Changing views in the National Park

A photography project with a difference was launched over the weekend at the Cairngorms Nature Festival.

Cairngorms Scenic Photo Posts have popped up all over the Cairngorms National Park and anyone with a camera, tablet or smartphone can get involved in this new project to look at how our landscape changes over time.

The wooden posts are at 14 stunning locations across the Cairngorms National Park and each one has a camera bracket on top to ensure everyone takes exactly the same view.  Having found the post, pop your camera, phone or tablet into the bracket, take a photo and then you can register and upload the image on to the Photo Posts website and contribute to a visual record of our changing landscape.

The project is a pilot initiative designed and set up by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) with support and funding from the Forestry Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)

Matthew Hawkins, Landscape and Ecology Manager at the CNPA, explains more, “This is an exciting project that everyone can get involved in and will make a valuable contribution to our knowledge and understanding of the National Park. You can register to upload images as an individual or a group making it an ideal project for walking clubs, schools and community groups.”

Some of the views are wide, panoramic and stunning, others are close-up and focused on the detail of an interesting habitat. They are in a variety of locations, some are a short walk away from settlements, others require a bit more of a hike. Each one has been selected because it is expected to show changes over time.

Jack Mackay for the Forestry Commission’s team in the area said; “This is a great project that should reveal the huge seasonal variations in the landscape that most of us never get the chance to see.

“Hopefully, some of the images captured will be so spectacular that they will inspire people to come a visit at any time of the year to experience these amazing locations for themselves.”

Eleanor Carlisle, Local Landscapes Officer at SNH added, “We are delighted to be involved with this fantastic project.  It’s a great opportunity for people to get involved in recording how the Cairngorms National Park is evolving, as well as a great way to get out and enjoy the spectacular landscapes it is famous for. “

The website is now live and all the photographs that people upload are available for everyone to see and enjoy www.cairngorms.co.uk/photo-posts