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. Responding to the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, we work to protect and restore nature by inspiring everyone to value our natural world. Our goal is a nature-rich, net-zero future for Scotland. For more information, visit our website at www.nature.scot
'S e buidheann nàdair na h-Alba a th’ ann an NàdarAlba. Bidh sinn a’ gleidheadh agus a’ slànachadh nàdar le bhith a’ brosnachadh a h-uile duine gu spèis a chur air an t-saoghal nàdarra againn, agus sinn a’ freagairt air an dà chùis-èiginn de chall bith-iomadachd ’s atharrachadh na gnàth-shìde. ’S e ar n-amas nàdar beairteach ’s cothromachadh carboin do dh’Alba. Airson an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh, thoiribh sùil air an làraich-lìn againn aig www.nature.scot
