Celebrate National Parks Week in the Cairngorms

Organisations throughout the Cairngorms National Park are joining forces to celebrate National Parks Week 2005, which takes place from 22 – 29 July.  A series of events are taking place throughout the Park with something to suit all ages and abilities.

National Parks Week is being marked at National Parks the length and breadth of Great Britain. It is a celebration of the diverse and beautiful nature of National Parks and this year’s theme is Outdoor Access.

One of the highlights of the week will be a guided walk through some spectacular purple heather moorland with the Cairngorms Moorland project. Blairfindy Moor on the Glenlivet Estate is one of two project demonstrations moors and on Wednesday 27 July, people can enjoy a Magical Moorland Tour and discussion on moorland management
(details below) with Moorland Liaison Officer, Juliet Robinson.

She said: “With around 40 per cent of the Cairngorms National Park covered by heather moorland, this is an important and valuable habitat, which in order to flourish needs active management. I’ll be taking people out to Blairfindy during National Parks Week to show them what it is all about and to celebrate the Outdoor Access theme.”

The following events are also taking place in the Cairngorms National Park during National Parks Week 2005 – so get out there and celebrate!

23 July

• Rock Around the Loch: A guided walk with the Balmoral Estate Ranger Service. Imagine tropical seas, volcanoes and glaciers and see how they have shaped the landscape we know today. Leaves from the Glen Muick Visitor Centre 2.30pm – 4.30pm.

24 July

• Anagach Woods Open Day: join the Highland Council Countryside Ranger Service for an afternoon of activities and guided walks.  From 2pm – 5pm.
• Living in Dell Woods: discover the stories and wildlife of Abernethy in this ancient Caledonian Pine Forest.  Hosted by Explore Abernethy Ranger Service, this guided walk is from 2pm – 4pm.
• Survival of the Fittest: could you and your family survive in Glenmore Woods?  Give it a try with the Forest Enterprise Rangers, leaving from Glenmore Visitor Centre at 11.00am.
• High Top Walk: the National Trust for Scotland is offering a more strenuous walk to the ?Blue Hill of Derry’.  The cost is £10 per person or £7.50 for NTS members.  Leaving from Mar Lodge Estate at 9.30am (booking essential).

25 July

• The Cairngorms Close Up: learn about the variety of life on Cairn Gorm with the Cairngorm Ranger Service.  From 10.30am – 4pm.

26 July

• Nature Detectives: discover what shares the woods with you at Rothiemurchus Estate, Aviemore.  Leaves from the Inverdruie Visitor Centre at 10am (booking essential).

27 July

• Balmoral Grounds Walk: discover the grounds and woods around Balmoral Castle and learn about the Estate’s history and wildlife.  Grounds ticket costs £5 and walk lasts from 2pm – 4pm.
• The Life and Times of an Ancient Forest: Explore Abernethy Ranger Service invites you to get to know the inhabitants of the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest, 10am – 11.30am.
• A Walk in the Parks: take and evening stroll in Mar Lodge Estate grounds and around the Lodge itself with an opportunity to view the interior of the Stag Ballroom.  There is a charge of £2 for this event, which leaves from Mar Lodge Estate at 7pm (booking essential).
• People and the Land: find out how people shaped today’s natural heritage and how quality food is produced from local farms with the Rothiemurchus Estate Ranger Service at 2pm (booking essential).
• Whisky Smugglers and the Forbidden College of Scalan: the Glenlivet Estate Ranger Service invites you to visit the renowned Scalan Seminary and discover the story of this 18th century forbidden college and the history of whisky smuggling in the area.  Walk leaves from Eskemulloch Car Park and there is a charge of £3 (booking essential).
• Cairngorms Moorland Project: enjoy a guided walk through an area of spectacular heather moorland with one of the CNPA’s Moorland Liaison Officers.  From 10am – 12 pm, meeting at the Altnaglander car park on the B9136 (for more information contact Juliet on tel: 01479 870539).

28 July

• Wild Woods Mystery Hunt: something is hiding in the woods and it is up to you to find it!  With a torn up map, this event for kids at Forest Enterprise Scotland’s Glenmore Visitor Centre is set to be a challenge.  From 10.30am – 12.30pm.
• Rocks Rogues and Ruins: go for a meander around the tree clad shores of Loch an Eilean with history tales and folklore thrown in.  This event is organised by the Rothiemurchus Estate Ranger Service and leaves from the Inverdruie Visitor Centre at 10am (booking essential).
• Walk with a Naturalist: a guided walk with the RSPB exploring the Insh Marshes Reserve.  There is a cost of £2 for this event which takes place from 2pm – 5pm.

29 July

• From Fairies to the Ferry: discover history, wildlife and folklore of the past and present in a scenic walk through the forests and fields beside the River Spey with the Highland Council Countryside Rangers.  Meet at the Boat of Garten Post Office at 11.30am.

Full details of all of these events, including how to get there, maps and suggested footwear and clothing can be found in the Cairngorms Countryside Events booklet which can be picked up in most tourist information centres, accommodation providers and visitor attractions.  Alternatively contact the Cairngorms National Park Authority for a copy of the guide, tel: 01479 873535 / email: [email protected].  Details of all of the ranger led events in and around the Cairngorms National Park can also be found on the CNPA website, www.cairngorms.co.uk – click on Countryside Events Diary in the Visitor Information section.

The theme of National Parks Week 2005 is Outdoor Access, so for more information on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, please contact the CNPA’s Outdoor Access Officers on tel: 01479 873535.  Information leaflets and copies of the Code, outlining your rights and responsibilities, are being distributed to accommodation providers in the Park and are available direct from the Park Authority.