WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. FRONT COVER (Small image: Cairngorms National Park Brand) (Main image: canoeists on Loch Morlich with hills and forest in the background) Cairngorms National Park Plan 2007 INNER PAGE Our Partners Logos for: Aberdeenshire Council Angus Council Communities Scotland Deer Commission for Scotland Forestry Commission Scotland The Highland Council Highlands and Islands Enterprise Historic Scotland The Moray Council Scottish Enterprise Scottish Environment Protection Agency Scottish Natural Heritage Scottish Water Sportscotland UHI Millennium Institute VisitScotland Published by Cairngorms National Park Authority © CNPA 2007.All rights reserved. ISBN 978-0-9548782-2-1 PAGE ONE FOREWORD (Image: David Green) The one who does not look forward will look back In this first National Park Plan we believe that we should all look forward with a collective sense of purpose. By working together we can achieve our ambitious vision for the future of the National Park. A world class Cairngorms National Park will deliver real benefits for the people who live and work in the area and indeed for all of Scotland and beyond – but this demands a new approach to managing the Park. This is why the public bodies involved in the area have come together, represented in their logos opposite, in a working partnership to achieve all four of the Park’s aims. But this plan does not sit in isolation, it seeks to build on the existing work of the public, private, voluntary sectors and communities within the Park. We can all play our part and act to look after and improve what we value about this wonderful area. But only by combining our efforts, by being creative and doing things in a different or better way can we really make that difference to benefit the people and places in the Park. We need to know if we are making progress towards this vision so the Plan includes priorities for action between 2007 and 2012, and sets out clear five year outcomes.There is an exciting future stretching ahead of all of us and while we must be aspirational, we must also be realistic in what we will achieve over the first five years. However, commitment as we all know means sharing the responsibilities for the Park as well as reaping the benefits of the Park. This is an area of strong communities combined with a special natural and cultural heritage which all deserve our respect. Change will happen, but if we can ensure as far as possible that this happens in a sustainable way, we can all look after the Cairngorms for those who come after us. David Green Convener, Cairngorms National Park Authority (Gaelic Version) Am fear nach seall roimhe Seallaidh e na dhèidh Anns a’ chiad Phlana Pàirc Nàiseanta seo tha sinn den bheachd gum bu chòir dhuinn uile a bhith a’ coimhead romhainn le co-mhothachadh air adhbhar. Le bhith ag obair còmhla tha e comasach dhuinn ar sealladh àrd airson na Pàirce Nàiseanta san àm ri teachd a choileanadh. Bidh Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh sàr-ìre na fìor bhuannachd dha na daoine a tha a’ fuireach agus ag obair san sgìre agus gu dearbh do dhaoine air feadh Alba agus an dùthchannan eile – ach iarraidh seo dòigh-obrach ùr airson rianachd na Pàirce. ’S e seo is coireach gun tàinig na buidhnean poblach aig a bheil com-pàirt san sgìre còmhla, mar a chithear air an riochdachadh sna suaicheantasan aca, ann an com-pàirteachas obrach gus ceithir amasan na Pàirce a choileanadh. Ach chan eil am Plana seo air leth; tha e ag iarraidh togail air an obair a tha na roinnean poblach, prìobhaideach, agus saor-thoileach agus na coimhearsnachdan a’ dèanamh anns a’ Phàirc. Faodaidh sinn uile com-pàirteachadh ann agus obrachadh airson gleidheadh agus leasachadh air na tha sinn a’ faicinn luachmhor san àite àlainn seo. Ach ’s ann a-mhàin tro cho-obrachadh, tro chruthachadh agus tro bhith a’ dèanamh rudan ann an dòigh eadardhealaichte no nas fheàrr a nì sinn an diofar sin a bhios na bhuannachd dha na daoine agus dha na ceàrnaidhean anns a’ Phàirc. Feumaidh fios a bhith againn a bheil sinn a’ dèanamh adhartais a dh’ionnsaigh an t-seallaidh seo agus