Members of The Highland Council’s Planning, Environment and Development Committee have agreed to allocate £134.4K to 19 community based path upgrading and improvement projects.

The money comes from the first phase of the Highland Core Path Implementation Programme which is supported by the Council and LEADER. In April the Programme for 2010 – 2013 was approved which includes a scheme designed to improve core paths and expand the core path network across the whole Highlands.

Of the 19 successful projects 4 are in Ross and Cromarty to which £29.6k has been allocated, 3 are in Sutherland (£24.2k), 3 in Skye and Lochalsh (£15.5k) 3 in Inverness and Nairn (£29.6k), 3 in Lochaber (£20k) and 3 in Caithness (£15k)

Part 1 of the Land Reform Scotland Act 2003 gives The Highland Council a statutory duty to draw up a plan for a system of paths to give members of the public reasonable access throughout the area and to publicise the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Chairman of the PED Committee, Councillor Ian Ross welcomed the decision.

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He said: “Having well maintained footpaths allows locals and visitors to get out and explore places of beauty and interest and can really give a boost to tourism. The natural environment in the Highlands is our major asset so anything that promotes access to get out and enjoy it is to be welcomed. All the path projects receiving money in this phase are community based and show a commitment to improve old favourite routes and create new local walks which can then be an excellent way to promote and market the area.”

The successful projects are as follows –

ROSS AND CROMARTY:

• An all abilities path to Shandwick beach (Nigg & Shandwick Community Council)

• Access to Shandwick and Hilton beaches and harbours (Hilton & Balintore CC)

• Improvements to Smithy - Kelso route (Lochacarron & District Business Association)

• Improvements to Cnoc na Strang path (Lochacarron & District Business Association)

SUTHERLAND:

• Extension and linking to Loch Meadaidh footpath (Durness CC)

• Improvements to Loch Innes path (Kinlochbervie Community Company)

• Dunrobin Castle Woods reinstatement and improvements (Golspie CC)

SKYE & LOCHALSH

• Wheelchair path to view point at Uig (Uig CC)

• Improvements and signage to Idrigill Path (Uig CC)

• Improvements and reinstatement to Rubha Hunish path (Kilmuir CC)

INVERNESS & NAIRN:

• New path linking forest tracks (Stratherrick & Foyers CC)

• New path at Feabuie Road (Croy CC)

• Upgrade to path along River Nairn (Nairn River CC)

CAITHNESS:

• Improvement to Dunnet Forest paths (Dunnet & Canisby CC)

• Improvements to Swineyhill lookout (Latheron, Lybster and Clyth CC)

• New path link to beach and signage (Latheron, Lybster and Clyth CC)

LOCHABER:

• Improvements at Ardnastaing (Sunart CC)

• Improvements to all abilities path to slate monument (Ballachullish CC)

• Improvements to River Garry path (Glengarry CC)