Young architects and landscape architects are being invited to design viewpoints that celebrate the beauty of the Caledonian Canal and Cairngorms as the latest stage of an innovative competition gets under way.
The Scottish Scenic Routes project, which draws inspiration from the success of a similar scheme in Norway, aims to enhance the experience of Scotland’s landscape by creating innovative installations.
The £1million project, funded by the Scottish Government, aims to enhance sites near the Devil’s Elbow, Glen Shee and the Lecht road in the Cairngorms National Park, and Banavie and Laggan on the Caledonian Canal.
Environment secretary Richard Lochhead said: “As part of this scheme, we have already seen some excellent designs which will capture Scotland’s stunning landscapes and scenery in a unique way, and I’m delighted that we are now bringing this architectural flair to the Caledonian Canal and Cairngorms. We are lucky to have a number of established and up-and-coming architects in Scotland and I’m sure we will see more exciting designs in this latest stage of the Scottish Scenic Routes project.”
The first stage of the scheme involved three locations within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, with the competition attracting 90 innovative designs. It is hoped that the second phase will generate similar interest.
Steve Dunlop, chief executive of Scottish Canals, said: “We know from the experience of Scandinavia that creating new and innovative opportunities for visitors to stop off and enjoy the landscape can significantly benefit the nation’s tourist economy. With the help of some of the finest young architectural talent in Scotland, we have no doubt this project will encourage even more people to leave the couch behind and explore the many wonders of the canal network.
“Banavie, which sits in the shadow of Ben Nevis and is home to the iconic lock flight of Neptune’s Staircase, offers some incredible sights. Laggan, where the rugged, fjord-like scenery of Loch Lochy meets the man-made beauty of the Caledonian Canal, is just as stunning. Both locations are jewels in the crown of the Caledonian Canal and we can’t wait to see how the competition’s designs celebrate them.”
Duncan Bryden, convener of the Cairngorms National Park Authority, welcomed the competition, adding: “We want our visitors to have the best experience they can as they explore and travel round the UK’s largest national park. Excellent, sustainable design is something that we strive for here so we are delighted to be encouraging new design talent and look forward to seeing the results.”