacross the Cairngorms National Parkand that is why it is so important thatwe work with public agencies and ourother key community and businesspartners to help understand andrespond to those needs,” he said.

Affordable housing, near Kincraig

Housing in the Cairngorms National Park

• National Park pages to be developed on ‘Glow’ – the nationalschool’s intranet – which will provide an educational resource for teachers, pupils and parents

• Launch of the Cairngorms NationalPark web portal providing comprehensive information about the Park for visitors

• Young people from schools in and around the National Park will produce video films looking at the possible impacts and adaptations toclimate change on communities in the National Park in 2050

• Further use of the panoramic paintings of the National Park to raise awareness of the area including the sale of the paintings as posters

• Production of a DVD about the special qualities of the National Park for use in visitor centres,exhibitions and conferences

• Learning and Teaching Scotland Conference ‘National Parks as a Delivery Tool for the Curriculum for Excellence’ was held with participants from five local authorities

• Angus Glens Ranger Base opened to the public

• The widest range of information about the National Park for visitorswas published including a revamped ‘What’s On’ monthly event guide under the new management of Aviemore and theCairngorms Destination Management Organisation


• Ranger services work programmes clearly linked to delivering the National Park Plan

• The family of National Nature Reserves in the National Park will be better promoted in print and on websites to encourage more people to enjoy these special places

• Education action plans encouragingyoung people to learn about and experience the National Park will be developed by five local authorities

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.


• 24 Cairngorms Awareness and Pride courses attracted around 400 people to learn about the special qualities of the Park

• Interpretation guidance ‘Sharing theStories of the Cairngorms NationalPark’ was published

• Inspirational Europarc Junior Ranger camp held at Glen Tanar Estate

• 1,886 people completed a John Muir Award in the Cairngorms including the 5,000th award since the project started in 2004

• The BBC ‘Springwatch’ programmefeatured much of the special wildlife of the National Park with support and assistance from many land managers

• Destination Management Organisations in the Park launched new websites promoting the area

RaisingAwareness andUnderstandingof the Park

Highland dancers

Increasing awareness

of the Cairngorms

National Park and

its special qualities

throughout the Park

and Scotland.


National Parks and theCurriculum for Excellence

In September 2008 Learning andTeaching Scotland held a conferencefor teachers and other educationprofessionals to look at new ways theycould use the National Park toenthuse, engage and educate pupils.

As a result of the conference, the fivelocal education authorities havedeveloped action plans to encouragegreater use of the opportunitiesavailable to pupils living in or close tothe National Park.These plans willstart to be delivered in 2009, withAberdeenshire Council’s alreadyunderway.

In the Highland Council area,Grantown Grammar School hasadopted a flexible timetable for S1and S2 pupils that allows them toexplore some of the special places inthe local area by participating in theJohn Muir Award.

Europarc Junior Ranger Camp

In July 2008, Scottish CountrysideRangers Association, Glen Tanar Estateand the Cairngorms National ParkAuthority jointly hosted the annualEuroparc Junior Ranger Camp.Twentyyoung people from across Europecame to Glen Tanar in Deeside alongwith 11 young people from Scotland.

The Junior Rangers took part in awide range of activities including hillwalking, mountain biking, canoeing,practical conservation work, and hadtime to experience a ceilidh and aHighland Games. During the busyweek of activities, the young peoplewere able to make new friends andlearn about each others variedcultures.

Responding to a question about whatthey learned during the week, oneScottish participant wrote, “I realiseand understand deeply the need foryoung people to be involved withnature and the environment.”

The camp launched the Junior Rangerprogramme in the Cairngorms whichwill develop further in 2009. Itconnected the Cairngormsprogramme to the European networkso that in future years there will beopportunities for young people fromthe Cairngorms National Park to visitother protected areas.

Avielochan,Aviemore

Europarc Junior Ranger Camp

Uath Lochans

Cairngorms National Park Authority14 The Square

Grantown-on-Spey Moray, PH26 3HG Tel: 01479 873535 Fax: 01479 873527

Email: [email protected]

www.cairngorms.co.uk

© CNPA 2009.All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-906071-05-9

For a large print version of this publication,please contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority

at the above address or telephone 01479 873535.

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

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