The Scottish Government says it plans to add a further 500 miles to the existing network of footpaths and cycle routes by joining up and improving current routes and adding 30 new long distance routes to be completed by 2019. New routes to be developed include a Hebridean Way spanning Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, a cross-Scotland Pilgrims Way, a North Solway coastal path, and an extension to the Clyde walkway. The plan also contains some very long term aspirations including coastal routes for Angus and Aberdeenshire currently scheduled for completion in 2034.
plans include extending the Speyside Way to Newtonmore, due to open soon
The National Walking and Cycling project plan is backed by Scottish Natural Heritage, Sustrans and Scottish Canals and aims to make it easier for people of all ages and abilities to get to and enjoy. The Government says the new paths will offer something for everyone, from walkers, cyclists and horse riders to people using wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Cabinet Secretary for Planning, Alex Neil stepped out on the banks of the Forth and Clyde canal to see some of the benefits for himself and meet the project partners and representatives from Falkirk Council. The canal towpath is part of the new John Muir Way, a national cycle route and links to a network of local paths round Falkirk.
Mr Neil said: “Scotland’s extensive network of long distance routes, national cycleways and canal towpaths is already much loved and well used.
“Encouraging more people to enjoy the natural environment is important for the environment, tourism and boosting the economy – that’s why the National Long Distance Cycling and Walking Network is designated as a national development in Scotland’s National Planning Framework.
“The Plan will extend the network of connected, accessible paths and tracks for visitors of all ages and abilities to walk and cycle, encouraging even more people and visitors to enjoy the outdoors and to become more active.”
Feasibility studies are already underway for a North Solway coastal path, parts of a ‘Pilgrim’s Way’ across Scotland between St Andrews and Iona, and to extend the Clyde walkway in Lanarkshire. Major improvements on canal towpaths have begun and there are also plans for much needed improvements to existing long distance routes such as the Cowal Way and the Clyde Coast path. While work will be carried out over the next five years, the national development is also long term, with the project plan setting out a strategy for the network over the next 20 years.
Ian Ross, Chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage said: “We want to make sure that the network offers something for everyone, with rural routes offering peace and quiet, great views and the chance to get close to nature; paths between settlements to help local people commute away from traffic; high spec surfaces in places for people in wheelchairs and cyclists and more varied paths for walkers, mountain bikers and horse riders.
“The most important thing is to give people the chance to access and enjoy the outdoors close to where they live – irrespective of their age or mobility. And on the back of that we hope that people will embrace healthier, more active and sustainable lifestyles.”
John Lauder, National Director of Sustrans Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with SNH and Scottish Canals to ensure the successful delivery of a National Long Distance Cycling and Walking Network, as detailed in National Planning Framework 3. Sustrans wants to see as many people as possible choosing to walk and cycle more on a daily basis. In order to achieve this aim we need to continue to develop high quality facilities for people to use.
“2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the National Cycle Network in the UK; Sustrans’ flagship project. In 2013, there were an estimated 104 million trips on the National Cycle Network in Scotland and the indicative value of leisure cycling and cycle tourism was £298 million.
“It is fantastic to think that the Network will be extended even further as part of this National Long Distance Walking and Cycling Network and more people than ever before will have the opportunity to use it.”
Andrew Thin, Chair of Scottish Canals, said: “The towpaths along Scotland’s canals are busier than ever and play a vital role in both the national path network and linking the communities they run through. They’re increasingly significant destinations for leisure, exercise and commuting and offer the perfect way to explore all that the canal corridors have to offer, from the majestic landscapes of the Great Glen to the unique engineering of the world’s only rotating boat lift.
“Scotland’s towpaths already attract more than 22 million visits a year; we hope this project will encourage even more people to leave the couch and car behind, get outdoors, and enjoy the rich heritage, wildlife and green space offered by the nation’s waterways and the wider path network.”
The plan sets out the following priorities for next five years: 2014 – 2019
Long distance routes
Arran Coastal Way improvements
Clyde Coastal Path
Clyde Walkway extension from New Lanark
Clyde Walkway improvements: Newton Farm section
Clyde Walkway improvements: Craighead Retreat section
Cowal Way improvements
Crook of Devon to Kinross
Cross-Scotland Pilgrim Way: Tyndrum to Glenogle
Cross-Scotland Pilgrim Way: Lochearnhead to Crieff
Darvel to Muirkirk
Great Trossachs Path: Callander to Inversnaid
Fife Pilgrim Way: Culross and North Queensferry to St Andrews
Hebridean Way: Harris & Lewis
John Muir Way: Kilpatricks section
John Muir Way: Strathblane to Glasgow spur
North Solway Coast Path: Drummore to Portpatrick
Speyside Way extension: Aviemore to Newtonmore
Cycleways
Dundee Green Circular: alternative to Docks
Route 73 National Cycle Network: Brodick to Corrie
Route 73 (South) National Cycle Network: Newton Stewart to Cairnryan
Route 753 National Cycle Network: Largs to Inverkip
Route 753 National Cycle Network: In & around Fairlie
Route 76 National Cycle Network: Manor Powis Roundabout
Route 765 National Cycle Network, Stirling to Callander: Doune to Burn of Cambus
Southern Upland Cycleway: Stranraer to Portpatrick
Canals
Caledonian Canal Towpath
Crinan Canal Towpath
Forth & Clyde Canal Towpath
Monklands Canal Towpath
Union Canal Towpath
Route priorities for next 20 years: 2014 – 2034
Long distance routes
Aberdeenshire Coastal Path
Angus Coastal Path
Cross-Scotland Pilgrim Way: Iona to Tyndrum and Crieff to St Andrews
Deeside Way extension
Glenbuck – New Lanark link
Inverness – Nairn Coast Path
Kirkmichael – Ballater link
North Solway Coastal Path
Pitlochry – Kirkmichael link
Stirling to Drymen
Cycleways
Route 74 National Cycle Network, Gretna – Glasgow: Larkhall to Stonehouse; M74 cycleway north end; To Douglas
Route 765 National Cycle Network, Stirling to Callander: Burn of Cambus to Callander
Route 775 National Cycle Network, Almondbank to Lochearnhead: Crieff to Lochearnhead
Route 79 National Cycle Network, Speyside Way Cycleway
Fort William to Mallaig
Roslin to Peebles Cycleway