Digging in for paths project

Conservation work by 20 volunteers

Volunteers from Stirling area have been doing their bit to conserve upland mountain paths in Scotland’s two national parks.

No fewer that 20 helpers from Forth Valley have been engaged in the Mountains and the People project run by Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland .

The charity has organised 1200 hours of volunteering and laid on training activities for conservation work. To date, the project has improved 258,000 square-meters of habitats, conserved 86 kilometres of paths, and restored scenic landscapes in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and Cairngorm national parks.

Volunteers are moving towards the target of restoring 125 kilometres of paths, which roughly equates to the distance between Stirling and Glencoe

Activity project manager Tom Wallace said: “All the work carried out is crucial in repairing damage to the fragile upland landscapes, and volunteers from the Forth Valley have helped to make a huge difference on several projects.

“Our teams have helped with the preservation of some of Scotland’s most famous trails, including nearby Loch Lomond and the Trossachs mountain ranges - a place that’s important to many who live in the Forth Valley.’

“It is hoped the ground maintenance that has been completed will preserve the mountain paths for the next 10 years - or the next 50,000 visitors of Ben A’an. “

Stirling area volunteer Sara Crabtree added: “I have volunteered because I wanted to give something back and

I wanted to do some good in the great outdoors of Scotland