Highland Tourism Project Wins Top UK Award
Issued by British Waterways Scotland
The Great Glen Ways Initiative led in partnership by British Waterways Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, The Highland Council and Scottish Natural Heritage, scooped first place in the Recreation and Tourism category of the 2010 Waterways Renaissance Awards which celebrate the best sustainable regeneration and development projects revitalising inland waterways across the UK.
The independent judging panel comprising waterway, conservation and regeneration experts and chaired by Sir Peter Soulsby MP, commended the partnership approach, which has led to the creation of an innovative and clear single identity for the Great Glen as a stunning destination to visit in three sustainable 'Ways' – by boat, boot and bike.
By working together on marketing, interpretation and access, the judges felt that the partners successfully celebrate the unique geography, culture and history of the Great Glen, whilst minimising the visual clutter that would be inevitable if the individual routes - the Caledonian Canal, the Great Glen Way Long Distance Route and the Great Glen Mountain Bike Trails – were interpreted individually. The joint working approach was also recognised for adding value to the area by encouraging 'cross-over' between the users of the routes so promoting repeat visits.
The Waterways Renaissance Awards, run by The Waterways Trust and BURA (the British Urban Regeneration Association), were announced at a ceremony held at the Lowry in Manchester on 17th March.
Russell Thomson, Waterway Manager, Highlands, British Waterways Scotland, says: “The Waterways Renaissance Awards are highly regarded across the UK so being recognised as best in the country in such an important category for us is a fantastic prize. It is a great acknowledgement of the great economic, environmental and social contribution the Caledonian Canal makes to the Highlands and specifically our commitment to partnership working on initiatives designed to drive significant development of tourism in the region.
“With the Great Glen Ways Initiative established, we are now working with our partners, The Highland Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Canoe Association on the development of Scotland’s first canal canoe trail – the Great Glen Canoe Trail – which will be an added boost to the Highlands’ credentials as a year round, high quality outdoor destination.”
Councillor Ian Ross, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Planning Environment and Development Committee, added: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award which reflects the strong partnership work between The Highland Council and its partners over the past years. The Great Glen and Loch Ness are world famous tourism assets and the Caledonian Canal is a key part of this landscape.”
Central to the Great Glen Ways project has been making access to the area as easy as possible through clear signage and the development of 49 colourful interpretation posts. Made in stone and timber, these orientation panels introduce visitors to the beauty and heritage of the region covering topics as diverse as industrial history, folklore, geology, flora and fauna, social history and local walks.
For those wishing to learn more before their visit, there is also a colourful DVD.
Launched by Great Glen enthusiast Muriel Gray in March 2008, the Great Glen Ways Initiative also aims to promote the opportunities for outdoor activity within the Great Glen amongst local communities. Over 120 schoolchildren from over 10 schools, for example, attended a series of ‘Sample the Ways’ days at the time of the launch – ‘meeting’ characters from the Glen’s history, taking a boat trip along the Caledonian Canal and trying out mountain biking skills.
For further information about the Great Glen Ways, visit www.greatglenways.info
Fore further information about the Caledonian Canal, visit www.scottishcanals.co.uk