Walkers and climbers are being asked if vehicle access should be allowed over certain Government-owned tracks, ending long walks to the start of ascents and crags.
The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) has been asked to comment on allowing vehicles on the approach track for Ben Dearg near Ullapool and five tracks in Galloway. The MCofS has traditionally not been in favour of opening up access on tracks to cars and other vehicles, preferring the idea of the “long walk in”. The MCofS is asking if climbers and walkers are now generally in favour of opening up access to these tracks and if so, would it just be for a restricted group (eg. winter climbers), who would fund the maintenance of the tracks and deal with any problems arising from vehicle access, and whether there are other issues that should be taken into account.
If the MCofS was to respond in favour of vehicular access to the Government on these 6 tracks it would need to change its current policy on this issue. It is therefore asking for comments on this issue which can either be posted on the MCofS website or sent to the Access and Conservation Officer, Hebe Carus by 15 December.