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Cairngorms National Park Landscape Character Assessment December 2009 Prepared for the Cairngorms National Park Authority in partnership with British Geological Survey by Alison Grant, Landscape Architect Cairngorms National Park Landscape Character Assessment: Final Report 30.12.09 1 INTRODUCTION AND METHOD STATEMENT 5 1.1 Purpose of LCA 5 1.2 Benefits of this LCA 5 1.3 Approach to assessment 6 1.4 Presentation 7 1.5 Using the Historic Landuse Assessment (HLA) 8 1.6 Using information provided by BGS 9 1.7 Integrating the data provided by RCHAMS and BGS 10 1.8 Executive summary 10 2 SPEY HEADWATERS, ARDVERIKIE AND UPPER SPEY FARMLANDS 2.1 Ardverikie: Glen Shirra 17 2.2 Ardverikie: Pattack Glen/Strath Mashie 21 2.3 Spey Headwaters: Upper Glen of the Spey 25 2.4 Spey Headwaters: Spey Dam 29 2.5 Upper Spey Farmlands: Coul Farm pinch point 33 2.6 Upper Spey Farmlands: Laggan strath 37 2.7 Upper Spey Farmlands: Loch Uvie pinchpoint 41 3 BADENOCH AND STRATHSPEY 45 3.1 Badenoch: Upper Strath 47 3.2 Badenoch: Upper Glen Banchor 51 3.3 Badenoch: Lower Glen Banchor 55 3.4 Badenoch: Newtonmore to Kingussie 59 3.5 Badenoch: Insh Marshes 63 3.6 Badenoch: Inshriach Forest/Mouth of Glen Feshie 67 3.7 Badenoch: Kincraig to Loch Alvie 71 3.8 Badenoch: Loch Alvie to Inverdruie 75 3.9 Rothiemurchus Forest 79 3.10 Glen More 83 3.11 Strathspey: Inverdruie to Pityoulish 87 3.12 Strathspey: Pityoulish to Boat of Garten 91 3.13 Strathspey: Boat of Garten to Craggan 95 3.14 Strathspey: Craggan to Grantown on Spey 99 3.15 Abernethy Forest 103 3.16 Strathspey: Dulnain Strath 107 3.17 The Slochd 111 4 LOWER SPEY AND CROMDALE 115 4.1 Lower Strathspey: Glen Beg to Dava Moor 117 4.2 Lower Strathspey: Glen of Allt an Fhithich 121 4.3 Lower Strathspey: Castle Grant and Tomvaich 125 4.4 Lower Strathspey: Auchnagallin and Blar M˜r 129 4.5 Lower Strathspey: Strathspey 133 4.6 Lower Strathspey: Burn of Dalvey Glen 137 4.7 Lower Strathspey: Haughs of Cromdale 141 4.8 Lower Strathspey: Tomintoul Road 145 5 STRATH AVON AND GLEN LIVET 149 5.1 Strath Avon: Mid Strath Avon 151 5.2 Strath Avon: Lower Strath Avon 155 5.3 Glen Livet 159 5.4 Glen Livet: Braes of Glen Livet 163 5.5 Glen Livet: Inchnacape 167 5.6 Glen Livet: Delnabo 171 5.7 Glen Livet: Conglass Water 175 6 THE LECHT AND STRATHDON 179 6.1 The Lecht 181 6.2 Strathdon: Corgarff and Cockbridge 185 6.3 Strathdon: Upper Strathdon 189 6.4 Strathdon: Mid Strathdon 193 6.5 Strathdon: Glen Nochty 197 6.6 Strathdon: Glen Buchat 201 6.7 Strathdon: Waters of Deskry, Glen Carvie and Glen Conrie 205 7 DEESIDE, MUIR OF DINNET AND CROMAR 209 7.1 Upper Deeside: Linn of Dee 211 7.2 Upper Deeside: Mar Lodge Policies 215 7.3 Upper Deeside: Allanaquoich Haughland 219 7.4 Upper Deeside: Invercauld 223 7.5 Upper Deeside: Invercauld Bridge to Inver 227 7.6 Upper Deeside: Inver to Cambus OÕ May 231 7.7 Upper Deeside: Glen Gairn 235 7.8 Upper Deeside: Lower Glen Muick 239 7.9 The White Mounth: Upper Glen Muick 243 7.10 Upper Deeside: Glen Tanar 247 7.11 Muir of Dinnet 251 7.12 Cromar Farmlands 255 8 ANGUS GLENS 259 8.1 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Esk 261 8.2 Angus Glens: Glen Doll 265 8.3 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Clova 269 8.4 Angus Glens: Mid Glen Clova 273 8.5 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Prosen 277 8.6 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Isla 281 9 GLEN SHEE, GLEN BEAG AND GLEN CLUNIE 285 9.1 Glen Shee: Upper Glen 287 9.2 Glen Shee: Head of Glen Shee 291 9.3 Glen Beag: Lower Glen 295 9.4 Glen Beag: High Pass at Cairnwell 299 9.5 Glen Clunie: Upper Glen 303 9.6 Glen Clunie: Lower Glen 307 10 ATHOLL, GLEN GARRY, CATHËR MñR AND GLEN TRUIM 311 10.1 Glen Fender 313 10.2 Glen Garry: Lower Glen and Blair Atholl 317 10.3 Glen Garry: Mid Glen 321 10.4 Glen Garry: Upper Glen 325 10.5 Drumochter Pass 329 10.6 Glen Truim: Upper Glen and Dalwhinnie 333 10.7 Cˆthar M˜r 337 10.8 Glen Truim 341 11 UPLAND AREAS 345 11.1 Ardverikie Hills 347 11.2 The Monadhliath: South Monadhliath 351 11.3 The Monadhliath: North Monadhliath 355 11.4 The Strathdearn Hills 359 11.5 The Hills of Cromdale 363 11.6 The North Eastern Hills 367 11.7 The North Eastern Hills: Deeside Hills 371 11.8 The Angus Glens Uplands 375 11.9 The White Mounth 379 11.10 The Southern Hills: South Eastern Glens 383 11.11 The Southern Hills: South Western Glens 387 11.12 The Cairngorms Massif 391 1 INTRODUCTION AND METHOD STATEMENT 1.1 