{"id":24866,"date":"2021-01-18T14:45:42","date_gmt":"2021-01-18T14:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/?p=24866"},"modified":"2021-01-19T09:57:56","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T09:57:56","slug":"hill-walking-paradise-gets-path-upgrade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/hill-walking-paradise-gets-path-upgrade\/","title":{"rendered":"Hill walking paradise gets path upgrade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A popular route up one of our most iconic hills will be easier for walkers, and less damaging to the mountain, thanks to work that has just been completed on Quinag<\/a>, in the north west Highlands.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Path repairs underway November 2020 (Photo: Chris Puddephatt)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The work was undertaken by ACT Heritage and managed by the John Muir Trust, who maintain the mountain\u2019s extensive path network which provides access to the summit and stunning views over the peaks and lochans of Sutherland, and beyond. It was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership scheme, and through the generosity of John Muir Trust members through the Wild Ways Path Appeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quinag\u2019s accessibility and location on the North Coast 500 route make it a particularly popular hill for walkers, and its footpath has seen an ever-increasing footfall in recent years, particularly through the summer of 2020 with increased visitors to the site after the Covid-19 lockdown. Owned and managed by the John Muir Trust, Quinag covers 3,699 hectares of the Assynt\u2013Coigach National Scenic Area in Sutherland and has been described as a walker\u2019s paradise with its great views and three distinctive peaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite a lot of previous repair work, there were still eroded patches which needed repairing to prevent further damage. So, in 2020 the Trust started work on the steep path towards the Sail Gharbh summit and in December, the final ascent \u2013 a 70-metre section of very badly eroded path – was restored and upgraded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAirlifting 30 tonnes of stone from the opposite face of the mountain was a mammoth task\u201d said Romany Garnett, John Muir Trust\u2019s Quinag Conservation Officer who helps manage the site. \u201cBut we\u2019re confident that the stone pitching in place now provides walkers with a much safer and more robust route to the summit\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lower down the hill, a small team of John Muir Trust staff and volunteers have been working very hard to repair and resurface the beginning section of the stalkers path which had also become eroded and very muddy in places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis isn\u2019t the end of our work though\u201d says Romany, \u201cWe have plans in place to continue with a programme of repairs and upgrades as soon as funding allows\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A popular route up one of our most iconic hills will be easier for walkers, and less damaging to the mountain, thanks to work that has just been completed on Quinag, in the north west Highlands. The work was undertaken by ACT Heritage and managed by the John Muir Trust, who maintain the mountain\u2019s extensive path network which provides access to the summit and stunning views over the peaks and lochans of Sutherland, and beyond. It was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, through the Coigach & Assynt Living Landscape Partnership scheme, and through the generosity of John Muir…<\/span> <\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/div>\n

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