Stop Press in the Cairngorms National Park
New Post
Cairngorms celebrates £60,000 VisitScotland award
A cash boost of nearly £60,000 from VisitScotland will help cement the Cairngorms National Park as one of Scotland’s leading destinations in was announced today .
The private sector led Cairngorms Business Partnership, which works with around 300 local businesses, has been awarded £59,570 from Visit Scotland’s Growth Fund in order to spearhead a major marketing campaign for the UK’s largest National Park.
Alan Rankin, Chief Executive for the Cairngorms Business Partnership (CBP), explained that the money, match-funded by the Partnership and the Cairngorms National Park Authority, will help to promote year-round tourism in the area.
He said: “This is fantastic news for the local businesses and it’s a massive step forward for the CBP in terms of promoting the Park. Each year more than 1.5 million visitors come to the Cairngorms National Park and tourism is worth around £160 million to the local economy. In such a competitive industry, we must ensure that our marketing is amongst the best in the world because we are responsible for the way this internationally important tourist destination is seen on the global stage – it is vital that we can compete. National Geographic Traveller magazine recently listed the Cairngorms National Park as one of the top 20 places in the world to visit, so we are up there vying with the best. This Growth Fund award, as well as the support from VisitScotland’s team, will allow us to move forward with our exciting rebrand and increase our online presence and internet marketing.”
Fergus Ewing, Scotland’s Tourism Minister, said: “The tourism sector makes a vital contribution to the Scottish economy and carries huge potential for future growth. The VisitScotland Growth Fund supports businesses to find new, innovative and collaborative approaches to marketing. This award to the Cairngorms Business Partnership will help them to entice even more visitors to this beautiful part of the world.”
The VisitScotland Growth Fund allows businesses to apply for a total of £1 million of funding over the next three years to help market their product to its maximum potential.
The fund aims to build on the success of the European Union-supported Growth Fund, which saw VisitScotland along with the EU hand out a million pounds to local marketing groups throughout the nation.
It is open to Destination Organisations (DOs) and industry groups. It can support groups with up to 50 per cent (from £5,000 - £65,000) of their marketing costs to develop and deliver new marketing activity, to help them reach new target markets, increase visitor numbers and create the environment for visitors to do more, spend more and stay longer.
Scott Armstrong, Regional Director at VisitScotland, said: “With truly spectacular scenery and a wealth of outdoor activities, the Cairngorms National Park is a must-visit destination, especially in the year of Active Scotland. VisitScotland is delighted to be able to present the Cairngorms Business Partnership with this Growth Fund award and I look forward to seeing the area’s tourism industry continue to prosper.”
ENDS
For more information on Visit Cairngorms, please contact Charlotte Kissack at Rock Solid PR on 01479 810695 or 07834871707 or email charlotte@rocksolidpr.co.uk
The Dulaig B&B in Michelin Guide 2011
The Dulaig Bed and Breakfast in Grantown-on-Spey has been recommended in the 2011 Michelin Guide. The prestigious guide recommends a large and diverse selection of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and pubs in all price categories and across every region of the UK and Ireland. Congratulations to everyone at The Dulaig! Visit their website at www.thedulaig.com
Cairngorms National Park Listed in National Geographic Top 20
The Cairngorms National Park has been listed in the National Geographic Traveller magazine’s top 20 places to visit in 2011.
The UK’s largest National Park ranks alongside the Caribbean island of Dominica and Alaska’s Kodiak Island, on the prestigious list, which was put together by Norie Quintos, senior editor at the world’s most influential travel magazine.
Alan Rankin, chief Executive of Visit Cairngorms, said: “We are delighted to be listed amongst the ‘must see’ places to visit in the world this year. To see the Cairngorms National Park and named local businesses rubbing shoulders with some of the most iconic international destinations is fantastic, but not a it is by no means a chance listing, it is well deserved. We have a host of great local businesses working in one of the most special areas of the world and our aim is to continually deliver the best experience for the visitor throughout the year – no matter what they what to see or do and no matter what the weather throws at us!”
The magazine’s endorsement, which urges readers to enjoy “recreation at every speed, from hiking in Leanachan forest to kayaking in Loch Insh and the Insh Marshes Nature Reserve” as well as experiencing a traditional Highland Games, comes after Norie visited the region with the Adventure Travel World Summit.
Mr Rankin continues: “The Adventure Travel World Summit really put the area on the world map. We will continue to strive to maintain a consistent and high level of customer experience for our visitors, while continuing to ensure that UK and international visitors understand that our National Park is incredibly accessible whilst being an area that we all need to care for so that generations to come can enjoy adventures and trips to the area in years to come.“
ENDS
For more information on Visit Cairngorms, please contact Charlotte Kissack at Rock Solid PR on 01479 810695 or 07834871707 or email charlotte@rocksolidpr.co.uk
App-rès ski dead in Scotland? Not in the Cairngorms National Park!
