Launch of our annual Footpath Fund appeal

Our team of five path makers and specialist contractors ensure the 275 miles of upland footpaths and a large section of the 155 miles of low-level paths remain accessible and in good condition for the millions of people who visit our countryside properties each year. This work prevents erosion scars, protects fragile ecosystems where walkers may inadvertently stray from paths, and makes visiting these places more accessible.

The ongoing maintenance and repair of these footpaths is vital, as they face numerous challenges. Year after year, the popularity of Scotland’s outdoors is evident, with millions setting out to enjoy it. Our countryside properties have seen a significant increase in visitors, from 900,000 in the first half of 2023 to just over 1m in the first six months of this year.

Three of the Trust’s most visited countryside places include Ben Lomond, which has seen a 27% increase in visitors since 2022 (over 31,000); Grey Mare’s Tail, which has seen a 34% increase over the same period to 25,000; and St Abb’s Head, where visitor numbers have grown by 86% to 51,000 visitors.

High footfall naturally wears the paths down; when coupled with the Scottish weather’s swings from sun to snow in a single day, erosion is exacerbated. This poses a risk of lasting damage to the countryside and its vulnerable biodiversity. To support our crucial ongoing footpath works, additional funding is necessary.

Bob Brown, Upland Path Manager, said: ‘Our footpaths lead visitors to Scotland’s nature, heritage and beauty, so it’s crucial we provide our footpath team with the resources they need to maintain them. Their work is vast and wide-ranging, including recent rebuilding work at Grey Mare’s Tail, where flash flooding blasted holes into the path.

‘Walkers inadvertently carved new routes through delicate ecosystems as they strayed from the flooded path into the surrounding habitats, endangering native flora and fauna. The footpath team not only repaired the damaged sections but also helped protect them for the future by improving drainage systems to mitigate increased flooding. This is often made especially challenging because many sites we work on have important geological and botanical attributes and Special Scientific Interest categorisation. Rather than use existing but protected materials on site, all rebuilding materials are acquired elsewhere and airlifted in.’

Donations to the Footpath Fund help us progress our ambitious mountain path restoration plan, which will tackle damaged sites at Ben Lawers, Ben Lomond, Glencoe, Goatfell, Torridon and Kintail.

They also support pre-emptive work to counter the effects of increased visitor numbers and climate change on natural habitats and footpaths; conduct audits on the state of lowland paths and develop a plan of work to ensure they’re maintained to the highest standards; and trial new repair techniques to ensure work continues to be as effective and sustainable as possible.