Kintyre Walk

[Admin3]

Anyone any news on the proposed plans for a walk the length of Kintyre?

Start at Tarbert and ends at Southend...

[vk]

Anyone shed any light on this?

I read on the Carradale Goat - http://www.the-carradale-goat.co.uk the following

Last night's Kintyre Way presentation by Colin and Lesley from the Forestry Commission was very interesting. The proposed route of the roughly 90 mile walk starts at Tarbert and heads down Kintyre, criss-crossing the peninsula, and terminating at Dunaverty.

The majority of the walk is off-road with only short stretches returning to the roads where thought to be unavoidable. In the Carradale area the path joins the road at Brackley for a short distance before heading up onto and over Deer Hill, coming back down again in the vicinity of the Wellpark, then returning along the road through the village and along to Dippen.

The meeting started at around 7pm with perhaps as many as 20 members of the public present. Colin Nossack and Lesley MacFadyen from the Forestry Commission at Lochgilphead, with additional input from Marcus representing the Kintyre Marketing Group, talked us through the proposed route with particular emphasis on the sections local to Carradale, Torrisdale and Saddell. The KMG intends to employ a dedicated ranger to monitor the path to ensure it does not fall into disrepair and to liase with the landowners across whose land it passes. This person would also be the first point of contact for anyone with an issue concerning the path.

Afterwards we were able to have a closer look at the maps of the route and discuss particular points. A good cross-section of people were present including people with local tourism-related businesses, private residents, and visiting holiday-makers.

A number of interesting and very valid points were raised during the evening including safety of walkers on the road stretches, the effects of increased road traffic, and availability of services along the route. Whilst generally constructive and well-received I think I detected a faint whiff of 'NIMBY' from certain quarters at times.

Personally, I think this walk can only be a good thing for Kintyre, coaxing additonal visitors down onto our remote part of the country and helping to keep businesses and services profitable not just for the holiday-makers but for residents as well.

[4th gen Suthen']

Absolutely FANTASTIC idea...........

Could well attract a huge numbers of walkers to the area.

They could walk on from Dunaverty to the Mull of Kintyre and, at certain times of the year, back to Machrihanish over the hills viaThe Eenons ( sp I know!) and Craigaig.

There are 14 walks in South Kintyre, all described in fine detail in Angus Martin's book of that name......well worth a read even for those not keen on walking...........as are ALL of Angus' books.

[GarySutherland]

I think it'll be good for the area too. Someone did ask why the Kintyre Way didn't go all the way to the Mull but it was pointed-out that there is already a walk that does this and it is intended that the two could connect, and also that the terrain is particularly rugged around there.

Cheers
Gary

[hoots the scoop]

This is a feature in the courier today - looks very promising and will definitely bring people to the area.

Where can we find out more - are there plans etc?

This will be one to add to the list of things to do!

Set to open March 2006

[GarySutherland]

I saw the draft plan when the forrestry folks came to talk about it but that was still a bit subject to change. Hopefully this means they've finalised it and the presses are set to roll on leaflets and stuff.

Cheers
Gary

[hoots the scoop]

Yes - the prospect of this is very exciting not just to visitors but locals.

I received some information on this today but the plans have still all to be agreed.

The route starts at Tarbert and uses the existing walk to Skipness (never knew there was one) and then along to Claoniag, then cutting in a bit through the forestry to Carradale - this is regonised as one stage. The next stage is from Carrdale to the Lussa Loch and onto Campbeltown with the final stage being a walk from Campbeltown to Machrihanish and onto Southend.

As us South Kintyre residents will have to highlight the route can obviously start at Southend! There are also plans for the route to branch off on to other routes etc eg to Mull of Kintrye etc

This could be a massive boost to Kintyre and we should all air our views.

[GarySutherland]

That's a very good point, about it also starting at Southend, and something that can hopefully be emphasised to our Irish cousins in light of the likelihood of a resumed ferry service next year.

Cheers
Gary

[hoots the scoop]

I thought there would be more postings on this?

Is it just a case - well it is getting done so need to worry? Or the usual, there is nothing to do in Kintyre attitude?

[GarySutherland]

I think there'll be more activity when the route is finalised and the publicity machine starts whirring.

I spoke to the forrestry people the other day and there are still one or two spots where they're still dotting the Ts and crossing the Is.

Cheers
Gary

[dgraves]

This seems to be an excellent opportunity for your young Scouts and Guides to learn about trail building, land conservation and environmental protection. You have a great resource in these young people, and they benefit for life from the training.

My Senior Girl Scouts (Girl Guides) ages 14-18 worked two entire summers building walking trails alongside of the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Forestry Department forest rangers. It was hard, grueling work at times, but they learned to love the land they were caring for.

At times their section would blend with a section being developed by the Senior Boy Scouts, and a healthy competition would ensue. They soon learned to work shoulder to shoulder with the Eagle Scouts!

The Girl Scout Organization provided the camp accommodations and individual insurance for the girls, and the Boy Scouts of America provided for the boys. These kids were sometimes housed by local people in remote areas.

Your young people would be a valuable asset to the project.

[Ship called Dignity]

Does anyone have any contacts for this?

Cheers

David

[GarySutherland]

Try Marcus at the Carradale Hotel.

Cheers
Gary