In the Park – Deputy Convener’s Blog
In the Park – Deputy Convener’s Blog
If our tourism isn’t sustainable then there soon won’t be any tourism was the mantra that was repeated throughout the day. We were at the European Parliament building in Brussels attending the annual Charter Award Ceremony organised by the Europarc Federation. We were to receive our third successive charter in recognition of the work done by the Cairngorms National Park Authority in promoting sustainable tourism in protected areas.
We had also been invited to give a presentation on how we worked in partnership with businesses and communities across the National Park. The audience comprised representatives of European national park authorities from as far afield as The Azores, Latvia, Finland and Italy. As the only UK park present this was an ideal opportunity to showcase the Cairngorms particularly since the 2018 Europarc Conference is to be held here, in the Cairngorms National Park, from 18 – 21 September.
What had been a great occasion began to fall apart as I set off to come home to attend a CNPA Board meeting and hand over the charter. Storm Caroline was wreaking havoc with travel arrangements. I got back to London on the Eurostar to find that the Caledonian Sleeper to Aberdeen had been cancelled. I then arrived at Heathrow only to miss the last flight to Dyce by minutes. I spent the night in a Travelodge and awoke to a power cut at 6.00am and had to dress and pack in total darkness. I caught an early flight but to add insult to injury as I landed in Aberdeen I received a text message telling me that due to the stormy conditions the Board meeting had been postponed.
What I didn’t have the courage to tell my colleagues was that somehow, as I struggled through Terminal 5 at Heathrow, I became separated from the Europarc Charter which I was clutching in a large cardboard tube and I haven’t seen it since! So, if you found it and have it hanging on your wall as a reminder of the benefits of sustainable tourism I hope you enjoy it otherwise could I have it back please?
(PS All is not lost. A duplicate copy is on its way here by mail.)
Alert
Latest from the National Park
Hope for Cairngorms capercaillie recovery as lek counts rise
Encouraging results have been recorded for one of the UK’s most threatened bird species
Formal consultation opens on amended Core Paths Plan
The Plan designates a network of paths that provide the public with reasonable access
Cairngorms 2030 drop-in event for Laggan and Dalwhinnie communities
Find out more about a range of projects taking place in your area!
Relevant alerts
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Friday 29 May until Monday 1 June. 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.