Purpose of LCA This landscape character assessment was commissioned by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), in partnership with the British Geological Survey, in June 2009. It was undertaken over a period of six months. The aims of this study, as expressed in the brief, were: ¥ To produce an accurate and detailed description of the landscape types (LCTs) and areas (LCAs) within the Cairngorms National Park (CNP) that encompasses the many formative influences upon that landscape ¥ To make the description clear and understandable to a wide range of users ¥ To be able to utilise the Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) as a fundamental building block for all policy and activity of the CNPA and its partners in delivering the 4 aims of the National Park The brief also had three other requirements which informed the method and outputs: ¥ The LCA would be required to underpin the ParkÕs proposed Landscape Framework, which was envisaged as a tool for both engaging the public and identifying landscape management priorities as required; ¥ The Park was keen to see how geological information, provided by the British Geological Survey (BGS), could be incorporated usefully within the LCA; and ¥ The LCA was also required to take into account, and if possible integrate, the Historic Land Use Assessment for the Park, which was available from the Royal Commission for Historic and Ancient Monuments in Scotland (RCHAMS) 1.2 Benefits of this LCA A landscape character assessment (LCA) for the Cairngorms area was prepared in 19961. This LCA preceded designation of the National Park. While it covered the area which was later designated, other LCAs2 also assessed landscapes which were later incorporated into the Park. As a result, in some parts of the Park, two LCAs Ð the Cairngorms LCA and another, regional based LCA Ð have already been undertaken, but have used different methods of assessment, and have been commissioned by different authorities before the Park was established. Against this background, commissioning a new, Park-wide LCA has offered the opportunity to: ¥ Provide an assessment that has as its main purpose the needs of the Park, its policies and management priorities ¥ Apply a single assessment methodology consistently Park-wide, including the proposed south west extension to the Park ¥ Undertake a more detailed study than the earlier LCAs commissioned in the 1990s ¥ Incorporate additional information, such as the HLA, which had not been available at the time of earlier studies, into a new LCA; and ¥ Take advantage of new technology, most notably the advances in GIS 1 Turnbull Jeffrey Partnership, 1996. Cairngorms landscape assessment. Scottish Natural Heritage Review No 75 2 Areas which were included within the National Park boundary when it was designated have also been assessed within other commissioned LCAs. In particular, the Angus Glens were included in the Tayside LCA, ÒLand Use Consultants, 1999. Tayside landscape assessment. Scottish Natural Heritage Review No 122Ó 1.3 Approach to assessment The assessment method has evolved specifically to meet the needs of the Park. 1.3.1 Landscape character areas It was decided early on that the most appropriate way to do this was to focus on undertaking a Ôlandscape character areaÕ based approach. This approach aims to divide the landscape up into distinct and recognisable ÔplacesÕ, which are named, as far as possible, according to local place names. These landscape character areas are all different, but within each one there is a consistency of character formed by the topography, land use, history, settlement and development pattern and the way the landscape is experienced. They are mapped and their differences are drawn out using field work supported by desk-based review. A description of the landscape characteristics and the landscape experience of each area is provided in written text, along with a succinct summary of what makes the character area distinctive from elsewhere in the Park. The character descriptions of the landscape areas are set out as bullet points, and broadly follow a description of topography and geomorphology, followed by comments on vegetation pattern and current land use, settlement pattern, relevant historic land use and infrastructure. 