FAQs
Where can I go in the National Park?
Scotland is a country where people have a statutory right of access to most land and water, except for a few places that are protected for privacy and safety – such as building, gardens, the curtilage of working areas etc. The right extends to non-motorised use only (with the exception of disabled buggies) and includes walking, cycling, horse-riding, sailing, canoeing and air sports. People exercising access rights must do so responsibly, which means in a way that does not unreasonably impact upon the rights of other people or features of the land. Land managers also have the responsibility to respect those taking access rights. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code provides detailed guidance on the responsibilities of countryside users and managers see www.outdooraccess-scotland.com
Do I have to pay or register to get in to the National Park?
Like the rest of Scotland, the Cairngorms National Park is covered by access rights so no-one has to ask for permission or to pay to come into the Park as might be the case in North American Parks for example.
Are the rules and regulations in the Park different from the rest of Scotland?
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code gives guidance to people about how to exercise access rights responsibly, it applies through the whole of Scotland and therefore they are no extra ‘provisions’ that apply to the public in the Park.
Where can I take my dog in the National Park and does it need to be on a lead?
Dogs are welcome as long as they are under ‘proper control’. ‘Proper control’ is the wording used within the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and has no further definition. ‘Close control’ is generally taken to mean that the dog is able to respond your commands and is kept close at heel. A short lead is taken to be 2 metres or less. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says…..
“Key points to remember if you have dog with you:
- Never let your dog worry or attack livestock
- Do not take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young animals
- Do not take you dog into fields of vegetables or fruit unless you are on a clear path, such as a core path or right of way
- If you got into afield of farm animals, keep as far as possible from the animals and keep your dogs on a short lead or under close control
- If cattle react aggressively and move towards you, keep calm, let the dog go and take the shortest, safest route out of the field
During the bird breeding season (usually April to July) keep your dog under close control or on a short lead in areas such as moorland, forests, grassland, loch shores and the seashore.”
Can I drive off-road in the National Park?
The access legislation does not give you a right to drive a motorised vehicle on land (other than the national roads network) or a motorised vessel on water. The exception is vehicles or vessels that are modified for use by a disabled person and in use by that person. This could range from a motorised buggy to an adapted car. In practice, access rights must be exercised responsibly and it may not be possible to access some areas even with such a vehicle. This is due to the potential for damage and land management concerns, so where there are doubts you may have to negotiate with land managers first. Many paths and routes that are wide enough to take vehicle traffic also have vehicle restrictions on them – such as a locked full gate but a side gate allowing access for other users.
Scotland doesn’t have “green roads” as is the case south of the Border. And we are not aware of any confirmed vehicle rights of way in the Park.
Do I have to pay for car parking in the Park?
There are a huge variety of car parks in the National Park ranging from local authority maintained car parks to those operated by public land managers such as RSPB, Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage and private land managers and individual estates. Some car parks - generally in the settlements - are likely to be formal and paying facilities, possibly tarmac'd and well-lit; others - those at access points to the hills for example - are likely to be less formal and maybe unmanaged. Not all car parks will allow you to leave your car overnight but generally notices at the car park will inform you of whether you can or not. Most popular access points to the hills have car parking available.
How can I find about walks in the National Park?
The Cairngorms National Park is criss-crossed by a huge network of routes, paths and tracks over low and high ground on which people have opportunities for a wide range of recreational activities. Some of these are well marked and supported by maps, signposts and leaflets, generally these will be in the vicinity of individual communities and villages – others are simply lines on the ground that might not even appear on the OS maps but are nevertheless widely used. There is one recognised Long Distance Route within the Park, the Speyside Way (http://www.speysideway.org) and the mountain core offers some of the most challenging high level walking in the UK. At 3,800 square kilometres of varied terrain, one and a half times the size of Luxembourg, there is massive potential for finding something to suit your tastes.
There are many websites and guidebooks that recommend walks throughout the National Park. The following websites are good starting points:
http://www.walkscotland.com/editorial_frame.html
http://walking.visitscotland.com/walks/
http://walking.visitscotland.com/walks/cairngorms/
http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walklist.php?npid=12
www.visitdeeside.org.uk
http://www.bestwalks.com/Aberdeenbooks.htm
Where and when does deer stalking and shooting take place?
