MOUNTAINS FOR PEOPLE PROJECT

The National Trust for Scotland’s commitment to its mountain properties stretches back over many years, and upland path restoration and erosion control form a large part of this commitment. The Mountains for People project is a prime example: an upland path project targeted at some of the worst areas of damage in the Trust’s care. And Arran is one of the key areas.

Arran presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to caring for upland paths. It is a very popular walking destination and is endowed with mobile and soft granite, shallow soils and West Coast Island weather! Together, these factors mean that, when damage is sustained, the resulting deterioration is rapid.

The project is now at its mid-way point and we have already restored the routes on Coire Lan, Corrie to Goatfell, Glen Rosa (upper section) North Goatfell Ridge and the lower slopes of Cir Mhor! Work scheduled for this year is on Cir Mhor and the Three Beinns. It is our intention to create a subtle path-line at the same time as stabilising the erosion and allowing natural regeneration of vegetation to occur. Cir Mhor needs extensive work, but we aim to make it appear as natural as possible.

Of course, none of this work comes cheap! And, at costs of up to £140 per metre in some areas, we need to keep all the kind donations coming in to our Footpath Fund, which helps support our work. We are grateful to the Isle of Arran Distillers this year for their generous pledge of a donation for every bottle sold of their Sleeping Warrior single malt. If you would also like to donate to the fund, or just find out more about our mountain work across the rest of Scotland, please visit our web site at www.nts.org.uk/Mountains_For_People.

Look out for our contractors on the hills this festival, and Happy Walking!

Bob Brown, Mountains for People Project Manager

Balnain House, 40 Huntly Street, Inverness IV3 5HR

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To find out more about the work of the National Trust for Scotland to protect the beauty of our mountains, please click here.

To make a donation to the Footpath Fund call 0844 493 2100 or visit www.nts.org.uk/Mountains_For_People