Outdoor Access Advice

Ditch the disposable!

Single-use, disposable barbecues are damaging to the environment, a high fire risk and can cause injury to people and wildlife when not disposed of properly. They regularly cause scorching and damage to the ground and picnic tables.

Please do not use disposable barbecues in the National Park.

If your perfect picnic requires a barbecue, then please ensure you plan ahead and bring your own portable barbecue.

Barbecue best practice

At times of ‘High Fire Risk’ you should not use a barbecue.

• Always follow advice from rangers / site staff and local signage (NB some sites, like Glenmore, don’t permit barbecues)
• Place on a solid, fire-resistant surface such as stones, sand or shingle.
• Fully extinguish after cooking – do not add wood as open fires should not be lit.
• Leave no trace – dispose of your cold ash in a bin or take it home.

A “High Fire Risk” period is a fire danger warning put out by Scottish Fire & Rescue when there is a high likelihood of wildfires.  Usually this is after a prolonged dry spell when the ground and vegetation is tinder dry and there is a risk that a rogue spark could start a wildfire.  High fire risk warnings often last for several days.

Wildfires are surprising common in Scotland and can occur on grassland, moorland and in forests.

During these high (and also medium) fire risk times we all need to be extra vigilant so as not to accidently start a wildfire by:

• Never lighting a campfire, fire pit / fire bowl, or barbecue
• Taking extra care when using cooking stoves
• Ensuring all cigarettes are fully extinguished

When there is a High Fire Risk you’ll see signs posted on roadsides, posts on social media and it may also be mentioned on local weather forecasts

First things first, if you can, make sure you ‘go’ before you go. Check the locations of Public Toilets here before you go.

Plan ahead and carry a toilet kit – a trowel, plastic bags, toilet paper and hand sanitiser. You can also get special outdoor poo packs (Dicky bags allow you to carry dog and human waste safely) or even portable toilet bags.

If you need to ‘go’ please follow this guidance:

• Urinate at least 30 metres from lochs, rivers, and streams and somewhere private!
• If you need to poo – dig a hole and bury it and replace the turf. Do this well away from buildings, paths, well-used areas and water.
• Bag up and pack out any toilet paper and sanitary items

If it’s not possible to dig a hole to bury your poo be prepared to pack it out:

More advice on Where to Go from Mountaineering Scotland.

If you are planning to park up overnight please read the Guide to Campervanning in the Cairngorms which has loads of information like fantastic caravan and camping site options, as well as parking spots, public toilets, waste disposal outlets, recycling points, fuel stations and much more.  There is a campervan facilities map in the guide which you can view or you can download.

In order to park up responsibly please follow this guidance:

• Check out the Campervan Facilities map to find the facilities you’ll need like waste disposal options and recycling points
• Take care not to block any forest, estate, or farm entrances
• Observe any local guidance, including specific requests not to park overnight in particular areas
• Respect peoples privacy, consider your impact on local residents and wildlife
• Please do not light campfires, even in fire pits. Take care with barbecues and do not barbecue at times of ‘High Fire Risk’
• Do not leave any litter behind, ensure you leave no trace of your overnight stop
• If you do not have an on-board toilet follow the guidance on outdoor toileting (see drop down above)
• Shop local and support local restaurants and services
• Consider using managed caravan/campsites. To find the best site for you Visit Cairngorms has lots of ideas.

Please remember:

• Access rights in Scotland do not include motor vehicles
• Always ensure you are parked responsibly without causing an obstruction to access or passing traffic
• If you choose to stop in a lay-by, please make yourself aware of all road traffic regulations associated with this type of parking
•  Passing Places, unlike lay-bys, are not meant for stopping and are a crucial part of the single track road network in the National Park. Passing places must be kept clear to allow the free flow of traffic.

If you have a vehicle with a roof tent and then the formal campsites around the National Park will offer the most suitable ground for this kind of setup.  A list of campsites can be found at VisitCairngorms 

If you don’t plan on heading to a campsite please follow all the guidance for Campervans (see above drop down)

Please remember:

• Access rights in Scotland do not include motor vehicles

We welcome Duke of Edinburgh participants who wish to use the Cairngorms National Park for their expeditions.  Please follow this guidance at all times:

Pre-planning

• Ensure you are familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Review the resources on the DoE website regarding expeditions in the Cairngorms National Park.  The most up to date copy of the Greater Cairngorms Information Pack is on this page. There is a lot of helpful information here regarding permitted camping locations, specific bookable DoE camp locations and specific site advice.

• Be aware that the regular / promoted areas can become overused and may be busy, so try and plan new and different camp locations to head to.
  Overuse of sites impacts both on the environment (such as ground damage and wildlife disturbance) and on other people’s enjoyment of the countryside.
• Consider a different type of trip that might take you away from the busy areas, like a cycling or canoeing expedition.

On your expedition

• Follow the wild camping guidance at all times and ensure that you leave no trace of your camping pitch.
• Take care with cooking stoves, especially during time of ‘high fire risk’.
• Be discreet and respectful – ensure you don’t disturb wildlife or other people.

Further advice

If you need any further advice or contact details for estates / landowners please contact the Outdoor Access team for assistance:

[email protected]

There are certain times when in order to act responsibly, you should put your dog on a short lead or keep it close at heel.

