Budget cutbacks see fewer forest paths maintained
Cash cuts will see fewer forest paths on Arran being regularly maintained, it has been revealed.
Budgetary restrains at the Forestry Commission means there is less money available to spend on path maintenance. Following the meeting in which the environmental panel investigated the viability of the trails on Arran, a decision had to be made on how the limited resources could best be used.
The outcome of the meeting is that popular trails at Giant’s Graves, Glenashdale Falls, Dyemill, Glenricard, King’s Cave, the Fallen Rocks at North Sannox and one trail at Brodick Castle will be fully maintained, promoted and waymarked.
However, this will be at the expense of some of the other more minor routes under Forestry Commission care which will, in future, be marked in a more low key manner and receive less promotion. They will be used to highlight the link with communities and other routes around the island.
One of the strains on the forestry budget, managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland, is that paths which are created under one off government and community schemes eventually fall on them to maintain.
A Forest Enterprise spokesman said: ‘We had a very positive meeting with the environment panel on Arran to explain how we intend to continue promoting and developing what recreation facilities we offer on Arran. Part of this is how we tie in with others to help visitors explore others parts and attractions on the island.
‘Our research shows that visitor numbers to the island are increasing, however the demographic is also
changing with more older people coming to Arran. We need to ensure that what we offer matches the expectations of these visitors as well as local people.
‘We need to use our resources carefully and this could mean less promotion of some trails while focusing our attention on promoting the most popular trails that people are most likely to use.
‘Once felling has completed at a number of forests, we aim to commence a programme of improvements at key walks on the island.
‘We will also continue to work closely with local groups such as VisitArran, the Access Trust and the community council to keep our promotional messages relevant and how you can access Arran’s forests on a wider scale.’ As part of the programme of improvements the zigzag path at the Giant’s Grave will receive a considerable amount of investment and improvement along with the nearby Glenashdale trail.
The Forestry Commission first came to Arran in 1950 and, on behalf of the people of Scotland, owns and manages about a quarter of the island, 11,000 hectares. Other than managing these forests, which were planted with sitka spruce that has now reached maturity, it also manages more than a dozen trails around Arran.