The Centre for Mountain Studies at Perth College UHI and the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) are working together to create a sustainable network for knowledge exchange within the Park, which will also support the CNPA in preparing their new National Park Plan and, in the future, implementing it.

This is a great opportunity to involve researchers and practitioners more effectively in managing the Park. The joint project has two main goals: to identify researchers and practitioners undertaking research and consultancy that can contribute to the sustainable development of the Cairngorms; and to engage them in a knowledge transfer process to facilitate the use of research findings in the CNPAs planning activities and the day-to-day activities of stakeholders.

A dedicated website is available with  extensive information on who-is-who and who-does-what in the Cairngorms. You can find information about the network here.

A Networking Meeting will be taking place in Aviemore from 15-16th November. This event will bring together researchers and practitioners to initiate discussion regarding the current status of applied research in the Cairngorms and to foster dialogue with businesses, land managers, policy makers in order to incorporate their views in future research activities. For more information about this event please visit Networking Meeting.

The meeting will be structured around the draft themes for the next National Park Plan and will include a science speed dating session, plenary talks, field trips and themed group sessions including presentation of research, poster sessions and working groups.

These will identify strengths, gaps and potential collaborations regarding applied research in the Cairngorms. Presentations addressing one of the following three themes are invited: 1. Sustainable Land Use 2. Sustainable Destinations 3. Sustainable Communities Registration