Trossachs Primary School pupils and Bruce Crawford MSP name The Great Trossachs Path.
Bruce Crawford MSP helped children from Trossachs Primary School to christen The Great Trossachs Path.
The 35 mile long route is aimed at walkers and cyclists, and is due to be completed in 2015. The Great Trossachs Path will form the spine of a wider network of trails throughout The Great Trossachs Forest, a large scale woodland restoration project which extends from Inversnaid on the edge of Loch Lomond to Kilmahog near Callander. A range of other paths and loops suitable for all abilities that link from The Great Trossachs Path will be promoted to visitors.
Writer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish supports the project. He said: “The Trossachs is somewhere that I have explored many times. It’s often described as the Highlands in miniature, but that doesn’t do the area justice – it definitely has its own irresistible character that is hard to quantify; it’s something that you really have to experience for yourself.
“Linking the West Highland Way and the Rob Roy Way is a tantalising idea that might inspire serious walkers to try a new route combining these great trails. But also within The Great Trossachs Forest there’s a tremendous variety of walks through native woodland and onto the open hill.”
Bruce Crawford MSP said: “The Great Trossachs Forest is an inspiring project and this new path will improve the opportunities for recreation in this stunning area of the National Park for visitors and local people alike. I hope that many more people will come and visit the area as a result of this innovative project and that local businesses will benefit.”
Sue Morris, project officer for The Great Trossachs Forest said: “The Great Trossachs Path is central to our wider vision for the area. We want many more visitors who come into the National Park to stop and explore the amazing variety of walks which can be found here.”
The Great Trossachs Path has been made possible thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: Nature lies at the very heart of what makes Scotland special. In the Year of Natural Scotland, we are delighted to support a project which will encourage people of all ages and abilities to visit the Great Trossachs Forest to experience its incredible natural heritage. It is good for the local economy and is also good for the soul.”
The Great Trossachs Forest is a partnership project between Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, and the Woodland Trust Scotland. For details of other Scottish long distance walks see Walkhighlands.