Cairngorm's paths to get £720,000 repair boost

Published on Wednesday 23 June 2010 20:48

NEARLY 60 miles of eroded mountain paths in the Cairngorms will be repaired with the help of a £720,000 lottery windfall announced today.

Constant use by walkers and mountaineers and the harsh climate have taken their toll on 17 upland paths which will be restored in a four-year project.

Some of the routes date as far back as the Middle Ages when they were used as droving tracks to move cattle from Aberdeen to the west.

Damage has caused unsightly scars on the picturesque landscape and threatens important wildlife habitats.

Repairs will be carried out by hand, with helicopters flying in materials to protect the terrain and minimise the disturbance to wildlife. The area is home to Britain's only unique bird species, the Scottish crossbill.

Colin McLean, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: "The stark beauty of Scotland's mountain heritage attracts an ever-growing number of walkers, climbers and tourists each year. This is a boon to our significant tourist economy, but we have to balance it with the conservation of our landscape, its flora and its fauna so people can continue to enjoy it for years to come."

The HLF has also indicated initial support for access projects round Loch Leven and Castle Semple Country Park totalling almost 650,000.