Plan for UK's first net zero park secures £10.7m

Woodland expansion forms part of the Cairngorm 2030 project

Almost £11m of lottery funding has been awarded to a project to make the Cairngorms the UK's first net zero national park.

The park authority (CNPA) has proposed creating more than 2,470 acres (1,000ha) of new woodland and restoring 16,061 acres (6,500ha) of peatland.

It also plans to improve walking and cycling routes and pioneer nature-friendly farming to help it reduce emissions and absorb carbon dioxide.

But CNPA has faced criticism from farmers and crofters who claimed the organisation was ignoring concerns about some conservation measures.

The Cairngorms is the UK's largest national park and includes parts of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Perthshire and Angus.

CNPA's Cairngorms 2030 project has been awarded £10.7m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

But the project is aiming to raise more than £42m in funding within five years to cover the cost of woodland and restoration projects.

The initiative forms part of the wider, 20-year Cairngorm 2030 project, set up to restore habitats.

CNPA's current plans include building an outdoor dementia activity resource centre.

It also hopes to work with the NHS to promote the health and wellbeing benefits people could gain from being in the natural environment.

CNPA said it was working with 70 partners, including land managers.

Convener Sandy Bremner said: "This five-year, £42.3m initiative will put the power to tackle the nature and climate crisis in the hands of the people in the park.

"It will benefit people’s health and wellbeing, develop sustainable transport solutions and help nature – and we are ready to get going on delivering for all those who live, work and visit this very special place."

The funding was announced by First Minister Humza Yousaf on a visit to the area on Monday morning.

He said: "Scotland's national parks are more important than ever in helping us tackle the biodiversity and climate crises - and strengthening our rural communities."

Cairngorm 2030 was previously awarded more than £12m of lottery funding in 2021.

The Cairngorms is the UK's biggest national park and includes parts of the Highlands, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Angus and Perthshire

Last month, farmers and crofters accused CNPA of ignoring their views, including concern about the reintroduction of beavers.

They held a protest outside the authority's offices in Grantown-on-Spey on Monday night.

Farmers drove to the venue in tractors and other agricultural vehicles.

CNPA said it recognised the need to work with farmers and crofters, adding that it had set up forums to provide information on beavers.

Beavers were reintroduced to the Cairngorms in December.