Feb 2010 - Should walkers pay for upland hill tracks?
A survey of hill users is being conducted as part of an MSc dissertation in Sustainable Mountain Development at the Centre for Mountain Studies in Perth. The aim is to explore hill users' opinions regarding their impacts on upland paths and landscapes, and asks whether they would be willing to pay for pathwork. You can complete the survey here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XVRQPFR
Nov 2009 - Central Scotland Green Network
Ramblers Scotland submitted a Parliamentary Briefing to MSPs on the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) for a debate in November 2009. The CSGN is a development in the National Planning Framework and we argued that it presented a huge opportunity to develop path networks close to where most people in Scotland live.
Read our Parliamentary Briefing here.
Background
The new access legislation gives the public the right of access to almost all land in Scotland, yet there is still a great demand for more paths to walk on. A lot of farmland in Scotland lacks clear, waymarked paths and many areas would benefit from better path networks to create walking and cycling links between communities and give easier access to the wider countryside.
To improve the situation, the legislation contains a duty for all access authorities to draw up a network of core paths in their area. These paths should eventually all be mapped and marked by the OS – which has to be good news for health and sustainable transport as well as for tourism.
Many Ramblers members and Groups are involved in the core path planning process, whether by being members of Local Access Forums (LAFs) or by joining core paths planning groups. This process is now coming to its conclusion but there remains much to be done to ensure the plans are implemented.
Why not find out what is happening near you, and join in? If you are disappointed with the path provision in your area, contact your local councillor to ask for more paths.
Here are some of the things our groups have been doing:
- St Andrews Group has published a leaflet outlining 14 walks around Cupar with financial support from Awards for All and SNH
- Moray Group is developing a guide for a 162-mile circular trail from Elgin via the Cairngorms
- Cunninghame group is looking into adopting a part of the core path network and being responsible for its maintenance.
We are all looking forward to a having a better system of paths throughout the country, clearly waymarked, mapped and promoted.
For more details and guidance on getting involved in LAFs and core paths planning download our information pack Outdoor Access: Getting Involved
or call the Scotland office for a copy 01577 861222
Paths for All Partnership - Ten Years of Paths for All
