Discussion

Background
Changing Landscape
The Public Response
Recommendations
Action Plan
Community Forum

Other Information

Public Meeting
Issues Raised
Outdoor Activity Providers

Contact

Lochaber's a Dump

Changing Landscape

Waymarkers on Ben Nevis

Transcripts from the public meeting May 2002

Background

This group was formed in February 2001, as a community response to the Foot and Mouth Crisis. The group comprises over 30 members from different areas of the Outdoor Interest Sector, and became a constituted association in the summer of 2001.

The membership concluded that one of the most positive things to emerge from the Foot and Mouth Crisis was the active participation in negotiations to enable ‘responsible access’ during this time. This demonstrated that co-operation, lobbying and communication between users of the outdoors, businesses dependent on outdoor activity, land managers and the local authority can lead to the achievement of significant results.

The membership agreed at their AGM to continue to promote dialogue in two main ways:

Participation in local and national access issues

The Scottish Land Reform Bill and Access Code for Scotland
The Nevis Strategy

Community Consultation

The identification of projects which could improve the quality of access in Lochaber

This report focuses on the second of these – the identification of projects aiming to improve the quality of access in Lochaber through community consultation.

The group became aware that users of the outdoors in Lochaber had a number of ideas and suggestions regarding projects which may significantly improve the quality of access in Lochaber. A meeting was held on Friday 8th February 2002 with the aim of drawing together the ideas and issues from various working groups. 35 participants attended and contributed to this meeting.

The meeting was facilitated by Karen Macinnes and Samantha Reynolds, of Voluntary Action Lochaber.

Working Groups

Six groups, each with a different focus, compiled a list of issues and potential projects. Many of these issues were common to all the groups. A full list of the issues raised by each working group are detailed in Appendix 1. The working groups were ‘championed’ by members of Lochaber Mountain Access Group who have specific expertise and interest in that particular area. These champions recorded ideas, suggestions and issues within the working group and followed this through leading a discussion on the results within the larger group.

Working groups were as follows:

Mountaineering - Alan Kimber
Mountain Biking - Damon Foster
Skiing - Norman Clark
Air Sports - Stuart Rodgers
Paddling - Andy Jackson
Information & Events - David Wilson

The issues raised by the working groups can broadly be categorised into 5 main groupings (listed below), which clearly demonstrate the commonality between the working groups’ priorities. There is also some overlap between the groupings.

Facilities

General

The lack of adequate facilities at present creates problems for all of the interested parties. However, there was an overall feeling that there should be freedom of choice – that any payment should only be for the facilities rather than for access and that there should be no compulsion to use the facilities. Many practical solutions were discussed in the full group along with some more long-term suggestions.

Adequate car parking facilities were felt to be extremely important, the lack of these is leading to a real fear of potential fatalities as inappropriate parking and crossing the road in danger spots is already happening. This was clear at Glencoe Black Corries Jacksonville Barrier, and also at the layby north of Carr’s Corner. Car parking should also be available at 3-Mile Water and Spean Bridge, which should be widely publicised.

Provision of shelters, toilets and changing facilities at car parks and river sites would be an advantage, as would supplying human ‘pooper-scoopers’ and rubbish-collection bags to stop the build up of unwelcome waste on the hills. Having rest-stops on the Pony Track and having a Half-way Lochan Lodge was also felt to be of benefit. Bothies should be adequate, linked and publicised.

Having adequate public transport, equipped with ski racks and bicycle racks would encourage more usage. It was particularly felt that having buses going to Nevis Range in both summer and winter was important.

Specific

Skiing

Specified various facilities that could improve this field – researching snow making; a ‘get-off’ area T-Bar; having linking runs; being able to move earth/rock to enable top-to-bottom entry. Some of this would be difficult due to planning restrictions. Establishing a dry ski run on Aonach Mor and/or Cow Hill would also be favourable as would installing a ‘moving carpet’ which is an indoor activity and possibly less intimidating for a first-timer.

Paddling

In addition to the changing facilities at river sites, identified potential at Kinlochleven for a large development and also potential for a big scale development at the Tail Race in Fort William. Need to create a proper access point at Roy bridge, possibly stairs from the river to the car park? Floodlighting on some of the rivers.

