About People
People
The Cairngorms is home to around 18,000 people living in the numerous towns and villages that make up the National Park, covering areas of Aberdeenshire, Angus, Highland, Moray, and Perth and Kinross. Just over 8,000 people are employed in the area in sectors ranging from manufacturing and construction to land management, retail and health and social work, with tourism being a particularly important aspect of the local economy (directly responsible for around 43% of employment in the area). Each year over two million visitors travel to the Cairngorms from all over the world, drawn to the stunning scenery and rich natural and cultural heritage of the UK’s largest national park.
The publishing of this plan coincides with the most acute cost-of-living crisis in a generation and this – coupled with the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the climate emergency and nature crisis – requires us to take a more radical approach to ensure the people and economy of the Cairngorms National Park thrives, both now and in the future.
We believe that the development of a wellbeing economy, where society and nature live in harmony, and where people enjoy a fair distribution of resources and live in healthy and resilient communities, is central to ensuring that we have a National Park that works for everyone. It is crucial that the Cairngorms National Park continues to be a place where people can live and work, and that young people have even better opportunities to stay and thrive.
There will be significant changes to the economy over the coming decade and we need to ensure that people have the skills that are needed for these changes. The communities of the National Park continue to play a central role, and we are committed to supporting their aspirations and delivering on their key priorities as part of this Partnership Plan.
Outcome for People
What does that look like?
Communities are empowered
Residents are more involved in the way land is managed, with the number of community-owned or managed assets and social enterprises increasing.
Wellbeing comes first
Communities are healthier, happier and more resilient, benefiting from a diverse local economy that puts wellbeing and the environment first.
Green jobs are growing
There has been a significant increase in the number of green jobs, with skills and training opportunities available for people to meet the growing demand.
The Cairngorms is a Park for All
The Cairngorms is a true ‘Park for All’, welcoming and supporting people from more diverse backgrounds to live, work and visit here.
Volunteering is on the rise
Hundreds of volunteers are helping look after the landscape of the National Park, bringing benefits for nature and for their own health and wellbeing.
Young people stay and thrive
The proportion of young and working-age people has stabilised and begun to increase, supporting thriving communities and a robust economy.
