Committee Adopts Core Paths Plan for Caithness

The Caithness Committee have agreed to adopt the modified Core Path Plans for Caithness.

At their meeting yesterday members had the opportunity to discuss a report that summarised the review of The Highland Council Core Paths Plan in Caithness.

This follows the report and recommendations from Scottish Ministers after a Public Local Inquiry which followed two public consultations held in 2017 and 2019.

The Caithness area will now have approximately 50km of new core paths taking the overall length in the county to 312km

Vice Chair of the Caithness  Committee, Councillor Struan Mackie said: “The report we discussed today is very robust and is overwhelmingly positive in terms of getting people out and about. Being able to enjoy outdoor access is something we should be supporting and encouraging.”

The committee unanimously agreed to:

• Adopt the candidate core paths as consulted upon, and not objected to, under the amended plan December 2017 to March 2018;
• Adopt the candidate core paths as consulted upon under the modified amended plan April 2019 – May 2019;
• Adopt the candidate core paths into the plan as directed by Scottish Ministers by letter on the 2 September 2024;
• Adopt the Altnabreac to Forsinain candidate core path CA01.05(C) with the exception of the level crossing at Altnabreac. 

Following the decision yesterday, the Council’s on-line mapping of routes will be updated. Paths requiring signage will be sign-posted on a phased basis from 2025 onwards.