Health & wellbeing focus of Wee Walks Week
Health & wellbeing focus of Wee Walks Week
Never before has some form of daily exercise been so important and with Wee Walks Week just around the corner, the Cairngorms National Park Authority is encouraging everyone to continue with the good habits established during the height of the coronavirus lockdown.
Wee Walks Week is from the 21-27 September – and despite the lack of formal events in terms of ranger-led walks and with only a few health walks back up and running – the CNPA is instead bringing you a week of online inspiration and tips on how to make the most of being active daily in the UK’s largest National Park.
Wee Walks Week began in 2016 and is a celebration of the best short local walks in the Park and aims to encourage as many people as possible to get out there and enjoy a walk with family, friends and colleagues. Or in a normal year, try a ranger-led event or join one of the Park’s many health walks.
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
Xander McDade, CNPA Board Convener said: “We all know that walking every day is good for us physically but it is also hugely beneficial to our mental wellbeing. This has become particularly important, especially at the height of the lockdown. Being able to get out – even just once a day – for a walk allowed us to escape the confines of our homes and provided some essential breathing space away from the stress and worry of juggling life and finances in lockdown.
“This Wee Walks Week, we’re encouraging people to continue with that daily exercise for their physical health and for their mental health. This might not seem easy as we approach the winter months and the weather isn’t so nice but the benefits will speak for themselves.”
Pete Crane, Head of Visitor Services at the CNPA commented: “Wee Walks Week is a great opportunity for us to promote the wide range of low level paths we have in and around our communities and we hope it offers people take the opportunity to enhance their own health and well-being.
“With 666 miles of core paths and 17 community path leaflets to choose from there is lots of choice in the Park. We know that particular areas have been extremely busy over the summer but there really is room for everyone to continue with the daily walks that have become so important during lockdown. Why not set yourself a challenge to see how many new low level walks you can experience during Wee Walks Week and tell us all about it by sharing your stories on social media using #WeeWalksWeek.”
If you are looking for inspiration on where to go for a walk check out the community path leaflets online. For more information about Wee Walks Week go here and follow @cairngormsnews and @CNPactive on Facebook and Twitter for daily inspiration and suggestions and don’t forget to share your photos on social media using #WeeWalksWeek
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.