Residents in A school Hundreds of three communities playground has people have signed are being asked been transformed up for two new how their villages into a wildlife training schemes could build on their wonderland thanks launched by the past successes. to a CNPA grant. Park Authority. PAGE 3 PAGE 5 PAGE 7 Issue ten • Winter • 2007/08

A panoramic view of the Park understanding of the Park’s lay-out and Panoramic view of the Park from the east © CNPA geography as well as its communities. Once completed, they will be placed at various entry points around the Park, highlighting to visitors how vast and varied the area is. The panoramas will also be used as promotional material in a variety of ways and formats. For example, at tourist information centres, visitor attractions and by community groups. The first panorama, from the east, has already been produced and will be erected at . Mr Vielkind is considered to be at the forefront of his field and is celebrated around the world due to the quality of his work. It will take him around two months to complete each image as he does them by hand. PEOPLE entering the panoramic artist, to produce five The paintings form part of the Entry will be panoramic views of the Park. It will be Point project, which has seen markers, featuring the National Park greeted with an interesting sight the first British national park to have such images. brand already placed at entry points – a panoramic view of the Park. The art work will highlight five such as Laggan and Dinnet. The different views: south east; east; north The markers and panoramas will Authority has commissioned Heinz east; north west; south west, and will give an exciting and informative Vielkind, the world’s leading enable visitors to have a better welcome to the Park. continued on page two parklife

POLICY POLICY Delivering the Cairngorms Update on Paths National Park Plan in the Park

THE future vision of the Cairngorms National Park THE final draft document setting out was secured last March when Scottish minsters proposals for core paths in the approved the Cairngorms National Park Plan. Cairngorms National Park has been The statutory document sets out both the long- drawn up. term vision (25 years) for the Park and the The Draft Core Paths Plan is a Priorities for Action during the first five years statutory document identifying a network (2007-2012). of important paths which will give the It was produced through collaboration public reasonable access throughout the between the Cairngorms National Park area. Core paths will be the main routes Authority and its partners, public, private and which will link into the wider path network. voluntary, as well as through extensive public The Draft Core Paths Plan has been consultation. developed following public consultation The CNPA and partner organisations which took place earlier this year. are working together in seven delivery The document will now go to the teams to make sure that the Priorities for CNPA board for approval to consult in Action are implemented over the next December, before being submitted to the five years. in February 2008. A The delivery phase was formally launched final formal public consultation will take at an event in in September which place later next year. included the first meetings of three advisory forums set up to advise the CNPA and other bodies on the management of the Park and the Walking round Loch Muick implementation of the National Park Plan. The advisory teams focus on three key areas: understanding and enjoying the Park;

communities living and working in the Park and conserving, enhancing and managing the Park. © DAVID GOWANS Copies of the National Park Plan can be downloaded from www.cairngorms.co.uk

POLICY Update on Deposit Local Plan CHANGES are being made to a document setting out future development and land use in the Cairngorms National Park following a public consultation. OUTDOOR ACCESS The Cairngorms National Park Deposit Local Plan went out for consultation earlier this year with the public being asked to make representations Busy year for on the policies set out in it. LOAF The Plan sets out proposed policies on how development and use of land in the Park IT has been a busy year for the Local should be guided and managed for a five Outdoor Access Forum with the year period. publication of its first ever business Following the public response, the Park report detailing its work over the Authority is now making modifications to past two years.The Forum of 21 the document.They will be published early members from recreational, land next year, when the public will again be management and community sectors invited to respond. was set up by the CNPA to advise It will eventually form the Cairngorms on outdoor access, rights of way and National Park Local Plan, a statutory core paths. September also saw its document which will replace the local second annual event held at Nethy plans currently in existence for the four local authority areas covering the Park: ; Angus; Bridge.The highlight was a talk by and . Scottish mountaineer Jamie Andrews. The Local Plan will help to deliver affordable housing, as well as conserve and enhance Copies of the LOAF Business the Park’s natural and cultural heritage. Although separate to the Cairngorms National Park Report can be downloaded from Plan it will help to deliver its Priorities for Action. www.cairngorms.co.uk/outdooraccess

