It is estimated that 600,000 people visit Skye and Lochalsh annually. The Highland Visitor Survey 2002 suggests that 61% of visitors undertake some form of walking or cycling activity while in the area, 24% undertake upland hill walking and 6% state that Mountain walks were the main reason for their visit to the area.
Skye and Lochalsh Footpath Initiative was established in 1992 with the long term aim of restoring the seriously damaged upland footpath infrastructure in Skye and Lochalsh and maintaining these paths in a good condition, using and developing the local skills base and encouraging sensitive access to areas of important natural heritage.
The Initiative is a partnership project involving the Highland Council, Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise and Scottish Natural Heritage who have all committed significant time and finance over the last 14 years.
The objective of the SLFI is to establish a programme of footpath, landscape and habitat restoration. The programme has been running successfully since 1996 and celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2006. It has concentrated on areas identified in survey work that was conducted in 1993, prioritised according to the level of use, fragility of the site and risk of damage.
The fifth phase of this project will help to create 8.6 km of new and upgraded footpaths and will have completed the 34 km of damaged paths identified as high priority in the scoping surveys of 1993. Through the project a programme of upland footpath, landscape and habitat improvements will be completed. Access opportunities will be improved reducing damage to the environment and management regimes put in place to ensure the improved path infrastructure will be sustained over the next 30-50 years.
In total since 1996 nearly £1 million has been invested in upland path improvements and habitat restoration on Skye through the funding partners, the Heritage Lottery Fund, ERDF and most recently EAGGF. The completion of this work will improve the quality of the environment, allowing people to experience the unique landscape, and through the provision of secure public access support the local economy which is highly dependent on eco and nature tourism.
Financial support for this phase of the project is being provided by the following partners -
European Agricultural Guidance £100,000
and Guarantee Fund
Highland Council £43,442
Skye and Lochalsh Enterprise £28,000
Scottish Natural Heritage £45,558
Total £217,000
The Skye and Lochalsh Footpath Initiative Officer's can be contacted at the address below or by phone or e-mail -
Mr Donald MacKenzie
Skye and Lochalsh Footpath Project Officer
Planning and Development Service
Old Corry Industrial Estate
Broadford
Skye
IV49 9AB
Tel: (01471) 822973
Fax: (01471) 822905
E-mail: donald.mackenzie2@highland.gov.uk