National Trust For Scotland launches annual footpath fund appeal as countryside visitors climb
Charity appeals for Footpath Fund donations as countryside visitors increase by 16 percent in first half of the year.
Article Source: National Trust For Scotland
Last Updated: 25 July 2024 9:52
The National Trust for Scotland has launched its annual Footpath Fund appeal to raise funds to support the maintenance and repair of more than 300 miles of paths as 2024 visitor numbers to the charity’s countryside locations increase by 10 percent so far.
The conservation charity’s team of five path makers and specialist contractors ensure the 275 miles of upland footpaths, and a large section of the Trust’s 155 miles of low-level paths, remain accessible and in good condition for the millions of people who visit the countryside properties each year. This work not only prevents erosion scars and protects the fragile ecosystems where walkers may inadvertently stray from paths, but it also makes visiting these places more accessible for more people.
The ongoing maintenance and repair of the footpaths is vital as they face numerous challenges. Year on year, millions set out to enjoy Scotland’s outdoors. Visitors to the Trust’s countryside properties have increased from 900k in the first half of 2023 to just over 1m in the first six months of this year.
Three of the Trust’s most visited countryside places include Ben Lomond, which has grown 27% since 2022 with over 31k visitors; Grey Mare’s Tail, which has increased 34% over the same period to 25k; and St Abb’s Head, which has grown by 86% to 51k visitors - an increase of 24k people.
High footfall naturally wears the paths down and when coupled with the Scottish weather’s swings from sun to snow in a single day, erosion is exacerbated, which risks lasting damage to the countryside and its vulnerable biodiversity. Additional funding is necessary to support these crucial ongoing works.
Bob Brown, Upland Path Manager for the National Trust for Scotland, said: “Our footpaths lead visitors to Scotland’s nature, heritage, and beauty so it’s crucial we provide our footpath team with the resources they need to maintain them. Their work is vast and wide-ranging, including recent rebuilding work at Grey Mare’s Tail where flash flooding blasted holes into the path.
“Walkers inadvertently carved new routes through delicate ecosystems as they strayed from the flooded path into the surrounding habitats, endangering native flora and fauna. The footpath team not only repaired the damaged sections, but they also helped protect it in future by improving drainage systems to mitigate increased flooding. This is often made especially challenging due to many of the sites we work on having important geological and botanical attributes and Special Scientific Interest categorisation. Rather than use existing but protected materials on site, all rebuilding materials are acquired elsewhere and airlifted in.
“By maintaining and repairing footpaths that blend seamlessly into the landscape, they ensure everyone can enjoy the unique beauty of our hills and mountains, both today and for those that follow in our footsteps.”
Donations to the Footpath Fund help the Trust to progress its ambitious mountain path restoration plan to tackle damaged sites at Ben Lawers, Ben Lomond, Glencoe, Goatfell, Torridon, and Kintail.
They also support pre-emptive work to counter the effects of increased visitor numbers and climate change on natural habitats and footpaths; conduct audits on the state of lowland paths and develop a plan of work to ensure they’re maintained to the highest standards; and trial new repair techniques to ensure work continues to be as effective and sustainable as possible.
For more information or to make a donation, visit: www.nts.org.uk/footpath
Sponsored Links
Latest Lanarkshire News
An invitation to go play Beat The Street East Kilbride
The Beat the Street East Kilbride game has launched with more than 8,000 participants signing up on its first day and together walking, cycling, and rolling their way to more than 6,100 miles.
READ MORE
Cumbernauld Theatre to present The Events an acclaimed play by David Greig
A new staging of David Greig’s modern classic, The Events produced by Cumbernauld Theatre Company in association with Wonder Fools opens on Saturday 28th September at Cumbernauld Theatre.
READ MORE
Miller Homes welcomes Lanarkshire causes to apply for funding
Homebuilder announces next round of its Community Fund initiative, seeing a share of £10,000 distributed across Scotland.
READ MORE
Garden Centre rolls out series of free events this October
Dobbies Garden Centres is embracing the autumn season with a series of free-to-attend events throughout October, including Grow How, Little Seedlings Club and Little Seedlings Holiday Club.
READ MORE
Scottish groups receive funding from Asda Foundation to transform community spaces
Asda's charity, The Asda Foundation, has awarded £150,000 to eight community groups across Scotland through its Investing in Spaces and Places grants.
READ MORE
STUDIOCANAL announces Paddington is set to visit Scotland
Statues of everyone's favourite bear will be taking a seat in locations across the UK and Ireland in early October!
READ MORE
Is the IRN BRU Carnival in your future
Tickets for this year's IRN-BRU Carnival launch with the chance to win on Glasgow's streets!
