Walkers worth £533m to Highland economy
David Ross Highland Correspondent
Herald Scotland - 12 Aug 2011
More than three times the number of tourists come to the Highlands to walk than all those who come to fish, play golf or cycle put together, tourism chiefs have revealed.
Walking activities are estimated to be worth £533 million to the Scottish economy and their value is projected to increase – starting with the launch yesterday of the new 28-mile South Loch Ness Trail.
It will take walkers, cyclists and horseriders along what is regarded as the hidden side of the world-famous loch, on the opposite shore from the main A82 road and the established 79-mile Great Glen Way from Fort William to Inverness.
The plan is to link it to the Great Glen Way, providing a circular walking route – more than 70 miles long – round Loch Ness. It adds to the 41 routes in Scotland already developed.
From today people can join the Great Glen Way by walking the four miles from the end of the South Loch Ness Trail into Fort Augustus, but there will be other paths in the future.
The new 28-mile trail will take walkers along the hidden side of the world-famous loch
Scott Armstrong, VisitScotland’s regional director, yesterday revealed figures underlining the importance of walking to the Highland tourist industry.
He said: “Tourism is worth £640m to the Highland economy, over £3000 for every resident. We welcome 2.5 million visitors, more than 10 visitors to every resident. It employs the full-time equivalent of 18,000 people, equating to 14% of the workforce.”
Research found that 88% of people visited the Highlands for the scenery, and just over half (52%) for the walking.
Mr Armstrong said the Destination Loch Ness management organisation wanted to capitalise on existing trails to provide an exciting alternative way in which to uncover all that the area has to offer.
Just two years after the project’s inception and 12 months since the commencement of work, the South Loch Ness Trail has been completed at a cost of £210,000.
The low cost was because 85% of it relies on existing paths and tracks as well as small sections of unclassified road.
At its south western end it begins at Loch Tarff, four miles outside Fort Augustus, and heads north-east to Torbreck on the outskirts of Inverness.
It climbs to heights of 1300ft in places and passes the Falls of Foyers, the finest surviving example of a single span General Wade Bridge dating from the 18th century, and the remnants of an Iron Age fort.
Destination Loch Ness executive director Graeme Ambrose said: “The south side of Loch Ness has, for many years, been in the shadow of the north side with most visitors travelling the tourist route of the A82 and never really knowing what the opposite side has to offer.
“By linking and upgrading the existing trails and creating new sections we now have a unique continuous 28-mile trail, which is an attraction in its own right. We hope to encourage more visitors to explore the south side.”
Other coverage:
 | print this page |
|
News
