Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum - June 2021

This document contains an update for members of the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum regarding visitor management in the Cairngorms National Park during 2020 and 2021. It highlights the work done by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and its partners to encourage safe and enjoyable visits as the area reopened after Covid-19 lockdowns. This includes setting up visitor working groups, providing visitor messaging with key information, improving visitor infrastructure, increasing ranger services, and establishing the Cairngorms Green Recovery Fund to support local projects focused on green recovery and economic growth. The document also includes data from the CNP Ranger Service on patrols, visitor engagement, and litter collection.

This document contains notes from the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum regarding water access and sensitive species in the Cairngorms National Park. Due to an increase in people using the Park's lochs and rivers for activities like paddle boarding and wild swimming, there is a need for Park-wide guidance on responsible water access. The aim is to balance public enjoyment with the protection of sensitive species like Golden Eye and Osprey. The Forum is seeking advice on how to best manage water-based activities, including developing core messages, site-specific advice, and infrastructure improvements. It also emphasizes the importance of respecting nature reserves and conservation areas, following local guidance, and testing different approaches to visitor management.

This document contains information regarding proposed changes to local access guidance at Loch Kinord (Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve) due to increased water recreation. The purpose of these changes is to update members on adjustments to local access guidance and seek their approval. Due to the rise in water-based activities and their impact on breeding birds, new restrictions are being put in place, asking people not to use Loch Kinord during bird breeding season (March 1 to August 31), as it is believed that the combined presence of water users could disturb breeding birds, leading to breeding failure or displacement. Muir of Dinnet is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Protection Area, and a Special Area of Conservation, making it subject to additional protection. NatureScot is putting this guidance in place and will continue to monitor bird and visitor numbers, with a more formal review planned for 2024.

This document contains barbecue advice from Adam Streeter-Smith, Outdoor Access Officer for the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum. It aims to provide support for a park-wide approach to managing barbecues and fire pits and to advise access authorities. Land managers are concerned about disposable barbecues and fire pits being used during high fire risk periods, causing fire alerts, scorch marks, and leading to open fires. While the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) don't specifically mention barbecues, SOAC advises against fires during high risk periods and in certain areas like forests or on peaty ground without land manager permission. The Cairngorms National Park Authority views barbecues as not constituting open fires if they are enclosed, use transported fuel, and are specifically for cooking, but advises against using fire pits without land manager permission, as they are considered open fires. The document also advises that any commercial operator or educational group looking to use an open fire as part of bush craft should seek land manager permission.

This document contains an update for members of the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum regarding public access in and around Carrbridge. It clarifies the Cairngorms National Park Authority's (Park Authority) position on seasonal signage and gates, addressing whether the signs contravene the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and comply with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. The document also clarifies that landowners can lawfully maintain locked gates in certain situations, and outlines factors to consider when determining if a locked gate is an obstruction to access rights.

This document contains the meeting notes from the Cairngorms Local Outdoor Access Forum (LOAF) meeting on 23 June 2021. Discussions covered the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) restructure, managing visitors including ranger reports, and waterborne access issues due to increased usage impacting sensitive species; Park-wide guidance is being considered. Members discussed local access guidance at Loch Kinord in response to increased water recreation, agreeing in principle to advise the public to avoid using the loch as an emergency measure. CNPA advice on barbecues and fire pits in the countryside was discussed, and the LOAF agreed with the CNPA position. Public access around Carrbridge was reviewed and members supported signs on capercaillie sensitive sites and responses to dealing with gates. The next meeting will be before the end of August regarding the Park Plan, and an update on the Carrbridge to Aviemore cycle path was requested.