Farming and crofting is hard work in this area, mostly due to the climate, but also due to the type of soil and the distance from markets. Most of the farms in the Cairngorms National Park are livestock farms. Farmers and crofters keep beef cows, sheep and grow small areas of crops. Most of the crops are for feeding to livestock - grass for hay and silage, turnips for sheep in winter - however some crops such as barley are grown for whisky distilleries.

Many of the farmers and crofters in the park are in 'agri-environment' schemes, which means that they take extra care of the environment by careful grazing, growing special crops for birds, and growing wildflower meadows.

Higher up above the grass or cropped areas, our moorland provides habitat for grouse, red deer and sheep. The patches and strips seen on moorlands are a result of burning small areas of heather to provide new heather growth for grazing.

Farming is about to undergo great changes, with farmers and crofters supported in providing the economic, social and environmental benefits needed by their area. The Park Authority are working on ways to make sure that agriculture, recreation and the environment can be managed together for mutual benefit.

You may be eligible for funding for training from the Land Management Training Project - find out more here.

Agriculture

Agriculture is an important land use in the Cairngorms. In addition to producing high quality beef and lamb, the way that farmers manage the land forms the detail of the landscape; provides habitats for a wide range of flora and fauna; and provides employment for those living in rural areas.

Farming and crofting is hard work in this area, mostly due to the climate, but also due to the type of soil and the distance from markets. Most of the farms in the Cairngorms National Park are livestock farms. Farmers and crofters keep beef cows, sheep and grow small areas of crops. Most of the crops are for feeding to livestock - grass for hay and silage, turnips for sheep in winter - however some crops such as barley are grown for whisky distilleries.

Many of the farmers and crofters in the park are in 'agri-environment' schemes, which means that they take extra care of the environment by careful grazing, growing special crops for birds, and growing wildflower meadows.

Higher up above the grass or cropped areas, our moorland provides habitat for grouse, red deer and sheep. The patches and strips seen on moorlands are a result of burning small areas of heather to provide new heather growth for grazing.

Farming is about to undergo great changes, with farmers and crofters supported in providing the economic, social and environmental benefits needed by their area. The Park Authority are working on ways to make sure that agriculture, recreation and the environment can be managed together for mutual benefit. Read the Climate Change and Scottish Agriculture leaflet here.