Britain's largest National Park is a living, working landscape with wild land at its heart. The mountains that have shaped the people, culture, natural heritage, scenery and character of the area dominate the National Park and give it its name.

The fantastic natural environmnet of the Cairngorms has attracted visitors for hundreds of years, and the tourism industry is very important for the local economy.

The Cairngorms National Park contains some of the best wildlife habitats in the UK. Ancient pine forests, arctic mountain tops, lochs, rivers and moorlands are home to a quarter of the UK's endangered species. Highland traditions are still very much alive in amomgst a rich cultural heritage. This is a special place and has so much to offer.

Nowhere in the UK can visitors enjoy such a collection of outstanding environments in one place in such a variety of ways. No matter what your age or ability there is something different to see and do every day.

Lanscapes, conservation, people and communities are all very important in the Cairngorms. This is reflected in what the National Park was set up to achieve:

To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area.

To promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area.

To promote the understanding and enjoyment of the area.

To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area's communities

A Taste of the Cairngorms

The Cairngorms is a natural larder, fresh salmon from the Spey, venison from the many red deer that roam the hills, locally reared lamb and beef, not to mention the whisky distilleries and local brewery. When eating out, ask your waiter where the food comes from. By choosing local options where available, you not only get a real flavour of the Cairngorms and support local food producers, but also help to reduce food miles and thus play a small part in reducing climate change - a very real issue here as the sub-arctic plants and wildlife of the high mountains are particularly vulnerable to any change.