Air Sports

Identified provision of a landing area in Nevis Range; Quad Chair access at Nevis Range; a winch facility; and a light plane runway. It was noted that formalised access would lead to safe landing sites – key pad access to the Forestry would allow use by both visitors, regulars and competitors.

Mountain Biking

Incorporating a universal grading system would give a clear indication of abilities needed for mountain bike routes and thus encourage more usage.

Information and Events

Provision of an Outdoor Access Information Centre within Fort William would meet a number of needs. Also an access problem hot-line is vital.

Information

General

There was felt to be a general lack of any co-ordination of information, which could deter many people from venturing into the ‘great outdoors’, or from visiting Lochaber in the first place. This links closely with the category of Publicity and Promotion. There was broad agreement with the concept of an Outdoor Access Information Centre. This should be centrally located, within the High Street ideally, and should be managed by outdoor users. The support and co-operation of HOST would be actively sought.

Adequate, relevant signage is extremely important. There should be some signage indicating low level walks and grading of walks; signs regarding access from Lochybridge need improvement; there should be a general improvement in road signs.

Guides should be published for lower level walks; local path information should be published; and a publication specific to access, clarifying rights of way would be a useful tool.
A co-ordinated sign and leaflet promotional package would be useful, incorporating a ‘branding’ of Lochaber and the outdoor activity, including graphics, etc. This could also be transferred onto a Website promotion.

Information on potential problems and dangers is vital, and there were several suggestions as to how to combat this:

Access problem help-line
Site Boards, with information on dangers
Phone lines to access data (investigate ISDN for Nevis Range)

While car parks were felt to be a vital facility, it was equally important that people were aware of the location of car parks. Information on this should be held within the Tourist Office and grid references should be contained within guide books.

Specifics

Paddling

Being able to access information on river flow – currently there are cost implications for this. River Garry has a scheduled release of water into the river, although advance notification of this is not always forthcoming.

Skiing

Ski touring route maps

Air Sports

Access to real time windspeed data

Footpaths, Routes & Linkages

General

Accessibility of walks, and linking walks up into some form of network was generally felt to be an advantage. A serious concern was the maintenance of footpaths and routes – who would be liable for the upkeep and maintenance if these were established? In a similar vein, there was concern over any liability – this may be leading to reluctance on landowners’ parts to upgrade or promote footpaths. This was also an issue if the Lochaber Mountain Access Group undertook development and maintenance of footpaths and routes. The Group is to seek further information and advice on becoming a Trust or a Company Limited by Guarantee, which would give some protection to the Group members.

Access was a particular issue, specifically access across the golf course in Fort William which has led to hillwalkers and climbers having to embark on a longer, more awkward route through Leanachan. This is not useful when promoting Lochaber as an ‘outdoor pursuit’ area.
Funding should be targeted towards mountain paths and routes – many footpaths and routes were specifically identified as in need of improvement, maintenance, or to be established:

Information & Events identified:

New path from High School to Leanachan via Glen Nevis
Network of low-level paths from Fort William town centre

Moutaineering group identified:

West Highland Way link with Glencoe
Allt a’Mhuilinn– new direct path from North Face Car Park
Toll Road to Allt a’Mhuilinn
Link from Glen Nevis to Nevis Range
Poll Dubh – improve mountain paths at Crags
Improve path on South Side of River Nevis
Improve wire bridge

Skiing Group identified:

Access and exit route for Back Corries

Mountain Biking group identified:

Wades Road
Bridge over Upper Corrour
Puggy line to Fersit
Lundavra to 3-Mile Water
Single track route to Inchree
Glen Gloy to Glen Loy
Single track route to Glen Loy
Fassifern to Glen Gloy
Connaglen to Loch Sheil
Link up major forestry road
Loch Lochy
West Highland Way to Ballachulish
West Highland Way to Inchree
High Bridge

Air Sports Group identified:

Access to:- Black Corries Jacksonville
Glen Gloy
Melantee
Leanachan – access for landing hang-gliders
Ben Duror
Improvements to Sgur Finisgaig

These routes were endorsed by the main group.

Publicity & Promotion

General

There is a real potential to create and publicise an image for Lochaber as the ‘Outdoor Capital’ of the UK. This will take effort, but the group are enthusiastic and have a real common purpose and aim all of which makes this achievable.