mar sin tha am Plana a’ gabhail a-steach prìomh-amasan gnìomha eadar 2007 agus 2012, agus tha e a’ comharrachadh builean soilleir airson còig bliadhna.Tha àm ri teachd inntinneach air thoiseach òirnn uile agus ged a dh’fheumas sinn a bhith àrd-mhiannach, feumaidh sinn cuideachd a bhith reusanta a thaobh na choileanas sinn anns a’ chiad còig bliadhna. Ach, mar a tha fios againn uile tha dealas a’ ciallachadh co-roinn nan uallaichean airson na Pàirce a cheart cho cinnteach ri buannachd fhaighinn às a’ Phàirc. Anns an sgìre seo tha coimhearsnachdan làidir còmhla ri dualchas nàdarra agus cultarail sònraichte a tha uile airidh air urram.Thig atharrachadh, ach ma nì sinn cinnteach cho fad ’s a ghabhas gun tachair seo ann an dòigh sheasmhach, gheibh sinn uile air a’ Mhonadh Ruadh a ghleidheadh dhaibhsan a thig nar dèidh. Daibhidh Green Neach-gairm, Ùghdarras Pàirc Nàiseanta a’ Mhonaidh Ruaidh PAGE TWO CONTENTS Cairngorms National Park Plan 2007 FOREWORD Page 1 1. VISION Page 4 2. INTRODUCTION Page 9 2.1 Purpose of the National Park Plan Page10 2.2 Structure of the National Park Plan Page 10 2.3 Development of the National Park Plan Page 13 2.4 Relationship to Development Plans and Management Page 14 2.5 Relationship to Other Plans Page 15 3. CONTEXT 17 3.1 National Parks in Scotland Page 18 National Park Designation and Aims Page 18 An Integrated Approach and the Role of the National Park Authority Page 19 3.2 The Cairngorms National Park Page 21 International Context Page 21 National Context Page 22 Regional Context Page 22 The Special Qualities of the Cairngorms National Park Page 25 3.3 Managing the Park in a Changing Environment Page 28 Drivers of Change Page 28 Building on Experience Page 30 4. GUIDING PRINCIPLES Page 31 5. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES Page 35 5.1 Conserving and Enhancing the Park Page 37 5.1.1 Introduction – Conserving and Enhancing the Special Qualities Page 37 5.1.2 Conserving and Enhancing the Natural and Cultural Heritage Page 37 Landscape, Built and Historic Environment Page 37 Biodiversity Page 41 Geodiversity Page 46 Culture and Traditions Page 48 5.1.3 Sustainable Use of Resources Page 49 Energy Page 49 Water Page 51 Air Page 53 5.1.4 Integrated Land Management Page 54 Farming and Crofting Page 56 Forest and Woodland Management Page 58 Moorland Management Page 61 Deer Management Page 62 Fisheries Management Page 65 PAGE THREE 5.2. Living and Working in the Park Page 66 5.2.1 Introduction – Encouraging Sustainable Development Page 66 5.2.2 Sustainable Communities Page 66 5.2.3 Economy and Employment Page 69 5.2.4 Housing Page 72 5.2.5 Transport and Communications Page 74 5.2.6 Waste Management Page 76 5.3 Enjoying and Understanding the Park Page 77 5.3.1 Introduction – Creating a World-Class Experience Page 77 5.3.2 Sustainable Tourism Page 78 5.3.3 Outdoor Access and Recreation Page 82 5.3.4 Learning and Understanding Page 85 6. PRIORITIES FOR ACTION 2007-2012 Page 89 6.1 Conserving and Enhancing Biodiversity and Landscapes Page 91 6.2 Integrating Public Support for Land Management Page 97 6.3 Supporting Sustainable Deer Management Page 100 6.4 Providing High Quality Opportunities for Outdoor Access Page 103 6.5 Making Tourism and Business More Sustainable Page 108 6.6 Making Housing More Affordable and Sustainable Page 111 6.7 Raising Awareness and Understanding of the Park Page 114 7. IMPLEMENTATION Page 119 7.1 A Partnership Approach Page 121 7.2 Adding Value to Existing Work Page 123 7.3 National Park Investment Programme Page 123 7.4 National Park Research Programme Page 124 7.5 Role of the National Park Authority in Implementation Page 124 7.6 Implementation through Other Plans and Strategies Page 125 7.7 Challenges and Risks Page 126 8. MONITORING AND REVIEW Page 127 8.1 Annual Report on the Priorities for Action Page 128 8.2 Monitoring the State of the Park Page 129 8.3 Framework for Monitoring and Review Page 130 9. CONCLUSION Page 131 ANNEXES Page 133 Annex I Contributors to the National Park Plan Page 134 Annex II IUCN Management Principles for Category V Protected Areas Page 136 Annex III Glossary Page 138