Low Level Path Development
Strategic need
National recreational surveys in Scotland ( "A survey of walking
in the countryside", System 3 Scotland, "British tourism
activity in Scotland", Scottish Tourist Board 1994) indicate
that some 92% of walkers are seeking low level walks instead of access
into the high mountains, and that more people come to Scotland to
walk, cycle and ride than to play golf or ski. In addition, over
50% are concerned about getting lost when that go for a walk in the
countryside and 6 out of 10 people are concerned about where they
can go in the countryside. All of this evidence suggests that there
is a tangible need to develop easy to use short circular walks and
cycle routes which will have wide appeal to a whole range of visitors,
particularly the development of low ground path networks around villages
and settlements close to where people live and stay.
Constraints and opportunities
Development of new low ground access facilities frequently presents
additional challenges because of the more intensive demands and
needs of land use, such as agriculture, forestry, sporting, built
development and nature conservation. Conversely, well-publicised,
managed and easy to follow paths are more likely to result in less
conflict with these activities, and draw visitors away from sensitive
sites. Upper Deeside has enormous potential for developing low level
routes and linkages between networks of paths which has so far been
largely untapped. Vision
The vision is for an extensive and accessible resource of high quality
low-level paths, tracks and cycle routes, providing for a wide range
and ability of user. Emphasis will be on providing attractive circular
routes of varying length, generally of 1 to 4 hours duration to
match the largest sector of demand. Routes will be attractively
signposted and promoted through appropriate waymarking, guided leaflets
and mapboards. Networks will be identified with the participation of communities,
local businesses and users, and opportunities will be sought to
involve communities in the implementation and management of these
networks. The aim is to complete the core infrastructure in the
area over the next 5 years. Rationale
A low ground infrastructure of paths and visitor facilities will
provide a more tangible and welcoming image for both first time
and regular visitors, as well as an incentive for staying in Upper
Deeside to experience and enjoy the area's scenery, wildlife, cultural
and historic features. These will be developed in areas with greater
carrying capacity, safeguarding habitats by diverting pressure from
more sensitive sites. A wider and more accessible variety of low-level
walks, cycle routes and tracks may also attract new visitors to
the area and help spread use away from the traditional honey-pot
areas such as the Linn o'Dee and Glen Muick. Satisfying this demand
will help to sustain local jobs in an area heavily dependent upon
tourism by attracting visitor spend into the local economy. Networks
around settlements will help to deliver Aberdeenshire Council's
Access Strategy and contribute to the Paths For All Initiative. Priorities
The target areas for improvement are in and around the main settlements,
as well as developing better access to natural and historic features
of interest, viewpoints and areas of high quality countryside which
have greatest appeal and demand from both visitors and local users.
Opportunities will also be followed where landowners are sympathetic
to improving low-level access and adopting paths and tracks which
are already well used. There will be a need to review the success
of the development of these path networks in meeting visitor aspirations,
and this may involve the need for targeted visitor surveys.
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