SNH Initiatives
Long Distance Routes
Long-distance routes have a long history. In the past routes were used for commerce, for droving and for pilgrimage, and these still cross the Scottish countryside. Many have been incorporated into the public road network, but there still remains a network of longer distance rights of way.
Officially designated Long Distance Routes (LDRs) are, however, much younger. It was only in 1967 that legislation was introduced by Parliament to enable national agencies and local authorities powers to create and maintain LDRs in Scotland. Since then, four LDRs have been established - The West Highland Way; Southern Upland Way; Speyside Way and the Great Glen Way. SNH is responsible for leading the preparation of the proposal for an official LDR and forwarding this to the Scottish Executive for approval by the First Minister. Once approved, the responsibility for the implementation on ongoing management and maintenance transfers to the local authority(ies) through which the route passes. SNH provides financial support towards the upkeep of the routes in the form of grant aid to the local authorities managing the routes.
Official LDRs are routes providing for several days walking on a continuous route through some of Scotland’s finest landscape. They have been created by linking together existing local paths and providing new paths where there are gaps. All are waymarked with the LDR symbol of a thistle within a hexagon. LDRs are carefully managed and maintained to a high standard so as to provide the best possible walking experience.
The routes pass through, or close by, many villages and towns which provide a range of accommodation and an opportunity to replenish supplies. Many people prefer not to attempt to walk the routes from beginning to end in one expedition but choose to walk them a section at a time over several visits. The routes are also very popular for a short walk or stroll and sometimes can be used as part of a circular walk. However you choose to tackle each LDR, it is essential that you are properly equipped for the demands of the route and the weather conditions. Visit the website for each LDR for more information and advice.
West Highland Way - Scotland’s first Long Distance Route
The West Highland Way is a challenging 95 mile route starting at Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, and finishing at Fort William, at the foot of Scotland’s highest mountain Ben Nevis. The route follows the shores of Loch Lomond and passes through dramatic scenery in its northward journey from the lowlands to the highlands. The route has been enjoyed by tens of thousands of walkers every year since it was opened in 1980 as Scotland’s first officially designated Long Distance Route. To keep the route in a good walkable condition a major programme of path improvement work is under way which is being financed by SNH, the Lottery Sports Fund and the European Union. Visit the West Highland Way website.
Southern Upland Way - Scotland’s Coast to Coast Long Distance Route
The Southern Upland Way, open since 1984, runs for 212 miles from Portpatrick, near Stranraer on the south west coast, to Cockburnspath on the Berwickshire coast. The route provides varied and challenging walking, taking in coastline, hill, forest, river and loch and reaches its highest point at over 700m on Lowther Hill above Wanlockhead. Crossing the Southern Uplands involves some very long and demanding sections, so anyone tackling the whole route in one expedition needs to be fit and an experienced hillwalker. It is also possible to walk the route in a series of shorter expeditions and many stretches are very accessible and suitable for families and the less ambitious, so it will be possible to plan a walk along part of the route which is within your capabilities. For more information visit the Southern Upland Way website.
Speyside Way - Newly extended
The newly extended Speyside Way links Buckie on the Moray Firth coast with Aviemore in Strathspey. The first section of the route between Spey Bay and Ballindalloch, with a spur to Dufftown, was originally opened in 1981. A further spur to Tomintoul was added in 1988. The completed route from Buckie to Aviemore, a distance of 63 miles (84 miles including spurs), was officially opened in April 2000 by Sarah Boyack MSP.
The route provides fairly gentle walking in varied scenery, mainly along the strath of the River Spey, with easily accessible accommodation. Walking the whole route can be expected to take between four and six days. For more information visit the Speyside Way website.
Great Glen Way.
A fourth Long Distance Route, the Great Glen Way, has now been completed and was officially opened to the public at the end of April 2002 by Prince Andrew, the Earl of Inverness. This route extends between Fort William and Inverness and links with the West Highland Way. The total distance is around 73 miles (118 km) providing for about five days walking from coast to coast in impressive scenery. In places the route combines with and complements the Great Glen Cycle Route which is operated by Forest Enterprise, and also the towpath of the Caledonian Canal which is operated by British Waterways. For the more adventurous, the walk could be combined with the West Highland Way giving a route all the way between Glasgow and Inverness. For more information visit the Great Glen Way website.
Pennine Way - Scottish section
The northernmost 6 mile section of the Pennine Way also lies within Scotland, with the route terminating at Kirk Yetholm in the Scottish Borders. The Pennine Way is a National Trail, the English and Welsh equivalent of Long Distance Routes. Find out more about National Trails by visiting the Countryside Agency website www.countryside.gov.uk or www.nationaltrails.gov.uk.