Way to boost walking tourism
A long distance walk is providing a £300,000 boost to tourism in the Stirlingshire area.
The 134-mile John Muir Way, opened exactly three years ago, crosses the West Highland Way at Carbeth and passes close to Mugdock Country Park.
It attracts around 300,000 visitors each year and of that figure 75 per cent are walkers while the remainder choose to cycle .
Around 6,000 visits are undertaken by users who complete all 134 miles of the route over consecutive days while 19 per cent (57,000) visits are by those looking to complete the route in sections.
Stacey Burlet, director of children, communities and enterprise for Stirling Council, said:“The John Muir Way passes through our wonderful villages of Carbeth and Crofamie and is already leading to an increase in visitor numbers to the local area . It’s estimated 23,000 visitors are using the 19-mile section of the route which passes through Stirling.
“The route benefits a number of local businesses as outdoor and activity tourism is central to Stirling’s offer.
“The increase in people using the route has resulted in an overall spend of around £300,000 in our areas.
“Along the route walkers can enjoy some of Stirling’s magnificent natural landscapes, food and drink products, and events and festivals. It’s a great asset and one we’re proud to have in our area.”
The John Muir Way commemorates the life of the world-renowned conservationist and was launched on Muir’s birthday on April 21 2014. John Muir (1838-1914) was an naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, glaciologist and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States.
The route stretches from Helensburgh to Muir’s birthplace in Dunbar.
Keith Geddes, chair of the Central Scotland Green Network and inspiration behind the trail said: “Interest from John Muir’s adopted home, the USA, continues and over the summer the CBS Sunday Morning programme will be filming parts of the route.”More at www. johnmuirway.org.