Scenic Snow Road aims to be rival for North Coast 500
Cairngorms park trail to combine technology and stunning scenery
A TOURIST trail which uses technology to enhance the experience for drivers is to be created through some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes.
The “Snow Road” will run from Blairgowrie in Perthshire through the heart of the Cairngorms National Park to Grantown-OnSpey in the Highlands, taking in majestic mountains, rural Speyside and the highest road in Britain.
It is hoped the trail will draw in tourists in a similar fashion to the North Coast 500, which loops around the north of Scotland and has been described as one of the world’s best drives.
Visitors will traverse the Devils Elbow, the mountains around the Glenshee Ski Centre and up into Royal Deeside and Braemar, Balmoral and Ballater.
The route will then head up to the Lecht Ski Centre and on to Tomintoul and Grantown-on-Spey.
It will be dotted with “installations” along its length which are scheduled to be in place by Easter this year.
Funding for the £315,000 project has come in part from a £245,000 grant from Scottish Enterprise under a scheme designed to promote tourism.
The grant, which is being supplemented by the Cairngorms Business Partnership and partners the Cairngorms National Park Authority, will pay for a two-year project which will create an immersive visitor experience using technology, such as apps, to bring the route to life for visitors and businesses.
Mark Tate, chief executive of the Cairngorms Business Partnership, said “I am really lucky as I get to drive this stunning route through the Cairngorms National Park frequently pleasure.
“This really is a beautiful route. The classic car driver, families on a for both work and Highland adventure or somebody who wants to take their time and cycle the route will be able to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes and local culture.
“We are delighted to have received an award from the Destination Development Fund and working with partners and communities along the route we will create destination which will have a major positive economic impact on communities along the route”
The North Coast 500 has been described as one of the top six driving routes in the world, despite being created only in 2014.
Starting in Inverness, the coastal circuit winds its way north towards John O’Groats before passing the late Queen Mother’s Castle of Mey residence and looping down towards Ullapool.
Record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont has completed the route in a time of 38 hours.
It has seen a huge rise in visitors to the area and locals have complained about overcrowding and speeding drivers who have begun to blight their communities.
The Cairngorms scheme will start immediately with the recruitment of a project officer, who will be based in Ballater.
Danny Cusick, director at Scottish Enterprise, added “The Snow Roads initiative is an innovative and exciting project that will exploit new technology to deliver a unique visitor experience in the Cairngorms National Park.”