1.3.2 A spatial framework for delivery of the ParkÕs objectives At the heart of defining these character areas is the need to provide a robust spatial framework for advice which the Park might be required to give on future land management. The character areas were therefore selected with two main objectives in mind. Firstly, they should, as far as possible, be areas that most people would recognise and understand. This required the method to identify, as far as possible, areas that people would be able to relate to, and give these areas names that would, as far as possible, be familiar to people. This latter was not always possible, as sometimes there was no clear single place name associated with an area. Secondly, the character areas needed to be able to provide a spatial framework for the delivery of the ParkÕs own responsibilities, duties and policy priorities. Each landscape character area therefore has a consistent and identifiable character. This should allow any future landscape management advice to relate to the character area as a whole, as far as possible. 1.3.3 Boundaries Boundaries were identified where the character of the landscape, and potential future landscape management priorities, were likely to change. However, as with most assessments of this type, it should be noted that there is always an area of Ôcharacter transitionÕ around the boundary. Around the boundary, the landscape often adopts characteristics from the character areas either side of the boundary, and so it should be interpreted as a ÔpermeableÕ line. 1.3.4 Settlements The character of individual settlements and their immediate setting were not analysed as part of this study. Landscape ÔcapacityÕ studies for the towns and villages in the Park have already been carried out relatively recently. These studies included landscape character assessments of the setting and surroundings of the towns, as well as an analysis of townscape and architectural style at a more detailed level than could be accommodated in this LCA. It was therefore decided to exclude these areas from this study. 1.4 Presentation Two separate ÔsetsÕ of character areas have been defined. These have been mapped on separate GIS layers. They are: ¥ Lowland areas. These are the most inhabited straths and glens of the Park. Seventy eight landscape character areas were identified. ¥ Upland areas. These are the hills and mountains, and interior glens. Twelve landscape character areas were identified. 1.4.1 Lowland areas These are areas where most people live. They are the places where there is most Ôhuman activityÕ, infrastructure and pressure for built development. These areas are where the ParkÕs advice will be required on housing, industry, infrastructure, agriculture, woodland diversity and water and wetland management, all of which are likely to change the landscape. In short, these are the areas where the largest potential variety of pressures for landscape change are most likely to occur. 1.4.2 Upland areas The upland areas are the least inhabited areas of the Park Ð although there are occasional remote settlements and farms in addition to some estate houses which may be inhabited for at least part of the year. In these areas, land management is more likely to influence landscape character than built development. In upland areas, it is usually also the case that a small number of management issues are likely to influence landscape change over a wide area. As a result, the upland character areas tend to be larger than the lowland character areas. 1.4.3 Areas of overlap between lowland and upland Finally, the maps for each of these assessments Ð one for lowlands, and one for uplands illustrate that there is an area of the landscape which contributes to both. This ÔtransitionalÕ area of landscape, generally the hill slopes, provides the visual containment, the open grazing land, the visual backdrop, and sometimes even the extent of the water catchment, for the lowland areas. But it is also the ÔperipheryÕ of the upland areas, and it acts as both ÔthresholdÕ and Ôbuffer zoneÕ for the more remote hinterlands. This area of overlap contributes to both the uplands and the lowlands, and decisions about its future management will affect both the upland, mountain areas and the lowland straths and glens. It therefore seems appropriate for it to be included, as an area of overlap, on the maps for both the upland and lowland character areas, and in its dual role subsequently explained in the text which accompanies the character area descriptions. 