2 3 parklife

CONSULTATION Residents help to © NEIL MCINTYRE improve their communities RESIDENTS in three Cairngorms National Park communities are being asked how their villages could build on their past successes. The Community Engagement Project started in August and is asking residents in , Grantown-on-Spey and about positive aspects of their Red deer in the Cairngorms community, how to build on them and the resources that need to be DEER MANAGEMENT built on.The information will help to establish future projects and Raising awareness of deer issues developments in the communities. Hard to reach groups such as A NEW project by the Cairngorms that will raise the public’s awareness mothers and toddlers, disabled, aims to of deer management and the animals elderly and youth, are being targeted study the socio-economic impacts value in terms of stalking, venison and to ensure there is a diverse and wide of deer reduction and the real costs eco-tourism. range of opinion. and benefits it brings. Following a successful public The project is a pilot scheme Many areas around the Park have deer viewing event earlier this year carried out by Housing Plus on experienced heavy culls to reduce by Lynaberack Estate, the CNPA behalf of the CNPA, the local deer, driven by both private and and The Highland Council, more enterprise company,The Highland public sector policies. However many events are being planned over the Council, community councils and estates are concerned about the next year. As well as increasing others. impacts of heavy culling on income awareness about deer issues, it is It will run until December, when and employment. hoped they will also develop the responses will be collated and an Project leader Colin MacClean commercial deer viewing action plan drawn up detailing what from the CNPA said:“Scottish opportunities. the priorities are and how they could national parks have four aims The CNPA has also teamed up be delivered through possible future including promoting the sustainable with the Country Sports Tourism projects. economic and social development of Group to develop introductory Claire Ross, the CNPA’s education communities.This means that the sessions for the public on deer and inclusion manager, said:“The Park Authority has a clear interest in stalking.They will be particularly important thing is to make the pilot the socio economic impacts of deer aimed at young, active people as fun, innovative and engaging as reductions." interested in land management and possible. Communities sometimes Projects are also being developed outdoor pursuits. feel that they are over consulted, with this pilot we are keen to take ENVIRONMENT the lead from the communities themselves.” John Muir Award’s continued success THE John Muir Award continues to go from strength to strength with 1,500 Toddlers collect litter in Anagach Woods, Grantown-on-Spey completing the course in the Park this year – the most since its launch in 2003. The Award is an environmental scheme that encourages people to discover, explore and conserve a wild place, and to share those experiences with others. It is named after the Scots born founder of National Parks and helps to meet one of the Priorities for Action for 2007-2012 in the Cairngorms National Park Plan – to raise awareness and understanding of the area. Earlier this year the CNPA board agreed to extend the use of the John Muir Award for a further three years, until 2010. For more information on the John Muir Award contact Alan Smith, John Muir

Award Manager, on 01479 870 518 or email [email protected] © CNPA/STEWART GRANT

issue ten • winter 2007/08 parklife Young musicians blaze a cèilidh trail in the Park

Young musicians taking part in the Cèilidh Trail

© FÈISEAN NAN GÀIDHEAL THE Cairngorms National Park normally evokes romantic images of peaceful lochs, vast forests and spectacular, rolling . Now a group of young people are ensuring that its cultural heritage becomes as celebrated as its natural beauty.

he Cairngorms to learn about music, dance, language over 100 people watching Cèilidh Trail was and song. performances in and . launched earlier The three-year project is being run Caroline Reagh, the project co- this year and is by the traditional music development ordinator, said: “This was the first providing training group Fèis Spè and has a number of Cèilidh Trail I have managed and the and performance aims, including: group was enthusiastic, professional Topportunities for young musicians • Providing performance, employment and extremely talented. They had from in and around the Park in and professional development never met before and yet gelled traditional Highland music, dance and opportunities for young people aged immediately, entertaining every culture. Following auditions eight between 16-25; audience. They even had people up youngsters, aged 16 and 17, were • Highlighting the traditional culture dancing by the third tune. chosen to front the group. They have of the area through song, dance, “Anyone interested in joining our been working with professional artists Gaelic language and music, for the group should get in touch for the enjoyment of residents and visitors and 2008 season.” There will be a series of Offering a high quality programme • performances over the Festive season of events that will highlight the from December 27th to January 3rd. cultural heritage of the area and