Recent heavy snowfall has meant an early start to the Scottish ski season, and it looks like the three ski areas based in the Cairngorms National Park will, once again, be welcoming a host of visitors over the winter months – all with high expectations of another season full of good snow conditions. But what of the regions après ski?
Visit Cairngorms, the tourist body behind the UK’s largest National Park is aware that visitors have to banish all ideas of a ski holiday in the Alps from their minds so has launched an app-rès ski for the iPhone geared towards visitors wanting to know what’s on when they have finished a day on the slopes.
Chief Executive of Visit Cairngorms, Alan Rankin, said: “Cairngorm Mountain alone welcomed more than 2,500 skiers– the highest number for November for a decade and last year there was an incredible 373,782 ski days to be had. We know that skiing in Scotland is vastly different from skiing in the Alps, but the main villages and towns do have great après ski nights and events taking place throughout the winter months – you just have to know where to go and what’s on as we are rather more spread out than your traditional ski resorts. With this in mind we launched the world’s first National Park iPhone app , which gives tourists the most up-to-date information on what events, live music and special offers are taking place around the entire Park.”
In addition, the app informs visitors as to whether the ski areas are closed due to bad weather conditions and suggests other things to do and see on a visit to the region. Alternatively, if good conditions and weather are forecast visitors can make their way up to the Cairngorms National Park and book last minute accommodation as they travel via the special offers button.
Mr Rankin continues: “There are days when the ski roads are blocked or the conditions are too bad to ski – just as there is in resorts across the world – but we wanted to make it easier for tourists visiting the area so the iPhone app ensures they get the latest information as they are on the move. Equally, the special offers aspect allows folk to leave work and head straight to us – booking their accommodation on the way! As with every destination in the UK we are encouraging the increasing popularity of the staycation – we have the perfect setting and the activities and attractions up here, it’s simply our job to make holidaying in the Cairngorms National Park easier, more accessible and fun for our visitors. And as for après ski - the Scots are renowned the world over for putting on a good party atmosphere so in my mind there is no better place to be!”
The Cairngorms App gives the user the opportunity to search for restaurants, cafes activity providers and attractions closest to them wherever they are in the Cairngorms National Park. It will also tell the user how far away they are from any one business as well as giving them information on the company, Visit Scotland star ratings, contact information to make a booking and a link to the inbuilt Maps App giving them directions to where they are aiming to go. It is fed by a database of over 1200 listings and choices for the visitor and, like the website www.visitcairngorms.com, gets the customer to the business fast. It identifies the users location and then provide through Google Maps directions and a live map tracking their progress to the selected business. The app also provides directions by car, train or on foot to the chosen business.
The project is supported by the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the Northern Periphery Programme funded Clim- ATIC Project,
For further information on the I-phone App or the Cairngorms Business Partnership, please contact Charlotte Kissack at Rock Solid PR on 01479 810695/0783 487 1707 or email charlotte@rocksolidpr.co.uk
Notes
- Alan Rankin is available for interview, please contact Charlotte Kissack at Rock Solid PR on 01479 810695 or email charlotte@rocksolidpr.co.uk
- The Cairngorms Business Partnership was launched in April 2010 to give a stronger and more equal voice to the wide range of businesses in the National Park. It now has more than 300 member businesses.
Cairngorms Launches World’s First National Park I-Phone App
The world’s first National Park I-phone App has been launched today, Monday 18th October, in the Cairngorms National Park by one of the country’s leading tourism and business organisations.
The Cairngorms App is the first app in the world to give visitors to a National Park the opportunity to obtain free, up-to-date information on where to stay, what to do and where to eat and drink based on their location within the Park.
In addition, the app will also allow visitors to access information on events taking place in the UK’s largest National Park.
Alan Rankin, Chief Executive of the Cairngorms Business Partnership, the organisation that has developed and launched the Cairngorms App, said: “It is incredibly exciting to be the first National Park in the world to launch a free information app specifically designed for visitors to the area and we are delighted to be leading the way. There are other National Park apps out there, but many are simply games, maps or overview apps – we have done our research and there are none out there that work in the way our app is designed – to get the customer in touch with local businesses and which are completely free to the user.“
The Cairngorms App gives the user the opportunity to search for restaurants, cafes activity providers and attractions closest to them wherever they are in the Cairngorms National Park. It will also tell the user how far away they are from any one business as well as giving them information on the company, Visit Scotland star ratings, contact information to make a booking and a link to the inbuilt Maps App giving them directions to where they are aiming to go. The area has a very effective website www.visitcairngorms.com and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter but the launch of the new app represents a first real step towards being able to communicate directly with visitors when they are moving around the area.
