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Cairngorms ViSIT Forum 
28.03.07 Paper 1 


Pre-arrival Signage to Cairngorms National Park 

Prepared by: 	Pete Crane 
Purpose: 	To seek feedback on the Consultant’s recommendations 
		for design and location of pre-arrival signage. 


Background and Purpose 

CNPA have appointed Ironside Farrar Landscape Architects to undertake a scoping 
study to determine the location and design of pre-arrival ‘brown’ tourist signs to the 
National Park. 

A presentation of the consultant’s recommendations will be made to the ViSIT Forum 
and feedback sought. 


Policy Context 

The installation of pre-arrival signage was identified as an action in the Sustainable 
Tourism Strategy:-

4i Establish and Maintain a tourism signage system. 

The draft National Park Plan refines this to the following priority for action:-

Install pre-arrival signage for the National Park on key roads to the National 
Park. 


Scope of the Review 

The consultants were instructed to produce a report that contains the following 
outputs:-

• Provides the rationale for a system of signage to the Park including ranking 
system that categorises the priority of sites recommended for signs. 

• Identifies exact locations where signs to the Park should be installed. 

• Makes recommendations about design of the sign at each site 

• Where appropriate makes recommendations for integration with existing 
signage and identifies opportunities to reduce sign clutter. 

• Estimates cost and resource implications of installing signs at each site. 


The report is to act as the ‘blue print’ for collaborative work with local authorities and 
Transport Scotland (trunk roads) on installing pre-arrival signs. 

In preparing the report the consultant was asked to take into account the following:-

• Pre-arrival signs should not favour one area of the Park over another. 
 
• Pre-arrival signs should be located in accordance with Scottish Executive 
Motorway and Trunk Road Tourist Signposting Policy 1998 (under review) 
and the relevant local authority guidelines. 

• Signs should provide clarity not increase visitor confusion: signing two 
different routes to the Park at one location is not considered to be helpful. 

• Signs should compliment signs to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National 
Park, particularly on the A9. 

• The extensive work undertaken by Angus Council and the potential to link 
with the re-signing of the Highland Tourist Route. 

• Sign clutter 

• New road developments such as the proposed upgrade of Ballinluig Junction 
on the A9. 


Methodology 

The commissioning brief was sent to Visit Scotland and all roads authorities within 
the National Park and Perthshire Council for comment prior to tendering. 

CNPA were assisted in managing the contract by Iain Wallace of Highland Council. 

The consultants undertook consultation with all roads authorities, Loch Lomond and 
the Trossachs National Park Authority and specific initiatives such as the proposed 
re-signing of the Highland Tourist Route and the proposed upgrade of the A9 junction 
at Ballinluig. 

A desk top study identified key locations. This was followed by detailed field work 
prior to developing site specific design recommendations and outline costs. 


Presentation 

The presentation at the ViSIT Forum will summarise the recommendations of the 
consultant and provide visual images of locations and designs for pre-arrival signs. 

Cairngorms National Park Authority 
March 2007