From the high mountains and straths of the Cairngorms to the lochs and woodlands of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, Scotland’s National Parks encompass some of the country’s most iconic landscapes, vital for their contribution to tourism and the wider economy, as well as for the health and social benefits of the millions of people that enjoy them. However, their popularity combined with heavy rainfall is damaging the habitat and causing highly visible scarring to the landscape.

The People and the Mountains project will see 41 eroded upland paths, covering a distance of 124.5 kilometres, restored and upgraded. It will train young people with the skills to gain employment and work with schools and volunteers to preserve Scotland’s great outdoors.

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund, Scotland, said: “Nature lies at the very heart of what makes Scotland special and its beauty attracts and ever-growing number of walkers, climbers and tourists each year. Although this is a significant boon to our tourist economy, we need to ensure that it doesn’t damage the special environment that so many have come to enjoy.

"Our natural heritage offers a rich resource for skills and education so HLF is delighted that this project will offer training to many young people. Their newly-learned skills will not only make a positive difference to their own lives but will play an important part in looking after the future of Scotland’s magnificent landscapes.”

Dougie Baird, Chief Executive of the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT), added: "This is fantastic news for the partnership behind this project, and will allow us to develop a project that directly involves the people of Scotland in the care of the priceless mountain assets within both our National Parks."

Gregor Hutcheon, Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) and COAT Board Member, said: “The CNPA is immensely proud of the work and efforts of COAT and this significant funding will allow them take forward this innovative and exciting project that will have real benefits for visitors and land managers. It’s great to be working together with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs Park Authority to help safe guard some of the most iconic mountains in Scotland”

Facts and Figures
Cairngorms National Park

• 1.4 million visitors annually
• Covers an area of 4,528 square kilometres (sq km)
• Includes five of the UK’s highest mountains
• Contains the largest continuous area of ground over 1000 metres in Britain
• Is home to 25% of Britain’s threatened species

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

• 3.5 million visitors annually
• Covers an area of 1,865 sq km
• Includes 61 SSSIs and eight Special Areas of Conservation for the protection of rare and endangered habitats and species
• Its habitats support golden eagle, peregrine, merlin, ptarmagin and mountain ringlet butterflies as well as rare mosses and lichens

Further information

HLF: Shiona Mackay on tel: 07779 142 890 / 01786 870 638; or Jon Williams on tel: 020 7591 6035 and email: Jonw@hlf.org.uk. Out of hours mobile: 07973 613 820

Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust: Lizzie Cooper on tel: 01389 727 812, or email: lizzie@cairngormsoutdooraccess.org.uk.