Discussion took place around developing a website which is specific to the outdoor pursuits. Incorporated in this could be webcams from popular rivers, mountains, the CIC Hut, etc. The ‘branding’ used in leaflets and signage could also be incorporated into the website. The Flying Group talked of ‘Aonach Mor’s Fame’ within their particular circle – this could be widened. There are already some record-holding achievements in Lochaber – hang-gliding record, etc. An aggressive marketing and publicity campaign should produce positive results. This should be carefully targeted, using all known links and contacts.

Specific Events

Information & Events

Mountain Festival Event – this could take place in January/February
Film Festival – again, this could take place in January/February. Lochaber could campaign to be a venue in the tour which presently goes to Banff, Kendal, Llanberis, Dundee, Bretton Hall
Ice-Climbing Competition – taking place in January/February, provision could be made at the new Kinlochleven development for an indoor ice-wall if conditions were not conducive for an outdoor event or investigated at Nevis Range

Paddling

World Championship Kayaking Event – work with Alcan for this
Extreme kayaking
Freestyle kayaking

Air Sports

World Speed Event
Scottish Open Event could be staged here
Gliding Competition

Skiing

Speed skiing

This is an exciting challenge, and one which could benefit all sectors in Lochaber, not just those with a direct link to outdoor pursuits. This is also an area which could engender overall support, it would put Lochaber firmly on the global map and can only have positive benefits.

Working together – partnership

There were some real issues voiced about the need to work in partnership, and seek co-operation and support from varying agencies, organisations, companies and individuals. There is a need to ensure dialogue with groups such as:

Community Councils
Forestry Enterprise
Scottish National Heritage
Highland Council
Lochaber Enterprise
Nevis Range
Alcan
Golf Course
Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
HoST
Other community groups with related aims and objectives
Landowners
Transport Forum
Funders
John Muir Trust

Conclusions

Securing a ‘high street’ presence is vital to enable the promotion of the outdoors. The establishment of an Outdoor Information Centre, staffed and resourced by people who have knowledge of and interest in the outdoors, would be a major asset. An interim measure may be to investigate some usage of premises within the Tourist Office, with a longer term goal of either shared premises with the Tourist Office, or a stand-alone Centre.

Co-ordination of any publicity or promotional campaign could take place from this Centre. A short-term measure will be to develop and maintain a Website devoted to the Lochaber Outdoors, incorporating webcams, general information on the area and facilities available, and specific information on pathways, routes and events. In addition to this, a campaign to establish a major event/s for Lochaber in January or February 2003 should begin soon.

Signage and information leaflets are extremely important – without adequate, relevant signage uninformed people are not able to access the footpaths and routes. Establishing an ‘access problem hot-line’ should also be a priority, as should work towards ensuring information on river flow, real time windspeed, etc. is available and accessible.

Progress can be made towards developing the facilities identified as needed – this may be a combination of working groups progressing towards specific facilities, such as the Skiing Group looking at the feasibility of installation of a ‘moving carpet’ and a dry ski run, but the more overarching facilities – car parks, shelters, toilets and changing facilities, adequate public transport with ski-racks and bike-racks, etc. – should be campaigned for by the main group.
Work should be progressed towards establishing new pathways and routes where necessary; improving existing routes and pathways – those in need identified by the Group; maintaining existing and new routes and pathways (listed in Appendix). The Group has to decide on whether to become a Company Limited by Guarantee, or a Trust, to enable it to take on the funding, maintenance and liability for these developments.

There were some major facilities raised as potential developments. The Group will have to discuss these further and decide on priorities, who should take these forward, etc.:

Mountaineering

Rest stop on Pony Track
Half-way Lochan Lodge
Bridge at Jacksonville

Skiing

Get-Off Area T-Bar
Earth/rock moving to enable top-to-bottom entry
Linking run
Snowmaking
Dry ski run
Moving Carpet

Paddling

Big scale development at Tail Race
Potential at Kinlochleven for large development
Access to river at Roy Bridge

Air sports

Key pad access to forestry
Landing area in Nevis Range
Quad chair access at Nevis Range
Winch facility
Light plane runway

Finally, working in partnership with other agencies, organisations and individuals is vital to ensure that progress is made towards these aims. Some dialogue is already present between the Group and other agencies, this should be strengthened and developed, adding the other necessary partners.