Skye footpath gets new lease of life.

Work has begun up-grading one of the busiest footpaths on Skye.

The work is being undertaken by local contractors, Skye Conservation Services, as part of the fifth phase of an ongoing project by the Skye & Lochalsh Footpath Initiative dating back to 1992.

Skye & Lochalsh Footpath Initiative was set up as a partnership venture between The Highland council, Scottish Natural Heritage and Skye & Lochalsh Enterprise, with the aim of restoring damaged footpaths and reducing environmental landscape damage in Skye & Lochalsh. Since then nearly £1 million has been invested in upland path improvements and landscape restoration.

Donald MacKenzie, Highland Council’s Project officer for the Skye & Lochalsh Footpath Initiative said: “The footpath leading to the Quiraing on the Trotternish ridge has become badly eroded over the years due to the sheer number of visitors it attracts. It is estimated that over 30,000 people a year use this path to explore some of the most breathtaking geological formations in the area.

“For this latest phase of the project the partnership was awarded £100,000 in match funding from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee fund (EAGGF) which will help to create 8.6 km of new and upgraded upland footpaths throughout Skye & Lochalsh  improving access to our mountains.”