Park signs show the way

Striking granite signs, marking the entrances to the Cairngorms National Park, have started to make a welcome appearance!

The first three-metre marker was unveiled today (Thursday 17 August) on the B9136 at Glenlivet in Moray. The marker, which is made up of three panels of silver granite, features the Cairngorms National Park brand in black granite inlay.

Boulder-style markers – featuring just the osprey image from the Park brand – have already been installed on some minor country roads in the Angus Glens, Aberdeenshire and on the B9007 near Duthil, Carr-Bridge. The first large marker to be installed within the Highland Council area is scheduled to be for Huntly’s Cave, near Grantown-on-Spey, later this month.

A total of 21 granite markers are being installed at road entrances to the Cairngorms National Park, as well as the Speyside Way and National Cycle Route 7, this summer. The next phase of the project – to install markers on the four trunk roads into the Park – is scheduled to take place in the summer of 2007.

The granite markers have been manufactured by Fyfe Glenrock in Oldmeldrum from stone sourced from Deeside, within the National Park, with Poseidon Design, also from Oldmeldrum, crafting the black granite inlay. Aaron Lawton Associates from Pitlochry were contracted to help plan the project and design the markers and Stirling-based Ian White Associates are responsible for landscape design with Hunter Construction, from Aberdeen, in charge of installation.

Pete Crane, of the CNPA’s Visitor Services and Recreation Group said: “We are proud to say that the vast majority of products and services associated with this project have been sourced within Scotland. First impressions matter and we are – with our project partners – producing a high quality product which will give people a real sense of arrival into the National Park.”

Designer, Aaron Lawton added: “It was quite a challenge designing the markers to reflect the Park’s essential character and look right in the landscape, whilst being readable and shrugging off extreme weather. The final designs make a powerful and positive impression using simple shapes hewn from the highest quality natural materials. We very much hope that the markers help to inspire visitors and make local people feel proud of the area for decades to come.”

Allan Bruce of Fyfe Glenrock commented: “Fyfe Glenrock is delighted to be involved with the supply of the CNPA entry signs. From the early concept stages the project was challenging and exciting. There was a limited choice of material to fit the design team’s requirements but with careful consideration and thanks to all involved we have achieved an end result that is very satisfying. The signs will have their place for all to admire for many decades if not centuries to come.”

Nick Brown of Ian White Associates said: “Our intention is that the markers will be seen in a setting uncluttered by highway signs and other features so that the strong design and rugged material of the markers are allowed to capture the attention.”

Marie Crichton, Director of Poseidon Design said: “We were delighted to have been involved in this prestigious project. It showed the flexibility and accuracy of our Waterjet technology. The end results are truly stunning and keeping the work in Scotland was an added bonus.”

The cost of the project to this stage, including upgrades to car parks and lay-bys, is £522,000 with funding coming from the European Regional Development Fund; Scottish Enterprise Grampian; HIE Inverness and East Highland; The Highland Council; Moray Council; Rees Jeffries Road Fund; as well as the CNPA’s contribution of £328,000.