Go digital for Wee Walks Week inspiration
Go digital for Wee Walks Week inspiration
Our extensive network of community paths in the Cairngorms National Park provided us with the perfect escape from the confines of our homes during lockdown, and continues to play a vital role in our daily lives.
This October, we are celebrating Wee Walks Week and are hoping that all the good habits that were established during lockdown have continued – and if they have slipped – then here is a great opportunity to resurrect that daily dose of fresh air and exercise.
Wee Walks Week (25 – 31 October) is a celebration of the best short local walks in the Cairngorms National Park and aims to encourage as many people as possible to get out there and enjoy a walk with family, friends and colleagues.
Studies show that walking is an effective form of exercise – just 30 minutes a day is enough to make a significant difference to your health. It reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and type two diabetes as well as keeping the musculoskeletal system healthy. Moreover, it promotes good mental health and wellbeing and can help tackle issues around social isolation.
During Wee Walks Week, the Cairngorms National Park Authority will be sharing all sorts of ideas and inspiration for enjoying a week walk across all our social media channels. And if that is not enough – you can road test our newly developed, fully digitised Community Paths & Trails guide.
The communications team at the CNPA have gathered all the information contained within the community paths leaflets that exist for every community in the Park and created a brand new resource. This new online tool has been built from scratch and offers users an easy way to plan their walk using a mobile phone – or other device – to access everything you need to know, with route descriptions and easy to follow maps.
Adam Streeter-Smith, the CNPA’s Recreation & Access Manager said: “Wee Walks Week is always a great opportunity for us to promote the wide range of paths we have in and around our communities offering people the opportunity to enhance their own health and well-being.
“With videos from our rangers and information on what you might see or experience on your wee walk, there is going to be plenty of online inspiration during Wee Walks Week to make everyone want to get out this Autumn and re-set those good habits.”
ENDS
Alert
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Relevant alerts
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Update - 21:55
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have shared that emergency services continue to tackle a large-scale wildfire covering more than two kilometres in width near to Glenmore.
A number of homes and businesses, including campsites and ski resorts within the Glenmore Forest Park area, have been closed and evacuated as a safety precaution due to the close proximity to the incident.
As of 9pm on Wednesday night (15 July), Scottish Fire and Rescue Service currently has six fire appliances, a wildfire unit, specialist resources and tactical commanders mobilised to the scene after the alarm was raised just before 12 noon earlier today.
Firefighters are working with landowners to contain the incident and create fire breaks, with high winds causing the fire to spread across areas of trees and woodland. There are no reported casualties.
Road closures continue to be in place to support the emergency response, and people are asked to avoid the area within Glenmore Forest Park and Loch Morlich on Thursday, 16 July as this incident continues.
We will share updates as the situation develops. In the meantime, our thanks go out to the emergency services, gamekeepers, NGO and estate staff and many others from across the community who are working non-stop to get these fires under control, and providing support to those affected.
Update - 20:06
Emergency services and partners are continuing to respond to this wildfire. A number of properties and premises in the area have been evacuated as a precaution. The Ski Road is currently closed. Anyone walking in the Cairngorms should avoid the area and let family or friends know when they have returned.
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and partners are currently in attendance at a large fire in the open near to Ryvoan Bothy within the Cairngorms National Park.
Due to large volumes of smoke travelling towards populated areas nearby, residents in Aviemore, Glenmore and the surrounding communities should keep their windows and doors closed. If you are within this area and can see or smell smoke, please follow the same advice. If you are aware of someone hiking in the area, please ask them to get themselves safely off the hill as soon as possible.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has asked that people avoid the Glenmore and Aviemore area, and remain vigilant. Our thanks go to all those engaged in active firefighting - we will post further updates when we have them.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 20 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Monday 20 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.