The I phone app is fed by a database of over 1200 listings and choices for the visitor and, like the website www.visitcairngorms.com, gets the customer to the business fast.
Rankin added. “Both the website and I-phone app are industry leaders in letting the user book a table, rooms or an activity within three clicks or taps. Customers now demand that information is immediately to hand. To date we have been able to provide great detail on the area via our website for what is mostly information gathering pre-departure, but now we have taken a massive leap forward in being able to provide customers live up to date information direct to their i-phones as they travel or visit the area.”
The app will identify the users location and then provide through Google Maps directions and a live map tracking their progress to the selected business. The app also provides directions by car, train or on foot to the chosen business.
The sometimes intermittent mobile signal within the Cairngorms National Park is also not a problem for the Cairngorms App as, explains Alan Rankin: “The app will automatically update when the user is within a mobile signal range in order to ensure that no-one misses out on the special offers and users can also gain the most relevant information to them at any one time.”
The Cairngorms Business Partnership decided to launch the App for the I-phone only to begin with following a study of the area that confirmed there was 5 times as many i-phone based enquiries to their website than all the other providers put together and nearly 15 times as many to that of second placed Blackberry users.
The project is supported by the Cairngorms National Park Authority and the Northern Periphery Programme funded Clim- ATIC Project.
ENDS.
This image of Nash Masson was taken at the Adventure Travel World Summit's Day of Adventure in the Cairngorms National Park by Patrick Kinsella from Outer Edge Magazine .
PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Inaugural Loch Swim to Take Place on Balmoral Estate
Wednesday 22nd September 2010
The first open water swim in the Cairngorms National Park will take place on Saturday 25th September on the Balmoral Estate.
The arduous two-mile swim on Loch Muick has been organised by Outdoor Action Scotland Ltd’s Chic Grant and outdoor swimmer & personal trainer Ian Hadden, following the cancellation of two high profile open water events this year.
The Great Scottish Swim and The Great North Swim were cancelled due to unusually high levels of blue-green algae currently still above the acceptable limits in the water.
The Loch Muick Swim has been granted special permission by Her Majesty The Queen and Buckingham Palace to take place whilst the Royal Family are in residence at Balmoral.
Due to this, the unique event is limited to 100 yet it has already attracted interest and sign up from swimmers and triathletes throughout the UK.
Chic Grant explains: “We are delighted to be able to launch the very first Loch Muick Open Water Swim this year. It is a first for the Cairngorms National Park and an event on which we hope to build on in the coming years. We must thank Gary Marsden - Visitor Experience Manager at Balmoral Castle – who was instrumental in gaining the Royal approval for this event. We hope all the swimmers will have a fantastic day in what promises to be a very special and unique event.“
Alan Rankin, Chief Executive of Visit Cairngorms, said: “The Loch Muick Swim promises to be a great event for all involved. Chic and Ian have worked hard to bring this event to fruition and interest has quickly gathered pace – and rightly so. I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to take part in an open water swim than the Cairngorms National Park – even in September – so we are sure everyone will have a great time.”
The inaugural Loch Muick Swim will take place on Saturday 25th September. Participants are asked to register at 11am at the Loch Muick Visitor Centre. However, please ensure you have pre-booked your place by phoning Chic Grant at Outdoor Action Scotland Ltd on 01241 430400.
Scottish Thistle Awards – Last Day for Voting!
Monday 23rd August 2010
We are delighted to see that four of our visitor attractions in the Cairngorms National Park have been shortlisted for a Scottish Thistle Award this year for the Perfect Family Day Out
Please take the opportunity to support your favourite local attraction and help us show Scotland that we have the very best of the best here in the Cairngorms National Park.
The four attractions shortlisted are:
Rothiemurchus
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Highland Wildlife Park
Cairngorm Mountain
Vote now at http://www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk/readers_choice/
Monday 28th June 2010
Cairngorms National Park Celebrates Midsummer and Summer Season 2010 Launch
Monday 21st June 2010
The Cairngorms National Park celebrated midsummer and the opportunity to finally be able to enjoy a host of summer activities with a Summer Solstice mountain bike ride out this weekend.
Following a bumper winter season which saw the region experience the best ski season in 16 years, the UK’s largest National Park has been patiently waiting for the summer sun to shine through the snow clouds and bring warmer weather with it. The midsummer weekend did not disappoint and 25 cyclists took to their bikes to welcome the warmer weather to the area and formally welcome the summer season.
