Derek Williams Sound Editor
John D. Burns talks to Stuart Younie, CEO of Mountaineering Scotland and Ewan Watson, Project Manager for the Outdoor Access Trust Scotland about their three year project to restore the path network on An Teallach, one of Scotland’s most iconic mountains.
Stuart Younie (Helen Gestwicki) Ewan Watson (James Roddie)
Stuart Younie CEO of Mountaineering Scotland said “This campaign and the restoration of the path on An Teallach has been a huge achievement through the combined efforts of OATS and Mountaineering Scotland and with the support of the outdoor community. We are really proud of the way that businesses, clubs and individuals have all stepped up and would like to thank everyone who has contributed and particularly the Scottish Mountaineering Trust, whose Diamond Grant kickstarted the whole project, and our lead sponsor Cotswold Outdoors. We hope we have managed to shine a light on the importance of investing in upland paths and the wider challenge of securing investment for this important work. I’m excited about where we go from here and selecting our next project for Its Up to Us.”
Ewan Watson, Outdoor Access Project Manager of the Outdoor Access trust for Scotland, said: “OATS and Mountaineering Scotland set an ambitious target of raising £300,000 to carry out footpath repairs on An Teallach. Thanks to the generosity of everyone who contributed we have reached this target and competed over 3km of work on An Teallach.
“Specialist ‘hand build’ footpath contractors from Cairngorm Wilderness Contracts have spent nearly 800 days working on site, often in incredibly challenging conditions, to create a robust footpath that will provide sustainable access for years to come. They have been supported by volunteers from OATS who have assisted with the path works on a number of occasions throughout the project.
Credit James Roddie
Mountaineering Scotland
Mountaineering Scotland is the membership and representative organisation for hill walkers, climbers and ski tourers in Scotland, with a membership of around 16,000 individual and club members and 130 affiliated clubs. We aim to inspire and encourage people to enjoy the benefits of walking, climbing and ski touring and provide guidance and skills training to mountain users to promote safety, self-reliance and responsible access in Scotland’s mountains and climbing venues.
Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland
The Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) is a ground-breaking environmental charity. We promote sustainable access – developing, building and fixing upland and lowland paths, path networks, habitats and trailhead facilities, in popular, remote, and fragile places. We do this to support outdoors enthusiasts, land managers and local communities, and promote the health and wellbeing benefits of path use. We are at the forefront of developing partnerships to finance conservation projects, collaborating with others to make Scotland’s outdoor access network fit for the future, and bringing people together to learn how to make places that matter better for all.