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says….
Deer management can take place during many months of the year but the most sensitive time is the stag stalking season (usually from 1 July to 20 October, but with most stalking taking place from August onwards). During this season, you can help to minimise disturbance by taking reasonable steps to find out where stalking is taking place (such as by using the Hillphones service where one is available http://www.snh.org.uk/hillphones and by taking account of advice on alternative routes. Avoid crossing land where stalking is taking place. Stalking does not normally take place on Sundays.
There is some excellent background to the Hillphones scheme and to the issues over access during the stalking season on the following websites:
http://walking.visitscotland.com/usefulinfo/deer
http://www.mcofs.org.uk/hillphones.asp
http://www.snh.org.uk/hillphones
Contact details for estates that subscribe to Hillphones are obtained through that scheme. Otherwise finding out landownership contact details is a tricky area – easier if the ownership bodies are public bodies such as National Trust for Scotland, the Forestry Commission
What are the rules and regulations regarding fishing in the National Park?
The Cairngorms National Park arguably offers some of the best fishing in the UK. There are plenty of opportunities to fish both still and running water, however, you have to pay for most kinds of fishing in the Park. Permits are available from both public and private organisations, a good starting place once you are here would be local post offices and tourist information centres. As a starting point you could visit the website http://www.fishscotland.co.uk/, this provides a comprehensive breakdown of the types of fishing available, tackle needed, locations, prices and contact details.
It is worth noting that right of access in Scotland DOES NOT include the right to fish. It continues to be based on fishing permits and other permission required. Anglers should be aware of how their fishing activities affect people who are using access rights. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says…
Anglers need to be careful when casting lines so be aware of where people are on the water and on the land. If a canoeist or other person on the water is close by wait until they have passed by before casting. If you have a line in the water, allow people on the water to pass at the earliest opportunity. Indicating where you would prefer canoeists or rafters to pass by can help but be aware that it might not always be possible for them to follow the route you suggest.
Can I camp anywhere in the National Park or do I need permission?
The right of access throughout Scotland also covers the right to wild camp or informal camping. This holds for land within the National Park as well as land outside it. So in most cases, you do not need 'special authorisation' to wild camp in the Park as long as you are not going to have an impact on other people's privacy, safety or livelihood. If you think you are gong to have an impact you should seek advice and/or permission. In a few busy areas of the Park, the land managers have set aside wild camping spots – with no facilities - and you should help them by using them where possible. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says…
Wild camping is lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two to three nights in any one place. You can camp in this way wherever access rights apply but help to avoid causing problems for local people and land manager by not camping in enclosed fields or crops or farm animals and by keeping well away from building, roads or historic structures. Take extra care to avoid disturbing deer stalking or grouse shooting. If you wish to camp close to a house or building seek the owners’ permission. Leave no trace by:
- Taking away all your litter
- Removing all traces of your tent pitch and any open firs (follow the guidance for lighting fires
- Not causing any pollution
You can of course stay in organised campsites for which you would have to pay – most of the main towns and villages have them. A good place to start looking is the link page to community websites within the National Park: http://www.cairngorms.co.uk/park/communities/index.php
In terms of rubbish and human waste – the golden rule is “pack it in, pack it out!” There is an excellent leaflet produced by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland on wild camping http://www.mcofs.org.uk/assets/pdfs/wildcamping.pdf and one as well which gives advice about disposing of human waste http://www.mcofs.org.uk/where-to-go-leaflet.asp.
If your journey takes you from the Core Cas Car Park into the Cairngorms overnight, consider dropping into the Ranger Base to find out about the Poo Project and pick up a “Poo Pot” to take with you!
Can I light a campfire?
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says…
Wherever possible, use a stove rather than light an open fire. If you do wish to light an open fire, keep it small, under control and supervised – fires that get out of control can cause major damage, for which you might be liable. Never light an open fire during prolonged dry periods or in areas such as forests, woods, farmland, or on peaty ground or near to buildings or in cultural heritage sites where damage can be easily caused. Heed all advice at times of high risk. Remove all traces of an open fire before you leave.
