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CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 

FOR INFORMATION 

Title: Entry Point Signage for the Cairngorms National Park 

Prepared by: Peter Crane, Senior Visitor Services Officer 


Purpose 

To inform the Board of the progress made on entry point marker project since September 
2005 when the Board approved expenditure for Phase 1 that concerns the 21 non trunk road 
sites. 


Recommendations 

That the Board note progress made on the project to date. 


Executive Summary 

This paper summaries the development work that has been undertaken on the Point of 
Entry marker Project since September 2005 including appointment of consultants to manage 
the project, to manufacture and install the markers and to negotiate land agreements. A 
breakdown of project expenditure is provided along with progress reports for each area of 
work. 


ENTRY POINT SIGNAGE FOR THE CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL 
PARK – For Information 

Background 

1. The development of entry point markers for the Cairngorms National Park was 
identified as one of the Authority’s earliest priorities. The work was initially 
developed through consultation with the Gateways Working Group that operated 
between November 2003 and May 2004. 

2. Since July 2004 the project has been the subject of five Board papers that have either 
provided information on progress or requested authority to proceed with the next 
stage of the project. 

3. In the spring of 2005 permanent markers were installed at the five railway stations 
and interim metal signs erected at 10 of the busiest road entrances to the Park. 

4. In September 2005 the Board approved the expenditure by CNPA of £328,000 over 
the two financial years 2005/06 and 2006/07 to implement Phase 1 of the project to 
install 21 permanent markers at the non trunk road sites. Partnership funding 
amounting to some 37% was sourced from local authorities, enterprise companies, 
European Rural Development Fund and a charitable trust. 


Policy Context 

5. The rationale for developing high quality entry point markers was formalised in the 
Scoping Study of July 2004. Project aims included: creating a strong and positive 
sense of arrival for people entering the Park, creating a feeling of welcome, of being 
in a special place and one that is cared for by residents, visitors and communities. 
Since that time the work on the National Park Plan has been developed and the 
project fits well with the Priority for Action on Developing Awareness and 
Understanding of the Park. 

6. This approach is further endorsed by a report to Ministers prepared by Eric Milligan, 
former Provost of Edinburgh, entitled ‘Review of First Impressions of Scotland.’ The 
report considered arrival experiences at national level and states that first 
impressions are crucial, recommending that, ‘Scottish Ministers and gateway 
operators should develop a 20-year vision for Scotland’s points of entry to realise the 
ambition to be among the world’s best. The plans should ensure that development is 
for the long term and not confined to coping with the demands of the next 2-3 years, 
and should encourage the use of inspiring high quality design.’ 


Progress on Appointment of Consultants and Contractors 

7. Since September 2005 the following consultants/contractors have been appointed to 
progress the project: 

a) Ian White Associates, Landscape Designers (Stirling) – to produce detailed 
designs for the 21 sites; to tender and manage both sign manufacture and 
installation contracts. 

b) Fyfe Glenrock (Oldmeldrum) – to source material and manufacture granite 
markers. 

c) Hunter Construction (Aberdeen)– to install granite markers and associated 
landscaping. 

d) Smiths Gore, Land agents (Fochabers) to negotiate land management 
agreements for the marker sites 

e) Aaron Lawton Associates (Pitlochry) – to design Park wide information and 
interpretation features for lay-bys/car parks at three key entry points at 
Dinnet, Laggan and Drumochter. 

8. It is of note that most appointments have been made to companies based in the north 
of Scotland. 


Progress on Marker Design and Manufacture 

9. At both Board meetings in September, concerns were expressed by members about 
the size and legibility of the Gaelic wording on markers. Following these comments 
we asked the designer to look at the potential to enlarge the Gaelic. The resulting 
revision increased Gaelic lettering to the maximum size allowed by the current three 
panel design while retaining the overall function. However, the revision did increase 
the overall height of the marker. An additional mock-up sign was made and the 
design tested. The revised design retains the functionality of the original but ensures 
that the Gaelic is more clearly recognisable by motorists. 

10. The increase in height of the marker meant that the engineering analysis for 
installation had to be recalculated and advertising consents resubmitted. 

11. Despite the increase in the size of Gaelic wording, the revised design is being 
strongly criticised by some individuals who wish to see the Gaelic have equal parity 
with English. 

12. Fyfe Glenrock sourced granite from within the National Park and the company is 
currently finishing production of the 21 markers. The supply of granite contained a 
number of large, ‘natural looking’ boulders. This created the opportunity for the 
designer to look again at the single slab design and change to the use of large 
irregular boulders for all markers that contain the bird from the brand image alone. 
Boulders will be installed at 15 sites on the less frequented roads, the Speyside Way 
and on National Cycle Route 7. Photographs of the two designs are contained in 
Annex 1. 


Progress on Land Management Agreements 

13. The site of the marker and the immediate surrounds need to be safeguarded to 
ensure that they are maintained free of clutter, tree planting, etc. so that the marker is 
clearly visible and the first impression is positive. The most effective way to 
maintain the integrity of the sites is by entering into 20 year management agreements 
with owners following procedures laid down in Section 15 of the National Parks 
(Scotland) Act 2000. 

14. Smiths Gore is currently negotiating agreements on our behalf with all land 
managers. In recognition of the goodwill shown by land managers we are making a 
modest single payment covering a 10-year period based on the size of the marker 
installed, as well as reasonable legal cost up to £350. 

15. Despite the work undertaken with land managers over the past two years we are 
now experiencing some delays in entering formal, legal agreements. However, to 
date the majority are scheduled to be agreed at least in principle with entry 
authorised by June. Only one land manager is expressing lack of support for the 
project but discussions are ongoing. 


