Recent Posts

From the South West Path to the Moray Firth (John o Groats Trail) there are issues.  Walking along the road around Keiss as the John o Groats Trail, on which so much money has been spent, is impassable in places.  SUSTRANS have cut off the cycling route at Tain, sending people up the Pilgrims Path to the North Coast which is great news for the North Highland Way. Even more reason to highlight problems around Dounreay.We also note that The Highland Council Access Officer is trying to re route the CPN around Upper Bighouse Lodge.

This project has had hundreds of thousands of pounds, and refused to work with Wick Paths.  The writer is glad to see that they are now cooperating with them.  There are still problems at Embo, and more discovered three miles south of Keiss.  A discussion with a receptionist at the Gills Ferry Terminal indicated that she needed work done outside her house.  It was pointed out that this group has the money, and she should contact them.

We are now on the Lincolnshire Access Forum, and have linked up with the South West Path... What an achievement.

VisitScotland now promote the routes on their sitehttps://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/walking/routes-trailshttps://www.visitscotland.com/info/services/friends-of-the-north-highland-way-p2953911?fbclid=IwAR05vsyMmfkShGH_fBbAduKA4YdAc_154-9sQSAIieYtt-tEJ8umsfs-6io

This is an example.. Aberdeenshire are invited to add their routes here.

Forestry and Land have been out to look at the track identified by a BHS rider.  They do not envisage doing any further pathworks at the moment.

There may be problems around the Sutherland Space Hub....log on to see what they are.  These have been ongoing sinece 23 May 2023, as mentioned in the local press.

The bit past the east side of Murkle is tricky. The rocks on the shore are incredibly slippery and the fence comes right up to the cliff top, which means crossing the fence into the field. Probably ok on an ad-hoc basis, but not for a trail without support of the landowner and some appropriate stiles.  There are also issues at West Murkle with property being sold and no curtilage being put in.  Needs rejigging completely.  Spoke to the landowner 25th November 2023.  Not really very happy.

Restricting Access.  Hopefully this will be brought to the table at the next Sutherland LAF.

This group existed until about 2014 and then disbanded when most of the committee moved away from Caithness.  BHS North are responsible to The Highland Council for access now. Horse owners are encouraged to join the BHS, as without them there will be no multi use track.The author still has considerable materials from the days of CRAG and will, as time permits, put some of them here. There is an annual e-magazine - the next one is due out in April 2024.