Free travel map for Badenoch and Strathspey is such a hit that copies have doubled

A free travel map aimed at encouraging more people in Badenoch and Strathspey to walk or cycle has been updated in time for spring.

The easy-to-use, foldable map helps residents consider more active ways to travel for their short journeys to school, to the shops, when visiting friends or for their leisure activities.

Tourists to the area can also use the leaflet to navigate their way between the strath’s many villages and sites by bike or foot.

Regional transport partnership HITRANS first produced the map in 2020 to highlight the health, economic and environmental benefits from walking and cycling.

It proved so popular, that this year it has more than doubled the number of copies available from 7,000 to 15,000.

They can be picked up at villages including Dalwhinnie, Boat of Garten, Kingussie, Aviemore and Grantown.

Sheena Corcoran, HITRANS’ smart travel choices promotion and marketing officer, said: “Spring is the ideal season to start walking and cycling more for short journeys.

“The days are longer, the weather is warmer and it’s fun to spot the first signs of spring as they emerge, such as cherry blossom.

“The updated Badenoch and Strathspey Active Travel Map has been reproduced to support more people to consider walking, wheeling and cycling as travel options to benefit their health and wellbeing, save money and reduce air and noise pollution.

“Walking or cycling for everyday short journeys is a time efficient way to combine travel and exercise while helping to reduce the risk of common health conditions such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and bowel and breast cancer.”

Key sites that are on walking or cycling routes in the area include Loch Morlich, the Reindeer Centre, Loch Garten Nature Centre, Ruthven Barracks, River Feshie, Insh Marshes Nature Reserve, Strathspey Steam Railway, Rothiemurchus, Alvie and Dalraddy Estate, Landmark Visitor Centre, and the Highland Folk Museum.

Mikes Bikes (Aviemore) is one of the businesses stocking the travel maps.

Owner Jenny Devlin said: “The maps are very popular with tourists who want to explore our wonderful scenery and visitor attractions while minimising their environmental impact.

“Walking and cycling is a great way to get around the area while also enjoying the benefits of fresh air and exercise.”

Mike Chappell, owner of the Apiary Café in Dalwhinnie, is also enthusiastic about the new resource.

He said: “Badenoch and Strathspey is a beautiful area and ideal for walking and cycling.

“This map gives people useful information to encourage them to explore more of the area.

“We regularly see walkers and cyclists in the café throughout the year and look forward to welcoming more.”

The Badenoch and Strathspey Active Travel Map has been produced with funding from Transport Scotland’s active travel People and Place Programme.

Places where copies are available:

Grantown: Cairngorm National Park Authority, BC Suspension and The Grantown HUB.

Aviemore: Tiso, Mikes Bikes Aviemore, Backcountry Scotland and the VisitScotland visitor centre.

Dalwhinnie: The Apiary.

Kingussie: Bothy Bikes.

Boat of Garten: Ride Scotland.

Kincraig: Alvie and Dalraddy Estates.

Glenmore: Glenmore Visitor Centre.

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