The Cairngorm Gateway traces the history of Badenoch and Strathspey, from earliest times to the present, including the environmentally significant and scenic Rothiemurchus and Glenmore.
The Cairngorm Gateway has long been a ‘transit zone’ with forest resources being a prime factor in early interest in the area but it was transport developments – beginning with the military roads under General Wade’s direction – which were really to open the district to outside influences. When the railways came to the region, tourism very soon became a major income earner for its population, bringing people from far afield to its hotels and letting houses to enjoy healthful air and mountain views. More recently, winter sports and other developments have put strains on the region which are explored in this fascinating book.
"The 'Bible' of the area" Lion Television Company
With the signalling of the Cairngorms National Park, the whole area has a new fascination and special importance: a key element is controversial Aviemore which has grown rapidly to ‘town’ status as a regional focus.
So many media spotlights have been turned on the Cairngorm Gateway that the expression is now used as a marketing tool. Over the centuries not every project has prospered, however, and so this is a story of success and failure, of wealth and poverty in both war and peace. Now the landscape and natural history of this stunningly beautiful region have come to the forefront of attention as a valuable part of Scotland’s heritage, while the new funicular railway on Cairn Gorm has polarised opinions about the mountains, access to them and to their management.
Ann Glen has written a highly readable and fascinating account of life at all levels of society from villagers to lairds. This is a book for anyone interested in Highland Scotland, its history and environment, as well as for those who are attracted to the Cairngorms and their surrounding countryside. As a geographer and economic historian, Ann Glen is well known for her expertise on Scottish transport, especially railways. The Cairngorm Gateway will therefore appeal to those interested in roads and railways, their development, and how these networks have affected Badenoch and Strathspey communities.
Richly illustrated (with many rare and previously unpublished photographs) and exceptionally well researched, The Cairngorm Gateway is a ground-breaking book and was the Scottish No.1 Bestseller for four months running.
