Culture and heritage
Separated by the great bulk of the mountains, different areas of the National Park have their own distinct identity and cultural traditions, but they share a strong connection to the landscape. This is captured by the Gaelic word Dùthchas, meaning the deep-rooted connection between people and nature.
From historic castles to highland games, languages and storytelling to music, art and traditional cultural practices, the Cairngorms has a rich heritage dating back thousands of years. In more recent times, two community-led projects - Badenoch: The Storylands and the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Landscape Partnership - have helped shine a light on areas of the National Park sometimes overlooked in comparison to their more well-known neighbours.
The Park Authority and its partners are taking forward a range of activities to celebrate culture and heritage within the National Park, some of which are summarised below.
Alert
Featured
The new fire byelaw
How the Cairngorms National Park Authority and its partners are tackling the threat of wildfires, including details on the recreational fire management byelaw, in place from 1 April to 30 September each year.
Wildlife
The Cairngorms National Park is home to a quarter of the UK’s rare and endangered species. Its rich habitats are a haven for an array of wildlife, from iconic birds to elusive plants and flowers.
Relevant alerts
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The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Friday 29 May until Monday 1 June. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.