1.5 Using the Historic Landuse Assessment (HLA) The brief for this study noted that Ôthe historical development of the landscape is a key considerationÉof landscape characterÕ. The consultants were required to use the HLA provided by RCHAMS, who also provided support in its interpretation. The data provided by the HLA is extensive, with 59 historic Ôland use typesÕ recorded on a GIS database. Every part of the Park has an historic land use type allocated to it. Some historic land use types have more influence on the landscape character of the CNP than others. These are most obviously historic land use types which even today influence the settlement or field pattern, road alignment, the woodland distribution and species choice, for example. But there were also areas of abundant remains, such as extensive areas of townships, pre-improvement field systems, shielings and prehistoric sites, which were relatively easy to encounter within the landscape. Even without particular archaeological knowledge, the extent and integrity of these areas, some of which were surprisingly large, had a strong influence on the experience of the landscape. For the purposes of this study, it was necessary to identify the historic land use types which were most influential on the landscape character of the CNP. The consultants carried out an assessment of all 59 historic land use types in the HLA and, through a process of selection and amalgamation, identified a list of 12 historic land use types which were considered most influential in terms of landscape character. These were then mapped on a single GIS base layer by the RCHAMS, and used in field work and assessment when defining the character areas and describing the characteristics of the landscape. A more detailed description of how the HLA was interpreted and incorporated into the LCA can be found in a separate report ÔCairngorms Landscape Character Assessment Ð Using and Interpreting the Historic Landuse AssessmentÕ which is also an output from this study. 1.6 Using information provided by BGS The brief also required the consultants to work with BGS to analyse and explain how geology and geomorphology influenced the landscape character of the Park. It is recognised that the Ôraw resourceÕ of geography underpins many of the historic and present day decisions on land use, settlement pattern and development. The BGS provided a summary of the influence of bedrock on the major features of the Park. This was provided in map form with accompanying text. In addition, a list of simplified drift, or superficial deposit, features which have particular influence on the character of the landscape and how it has been used by people, was identified. These features were then mapped on a Ôdigital terrain modelÕ base. The resulting map and accompanying text, provided by BGS, combines the simplified superficial deposit with the topographical detail of the Park. All this information was used in field work and assessment when defining the character areas and describing the characteristics of the landscape. A more detailed description of how the BGS sourced material was interpreted and incorporated into the LCA can be found in a separate report ÔCairngorms Landscape Character Assessment Ð Using and Interpreting information on the Geology and Geomorphology of the ParkÕ which is also an output from this study. 1.7 Integrating the data provided by RCHAMS and BGS The aspects of geography and historic land use which are considered most relevant to the landscape character and its future management have been integrated into the text for each individual landscape character area. Sometimes this information has taken the form of explanation and information, but more often it has only been used where it is a defining characteristic, or a key feature within the character area. 1.8 Executive summary This landscape character assessment (LCA) has been carried out specifically to meet the needs of the Cairngorms National Park. It has been the intention to provide a document which is engaging and inspiring as well as accessible and informative. The LCA is detailed, combining information sourced from the Historic Land Use assessment, geological material provided by the British Geological Survey, extensive fieldwork and the knowledge of experienced consultants to provide a comprehensive character assessment. The LCA subdivides the landscape into character areas which aim to both reflect ÔplaceÕ and provide a robust spatial framework for the proposed Landscape Framework. Disclaimer The content of this report reflects the views of the contractor, Alison