Progress on Installation 

16. The installation process for the larger markers uses a concrete foundation with 
stainless steel pegs and resin bonding. The use of resin bonding is a tried and tested 
technique. However, in order to perfect the process with the markers Hunter 
Construction is currently refining their technique on two mock-up granite slabs prior 
to field installation. These test slabs will be loaded in excess of the maximum wind 
loading encountered on site to ensure that the resin has been correctly applied. 

17. Installation is scheduled to start in June and the programme will be determined 
partly by progress on the management agreements. Once a detailed schedule is 
available land managers, community councils and Board members will be notified. 

18. Since January the start of installation has slipped by some six weeks due to delays in 
marker production, appointment of installation contractors and finalisation of 
management agreements. This time delay is not critical at this stage and the 
installation contract allows for the completion of Phase 1 by the autumn. The focus 
to date has been on controlling the quality of the project and the cost - two areas 
where slippage would have had a significant impact. 


Progress on Individual Sites 

19. Dinnet is the most popular eastern road entrance to the Park with some 4400 
vehicles per day using the A93 (the third busiest road entry into the Park after the 
A9). The proximity of the boundary to the village means that there is considerable 
scope for encouraging visitors to stop and obtain information about the Park and the 
area around Dinnet. However, agreeing a location for the boundary marker has 
proved problematic because of the existence of the Highland Boundary stone close to 
the Park boundary. 

20. In April we presented three complementary proposals to a meeting of stakeholders: 

a) To install the Cairngorms marker 500m east of the village on the south side of 
the road (i.e. on the left as you enter the Park). 

b) To upgrade the village hall car park and install Park wide information and 
interpretation. 

c) To move the Highland Boundary stone into the car park and provide 
interpretation that can tell the story of why it is there. 

21. Participants were generally supportive of the first two proposals but unanimous in 
their desire to retain the Highland Boundary Stone in its current location. 

22. Following the meeting draft proposals were prepared recommending the location of 
the Cairngorms marker and the upgrade of the car park but rejecting the relocation 
of the Highland Boundary stone. These have been circulated for wider comment and 
to date no further submissions have been received. 

23. Assuming the consultation does not reveal any further contrary views we will move 
to seek land manager permission, advertising and planning consents for the works in 
early June. If successful in normal timescales it is anticipated that the works can be 
completed by autumn 2006. 

24. The exact location of the marker at Glen Shee has presented challenges because of 
the need to distance it from the carriageway for road safety while not cutting 
excessively into the hillside. Agreement has now been reached and advertising 
consent is anticipated in time for June. 

25. Agreement has been reached with Highland Council over the upgrade of the lay-by 
at Huntly’s Cave north of Grantown- on- Spey. The Council have agreed fund the 
road surfacing element of the upgrade and manage this proportion of the contract. 


External Funding 

Progress to date has satisfied the requirements of all the external funding partners. The 
Project received an Article 4 Monitoring Check from the European Regional 
Development Fund Programme Executive in early May. The monitoring is to ensure 
that the project is being managed appropriately and that the Objective 2 funding is 
being used for the purposes granted. The monitoring check was thorough and 
examined the whole project from initial justification, consultation, Board approval, 
contract appointment through to the approval of individual invoices. Although we 
have yet to receive written confirmation the verbal feedback was a positive 
endorsement of the project procedures to date. 


Project Budget 

27. The initial budget presented in September 2005 is summarised in Table 1 below. 

Table 1: Expenditure forecast, September 2005 

Initial budget (£) 

CNPA contribution 2005/06 
120,000 

CNPA contribution 2006/07 
208,000 

Funding Partner contributions 
194,000 

Total: Phase 1 
522,000 

28. Project expenditure in the financial year 2005/06 was in line with the forecast. 

29. As can be expected, the costs of individual contracts have shown both increases and 
decreases when compared to the original estimates. Nevertheless, with all the main 
contracts now let our current forecast for completion of Phase 1 is £528,000. To date 
additional costs have been incurred due to the redesign of markers and the 
resubmission of advertising consents. Given the size and timescale of the project the 
cost increase against budget of 1% is considered reasonable. 


Progress on Phase 2 (Trunk road sites) 

30. The development of the four trunk road sites (A9 Drumochter, A86 Laggan, A9 
Slochd and A95 Mains of Dalvey) is scheduled to commence in the spring of 2007. 
We are currently working with the Scottish Executive (Trunk Roads) to developed 
detailed proposal for the upgrade of lay-bys at Drumochter, Laggan and Mains of 
Dalvey. The change of contractor from Bear Scotland to Scotland Transerv this year 
in North West area has slowed progress in discussions and we are unable to present 
detailed, costed proposals now. 

31. However, the work on Phase 1 will allow us to refine the marker production and 
installation costs for Phase 2 and we intend to come to the Board this autumn with 
detailed proposals and costs. 


Signage to the National Park 

32. The Scottish Executive has approved the use of the National Park brand image for 
use on tourist (brown) signs to the Park. 

33. Angus Council have installed signs on the A94 and in Kirrimuir to the Cairngorms 
National Park with the name of the relevant Angus Glen(s) positioned below the 
Park (see Annex 2). 

34. Visitscotland, with Highland, Moray and Aberdeenshire Councils, is currently 
looking at the feasibility of redesigning the Highland Tourist Route which runs from 
Aberdeen to Inverness via Tomintoul. We are in discussion with the group about 
signing to the Cairngorms National Park as part of this upgrade. 

35. There are proposals in the National Park Plan to undertake further signage to the 
Park. Funds are in place to do a scoping study later this calendar year. 


Pete Crane 
2 June 2006 
petercrane@cairngorms.co.uk 


Annex 1 Point of Entry Markers

Photograph of 3 metre marker
Photograph of boulder