From 7 August 2005, residents in Boat of Garten will have Ecotourism student Izabel Kaminiarz knocking on their doors asking for their views on tourism in the National Park.

The research will help her complete a dissertation towards an MSc in Ecotourism through the University of Portsmouth.

Izabel said: “I am co-operating with the Cairngorms National Park Authority who have helped me organise the project. The questionnaires are anonymous and all responses will be held in strict confidence to generate some useful statistics that will help inform the local plan for the area and help me complete my studies.  If time allows, I may extend my study area to include Aviemore.  Comparing tourism perceptions between the two villages would be interesting.”

A £25 book token prize is being offered to the first questionnaire drawn at random following completion of the project.

Izabel is also working at CairnGorm Mountain and using her spare time to explore the area.