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Cairngorms

Active Cairngorms

The Active Cairngorms action plan aims to make it easier and safer for people to enjoy the National Park’s special qualities, whatever their age, ability or background. It also encourages people to be more physically active and to learn about, care for and appreciate the National Park. 

Family enjoying a wee walk

Nearly two million people visit the National Park every year and around 19,000 people live here. The provision of high-quality outdoor facilities and activities is vital to our visitors and is a major contributor to the National Park’s economic success, and to the health and wellbeing of its residents and visitors. The Active Cairngorms action plan will help everyone enjoy the National Park’s special qualities in a sustainable way, safeguarding and protecting our most sensitive species and habitats – for example, by identifying actions to reduce the impact of disturbance on sensitive species and habitats.

Key elements of the Active Cairngorms action plan (2023-2028) include:

  • Suitable promotion of the wide range of recreational opportunities available in the National Park is key to influencing peoples behaviour and supporting people’s wellbeing. Our aim is that people living in or visiting the National Park know the health benefits of physical recreation and are enabled, supported and inspired to be more active.
  • Through volunteering we want people to engage with, and feel part of the solution to safeguarding the National Park’s special qualities against climate change and biodiversity loss.
  • Learning about the Cairngorms and the way it is managed will increase understanding and appreciation of the National Park. This will nurture an ethos of respect and a commitment to caring for the countryside that we live in, visit and work in.

Read the Active Cairngorms action plan


Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) 

The Park Authority as the Responsible Authority has determined that the Active Cairngorms Action Plan is likely to have significant environmental effects. The plan was subject to the SEA process and the post adoption statement can be read here.

Please email responses to [email protected]

Appendix to Environmental report – SEA Environmental baseline

Access for All
Access for All 
Ranger Services
Ranger Services 
Health Walks
Health Walks