Grant, and associate consultants, Carol Anderson, landscape architect, Jill Harden, consultant archaeologist, and Dr Adrian Hall, geomorphologist. The content does not necessarily reflect the views of the CNPA. Alison Grant, the lead consultant, is responsible for any errors in final drafting. Acknowledgements This assessment would not have been possible without generous input of time and advice from staff at the British Geological Survey and the Royal Commission of Historic and Ancient Monuments in Scotland. In addition, the consultants are grateful for the advice from the technical steering group, which comprised: Matthew Hawkins, Cairngorms National Park Authority Frances Thin, Cairngorms National Park Authority Hugh Barron, British Geological Survey Jon Merritt, British Geological Survey Martin Gillespie, British Geological Survey Allan Kilpatrick, Royal Commission of Historic and Ancient Monuments for Scotland Laura Campbell, Scottish Natural Heritage Nicholas Shepherd, Forestry Commission (Scotland) Stewart Roberts, Angus District Council Peter Fraser, Aberdeenshire Council CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT: LOWLAND AREAS These lowland character areas are the most inhabited straths and glens of the Park. Seventy eight landscape character areas were identified and these have been grouped into nine ÔregionsÕ. Many of the character areas have been named with a prefix which relates to the character area used in the original Cairngorms LCA (1996), which allows for cross-reference to this original document. The character areas are illustrated on the following map, and have been numbered as follows: Spey Headwaters, Ardverikie and Upper Spey Farmlands 1 Arverikie: Glen Shirra 2 Ardverikie: Pattack Glen/Strath Mashie 3 Spey Headwaters: Upper Glen of the Spey 4 Spey Headwaters: Spey Dam 5 Upper Spey farmlands: Coul Farm pinch point 6 Upper Spey Farmlands: Laggan Strath 7 Upper Spey Farmland: Loch Uvie pinch point Badenoch and Strathspey 8 Badenoch: Upper Strath 9 Badenoch: Upper Glen Banchor 10 Badenoch: Lower Glen Banchor 11 Badenoch: Newtonmore to Kingussie 12 Badenoch: Insh Marshes 13 Badenoch: Inshriach Forest 14 Badenoch: Kincraig to Loch Alvie 15 Badenoch: Loch Alvie to Inverdruie 16 Rothiemurchus Forest 17 Glen More 18 Strathspey: Inverdruie to Pityoulish 19 Strathspey: Pityoulish to Boat of Garten 20 Strathspey: Boat of Garten to Craggan 21 Strathspey: Craggan to Grantown on Spey 22 Abernethy Forest 23 Strathspey: Dulnain Strath 24 The Slochd Lower Spey and Cromdale 25 Lower Strathspey: Glen Beg to Dava Moor 26 Lower Strathspey: Glen of the Allt an Fhithich 27 Lower Strathspey: Castle Grant and Tomvaich 28 Lower Strathspey: Auchnagallin and Blar M˜r 29 Lower Strathspey: Strathspey 30 Lower Strathspey: Burn of Dalvey Glen 31 Lower Strathspey: Haughs of Cromdale 32 Lower Strathspey: Tomintoul Road Strath Avon and Glen Livet 33 Strath Avon: Mid Strath Avon 34 Strath Avon: Lower Strath Avon 35 Glen Livet 36 Glen Livet: Braes of Glen Livet 37 Glen Livet: Inchnacape 38 Glen Livet: Delnabo 39 Glen Livet: Conglass Water The Lecht and Strathdon 40 The Lecht 41 Strathdon: Corgarff and Cockbridge 42 Strathdon: Upper Strathdon 43 Strathdon: Mid Strathdon 44 Strathdon: Glen Nochty 45 Strathdon: Glen Buchat 46 Strathdon: Waters of Deskry, Carvie and Conrie Deeside, Muir of Dinnet and Cromar 47 Upper Deeside: Linn of Dee 48 Upper Deeside: Mar Lodge Policies 49 Upper Deeside: Allanaquoich Haughland 50 Upper Deeside: Invercauld 51 Upper Deeside: Invercauld Bridge to Inver 52 Upper Deeside: Inver to Cambus oÕ May 53 Upper Deeside: Glen Gairn 54 Upper Deeside: Lower Glen Muick 55 The White Mounth: Upper Glen Muick 56 Upper Deeside: Glen Tanar 57 Muir of Dinnet 58 Cromar Farmlands Angus Glens 59 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Esk 60 Angus Glens: Glen Doll 61 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Clova 62 Angus Glens: Mid Glen Clova 63 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Prosen 64 Angus Glens: Upper Glen Isla Glen Shee, Glen Beag and Glen Clunie 65 Glen Shee: Upper Glen 66 Glen Shee: Head of Glen Shee 67 Glen Beag: Lower Glen 68 Glen Beag: High Pass at Cairnwell 69 Glen Clunie: Upper Glen 70 Glen Clunie: Lower Glen Atholl, Glen Garry, Cathˆr M˜r and Glen Truim 71 Glen Fender 72 Glen Garry: Lower Glen and Blair Atholl 73 Glen Garry: Mid Glen 74 Glen Garry: Upper Glen 75 Drumochter Pass 76 Glen Truim: Upper Glen and Dalwhinnie 77 Cathˆr M˜r 78 Glen Truim