© FÈISEAN NAN GÀIDHEAL The group will be performing at Talla enhance people’s enjoyment and Nan Ros, , on January 3rd. experience of the Park. Check your local press for information Since its launch last May, the on other events including at Braemar and group has already staged ten Ballater. For more information or to join performances. They have proved the group contact: Caroline Reagh on popular around the Park, from the 0778 092 5663 or email: Cèilidh trail drummer Angus Glens to Glenlivet, with well [email protected]

4 5 parklife Wildlife wonderland © PETE CAIRNS/WWW.NORTHSHOTS.COM A SCHOOL playground has been Goldeneye duck transformed into a wildlife wonderland thanks to a biodiversity grant. Supporting local biodiversity

BIODIVERSITY grants are awarded to groups and communities whose work helps to deliver the Cairngorms Local Biodiversity © CNPA/STEWART GRANT Action Plan. The Action Plan aims to raise awareness of protecting, enhancing and appreciating the Park’s biodiversity. Grants are awarded to projects that address the Plan, including addressing lack of data and/or important information, raising awareness of biodiversity, direct habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, pollution, the control of non-native species and also objectives in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. Funding for 2008/09 is still to be finalised but for more information contact LBAP officers Justin Prigmore or Stephen Corcoran on 01479 870528 or email [email protected] or [email protected]

Abernethy Primary pupils enjoy their new wildlife pond

Pupils at Abernethy Primary are enjoying vegetable patches, tree and plant seedlings Other projects to benefit from the their new garden which was funded by and plants to attract butterflies. biodiversity grant this year include: the Cairngorms Local Biodiversity Action It is hoped the improvements will • a project by Community Trust on Plan (LBAP) project. support and strengthen the local wildlife, auditing the wildlife around the area; A new pond has been built at the habitats and biodiversity and also be used • Anagach Woods Trust for improvements school complete with native aquatic and as an educational resource to improve the at Kylintra meadow and pond; marsh plants. An all access wooden foot pupils learning and understanding of the • workshops for volunteer recorders on bridge has been constructed over it to environment. amphibians, dragonflies, moths, otters, allow people to use it and study the The work was carried out earlier this bumblebees and fungi by the North East pond’s wildlife and plants.There is also a year as part of the school’s successful bid Biological Centre; seasonal wet area at the site of a previous to gain the Eco Schools Green Flag status • two Farming Wildlife Advisory Group pond and a rockery garden. – an international project that aims to projects working with local farmers, one A second garden, also funded through improve environmental learning and action on barn owls in Deeside and the other LBAP and Highland 2007, includes in schools. on tree sparrows in the Angus Glens.

issue ten • winter 2007/08 parklife CNPA/STEWART GRANT

THE GREEN OUTLOOK David Green, convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority

public and private sectors.This will signed up to a Memorandum of provide grants for energy efficient and Understanding which will allow a better sustainable projects around the Park on understanding of climate change and its a small and large scale. Community impacts in the Park. It will also help to groups and individuals will be able to identify ways of mitigating against and apply and it is hoped it will encourage adapting to it in rural areas and how to innovative projects and learning, for significantly reduce the level of example affordable heating through greenhouse gases in the Park. SOME of the most exciting and micro-grid district heating and training These projects have been endorsed important work going on in the and support in how to become by others. Last August the Scottish Cairngorms National Park is about ‘carbon neutral’. Parliament Information Centre visited action on climate change. Another initiative is establishing a the Park to learn about our Earlier this year Scottish ministers one-stop-shop in the Park.This will act work. It is now intended approved the Cairngorms National as an information and advice centre for to include the projects in a briefing Park Plan.This document will be a residents, workers and visitors. In an guide to Scottish ministers for the significant step forward in developing a area as large as the Park and with so climate change bill, which is due to be sustainable National Park. Mitigating many different public, private and debated next year. against and adapting to climate change voluntary organisations working in it, it There is little doubt that climate are embedded in all the Plan’s Priorities is not always possible to know change is having an impact on the for Action and the work it will carry everything that is going on.The shop natural heritage of the National Park. out over the next 25 years. will help people to know more about We must address this – we were The Cairngorms National Park the sustainability work and how they designated as a National Park because Authority board has also approved can get involved and be supported it is an important area and we have a work on a range of projects that will in that. duty to conserve and enhance it. It help protect the Park, its special Another project the CNPA, along will be a long-term commitment to qualities, wildlife and landscapes. with Aberdeenshire Council, is involved ensure we have a sustainable Park Work is underway to develop a with is the climate change unit set up that can be enjoyed by all for years sustainability fund, supported by both by the Macaulay Institute.We have all to come.

TOURISM four hours to complete. turned into affordable rented The project is unique to the Park accommodation for a minimum of Tourism course and is being run by the Cairngorms ten years under two Communities goes online National Park Authority and Tourist Scotland’s grant schemes to address Board Training, with funding from the the Park’s housing problem. TOURISM businesses will be able to European Social Fund. Communities Scotland will assess improve the service they provide To enrol on Cairngorms the properties to see if they meet visitors thanks to a new free online Connections Online or to request a the grant criteria and the CNPA will training course. CD-Rom please contact Tourist initially fund all the surveys. Cairngorms Connections has been Board Training on 01294 313006 or If a property meets the criteria, the running for two years to improve email tbt@tbt..com CNPA will then assist owners in tourism businesses and visitor centres applying to Communities Scotland for understanding and awareness of the a Rural Empty Property Grant or National Park and its many attractions. HOUSING Lead Tenancy Grant to help towards Due to its popularity an online renovation work. version was launched in August. Rural empty As part of the course, users are given a series of scenarios where property grant

they must provide a suitable itinerary SURVEYS are being carried out on © KAREN ARCHER according to the groups’ empty properties and steadings in requirements and preferences – for the Park to assess whether they example a family of four wanting an could be turned into affordable adventure holiday. housing. The course has a step-by-step Property owners nominated their Spey Valley guide to help users and takes around empty buildings or steadings to be

6 7 parklife

TRAINING © CNPA Learning rural skills A NEW educational partnership between the CNPA and its partners is helping to engage youngsters in rural skills. Earlier this year Maxine Garson was appointed as the first ever schools liaison officer for rural skills for The Highland Council and Cairngorms National Park areas. She is working with secondary schools to promote the Rural Skills ‘Skills for Work’ and ‘Scottish Progression Awards’ courses.They offer hands-on experience in the land based sector – such as agriculture, crop production and animal husbandry. Pupils aged 14-17 take part in the courses and train at local farms, William MacKenzie and Matthew Donnelly enjoy their argocat training estates and forests to gain first-hand experience and better understanding TRAINING of the sector. The courses are SQA qualified and are run as part of the New training schemes for Park residents timetable for S3-S6. Maxine’s post, which runs until HUNDREDS of people have signed Park’s aims and special qualities. August 2008, is being funded by the up for two new training schemes Amongst the courses this year were CNPA,The Highland Council and launched by the Park Authority pond creation; horticulture for LANTRA. this year. crofters and small producers; habitats For more information contact: Cairngorms Action for Training and of the Cairngorms; and cultural Maxine Garson, schools liaison officer Skills (CATS) is a bursary scheme for heritage of the Cairngorms. Following – Rural Skills, on 07919 691 422 or young people aged 16-24 living in the a successful pilot period, the email [email protected] Park. It offers financial assistance in Cairngorms National Park Authority courses that will help them towards agreed to match fund it until 2010. A a career aligned to the Park’s aims. A number of courses are already number of young people have planned for 2008.

