The Mountains and The People project led by Scottish footpath charity the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland is looking for dedicated hillwalkers to adopt a favourite upland path in the Cairngorms and Loch Lomond National Parks.
The Adopt a Path scheme allows those most passionate about Scotland’s mountains to become custodians of their favourite hill paths, conserving fragile upland landscapes by reporting on erosion damage or potential path issues and allowing maintenance tasks to be targeted to best effect.
There are paths available for adoption across both of Scotland’s National Parks; Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the Cairngorms National Park. Each path is unique, some short and gentle and others long or remote. Once registered, volunteers can choose which path they’d would like to adopt, from the list of available routes.
Adopt a Path volunteers are required to survey their path at least once a year. Ideally once in the spring (March / April) and once at the end of summer (Aug / Sept). Volunteers decide when they can undertake the survey, there are no set dates.
All Adopt a Path volunteers will receive training and support to undertake their surveys in a safe manner which provides the type of information we require to ensure these iconic paths are maintained for generations to come. There are two training days planned at the start of September:
Sat 2nd Sept – Spittal of Glen Muick Visitor Centre, Aberdeenshire
Sun 3rd Sept – Balmaha Visitor Centre, Balmaha, Loch Lomond
Volunteers will be expected to have following skills and experience:
– be used to spending time outdoors
– be experienced hill walkers
– have good physical fitness
– be self-reliant in mountain / upland environments
– be confident lone working
– have good health and safety awareness.
If you are interested in becoming an Adopt a Path volunteer, then contact the Activity Project Officer on volunteering@themountainsandthepeople.org.uk or telephone (07483352529) and they will start the process. This involves completing a volunteer registration form, signing a volunteer agreement and attending an induction day. Volunteers can then select a path they would like to adopt. Paths are allocated on a first come first served basis.