20 March, 2018
Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve to Extend Cycle and Walking Path
Local people will soon have even better opportunities to see waders, seals and ospreys, as work has begun at Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve (NNR) to extend the roadside cycle and walking path between Golspie and Loch Fleet.
The existing roadside path will extend to connect with a walkway in the NNR’s Balbair Wood, where pinewoods are home to a range of native woodland plants and animals. Walkers and cyclists will also be able to take a connecting path to Balblair Bay Bird Hide where they can watch wildlife and wildfowl.
Golspie Community Council is leading the path extension, with funding partially provided by Scottish Natural Heritage. Construction of the new path began earlier this month.
Mike Cantlay, SNH Chair, said: “The new path will provide a safe and green option for people travelling between Golspie and Loch Fleet. In extending the path, I’m delighted we are able to help Golspie Community Council achieve its ambition of linking the village more closely to Loch Fleet NNR and better connect the community with its local green space.”
Ian Miller, Chairman of Golspie Community Council, said: “The nature reserve at Loch Fleet is a very popular destination for local walkers and cyclists but part of the route is currently on a single track road which can be busy at weekends and during the holidays. The new path will particularly help those who are less able to access the reserve and we have to thank SNH, not only for helping to fund our new all-abilities path, but also for the many years they have managed and maintained the reserve.”
Loch Fleet is one of more than 40 NNRs in Scotland, and is jointly managed by Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Wildlife Trust. NNRs are protected areas of land set aside for nature, designed to protect Scotland’s best wildlife sites and promote their conservation and enjoyment.
ENDS
Photo Credit
Pathway currently under construction and partially complete pathway at Loch Fleet NNR, Credit: SNH
Contact information
- Name
- Carrie Wieteska
- Carrie.Wieteska@nature.scot
Notes to editors
About Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage is the government's adviser on all aspects of nature and landscape across Scotland. Our role is to help people understand, value and enjoy Scotland's nature now and in the future. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/nature_scot
NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. We work to enhance our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it. Our priority is a nature-rich future for Scotland and an effective response to the climate emergency. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nature_scot
’S e NatureScot buidheann nàdair na h-Alba. Bidh sinn a’ neartachadh àrainneachd na h-Alba agus a’ brosnachadh dhaoine gu barrachd suim a chur ann an nàdar. Tha e mar phrìomhachas againn gum bi nàdar na h-Alba beairteach agus gun dèilig sinn gu h-èifeachdach le èiginn na gnàth-shìde. Tha an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh aig www.nature.scot no air Twitter aig https://twitter.com/nature_scot
