New outdoor access plan to woo visitors to Cairngorms

The UK’s largest national park aims to place itself at the heart of a new effort to improve Scotland’s health.

The Cairngorms National Park boasts some of the country’s finest landscapes, wildlife and visitor attractions.

Now a new outdoor access strategy aims to use its unique and carried offering to promote healthy lifestyles and highlight the benefits of being active outdoors.

At the same time, it will ensure that recreation does not impact negatively on the park’s special species and habitats.

The Cairngorms National Park Authority’s David Clyne said: “Increasing physical activity can lead to improvements in many conditions from heart disease to mental health issues.

“It is therefore very important that we get an outdoor access strategy that benefits everyone who lives here or visits the park.

“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 and to learn about, care for and appreciate the park.”

Formal consultation will begin mid-January and will last for 12 weeks, with the public invited to express their views.