My Outdoors Q&A: Grant Moir
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Name: Grant Moir
Age: 42
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you normally do.
I am the CEO of the Cairngorms National Park Authority which employs about 80 people and helps to look after the UK’s largest national park. This involves working with local communities and land managers, tackling the climate emergency, managing the visitor experience and looking after the fantastic nature of the Cairngorms. I am also the father of two young boys who keep me on my toes.
Where are you based/where do you live?
I live and work in Grantown on Spey – a fantastic place for the family to grow up and of course the capital of Strathspey.
How have you been filling the void of the great outdoors during lockdown and what has been the biggest change for you?
I have really been enjoying the local paths along the Spey at Grantown. There is a huge variety of wildlife to see and walking or cycling by the river in the evening, with my family, soothes the soul. The biggest change has been working from home.
My wife Katy is home-schooling our two primary school aged boys and I help as much as I can. My appreciation for teachers, which was already high, is now stratospheric.
What are you missing most about the freedom of the outdoors just now?
I miss my hills. I miss the high tops, the chat whilst out for a day, and the pint in the local at the end of a long walk.
Have you found any positives in lockdown?
I am exercising more regularly, every day in fact, so strangely I think I might be fitter now than when I went into lockdown.
What is the first place you plan to visit, or route you plan to do, once lockdown restrictions are eased to the point we can travel more freely?
I have promised my sons that we will do a traverse of the Cairngorms from Glenmore to Linn of Dee over the high tops. We have spent the time indoors planning where we are going to camp. A starry sky and a Cairngorms sunrise have been promised!
What event or events are you looking forward to once things are up and running again, whenever that might be?
I am looking forward to the Cairngorms Nature Big Weekend in May 2021 since we had to postpone it this year. I am also looking forward to my rearranged Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds concert next year (fingers crossed).
Do you have a favourite outdoors book or author?
Where to start... The White Spider by Heinrich Harrer still stands out but I also love Hamish MacInnes’s mountain rescue reminiscences like High Drama and Sweep Search.
www.cairngorms.co.uk / @cairngormsCEO
