Plans for a new walking trail around Loch Ness will build on the Scottish tradition of enjoying the scenery on foot. Walking trails and hills is a very popular attraction for tourists of all ages and the scenery around Loch Ness is stunning. No wonder the powers that be want to combine the two attractions.
This article was published in the Inverness Courier as an advertisement but we’re republishing it here because it’ll help you know about the breadth of attractions for visitors to the Highlands.
Bed and breakfast owner Graeme Ambrose was discussing ideas with Aird and Loch Ness Councillor Margaret Davidson about how to attract more people to the area.
Out of that they began talking about creating the trail which found favour with local residents, businesses, Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage.
Several months later, a total of £181,000 is now in place to build about four miles of new path which will connect existing trails and minor roads around the southern side of the loch.
It is hoped that the finished trail will stretch from Loch Tarff to Torbreck via Whitebridge, Foyers, Inverfarigaig and Dores.
Attracting more visitors to these villages is the simple reason why Destination Loch Ness (DLN) has worked on ensuring the idea comes to fruition.
According to Mr Ambrose, who is executive director of the not-for-profit group of loch-side businesses, the finished route will definitely encourage more people into the area – do not ask him how many.
“Everybody asks about numbers but that is like looking for a needle in a haystack,” he states.
“We have obviously been looking at the benefits it can bring to the community. We did our own research and there is a real need for new economic activity, not just around the south of Loch Ness but the whole of it.
“A trail this length, it is not likely we are going to get hundreds of people walking the whole way, most people are going to use short sections of it.
“We hope that it will encourage people up to hubs like Dores, Inverfarigaig, Foyers and Whitebridge. It could then attract more micro businesses like bed and breakfasts and cafes. It will bring more people in and Destination Loch Ness has always been about improving the product on the ground.”
However, the exact route is still not finalised because delicate negotiations with four landowners lie ahead of DLN.
But it hopes to be in a position to issue a tender for the construction of the four feet wide path sections and new branded signage within the next couple of months.
Mr Ambrose did not want to jeopardise the outcome of the talks and said a map of the full trail would only be published once robust agreements were in place with landowners, adding that using right to roam legislation was not a route DLN intended to go down if the discussions founder.
“There’s a lot of ifs and buts at the moment because there’s still some work to be done,” said Mr Ambrose, who revealed a fall back route or plan B could instead come into affect if talks stall.
A project manger has already been appointed by DLN which has secured £80,000 from the European grants programme Leader to go towards the trail’s construction.
The council has matched that money and the pot has been also boosted by £13,000 from DLN and £5000 from Scottish Natural Heritage, while the South of Loch Ness Tourism Tourist Group provided £3000.
The marking and interpretation of the route will reflect design elements from the Great Glen Way style guide.
Destination Loch Ness chairman Graeme Ambrose. Bobby Nelson Eventually, DLN hopes that the trail will link up in the long term with the long distance route on the north side of the loch.
The path will be open to walkers and horse riders – but not cyclists.
Mr Ambrose insisted that two wheels chew up trails more than four hooves.
“It is absolutely the case and mountain bikes can create a hell of a lot of a mess on tracks,” he said. “If they are going down steep sections fast or doing wheelies it can churn it up.”
But Mr Ambrose would welcome any investment from cycle organisations to make the trail sturdy enough for bikers.
“The National Cycle Network is coming up the length of the Great Glen by the end of 2011,” said Mr Ambrose. “There are very small sections where we are doing this where we can piggyback onto cyclist routes but for large parts it will be for walkers and horse riders, it is simply about the money available.”
However, transport charity Sustranshas expressed surprise at the proposed ban on cyclist.
“It isn’t something that is known to have come up in other parts of the UK,” a spokeswoman said.
“But this patch is clearly focusing on the horse-riding community in the area and taking their safety on the trail very seriously by making it a walking/horse riding route only.
“Sustrans promotes active and sustainable forms of travel whether that’s walking, cycling, running, or horse riding.”
Sustrans is supportive of the new trail, she stressed.
Councillor Davidson, who lives in Abriachan on the north side of the loch, said she often looked out of her kitchen window and thought a connected trail on the other side was long overdue.
In the long term she keenly anticipates the day when visitors and locals can walk all the way round the loch.
“Graeme and I are were talking about outdoor activity projects and the trail came up,” she recalled. “For many people walking at Loch Ness is a once in a lifetime experience.
“We have got the Great Glen Way on this side and we have got the cycle network route coming so this route is something which has been waiting to happen.”
Dores and Stratherrick and Foyers community councils have also given the route the thumbs up.
h.ross@inverness-courier.co.uk
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