Cairngorms National Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Cairngorms National Park
iucn_category = V

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caption = The Linn of Dee on the River Dee near Braemar. "Linn" is the Scots word for "waterfall".
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location = Cairngorms, Scotland, Moray, Aberdeenshire, Highland, Angus, Perth and Kinross
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area = 3,800 km²
established = 2003
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governing_body = National Park AuthorityThe Cairngorms National Park (Scottish Gaelic "Pàirc Nàiseanta a' Mhonaidh Ruaidh") is a national park in north east Scotland, established in 2003. It was the second of two national parks established by the Scottish Parliament, after Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, set up in 2002. The park covers the Cairngorms range of mountains, and surrounding hills. Initially the largest national park in the British Isles, there are plans to expand the park into highland Perth and Kinross.

The Area

The Cairngorms National Park covers an area of 3,800 km² (1,467 sq miles) in Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland and Angus Regions. The Cairngorm Mountains are a spectacular and unique wilderness. Recognised as a Special Area of Conservation, the area is managed to protect the natural environment while encouraging enjoyment through activities and family attractions. Aviemore is a popular holiday destination. Highland Wildlife Park lies within the National Park.

National Park Boundary

Before the National Park was established in 2003, Scottish Natural Heritage conducted a consultation exercise, considering the boundary and the powers and structure of the new park authority.Fact|date=April 2008 One option presented for the area included Tomatin, Blair Atholl, Aboyne and Glen Shee, making the park twice as big as the Lake District National Park.Fact|date=April 2008 The area finally chosen was smaller than expected, but still the largest in Britain. It involved the boundary areas of Carrbridge, Laggan, Dalwhinnie, Grantown-on-Spey and Ballater. Many groups and local communities felt that a large area of highland Perth and Kinross should form part of the park and carried out a sustained campaign.Fact|date=April 2008

On 13 March 2008 Michael Russell announced that the National Park would be extended to take in Blair Atholl and Spittal of Glenshee.cite web| url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2008/03/13145812| title=Cairngorms National Park| date=13 March, 2008| publisher=Scottish Government| accessdate=2008-03-22] There was also controversy surrounding the construction of a funicular railway on Cairn Gorm, a scheme supported by the new National Park Authority. Supporters of the scheme claimed that it would bring in valuable tourist income, whilst opponents argued that such a development was unsuitable for a protected area. To reduce erosion, the railway operates a "closed scheme" and only allows skiers (in season) out of the upper station.Fact|date=April 2008

ettlements within the national park

The National Park Authority shares statutory planning functions with the four local authorities [ [http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/planning/index.php Planning] ] within the national park boundary. [ [http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/park/map/map_large.php Map] ]

Aberdeenshire

(All in the Marr committee area.)
*Ballater
*Braemar
*Strathdon

Angus

Only the heads of the Angus Glens are within the park: they do not contain any villages.

=Highland=

(All in the Badenoch and Strathspey committee area, nearly the entire area of which is in the national park.)
*Aviemore
*Boat of Garten
*Carrbridge
*Dalwhinnie
*Dulnain Bridge (Moray and Highland are separated by the bridge, so falls into both categories.)
*Drumochter
*Grantown on Spey
*Kingussie
*Laggan
*Nethy Bridge
*Newtonmore

Moray

*Tomintoul

Perth and Kinross

*Blair Atholl (expected from 2009)
*Spittal of Glenshee (expected from 2009)

ights

*Blair Castle
*Cairngorms
*Highland Wildlife Park
*Aviemore
*Waltzing Waters
*Loch Morlich
*Carrbridge
*Golf
*Cairngorm Ski Centre
*Cairngorm Funicular Railway (Cairngorm Mountain Railway)
*The Lecht Ski Centre
*Glenshee Ski Centre
*Spey Railway Line
*Ben Macdui
*Dalwhinnie Distillery
*Pass of Drumtocher
*River Garry
*Cairngorm
*Loch Laggan
*River Spey
*Monadhliath Mountains
*Caledonian Forest
*Red Squirrels
*Forest of Atholl
*Loch Ericht
*Glenmore Forest Park
*Glenmore Lodge
*Reindeer
*Roe Deer
*Red Deer
*Sika Deer
*Ptarmigan
*Capercaille

References

ee also

*National parks of Scotland
*Caledonian Forest
*Tourism in Scotland
*World Heritage Sites in Scotland
*Blair Castle

External links

* [http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/ Cairngorms National Park official site]