Ambitious plans to transform a north-east road into the region’s very own North Coast 500 have stepped up a gear with the unveiling of a new viewpoint across the Cairngorms.
The Snow Roads Scenic Route is establishing a 90-mile journey through the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire in a bid to attract more tourists to the area.
The proposal encompasses the A93 and A939 from Blairgowrie through Aberdeenshire and Grantown-on-Spey, covering the likes of Glenshee, Corgarff, Balmoral, the Lecht and many other towns and villages in the area.
And now, a sculpture, marking the latest stage of the project, has been unveiled at the Tomintoul Quarry.
Scottish architects, Angus Ritchie and Daniel Tyler, designed the artwork – which comprises a square arch offering views across the River Avon – named Still.
The new viewpoint offers 360-degree views of the Cairngorms for visitors taking to the Snow Road route.
Other attractions have been put in place at Corgarff and the Devil’s Elbow at Glenshee.
The bold initiative is being promoted by the Cairngorms National Park Authority in the hope of turning it into a route which rivals the NC500 as a tourist draw.
It is the third lay-by to be upgraded by the national park along the route.
Aberdeenshire West and Kincardine MP, Stuart Donaldson, said: “The latest monument on the Snow Roads route is simply stunning.
“It provides a 360-degree view of the Cairngorms and will greatly enhance this route to make it one of the most picturesque drives in Scotland.
“Ambitious projects like this Snow Road scheme can only help drive more and more people into the great outdoors of Scotland to bask in the backdrop of our unrivalled scenery.”
Peter Crane, head of visitor services for the CNPA, added: “The latest viewpoint on the Snow Roads Scenic Route that has been installed outside Tomintoul is quite simply stunning.
“Still not only encourages visitors to the site, but once they have walked the short distance to the viewpoint, they are rewarded with a spectacular and truly unique view.
“The new ‘square arch’ is like nothing anywhere else in the country and provides a truly weird and wonderful view of the River Avon and the Cairngorms beyond.
“The route itself is outstanding but the three viewpoints provide a reason to slow down and enjoy views of the National Park even more.”
