An ambitious scheme to bolster tourism by creating the north-east’s answer to the North Coast 500 has been given a boost of more than £300,000.
The Snow Roads Scenic Scheme, being promoted by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, aims to promote a 90-mile route through the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire in an attempt to bring more tourists to the area.
The route will take tourists past Glenshee, Braemar Castle, Corgarff, Balmoral, the Lecht and the towns and villages in between.
Next week, a sculpture will be unveiled at Tomintoul Quarry, marking the latest phase of the project – with the similar models at Corgarff and the Devil’s Elbow at Glenshee already proving popular.
Now the team have been given a £245,000 grant from the Scottish Enterprise Destination Development Fund – with an additional £70,000 in partner support – as they search for a new project manager.
With the North Coast 500 Highland route quickly becoming one of the most talked about road trips in the world, it is hoped the upgrades on the A93 and the A939 at the Cairngorms will follow on from that success.
Stuart Donaldson, MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, believes the project will increase visitor numbers and said: “Scotland is blessed with some of the most breathtaking scenery you will find anywhere in the world.
“The success of the North Coast 500 route is testament to that and, having grown up in Aberdeenshire and frequently driven through the Cairngorms, this area has incredible potential.”
Peter Crane, head of visitor services for Cairngorms National Park Authority, is determined to take the project to the next level.
He said: “We have an outstanding route that is already driven by motorists, classic cars owners and cyclists with the
unique status as the highest public road in Britain – we also have the infamous Cock Bridge to Tomintoul section.
“The power of the new attractions allows us to really start promoting the route to show off the range of existing attractions such as Glenshee Ski Centre, Braemar Castle, Corgarff, Crathie and Balmoral, Bridge of Gairn, Lecht Ski Centre and the towns and villages along the way.
“It links to Aberdeenshire, the Malt Whisky Trail and even North Coast 500 – the slow and scenic route north or south. It’s a hugely exciting project.”