It is an offence to light a fire in particular places: on or near any private road, on enclosed or cultivated land and in or near any plantation. Aside from these specific locations any lighting of fires must be undertaken in a responsible manner i.e. you should carefully consider the risks involved (woodland and moorland fires are both very serious concerns in the National Park) and the disturbance you may cause to others and wildlife.
Can I drink water from the streams and lochs in the Park?
Whether you can drink directly from burns (streams) and lochs is really dependent on where you are. Most of the burns in the upland areas of the Cairngorms Plateau are fine to drink from but be cautious where they are evidence of human activity – for example camping or snowhole sites where water courses might be contaminated. It is best always to take water from clear fast running sources such as the outflow from a loch or lochan, and when in any doubt either boil for 10 minutes or otherwise or sterilise it.
How can I find a caravan or camp site in the Park?
There are camping and caravan sites throughout the National Park in Ballater, Braemar, Aviemore, Grantown-on-Spey, Boat of Garten, Rothiemurchus, Glenmore, Newtonmore, Glentruim, Kincraig, Kingussie, Nethybridge, Glenlivet and Dinnet. They range from formal members only club sites to much more low key affairs, or offer camping opportunities next to hostels or community facilities. It is best to check with the provider before you set out.
You can find their details on the following website, please note that the sites are listed under the regions of Highlands, Aberdeenshire and one site in Angus (Glen Esk).
http://www.caravansitefinder.co.uk/parks/find/location,4_24/Scotland
http://www.scottishcamping.com/
http://www.cairngormschamber.com/show/category/Business/Accommodation/
Are there bothies or mountain huts in the National Park? If so where and can I stay in them?
A bothy is an old dwelling or shelter in the hills. They are no long lived in but open (unlocked) bothies may be made available by the land owner for use by the general public – in this case you would not generally need the permission of land owners to stay in them, but please respect the interests of the land owners and other bothy users if you do – they are a shared space! Locked bothies or huts are generally reserved for the land-owners use – for example for deer stalking and shooting parties – and this should be respected. Bothies tend to be very basic shelters, sometimes with no floor or sleeping platforms, no running water or toilet facilities and most don’t have fire places. Those that do would require you to carry in a source of fuel such as wood or coal – please don’t take from around the bothy and never cut down live wood. You would also need to carry in all your own equipment such as sleeping bags and mat, stoves, food, fuel etc. If you are going in with a big group of people, think again – most bothies are small and limited in space, and hence suitable for smaller numbers only.
Some bothies are maintained by the Mountain Bothies Association, a voluntary body which works in conjunction with land owners to maintain and look after bothies. There are a number of bothies within the Cairngorms National Park which are marked on Ordnance Survey maps. However, there is no list and it is the policy of the Mountain Bothy Association not to provide one. But you can find out more about bothies, the organisation and its work at http://www.mountainbothies.org.uk
There are no Alpine or Norwegian style huts in the Cairngorms National Park. The closest things are private huts owned or managed by mountaineering clubs, or other membership bodies. If you are a member of an organisation or body or club with “reciprocal rights” you may be able to gain access to these huts.
Can I take my canoe/ kayak/raft/ dinghy/windsurfer onto rivers and lochs in the Park?
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says…
Access rights extend to non-motorised water-based activities, such as canoeing, rafting, rowing and sailing. Make sure that the river, loch or reservoir is appropriate for your activity and the numbers involved; take care not to interfere unreasonably with other interests and avoid going close to water intakes, abstraction points or spillways. On some water bodies that are intensively used for a wide range of activities, various management measures, such as zoning and byelaws, may be needed for safety or water quality reasons and to protect the environment. Follow any agreed guidance provided.
Respect the needs of anglers by avoiding nets or other fishing tackle. When close to anglers keep noise and other disturbance to a minimum. On lochs, keep a safe distance from anglers. On rivers or other confined waters, await a signal from the angler or ghillie to proceed if they have a line in the water and follow any suggested route they indicate if safe and practicable to do so. Take extra care when entering and leaving water to avoid damaging the banks or disturbing wildlife, and use a public slipway if one is close by.
Do not pollute the water.
If you wish to canoe or sail on a loch or reservoir used intensively by a commercial fishery, be aware that this can be very disruptive, may raise safety issues because of the high number of anglers in a relatively small area and may impact on the operation of these businesses. Always talk to the land manager before going onto such water.
