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Conflict 1: Environmentalists and Tourists on Cairngorm
- Nature of Conflict:
- Environmentalists disagree with the Cairngorm Funicular railway which provides all year access for tourists to Cairngorm. They believe tourists would cause damage to the fragile tundra ecosystem on Cairngorm. Environmentalists also believe it is an eyesore that spoils the visual attractiveness of the mountain. Tourists and skiers want access to high areas for recreation/ sightseeing.
- Solutions:
- Funicular is a “closed system” and tourists cannot leave the Ptarmigan station at the top – this lessens the impact of people on the high tops. The top stage of the train journey is through a tunnel to lessen the visual impact of the railway from the top station.
- Evaluation:
- By preventing people from leaving the top station the top of cairngorm is protected to some extent, however tourists are sometimes unhappy that their movements are restricted. There is pressure to discontinue the closed system which may have detrimental effects on the ecosystem.
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Conflict 2: Tourists and Forestry at Glenmore
- Nature of Conflict:
- Tourists want access to forests for recreation which is not always possible, especially during tree felling operations. Clear-felling of forestry can look very ugly and be an eyesore for tourists.
- Solutions:
- Designated trials with information boards and picnic areas have been developed within certain forest areas around Loch Morlich which encourages tourists to this area, allowing forestry activities to carry on in other areas. Public are informed of areas where felling is taking place by clear signs.
- Evaluation:
- Public are free to enjoy walking/ cycling and picnicking in safety in certain areas. Signs are a cheap solution that educates the public about areas where it may be unsafe to go into.
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Conflict 3: Environmentalists and Hillwalkers
- Nature of Conflict:
- The Cairngorm area is popular for active tourists and this has lead to serious footpath erosion in and around Cairngorm.
- Solutions:
- Eroded paths are replaced by purpose built paths using local materials to blend in with the environment.
- Evaluation:
- It does prevent erosion from becoming worse but paths are not always built in the areas where people want to walk so some erosion continues. They are most effective when built along people’s “desire lines”. Path building is costly, but can provide income to local quarries.
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Conflict 4: Tourists and Locals in Aviemore
- Nature of Conflict:
- Tourism in Aviemore is an important all year activity which provides valuable income to the local economy, however Aviemore is a long, narrow village and the High Street becomes very congested, especially around the zebra crossing at Tesco.
- Solutions:
- New car parks have been built and on street parking on the High Street is forbidden.
- Recently, the north end of the High Street has been widened and a new roundabout has been built to try to alleviate congestion.
- Evaluation:
- Although new car parking areas have been built there is still insufficient car parking for the volume of traffic. It might help to replace the zebra crossing with a traffic light system.
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Conflict 5: Farmers and Hillwalkers at Auchlean, Glen Feshie
- Nature of Conflict:
- Glen Feshie is a popular access route to many of the eastern Cairngorms eg Sgor Gaoith and hillwalkers need access across land that is used for hill sheep farming. Some walkers may leave gates open, damage stone walls or allow dogs off their leads and they may scare the sheep.
- Solutions:
- Public education measures are frequently used here. Signs warn walkers of times in the year when sheep may be lambing and ask them to take special care at these times. Signs also ask walkers to close gates and remain on the paths until they are on the higher land.
- Evaluation:
- Public are free to enjoy walking/ cycling and picnicking in safety in certain areas. Signs are a cheap solution that educates the public about areas where it may be unsafe to go into.
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