The inaugural Summer Solstice Mountainbike, run by Kush Clothing and Cycle Highlands, saw participants ride across the Deeside Valley, throughout the night, while raising money for CLAN Cancer Support.
Chief Executive for Visit Cairngorms, Alan Rankin, said: “Despite the fact that there is still a wee bit of snow on the very top of some of the Park’s highest mountains, we are definitely open for summer activities. The Summer Solstice Mountainbike was the perfect way to celebrate midsummer and launch the start of our summer season. The winter was great for many of our businesses, but now the snow has melted there is still a host of things to do and see throughout the Cairngorms National Park and the new Visitcairngorms.com allows those planning a trip to the region the opportunity to see exactly what is on offer and book their trip from start to finish.
“The entire area capture’s peoples hearts and imaginations and brings them back time and time again due to it’s unique landscape, stunning wildlife and scenery. When you couple this with a range of excellent family attractions and a wide variety of activities you get a first class destination that shines no matter what the weather – but at this time of year the sun does help!”
Oliver Webster, from Kush Clothing, said: “The Summer Solstice Mountainbike was immense fun and we raised just over £100 for CLAN cancer support which was fantastic. We conceived the idea a few years ago so to finally see the event come together and be such a success for those who took part and for the charity is a great feeling. The Summer Solstice Mountainbike looks set to be a permanent fixture in our calendar.”
Richard Watts, from Cycle Highlands, said: “Cycling through the Cairngorms National Park, no matter what time of year never disappoints, yet cycling throughout the night and to be able to see the ever changing night sky and the amazing sunrise made this cycle ride extra special. It makes it easy to see why Scotland has been awarded the World’s Top Mountain Bike Destination for two years in a row. “
www.visitcairngorms.com - allows those planning a trip to the region the opportunity to book accommodation and plan their entire stay from start to finish.
Scotland's Outdoor Playground - Your Life Supplement, Travel Scotland in the Press and Journal Newspaper
Saturday June 12th 2010
From tiny squirrels to enormous polar bears and treetop trials to boat trips and fine restaurants, Speyside has it all, writes Susan Welsh Full Article
Rothiemurchus named Britain's Best Picnic Spot
Scottish beauty spot receives prestigious UK accolade
Tuesday 8th June 2010
After weeks of voting, Warburtons is delighted to announce that Loch an Eilein, Rothiemurchus, near Aviemore, has been named Britain’s Best Picnic Spot in a national competition run by the family baker. The winning beauty spot received an unprecedented 3508 votes in a national search as part of the celebrations to highlight the 10th anniversary of Warburtons National Bread Week, which took place in May.
As overall winner Rothiemurchus will receive a £1,000 cash bursary for the site and a plaque to ensure all visitors know it’s the UK’s favourite place to picnic.
Ian Connell, Warburtons General Manager, Scotland, said: “Warburtons is delighted that Rothiemurchus has won the prestigious title of Britain’s Best Picnic Spot. It has also been voted Scotland’s best regional spot for three years running – but this goes one step better! There are clearly many who hold the area in extremely high regard as the site received an exceptional number of votes.”
Rothiemurchus is in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, near Aviemore, in the Scottish Highlands. Loch an Eilein (loch of the island) is hidden in the forest of Rothiemurchus. Visitors can step back in time and retrace the steps of the Highland cattle raiders as they enjoy views of the dramatic and mysterious Highland castle and enjoy the exceptional wildlife of the forest including Red Squirrels and Scottish Crossbills.
Philippa Grant from Rothiemurchus, said: “Anyone who has ever visited Loch An Eilein will know how special the area is – not only as a picnic spot for our visitors - but also as home to rare species of wildlife, many of which are unique to this area. By voting for Loch An Eilein, fans have helped to support us in raising awareness of how we need to care for this exceptional part of the UK so that future generations can take the same pleasure and enjoy picnics here for many years to come. We are absolutely delighted to have finally won the nationwide vote after just missing out on the accolade for the past two years. It just goes to show that those that love Loch An Eilein were determined for us to win this year. We would like to thank everyone who voted for us."
Click on this link for more information on Rothiemurchus: www.rothiemurchus.net
Paddle your way to a great big adventure - Your Weekend Supplement in the Press and Journal Newspaper
Thursday 3rd June 2010
There’s nothing like being flung into a freezing-cold loch to waken you up in the morning. But as Susan Welsh discovered, it’s actually rather good fun.... Full Article
.bmp "Paddle your way to a great big adventure in the Cairngorm National Park")
