Equalities – Park for All

Though the benefits of connecting to nature and the outdoors are well known, access to these benefits is not yet equal and many of us are unfairly held back from participation and enjoying all that the Cairngorms National Park has to offer. There are lots of reasons for this, from a lack of representation to the affordability of things like clothing, kit, accommodation and transport, to experiences of discrimination.

As a Park Authority we want to show leadership and allyship in equalities issues, ensuring that our organisation listens, learns and acts to become a more welcoming and supportive workplace. We also work closely with a wide range of partners across the National Park, supporting and funding initiatives that enable more people from diverse backgrounds to get involved in and make decisions around work going on in the Cairngorms.

All of our work in this area is supported and guided by valued partnerships and expertise, including our external Equality Advisory Panel which brings together experts from across the public, private and third sector to provide evidence-based feedback, guidance and advice, grounded wherever possible in lived experience. This work is also supported by our internal staff Equality Advocacy Group, who champion equality across the organisation.

Our approach recognises that many of us experience multiple inequalities, for example someone who is disabled may also experience poverty or social isolation, just as someone who is Black may also be a member of the LGBTQ community.

Below are some highlights of our work in this area

Our work with disabled people has evidenced that there are multiple barriers to accessing nature, from inaccessible infrastructure like paths, trails and hides, to unsuitable equipment. These barriers aren’t always physical, however, and sometimes the things that make it difficult include a lack of understanding, inclusivity and representation. The National Park is home to some outstanding easier access routes like the Speyside Way, and providers such as Able2Adventure, supported by the Cairngorms Trust, provide adaptive kit and accessible adventures. The Cairngorms is also home to the UK’s first Outdoor Dementia Resource Centre, supporting people living with dementia and their carers to come together and experience the mental and physical benefits of nature. As a Park Authority we try to champion the voices and experiences of disabled people to improve access, ensure representation including for less visible disabilities like neurodiversity, and demonstrate that there are many equally valid ways to connect with outdoors.

• Black Scottish Adventurers at Uath Lochans Brenna ​Jessie

  

  
• Paddle out for Pride David Lintern

  

  
• People using adaptive bikes at Loch Morlich beach David Lintern

  

  

For many years we’ve had the privilege to support many grassroots groups working within their own communities to facilitate greater access to the outdoors. This includes partnerships with groups like Backbone and Black Scottish Adventurers, a fast-growing community helping more people to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of nature and reducing loneliness within Black and minority ethnic communities. As a Park Authority we’ve also developed partnerships with Black Professionals UK, supporting our ambition to become a diverse workforce, knowing the organisational benefits that come from diverse thinking and experience.

Through working closely with organisations like LGBT Youth Scotland and Somewhere for Us, we’ve been able to build relationships with the LGBTQ community in the National Park and understand more about the specific challenges of being out in a rural context. Feedback from our Equality Advisory Panel in 2020 showed the power of being a visible ally in this space, and since then we’ve attended Highland Pride, supported local group the Cairngorms Pride Paddlers and received the bronze LGBT charter mark.

The Cairngorms National Park has for many years worked to increase access to this special place, and to ensure that diverse communities are represented and engaged with at every level. From our travel grant that is designed to remove some of the financial barriers that exist to getting to and around the Cairngorms, to volunteer led Health Walks helping people to connect with nature and reducing social isolation, to work with the Cairngorms Youth Action Team and junior rangers, we strive to ensure that the Cairngorms is a Park for All.

Like many things, this is a work in progress, and we welcome feedback on our equalities work, including suggestions for things we could do better.