New West Highland Way boardwalk completed
Located within the Craigallian Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the project was delivered with care to protect the sensitive wetland environment and with input from NatureScot.
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The upgraded boardwalk sits just prior to Craigallian Loch, an early landmark on the opening stretch of the West Highland Way as walkers make their way from Milngavie to Drymen.
The works, carried out by local landscaping firm MacColl and Stokes, in partnership with Stirling Council, were completed ahead of this summer's main tourism season and funded through the Scottish Government's Active Travel Enabling Fund, costing £14,100.
Environment, Transport and Net Zero Convener, Cllr Jen Preston said: 'These works will go a long way to help preserve a beloved walking trail famous throughout Scotland.
"We're proud to be home to a stretch of this famous attraction and to have contributed towards promoting an active travel route for the benefit of residents and tourists alike.'
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The Herald Scotland
16 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
New West Highland Way boardwalk completed
Stirling Council said the upgraded section at an early stretch will enhance safety and sustainability for users of the much-loved long-distance route. Located within the Craigallian Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the project was delivered with care to protect the sensitive wetland environment and with input from NatureScot. READ MORE: The upgraded boardwalk sits just prior to Craigallian Loch, an early landmark on the opening stretch of the West Highland Way as walkers make their way from Milngavie to Drymen. The works, carried out by local landscaping firm MacColl and Stokes, in partnership with Stirling Council, were completed ahead of this summer's main tourism season and funded through the Scottish Government's Active Travel Enabling Fund, costing £14,100. Environment, Transport and Net Zero Convener, Cllr Jen Preston said: 'These works will go a long way to help preserve a beloved walking trail famous throughout Scotland. "We're proud to be home to a stretch of this famous attraction and to have contributed towards promoting an active travel route for the benefit of residents and tourists alike.'
Daily Record
11-08-2025
- Daily Record
West Highland Way boardwalk upgrade to boost sustainability and safety is complete
Walkers on the iconic West Highland Way will be able to enjoy a key section of the route in a new way - on boardwalks near Craigallian Loch. Hikers tackling the iconic West Highland Way can now navigate a crucial stretch thanks to a brand-new boardwalk section close to Craigallian Loch. The walkway prevents damage from foot traffic and cyclists, guaranteeing ongoing access whilst safeguarding the surrounding wildlife habitat. The upgraded section will boost both safety and environmental protection for those using this popular long-distance trail. Situated within the Craigallian Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the scheme was executed with careful consideration for the delicate wetland ecosystem and guidance from NatureScot. The enhanced boardwalk lies adjacent to Craigallian Loch, a notable early feature on the initial portion of the West Highland Way as ramblers journey from Milngavie towards Drymen. The construction, undertaken by local landscaping firm MacColl and Stokes, in partnership with Stirling Council, was finished before the summer's peak tourist period and supported by the Scottish Government's Active Travel Enabling Fund, at a cost of £14,100. Environment, Transport and Net Zero Convener, Cllr Jen Preston said: "These works will go a long way to help preserve a beloved walking trail famous throughout Scotland. We're proud to be home to a stretch of this famous attraction and to have contributed towards promoting an active travel route for the benefit of residents and tourists alike."
Daily Record
07-08-2025
- Daily Record
Major £900k Conic Hill path upgrade works completed as walkers urged to respect landscape
The newly completed path infrastructure - stretching 1.4km from Balmaha Visitor Centre to the summit - features a two-metre-wide path, helping visitors remain on designated routes, safeguarding the sensitive environment. Major works as part of a £900,000 path improvement project on the iconic Conic Hill by Loch Lomond have been completed. The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority has finished the works on the popular hill. Known affectionately as a 'Mountain in Miniature,' Conic Hill attracts more than 200,000 visitors each year due to its easy access and geographical location on the banks of Loch Lomond, forming part of the internationally significant Highland Boundary Fault Line. The newly finished path infrastructure, which stretches 1.4km from Balmaha Visitor Centre to the summit, features a two-metre-wide path. The new path encourages responsible behaviour and enjoyment, helping visitors to stay on designated routes and protect the sensitive environment. Over 2,000 tonnes of stone, sourced locally from Dumbarton quarry, were carefully transported to the site by both land and air, where specialist contractors skilfully applied the traditional craft of stone pitching. The technique, similar to constructing a dry-stone wall laid flat into the hillside, ensures long-lasting resilience and minimal environmental impact. Conic Hill is part of a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with unique ecological and geological significance. By sticking to the new path, walkers can play a crucial role in preserving the area's delicate biodiversity and natural landscape. The National Park Authority is also collaborating with local landowners and Police Scotland to tackle the issue of livestock worrying, reminding visitors to always keep their dogs on a lead. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Scotland's trailblazing access legislation and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which was implemented in 2005. Simon Jones, Director of Environment and Visitor Services at Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, commented: "The completion of the extensive Conic Hill path improvement project is part of our ongoing commitment to investing in sustainable visitor infrastructure across the National Park. This investment is a key part of our wider Place Plan initiative, which balances recreation with environmental sustainability and enhances biodiversity, visitor infrastructure, and local economic benefits simultaneously." He added: "We look forward to continuing similar efforts, such as our improvements work at Tarbet Pier Picnic Site, and as we head into our peak visitor season, encourage everyone to respect this special landscape, enjoy the new path responsibly, and help us protect the beauty and biodiversity of Conic Hill for future generations." Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon expressed her pleasure, stating: "I'm delighted that this summer the thousands of visitors to Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park will benefit from the repaired pathway on Conic Hill and look forward to seeing the further improvements the Park Authority has planned. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code has been helping people to enjoy our beautiful countryside responsibly for two decades and this is a great way of marking that anniversary." Ryan Hamilton, from Hamilton Construction, which took on the project in 2023, described their challenging work, saying: "We undertook an uphill task of navigating through a hillside known for its challenging terrain and addressing significant erosion scars." He shared the team's experience with the elements: "We have endured all types of weather, from temperatures as low as minus 10c to the blistering heat of peak summer, to complete almost 900m of the new path, of which we are immensely proud." Hamilton also mentioned the rewarding feedback they've received: "Feedback from walkers during our time on the hill has been very positive. The greatest satisfaction comes from hearing that individuals who were previously unable to access Conic Hill, can now do so."
