CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 
Title: CELEBRATING THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
PARK 
Prepared by: NICK HALFHIDE, HEAD OF POLICY AND 
PROJECTS 
Purpose 
The purpose of this paper is for the Board to decide how to pursue a programme of events for 
September 2004 to celebrate the first anniversary of the Park. 
Recommendations 
Members are invited to discuss the idea of setting up a programme of events, and agree to 
form a sub-group of two Members and two officials to take the proposal forward. 
Executive Summary 
Members have already discussed the idea of a series of events to celebrate the first 
anniversary of the Park, partly as a way of engaging stakeholders with the Park, and partly as 
a mechanism to involve more people than could be accommodated at the official launch. 
Such events could be organised by the Authority, other public bodies, and by community and 
NGO groups. 
The purpose of the programme would be to celebrate all aspects of the Park. This would not 
only directly help meet one of the Park’s aims (to promote understanding and enjoyment … 
of the special qualities of the area by the public), but would also help build support for the 
work of the Authority and the Park itself. 
Given the long lead-in time to arrange such a programme, the Board needs to take decisions 
soon on how to pursue this idea. 

CELEBRATING THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE PARK 
Introduction 
1. During its informal sessions and in the first edition of “Park Life”, the Board has 
discussed how best to celebrate the opening of the National Park over and above the 
ceremony at Cairn Gorm on 1st September 2003. 
2. Members have shown some enthusiasm for encouraging and supporting a series of 
local events in September 2004 to celebrate the first anniversary of the Park. This 
emphasis on the first anniversary recognises the long lead-in time of arranging events, 
particularly where some may be community-based; the importance of involving a 
larger number of people than could be accommodated at the official opening; and the 
fact that the Park will not be established on the ground overnight. 
3. Members now need to decide how to proceed with such a programme of events, and 
in particular to discuss further the scope and nature of the programme, and the level of 
resources to be allocated. 
4. Although some way off, this discussion needs to take place soon so that the necessary 
organisation can be put in place. 
Why have celebrations? 
5. There is a strong argument that a successful programme of events could play an 
important role in engaging both geographic communities and communities of interest, 
providing an opportunity to explain what the Park is about, and deepening the process 
of local participation, commitment, and support for the Park. This is an important 
goal in its own right. Not only will it help meet the aim of the Park to promote 
understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public, but it 
will also facilitate more broadly the work of the Authority and other public sector 
bodies to achieve the aims of the Park. 
6. At a more emotional level, these events will help foster and give expression to the 
special qualities of the area that has led the nation’s leaders to designate its as a 
National Park. They will be a showcase to the nation, as well as an international 
audience, showing just why the Cairngorms area is worthy of this status. This is 
unashamedly emotive, but if done correctly, will embody something of the spirit or 
soul of the Park, very much in line with the Board’s thinking that this should be a 
Park for All. 
7. There could also be an important economic spin-off, through attendance at events, 
and promotion of the area and its products. 
How could it work? 
8. There are a number of strands which we could pursue, choosing either one or a 
mixture. These include: 

• a series of events organised by the NPA; 
• events organised by other public sector bodies; 
• new events organised by communities, voluntary groups and NGOs; and 
• existing local events branded for 2004 as events celebrating the National Park. 
9. It will be important to ensure a good spread of events, both geographically throughout 
the Park and beyond (e.g. photographic exhibitions in the main cities), and covering 
all aspects of the Park (nature, landscape, culture, communities, outdoor recreation, 
forestry and so on). 
10. Spreading ownership is also important. If one of the aims of the celebration is to 
deepen participation and commitment to the Park, then ownership of events must be 
spread as widely as possible. This is where involving communities, voluntary groups 
and NGOs will be particularly important. 
11. As well as arranging events itself, the Authority could set up a funding programme, 
inviting groups to submit applications for support. 
Resources 
12. Depending on the approach favoured by the Board, the Authority would need to 
allocate staff and financial resources to co-ordinate the programme. This could be as 
much as half a full-time post and approximately £100,000, including an events 
organiser for Authority-led events, and a grant scheme to support applications from 
voluntary groups. 
13. For the latter, it will be important to establish clear guidelines and ground rules, 
though in ensuring propriety and VFM in the use of public funds, we also need to be 
flexible in responding to the ideas and aspirations of others. The decision making 
process needs to be open and clear, and be creative in its response to requests. 
14. The majority of resources would come out of the 2004-05 budget, though early works 
would need to be funded from this financial year. 
Developing the Proposal 
15. Assuming Members wish to take this idea further, it is proposed that the Board form a 
small sub-group of two members and two officials, taking advice as necessary from 
the Advisory Groups and others as necessary, to develop the ideas further with a view 
to bringing firm proposals to a future Board meeting. 
Nick Halfhide 
12th September 2003 
nick@cairngorms.prestel.co.uk