Path erosion on Bla Bheinn
The contest, which will be decided by the public in an online poll, has been organised by the European Outdoor Conservation Association (a not-for profit environmental outdoor charity with over 120 members from Norway to Spain and from the UK to the Czech Republic). The Bla Bheinn project is nominated in the Alpine category of the awards – another Scottish entrant for path and forest works in the Trossachs is also nominated in the Outdoors category. Voting opens today, more details can be found here.
Bla Bheinn, one of the UK’s most magnificent mountains, is managed by the John Muir Trust. It guards the entrance to the Black Cuillin range on the Isle of Skye, and stands in rugged wild land ringed by coastal villages, sea lochs and native woodland.
Chris Goodman, the John Muir Trust Footpath Manager said: “The breath-taking view from the summit and the relatively straightforward access attracts thousands of people to Bla Bheinn each year.
“The pressure of footfall combined with the high rainfall here has created serious erosion on sections of the footpath, damaging fragile soil and plants, and causing sedimentation of nearby streams. It has also opened up a scar on the mountainside which is visible for miles.”
Working with local contractors and volunteers, the John Muir Trust plans to repair the 3.8km path, using our proven light touch methods to preserve the wild character of the area and protect the fragile mountain habitats.
“We’re grateful to Berghaus for the nomination,” says Chris. “If we’re successful, this award would get us off to a flying start, so we’d ask people locally and further afield to vote for us online from Monday 17 March onwards.”