Visitor Experience

Enjoy a trip around the Cairngorms National Park

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Since becoming a National Park in 2003, there has been significant investment in visitor infrastructure, including the path network. We have seen the establishment of a strong, well-recognised brand for the Cairngorms National Park.

The visitor economy is more critical to the Cairngorms National Park than anywhere else in rural Scotland, supporting some 43% of employment in the area.

91% of visitors know they are in a National Park, and for 63% of overseas visitors, the area’s status as a National Park is an important factor in their decision to visit. Visitor satisfaction is high, but we know from international comparisons that expectations will continue to increase. We need to continue to provide the infrastructure that meets visitors’ expectations and helps manage recreation impacts on this fragile area.

Read more about the Visitor Experience outcome in the Partnership Plan.

Our Targets

Increase the economic impact of visitors to eastern and southern Cairngorms National Park from 21% to 25% of the total visitor economy

2018/19 UPDATE

• Latest STEAM data for 2017 indicates progress toward the target with the economic impact of visitors in eastern and southern Cairngorms now representing 22.8% of the total.

Increase the percentage of visitors using active travel during their stay to 19% by 2022

2018/19 UPDATE

• No data to report – the five yearly visitor survey started in May 2019. Full data will be available summer 2020.

Support 30 volunteer rangers and 500 days of annual volunteering by 2022

2018/19 UPDATE

• We are currently training the latest recruitment of 12 volunteer rangers, which will bring the total to 26 volunteer rangers.
• There have been 415 days of volunteering to day.