{"id":24973,"date":"2021-01-23T05:16:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-23T05:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/?p=24973"},"modified":"2021-02-01T18:16:08","modified_gmt":"2021-02-01T18:16:08","slug":"100k-improvements-planned-for-popular-scottish-trails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walkhighlands.co.uk\/news\/100k-improvements-planned-for-popular-scottish-trails\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a3100k improvements planned for popular Scottish trails"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NatureScot is funding almost \u00a3111,000 of improvements to the path network, including many on Scotland\u2019s Great Trails<\/a> such as the West Highland Way<\/a>. The aim is to reduce barriers and improve access for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Blackrock Cottage on the West Highland Way<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

With a big increase in the number of people heading to the outdoors and connecting with nature over the past year, and more than 70% of the Scottish population living within 5 miles of a Great Trail, much of the work is designed to improve the accessibility of the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Clyde Walkway<\/a> will benefit from around \u00a320,000 for a new wooden boardwalk and the replacement of stiles with self-closing gates to make access easier. Similar work to improve accessibility is also being carried out on the Cateran Trail<\/a> at a smaller scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cateran Trail Waymarker<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Repairs and improvements to the path surface on the John Muir Way at Falkirk will also be carried out with funding of more than \u00a326,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile \u00a320,000 has been earmarked for a partnership project led by St Fillans Community Trust to create a local path linking the old railway line between St Fillans and Lochearnhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The funding includes \u00a326,000 for a community project led by the Helensburgh and District Access Trust to build a new bridge on the Three Lochs Way<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working with the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, almost \u00a319,000 is being invested in improvements to the popular West Highland Way<\/a> at Keilator and between Ewich and Tyndrum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Loch Lomond on the West Highland Way<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bridget Jones, NatureScot Recreation and Paths Manager, said: \u201cThe Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated more than ever before how important a nature-rich environment is for our physical and mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s encouraging that we have seen an increase in the number of people enjoying the outdoors over the past 12 months but at NatureScot we want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to access these benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis funding will improve surfaces, remove barriers and increase access on some of our most popular and scenic paths and trails, making it easier for more people to connect with nature and realise all of the many benefits that can bring.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kenny Auld, Recreation, Access and Health Manager for Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: \u201cWith more people than ever looking for ways to get out and enjoy the outdoors, this funding will provide very welcome improvements both in terms of upgrading existing well-loved routes like the West Highland Way<\/a> and Three Lochs Way<\/a>, but also allowing new stretches to be created connecting paths and extending the network of options for people to enjoy around the National Park.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geoff Carter, from the St Fillans Community Trust, said: \u201cThe funding from NatureScot is a crucial element of our Loch Earn Railway Path Project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWorking in conjunction with Sustrans and the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the project will provide a much needed all-ability route, allowing safe, traffic-free access between our communities and to the wider countryside paths network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

John Urquhart, from the Helensburgh and District Access Trust, said: \u201cA positive aspect of Covid has been that a lot more people have been discovering that The Three Lochs Way makes an interesting and accessible Great Trail which can easily be walked in short sections or all at once over a long weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is super that NatureScot has been able to come forward now with this funding which, through a great example of partnership working, is allowing us to finally remedy the dangerous crossing of Arrochar\u2019s Tighness Burn<\/a> which has been a number one priority for the trust for many years and will help to improve access to one of the best sections of the Three Lochs Way.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NatureScot is funding almost \u00a3111,000 of improvements to the path network, including many on Scotland\u2019s Great Trails such as the West Highland Way. The aim is to reduce barriers and improve access for all. With a big increase in the number of people heading to the outdoors and connecting with nature over the past year, and more than 70% of the Scottish population living within 5 miles of a Great Trail, much of the work is designed to improve the accessibility of the network. The Clyde Walkway will benefit from around \u00a320,000 for a new wooden boardwalk and the replacement…<\/span> <\/p>\n

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