North East Montain Trust’s project to compile a database on hill tracks in the Cairngorms National Park, using GPS and digital photographs moves ahead steadily and they are close to securing funding for the initial Pilot from both SNH and CNPA. They have also had some good publicity in the Press and Journal. Right now NEMT is looking for participants - Read On ...

An explanatory Instruction CD, that includes good training on how to work the GPS’s, and a Data CD for returning the data collected by interested parties, together with laminated support sheets has been sent out to the first wave of volunteers to start this year’s Pilot.

The Pilot, that includes the NE quarter of the Park as shown above, will be testing:

• Take-up among interested recreational park users
• Methodology of collecting data as proposed by direct transfer of electronic files via CD
• Repeatability of the survey data from different surveyors
• The extent to which we can influence people to be systematic
• Collection and analysis of additional types of track information

More details can be found on the NEMT website where you can also register to take part.

All interested parties are encouraged to sign up and NEMT will send you our CD and the instructions. It’s not complicated and can be fitted into your normal outings. No special trips should be necessary, you will probably learn a lot and the Project will greatly benefit from your help.

NEMT also hopes to have a couple of GPS's lodged with Hilltrek in Aboyne that can be borrowed for the day, on payment of a deposit.