Tourism in the Upland Isle of Arran, Scotland - Paper 1

Question 1

Name 3 impressive glacial features that are here:

Answer 1

-Goatfell
-A’Chir ridge
-Glacial troughs

Question 2

What is Goatfell?

Answer 2

-Arran’s highest mountain and most popular natural visitor attraction.

-It has an 874 metre summit of its pyramidal peak, visitors can see all the way to Ireland on a clear day,

Question 3

What is A’Chir ridge?

Answer 3

-A knife-edged glacial arete that divided 2 corries. It is Arran’s most exciting and challenging ridge. Climbers must be extremely careful as there is a long, vertical drop either side.

Question 4

Name 2 deep and wide U-shaped valleys (glacial troughs) here:

Answer 4

-Glen Rosa
-Glen Sannox

Question 5

There are many visitors who come with the intention of what?

Answer 5

-Climbing
-Biking
-Riding
-Paragliding
-Abseiling
-Helicopter rides are also available

Question 6

What are 3 negative impacts of tourism in Arran?

Answer 6

-Footpath erosion
-Congestion
-Frequent injuries and fatalities

Question 7

Where does footpath erosion mostly occur?

Answer 7

On popular paths at ‘honeypot’ sites.

Question 8

What is one of the worst affected routes for footpath erosion?

Answer 8

The North Goatfell Ridge. The problem is made worse by steep slope angles, and high altitude brings relief rain and more soil erosion.

Question 9

When is there a lot of congestion?

Answer 9

At popular times of the year.

Question 10

How have many people died in Arran?

Answer 10

Walking and climbing Arran’s mountains and underestimating the challenge.

Question 11

What is another negative affect of fatalities in Arran?

Answer 11

Upsetting for the islanders and costly too as sometimes the Arran Mountain Rescue Service requires the help of expensive RAF helicopters.

Question 12

What are 3 positive impacts of tourism in Arran?

Answer 12

-Island relies on tourism as a large part of its income
-Creates more jobs
-Helps tackle island’s ageing population problem.

Question 13

What are the annual visitor numbers?

Answer 13

Over 400,000.

Question 14

How much is generated from tourism annually?

Answer 14

£160 million

Question 15

How is tourism helping tackle the island’s ageing population problem?

Answer 15

Young families with children fall in love with the the island’s dramatic upland landscapes and decide to move there permanently.

Question 16

How is footpath erosion being managed?

Answer 16

-The National Trust for Scotland have established a mountain path team to restore mountain paths.

-The National trust are carrying out maintenance and small-scale restoration.

-Some paths are stabilised using paving stones to create steps

Question 17

Through what scheme have the mountain path team raised money through?

Answer 17

Footpath Fund Appeal.

Question 18

What is the benefit of using paving stones to create steps?

Answer 18

Stops soil erosion and mud flows, which allows natural regeneration of vegetation to occur.

Question 19

How much does footpath regeneration cost?

Answer 19

£140 per metre.

Question 20

How is climbing and walking accidents being managed?

Answer 20

-The Arran Mountain Rescue Team provides search and rescue assistance to walkers and climbers.

-All its members are experienced

-They are on call 365 days a year

-All are unpaid volunteers.

Question 21

How is seasonal tourism and visitor numbers being managed?

Answer 21

-There are purpose-built visitor attractions such as Balmichael Centre which encourage people to visit the island in winter when walking in upland areas becomes more difficult.

-This means that more locals have permanent full-time tourism jobs.

Question 22

Has management strategies with footpaths been successful?

Answer 22

Although costs are high there’s been great improvements. water is made sure to drain quickly from paths, meaning that repairs are intended to be lasting and sustainable.

Question 23

Has management strategies with visitor numbers been successful?

Answer 23

Still rising, this makes some locals unimpressed.

Question 24

How are footpaths, accidents and visitor numbers interrelated?

Answer 24

-More visitors than ever are using improved footpaths, more walkers may be getting into more danger than in the past.

-In 2015 there was a record number for rescue call-outs.