© DAVID GOWANS benefited so far in areas such as For more information on both winter sports instruction and farming. projects or to book places contact Cairngorms Awareness and Pride Kate Christie or Sam Masson on (CAP) runs courses for residents and 01479 870 535 or email businesses to promote, teach and [email protected] or Harvest time in the Park train in areas that are central to the [email protected]

SPORT miles route which started and hoped to turn Cycle Cairngorms into finished in Coylumbridge. an annual fundraising event. Cycle challenge The event was organised by the The organisers are now looking for round the Park charity Speyside Trust, which is based feedback from local communities and at Badaguish Outdoor Centre in participants on this year’s cycle to THE CNPA part-funded an exciting Glenmore. It provides care, training help them plan for the 2008 event, Park-wide cycle endurance event education, and supported particularly to establish the least earlier this year. employment for the disabled. disruptive timed road closures. The first ever Cycle Cairngorms The Trust also runs the popular For more information on Cycle took place in September with a Corrieyairack Challenge and Cairngorms call the Badaguish group of cyclists completing a 169- Half Marathon and it is Outdoor Centre on 01479 861 285.

issue ten • winter 2007/08 parklife

Park Authority CREDIT meetings

2007 16 November Planning committee, Ballater 29 November Open evening with CNPA board and staff, 30 November WHAT’S ON? WHAT’S Finance committee, Planning committee and board meeting, Strathdon 14 December Audit committee, Planning committee and board meeting,

Glen Muick, Ballater 2008 COMMUNICATIONS 11 January Future plans for Parklife Planning committee, Nethy Bridge 8 February KEEP an eye out for the new look You also said you would like to Planning committee, Ballater Parklife that will be out next year. know more about paths, housing and 21 February In the last edition there was a planning. Open evening with CNPA board questionnaire for readers to Many thanks for all your and staff, Carr-Bridge complete on their views of the comments.We have taken them into 22 February magazine and how it could be consideration and they will help us to Finance committee, Planning developed, including the type of develop an exciting new look Parklife committee and board meeting, articles you would like to see that we are sure you will enjoy. Aviemore included. The next edition of Parklife is due to 7 March There were a total of 211 be published in Spring/Summer 2008. Planning committee, Nethy Bridge responses and it was clear that the 21 March three most popular subjects were * The winner of the book,‘Wild Land: Audit committee, Ballater Images of nature from the Cairngorms’ by wildlife, the environment and Peter Cairns and Mark Hamblin was Roger 4 April community. Searle from Ballater. Planning committee, Ballater 18 April Open evening with CNPA board COMMUNICATIONS and staff, 19 April Parklife Board meeting,Tomintoul DON’T forget that Parklife is available in a variety of formats.You 2 May can read the newsletter on our website, at www.cairngorms.co.uk, Planning committee, Boat of or we can provide copies of all the articles in large print. It’s also Garten available on audio cassette. 30 May We’re always pleased to receive feedback about Parklife from our Planning committee, Ballater readers. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us at: 12 June Communications Team, Cairngorms National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Open evening with CNPA board Grantown-on-Spey, Moray PH26 3HG, tel: 01479 873535, email: and staff, Glen Clova [email protected] 13 June Finance committee and board meeting, Glen Clova Contact: 27 June Cairngorms National Park Authority, 14 The Square, Grantown-on-Spey PH26 3HG Planning committee, Nethy Bridge tel: 01479 873535, fax: 01479 873527, email: [email protected] Please check local press or the CNPA OR Albert Memorial Hall, Station Square, Ballater AB35 5QB website for further details of dates, tel: 013397 53601, fax: 013397 55334, email: [email protected] times and venues. www.cairngorms.co.uk www.cairngorms.co.uk/parkauthority

Parklife is published by Cairngorms National Park Authority and produced by Promotion,Top Floor, 33 Academy Street, IV1 1JN.Tel 01463 710695. Printed on 100% virgin fibre from managed trees and is totally chlorine free.