These include:

• During the bird breeding season (usually April – mid August) in areas such as moorland, forests, grasslands, loch shores to avoid disturbing birds that nest on or near the ground.
• In areas where livestock are present.  Please keep as far away from animals as possible.
• In busy recreational areas and public places to avoid causing concern to others.

Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is a great way to enjoy a leisurely paddle and explore lochs from a different perspective. However, if you are new to stand up paddleboarding (SUP) it’s always advisable to get a lesson first.  Read more about SUP activity providers and where to go Stand Up Paddleboarding in the Cairngorms

Before you go out paddleboarding ensure you know the risks, stay within your capabilities and ensure you have the appropriate safety gear.

Read more about how to stay safe when paddleboarding

No – motorised activities, including the use of any powered craft on water, are excluded from access rights.

All types of electric motor including; trolling motors, electric boat motors, efoils, SUP / kayak motors etc are not permitted under access rights and therefore these motorised craft cannot be used on inland waters or rivers.  These activities require the permission of the relevant owner or manager.

Deer management can take place between July and February, but the most sensitive time is the stag stalking season, with most stalking taking place between August and October.

Although stalking can take place at anytime, the two key stalking periods are around:

• 1st to 20th October – for stags
• January – 15th February – for hinds

Stalking doesn’t usually take place on a Sunday, but this is not the case on all estates and therefore you should still seek information and plan ahead.

Effective deer management is essential to ensure sustainable deer populations (they have no natural predators) and to conserve our natural habitats.  Maintaining deer numbers prevents them overgrazing upland areas, aids woodland regeneration, conserves biodiversity and prevents damage to trees and crops. It also protects the deer from starvation and disease, and provides economic benefits to rural economies.

More information about deer management – West Grampian Deer Managment group

Recreational and personal use of drones and model aircraft are not within access rights and local restrictions may apply.  It is advised to check with the landowner or occupier for permission to use a drone.

More generally the use of drones is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and their regulations regarding licencing are a legal requirement for flying any drone.  

The CAA Drone Code must be adhered to, with an emphasis placed on personal responsibility. This includes:

• Respecting other people, their safety and privacy – there are restrictions (depending on the size of drone) as to how close you can fly to a person, vehicle or building.
• Not flying anywhere where you will disturb or endanger wildlife or animals (including livestock). Restrictions may also exist in areas specifically designated for wildlife such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s).

No – products such as hoverboards, segways, electric scooters (go-peds), powered unicycles, trolling motors on boats. SUP motors or efoils etc. are classified as “powered transport” and these types of electric transports cannot be used in the Cairngorms National Park or in any area of countryside (nor on any public road).

These powered transports are not within access rights and can only be used on private land / water where you have the express permission of the landowner.

Electric bicycles* are classed as a type of pedal cycle and can be used in the countryside in the same way that a standard bicycle can.

(*E-bikes must have pedals to propel it, a limited speed of 15.5mph, a max power output of 250watts and a plate showing manufacturer and these details).

You are permitted to pick wild mushrooms and berries for your own consumption – however you should always follow the guidance in the Scottish Wild Mushroom Code, and care for the environment.

Scottish Wild Mushroom Code

Please note – if you are collecting mushrooms for commercial purposes or for profit then legally you must have the permission of the landowner.

Pheasant shooting takes place during the autumn and winter in woods and forests and on adjacent open ground.  Avoid game rearing pens and keep your dog on a lead or at heel when close to a pen.

Grouse shooting takes place on moorland areas, the season runs from 12 August to 10 December, with most shoots taking place during the early part of the season.

You can help to minimise disturbance by being alert to the possibility of shooting taking place on and taking account of advice on alternative routes.  Avoid crossing land where a shoot is taking place.

There are some circumstances when it may be necessary to seek landowner permission for an event that you are planning to run.

We have a guidance document that has been written to help event organisers and land managers in the planning and management of organised outdoor events in the Park. It should also be of interest to many other people, including community groups, businesses and public agencies – anyone who is interested in outdoor events and how they are managed.

Download the outdoor access event guidance 

For further advice please contact the outdoor access team: [email protected] 

VisitCairngorms have also produced a helpful Event Planners Guide which will help you find locations and venues, plan transport links and connect with communities, suppliers and local businesses.

The Cairngorms National Park is a great place for getting outdoors but like the rest of Scotland, you should protect yourself from the tiny biting parasites known as ticks.

The four top tips for preventing a tick bite are;

• Stick to paths and avoid long grass, bracken, and heather.
• Cover exposed skin if you are walking through long grass, bracken, and heather.
• Use a recommended insect repellent.
• And most importantly check yourself for ticks at regular intervals.

For advice on removing ticks and the signs and symptoms of Lymes disease, the Highland Council has a useful guide linked here.

If you need to report an access issue or a path obstruction please email us:

[email protected]

In your email please include:

• Your name and contact details
• Date the problem occurred
• The location, including OS grid reference
• Any photographs
• Description of the issue.  Please include – details of how your access rights were obstructed, the activity you were undertaking, where the path leads to and from or the feature visited and any other relevant information.