Cairngorms awarded £10.7 million to become UK's first net zero national park

Humza Yousaf announced the new funding that will see 20 long-term projects on nature restoration, sustainable transport, community development and health and wellbeing

More than £10 million has been awarded to make the Cairngorms the UK’s first net zero national park.

The sum – a total of £10.7m – will go towards 20 long-term projects on nature restoration, sustainable transport, community development and health and wellbeing as part of the “Cairngorms 2030” vision.

Some of the goals include creating the equivalent of 1,500 football pitches of new woodland​, developing the world’s first outdoor dementia resource centre, restoring 6,500 hectares of carbon-storing peatland, and to prescribe nature as a form of treatment on the NHS​.

More than £10m has been announced to fund the Cairngorms to become the UK's first net zero national park (pic: Charlotte Graham)

First Minister Humza Yousaf announced the funding on Monday, saying: “Scotland’s national parks are more important than ever in helping us tackle the biodiversity and climate crises – and strengthening our rural communities.

“We are proud to support the Cairngorms to become the UK’s first net zero national park. The Cairngorms 2030 project is an excellent example of over 70 partners working together to deliver benefits for rural communities, businesses and the natural environment.

“Our national parks create new employment opportunities and promote green skills and jobs. They also help to generate and channel investment into the area’s natural resources. Investing in protecting and enhancing Scotland’s precious environment creates great opportunities that will benefit people and communities throughout the country, particularly in rural areas.

“It is really positive that so many communities across the country are discussing the opportunities in their area associated with national park designation and I am excited to hear more about their ideas and proposals. Groups will be submitting their proposals by February 29 and the minister for green skills, circular economy and biodiversity will be visiting the nominated areas that wish to be considered in the spring.”

Deirdre Falconer, co-ordinator of the Grampian Moorland Group, said: “We welcome the news that £10.7m will be put towards delivering Cairngorms 2030 – a programme which we hope will involve many rural workers who are already delivering for nature on Grampian moorland group estates.

“While we are fully supportive of Cairngorms 2030 – and particularly its desire to foster meaningful relationships with under-represented communities – it would be remiss not to point out that there is currently deep unease among gamekeepers, farmers and crofters working in the Cairngorms National Park about a range of issues, including the recent release of beavers in the upper Spey catchment and a forthcoming consultation on fire management bylaws.

“We hope this funding goes some way in helping to renew these vital relationships with the very people who will be charged with delivering many of the programme’s objectives, alongside traditional land management practices which are so integral to the fabric of rural Scotland.”