Hilltracks Update

George Allan

LINK report

Developments with regard to the LINK Hill Tracks Campaign are gathering speed and by the time Mountain Views is printed things will have moved on. Publication of the report on how the Prior Notification system for agricultural and forestry tracks are operating in practice was postponed to ensure that it did not become lost in the holiday period: it is being published in September.

On the basis of the report's findings, LINK is working to bring forward amendments to the Planning (Scotland) Bill which is moving to Stage 2 in the parliamentary process after Holyrood's recess. These amendments will be aimed at changing the law to require that tracks, which are so visually intrusive in upland areas and which are Permitted Development, are subject to full planning consent. The findings in the LINK report will also be used to encourage applicants to submit better quality applications and to urge planning authorities to ensure best practice in construction and restoration on the ground.

Changing Tracks

Ramblers Scotland campaign

Hydro Tracks

Visitors to various glens, particularly in the west, will have seen the evidence of very poor construction methods and restoration of the tracks for small scale hydro. To put it bluntly, some previously unspoilt glens are now a real mess. NEMT is taking a greater interest in this issue which is leading a number of environmental organisations to question their previously held positions of not objecting to small scale hydro.

There is currently widespread public concern about proposals for seven schemes in Glen Etive. NEMT has considered these and decided not to object or comment on four of them, all within existing forest areas. In its submissions to Highland Council regarding the other three, all of which are to the east of the river and in Wild Land and National Scenic Areas, NEMT has stressed that it is the visual impact of the tracks which is of greatest concern:

• Allt Chaorainn. This proposed scheme is opposite Stob na Broige, the southern top of the Buachaille. NEMT has lodged an objection but has stated that it would withdraw this if the Council were to make it a condition that the existing native woodland is extended to screen the track right up to the intake.
• Allt Ceitlein. This proposed scheme is in the glen south of the Corbett Stob Dubh. Rather than object, NEMT made a series of comments regarding ways of ameliorating the impact of the track, including increased native tree planting.
• Allt Mheuran. This proposed scheme is in the glen to the north of Ben Starav. It would have a detrimental visual impact when viewed from the very well-used track up Starav and would irrevocably alter the attractive Robber's Waterfall. NEMT has lodged an objection on these grounds.

Beinn a' Bhuird: what can be done

The photos below show the restored track on Beinn a' Bhuird. This track, originally built in 1966, was restored very carefully and at great expense by NTS - the work was begun in 1997 and the fact that it is still visible shows why we campaign against hilltrack construction in our mountains. In such a sensitive environment, the damage, once done, is very difficult to undo. It will be interesting to see how long the beautifully constructed replacement path withstands the onslaught of the mountain bikers with whom we walkers now share the high mountain environment ...

Beinn a’ Bhuird, old ski track, photographed 2018 © Ken Thomson

Please let the webmaster know if there are problems with viewing these pages or with the links they contain.