The campaign to ensure adequate regulation of new tracks bulldozed across upland areas is appealing for walkers to photograph new hill tracks that they come across.
Last year, the campaign was successful in getting a measure of protection for our upland landscapes. Local authorities now have to be notified in advance of any new hill track construction. This will mean building methods should be improved and at least authorities will know where new tracks are located. However campaigners including Ramblers Scotland and the Mountaineering Council of Scotland feel that this measure maybe inadequate as it does not require landowners to apply for planning permission before new tracks are built.
Scottish Environment Link is therefore asking for help to ensure that this new legislation is working. If you are out walking in the Scottish hills this summer, please keep an eye out for any new tracks. Please send a photo of the track plus its location and any other information you can gather to hilltracks@scotlink.org. The organisation can then check that the planners have been informed of the track, and in that way monitor the effectiveness of the new legislation in advance of the Scottish Government’s own review in December.