Walkers on the Great Glen Way face having to take to public transport when a section is closed next month.
Felling of trees on the section between Alt na Criche and Rubha Ban mean the public will be barred from using the route. Forestry Commission Scotland says it will have to close the long-distance route along that section of the north shore of Loch Ness for safety reasons.
The work is due to start on 10 November and continue until 6 January next year and means walkers will not be able to use the forest section from a point about 2km north-east of Fort Augustus to the point just south of Invermoriston.
A spokesman for Highland Council said: “We appreciate that these measures are going to cause inconvenience but we hope that people will understand why we have to do this.
“Unfortunately there is not a possible alternative route that is suitable for walkers and route users at this time of year. The only alternative way around the closed section of the Great Glen Way is to use public transport: local taxis or buses.
“Although there hasn’t been felling activity for some years, the forests along the north side of Loch Ness need to be harvested because some trees are now of a size that puts them at risk of being blown over. The larger ones weigh in at around eight tonnes and, on the steep and difficult terrain, will pose some challenges in ensuring safe felling and removal.
“As public safety is paramount for walkers and other route users, the Great Glen Way will be closed from Alt na Criche to Rubha Ban while the felling operations are being undertaken. Signs notifying walkers and route users of the closure of this section will be erected at five points before the closed section as well as signs on the gates immediately prior to the harvesting area.”
Signs along the route will display local taxi numbers and bus travel-line phone details.
The spokesman said the felling this year is a trial and will be evaluated along with further projects during the next two years to determine how best to tackle the work in future. Forestry Commission Scotland hopes to build alternative forest tracks to avoid similar closures in future.
After the felling, the land will be reinstated with native woodland.
The Great Glen Way runs for 117km (73 miles) between Fort William and Inverness. It was opened in April 2002 by Prince Andrew.
K H Bottomley
17 November 2008I am absolutely amazed at how a National Trail and Public Right of Way can be closed like this, for 5 months at such short notice. Closure is from 1.11.08 to 31.3.09 and with barely a week of public notice. Is this lawful?
I cannot be alone as a visitor who has booked flights to complete a walk that is no longer available.
There is a promise that in future an alternative footpath will be provided, so it can only be poor planning that has resulted in no alternative being offered now, just 6 years after the Great Glen Way was opened.
Local businesses have also been taken by surprise with the late notification. For example, B&B's must wondering what to do with the bookings that they have already accepted.