Issue 5: Active Cairngorms

Wee Epics

ISSUES

• 20% of Scotland’s population are physically inactive;
• Physical inactivity is the second biggest cause of mortality, leading to 2,500 deaths in Scotland every year;
• Increasing outdoor physical activity can lead to improvements in many health conditions, from heart disease to mental health issues;
• The Cairngorms National Park has the access infrastructure, destination appeal and partnerships required to promote increased physical activity; and
• Active Cairngorms aims to make it easier and safer for people to move around the Park whatever their age, ability or background: to be more physically active, to learn about, care for and appreciate the Park.

TARGETS / PREFERRED DIRECTION

• Make the most of the National Park’s infrastructure and brand identity as part of Scotland’s Natural Health Service;
• Residents and visitors will enjoy and use the Park for physical activity at least once a day;
• Target people currently living sedentary lifestyles where inactivity is the norm; these include older adults, young girls and those living with long term medical conditions;
• Support and promote the Active Cairngorms Partnership to jointly deliver on social, environmental and health care outcomes;
• Continued/enhanced delivery of health walks through the Cairngorms Walking to Health Project;
• Co-ordination of environmental volunteering opportunities; and
• Deliver active travel enhancements in Aviemore that deliver improved transport connections for visitors and residents.

Peter Cairns/2020VISION/CNPA

MECHANISMS FOR DELIVERY

• Active Cairngorms Partnership
• GP outdoor physical activity referral programme
• Health walks partnerships
• Volunteering

Wee Epics

Locations of health walks throughout the Cairngorms National Park

ISSUE 5 | KEY QUESTIONS

• How can levels of physical activity among residents and visitors be increased?

• How can environmental volunteering opportunities be better co-ordinated and promoted to engage people?