The work of the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) in developing the Speyside Way extension has been recognised and celebrated in the 2016 Scottish Government Planning Awards.

The judges praised the Park Authority for its partnership working, community consultation and sheer determination over a decade to develop the best off road route to connect Aviemore to Kincraig.

This included the first use of a Path Order in Scotland to secure rights to develop the path on the preferred route.

The project to design and build the extension involved a range of partners including Scottish Natural Heritage, the communities and businesses along the route, Sustrans, Sport Scotland and Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund, and the design and path construction skills of the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust.

In the first year over 6,000 people have travelled the full length of the extension with nearly half of those on bikes and work continues to take the route to Newtonmore.

Pete Crane, Head of Visitor Services at the CNPA said: “This project has involved a lot of committed and very determined people working unseen to ensure that we built the path on the best route for both visitors and local communities. It is very pleasing that this work has been recognised along with the support that we received from those communities and our Board in pursuing preferred route.”

Eleanor Mackintosh, Convenor of Planning at CNPA said: “We are delighted to have won this award. It is a great achievement and fantastic recognition for everyone involved in the Speyside Way extension right from the very start of the process.”

For more information on the Scottish Planning Awards go here. For more information on the Speyside Way go here.