£100k grant announced to protect hill paths after loss of EU funding

Walkers and climbers have picked Dundee to highlight a campaign to save Scotland’s hill paths after Brexit put an end to EU funding for trail maintenance.

The Scottish Mountaineering Trust announced a £100,000 grant to the “It’s Up to Us” campaign at the Dundee Mountain Film Festival on Saturday night.

The campaign starts with addressing decades of path erosion on An Teallach – a popular mountain in the northwest Highlands.

Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (Oats) and Mountaineering Scotland will work together to build a long-term plan to keep popular walking routes in a good condition.

Stuart Younie, CEO of Mountaineering Scotland, said many do not realise the cost of the upkeep of these paths.

“Scotland’s informal hill and mountain path

network plays a vital role in helping us to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of being active outdoors.

“Our access may be free from charges, but it does come at a cost.”

Dougie Baird, CEO of Oats, said that a lack of funding since Brexit has made supporting Scotland’s mountain paths all the more difficult.

“We no longer have access to European funding, which has provided significant support for path and habitat restoration projects in the past, with no funding from the government to replace it,” he said.

“It’s fantastic to have received the Scottish Mountaineering Trust’s Diamond Grant to kickstart the project.”

Walking routes need to be maintained.