Pupils and teachers from the seven secondary schools in and on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park met for the first time on Thursday 18 March in Aboyne as part of a new initiative to involve young people in the work of the Park.
Eight pupils from S3 and S6 have been elected to the Group by their classmates. Their job is to seek views on youth issues from their school, and provide feedback to the National Park Authority.
The ‘Young Cairngorms’ website www.youngcairngorms.com designed by pupils at Grantown Grammar School has also been launched today to help develop links between the seven schools.
Park Authority convener Andrew Thin chaired the meeting. He said: “I am delighted that the schools are working with us to help raise awareness about the National Park, and to set up a mechanism that allows us to listen to what young people in the Cairngorms have to say. Young people are key to the future of the Park and their views and involvement are very important.”