Travel grant scheme

The Cairngorms National Park is an excellent outdoor classroom and can be studied across the curriculum from biology and geography to art, history and even music. 

A variety of educational resources have already been produced to support outdoor learning in the Cairngorms National Park with outdoor learning seen as a key approach to delivering the Curriculum for Excellence. However, one of the key barriers that teachers and groups face is the high cost of travel to or around the National Park. The travel grant scheme, funded by the Park Authority, helps to overcome this barrier, offering schools and voluntary groups from across Scotland up to 75% of transport costs, up to £300. 

Applications are scored against the following criteria around priority and activity. 

Priority is given to: 

• Schools and groups from deprived areas
• Those who have not visited the Park before
• Groups who support people with disabilities, young people, ethnic minorities and those who experience economic disadvantage or health inequality including Cairngorms based health walk groups 

The activity should: 

• Take place in the Cairngorms National Park, potentially in one of the nine National Nature Reserves (NNRs)
• Raise awareness and understanding of the Cairngorms National Park
• Involve ranger services and National Nature Reserve staff in the National Park where possible
• Help deliver the Curriculum for Excellence through outdoor learning experiences, for example using the John Muir Award where relevant 

Funding is available for one trip per school or community group.

Apply for a travel grant 

If you think your school or group is eligible to apply, complete the application and send / email it to us before your planned visit to the National Park. 

You can download: 

• The application form as a PDF (150KB) here, or as a Word document (140KB) here
• The travel grant guidelines as a PDF (125KB) here 

Claiming your travel grant 

To claim a travel grant you must complete the following steps: 

1. Download, complete and submit an application form (see download links above)
2. Receive an offer letter
3. Do your trip!
4. Pay for the travel costs
5. Send your travel receipt / invoices and an evaluation form to [email protected]. You can download the evaluation form as a PDF (63KB) here, or as a Word document (153KB) here.

We will then reimburse you for the amount stated in the offer letter.