Prince's Trust (Clydebank): Quiraing Challenge

Six young people from Clydebank have recently been ‘over the sea to Skye’ on their first Prince’s Trust team challenge.

The task that they undertook for their challenge involved maintenance work on a footpath between Flodigarry and the Quiraing, an area in the north of Skye that recently featured in the film ‘Stardust’ featuring Robert de Niro, Ricky Gervaise and Michelle Pfeiffer.

Prince’s Trust Team Leader, Jackie Shirley and Assistant Leader, Stephen Revie liaised with Highland Council’s Senior Ranger, John Phillips to bring the team of six volunteers: Ross McKay, Darren Wilson, Louise Thomson, Robert Buckley, Richard McMillan and Rehman Syed to Skye.

With the help of Donald MacKenzie, Highland Council’s Skye and Lochalsh Upland Path Officer and Sarah Kay, Skye and Lochalsh Countryside Ranger, the volunteers spent two days renovating the first kilometre of a path which was first constructed in 2003 by the Skye and Lochalsh Footpaths Initiative.

The Clydebank team cleared blocked cross drains, re-cut side ditches and resurfaced eroded sections of path surface.

Senior Ranger, John Phillips said:  “I have to congratulate the Clydebank Prince’s Trust team for their effort over the past few days. The weather was not all that great but the volunteers gave of their best throughout.

“Prince’s Trust groups have been visiting Skye once or twice a year now since October 2001 and have been responsible for a significant amount of volunteer effort here, building up a reputation for fun, reliability and hard work. I hope to see much more of them in the future!”

Donald MacKenzie, Upland Footpaths Officer added: “Skye and Lochalsh Footpaths Initiative have built up an upland paths resource here which cost in the region of £1M. It is urgently in need of some TLC as the effects of worsening weather, particularly heavy rain which is becoming a feature of the autumn and winter months on the west coast are taking their toll in terms of erosion. If we do not do something soon, we will lose all of the benefit of the path work done here over the past 10 years.”

For further information, contact: John Phillips, Senior Countryside Ranger,
Ross, Cromarty, Skye and Lochalsh, The Highland Council, Planning and Development Service, Old Corry Industrial Estate, Broadford, Isle of Skye IV49 9AB tel/fax: 01471 822 905