£100,000 appeal launched to help repair erosion on popular Cairngorms ascent

Mountaineering Scotland and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS_ hope to raise the funds in a bid to restore the ascent and surrounding habitat on Beinn a Ghlo in the Cairngorms. It is one of two peaks they intend to spend the £100,000 on to help in restoration efforts – the other being Ben Vane in the Trossachs.

The path up Carn Liath, the most accessible of Beinn a Ghlo’s summits, has long been a highly visible scar in an area of high nature conservation value, and is a prominent eyesore even from the A9.

David Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Mountaineering Scotland, said: “More and more people are taking to the hills, enjoying our wonderful landscapes and the health and wellbeing benefits hillwalking brings, but increased use has an impact on the mountains.

“Path building and restoration projects on more popular routes such as Ben Vane and Beinn a’Ghlo aren’t aimed at making life easier for walkers: these are important conservation projects which will prevent further erosion and help to protect the hills for future generations.

“Hillwalking isn’t necessarily an expensive activity and many people want to find ways to put something back into the mountains. We’re not asking for great amounts. If everyone gave just a little we’d be able to reach that £100,000 target to complete this vital work.”

Dougie Baird, CEO of OATS, added: “The combination of Scotland’s cold, wet windy weather, steep hillsides, friable soil and fragile vegetation cover makes the upland areas particularly susceptible to erosion from even a relatively small number of users.

“Intervention is necessary to ensure that continued access to these areas is not at the expense of the habitat and landscape which makes them special and attractive places to visit. But maintaining these routes takes money and so we are asking people to dig deep and support the Mend our Mountains campaign.”

Donations to the campaign so far have ranged from a four-figure sum from a widower whose wife was a dedicated hillwalker to contributions from among Scotland’s many mountaineering clubs.

Find out more about the Scottish Mend Our Mountains projects with videos highlighting the access problems and solutions on each mountain and how you can help at www.mountaineering.scot/mend-our-mountains

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