READ MORE
The popular active travel competition Beat the Street gets underway in East Kilbride this week!
The whole town is invited as Beat the Street East Kilbride returns!
READ MORE
Asda invites customers across Scotland to donate pre loved books for kids
Asda invites customers across Scotland to donate pre-loved children's books for onward gifting to families who have fewer books of their own.
READ MORE
Final Countdown: One month left to enter photography competition
Time is running out to enter Caledonian Sleeper's photography competition aimed at encouraging everyone to capture views of the most scenic locations on route between Scotland and London.
READ MORE
Glory for Scots speakers at national awards
The winners of the Scots Language Awards 2024 were crowned on Saturday at a celebratory ceremony in Ayrshire.
READ MORE
Autumnal styling, sandwiches and scones with Dobbies
For October, Dobbies Garden Centres has launched a brand new autumn edition of its hands-on planting experience, combined with a tasty Afternoon Tea.
READ MORE
SAY Award unveils Longlist
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, today reveals the 20 outstanding Scottish albums on 2024's Longlist.
READ MORE
BBC Debate Night returns for 2024
BBC Scotland's topical TV programme Debate Night returns later this month and they are searching for people to be part of the big studio audience.
READ MORE
New Scottish music awards receives over 3000 nominations in first 48 hours
The recently launched Scottish Live Music Awards (SLMA), in association with GO Radio, has seen an overwhelming response, receiving over 3000 nominations in just the first 2 days.
READ MORE
October family days out at M&Ds
M&D's Scotland's Theme Park has launched a programme of activities to entertain families this October no matter the weather!
READ MORE
Cumbernauld grown talent to take the Lanternhouse stage
Olivia Caw and Michelle Frew, who both discovered a love for theatre in Cumbernauld, are due to return home for performances at Lanternhouse.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Butter Company announces search for the Best Croissant in Scotland
The Edinburgh Butter Company is excited to announce the launch of Scotland’s first-ever croissant competition, open to bakers across the country.
READ MORE
Get ready to be blown away... Twisters returns to 4DX at Cineworld
Hold onto your popcorn, because Cineworld is thrilled to announce the whirlwind return of the blockbuster hit Twisters to 4DX screens nationwide, due to an overwhelming tornado of popular demand!
READ MORE
The Force reawakens at Vue venues in Scotland this September as the Star Wars saga returns to the big screen
Film fans are invited to revisit a galaxy far, far away this September as every main Star Wars film brings some of cinema's most iconic heroes and villains back to the big screen.
READ MORE
Great Scottish Run: 4 weeks to go
Are you ready to take on Scotland's greatest running event at this year's AJ Bell Great Scottish Run in Glasgow on Sunday 6 October?
READ MORE
Unique venue offers the perfect stage
Festival-goers attending the fourth Music at the Multiverse festival at the weekend enjoyed fantastic live music, sunshine and showers in one of Scotland’s most spectacular outdoor venues.
READ MORE
Thousands from Northern Ireland set sail for Scottish universities
Students go FREE with Stena Line on Cairnryan and Liverpool routes.
READ MORE
The Beat the Street active travel game is returning to East Kilbride!
The popular interactive game that turns whole communities into a giant active travel competition is set to return to East Kilbride for six weeks from 18th September to 30th October!
READ MORE
Scottish Borders winter light trail, Monteviot Lights, returns for a second year
Prepare to be enchanted once again this winter as Monteviot Lights returns to Monteviot House & Gardens!
READ MORE
Step into the Autumn Equinox with a day of balance at the Alona Hotel
Leading wellbeing scientist and speaker, Dr David R Hamilton, is to headline a panel of lifestyle speakers at an Autumn Equinox retreat taking place at the Alona Hotel on September 22nd.
READ MORE
Social Bite encourages Scotland to hop, skip or jump to help end homelessness
Participants can choose any novel way of racking up 100 miles this September to help raise crucial funds for those who need it most in the UK.
READ MORE
Entertainers launch brand new Michael Jackson tribute show, Man in the Mirror
Today, on what would have been Michael Jackson's 66th Birthday, entertainers launch their brand-new show; Man in the Mirror – A Tribute to Michael Jackson.
READ MORE
Annual Salvesen Lecture at University of Edinburgh will address ADHD in Women and Girls
Distinguished Senior Consultant Physician and psychiatrist Lotta Borg Skoglund will present groundbreaking research which challenges outdated views on female ADHD.
READ MORE
Montpeliers founders among winners at the 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub awards!
The winners of the 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards have been revealed!
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Go Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"
