The core paths in Scotland are in the process of being mapped. If you're planning a trip it may be worth a look at this:
https://www.nature.scot/enjoying-outdoors/places-visit/routes-explore/local-path-networks
Interesting!
Although looking at my locale a lot of what is indicated as 'paths' is actually 'roads'. Roads that might make a nice walking route from the village the emanate from for instance - but not a 'path'
A little bit of colour coding would be nice to indicate the difference
Pretty nifty that!
I like !
For the love of God,will someone please fix his front brake #prayforcanalusers 🙂
There's one marked near me that doesn't, never has and never will exist. On that basis, ah'm oot.
Hmm, curious. I'm not an expert on Scottish paths/tracks but had a zoom in to one or two areas I've ridden in.
There's a path marked going to BenAlder cottage. Good luck with that!
The "path" down Glen Orchy is the road.
Looks like it explicitly excludes estate tracks so probably only those paths/tracks for which local authorities are responsible.
Dreadful mapping.
Core paths are not necessarily 'paths' as such.
They are ways that you can travel along, by foot, bicycle, horse, or maybe boat. So they may include some sections on roads or driveways etc. And maybe some rivers, eg they include much of the River Spey.
I was part of the team that produced the core paths plan for Edinburgh about ten years ago. They do indeed include roads etc as mentioned above, they only represent a very small proportion of paths in Scotland, it's been a long time but I think the idea was to capture the most important routes to the community. I think it's good that these routes will have some more protection in planning processed but across Scotland the exercise must have cost millions and I'm not sure was a great use of public money.
Dreadful mapping.
The march of ESRI web maps continues 🙁
There’s one marked near me that doesn’t, never has and never will exist. On that basis, ah’m oot.
One of the core path categories which may have been lost detail on that web map link is "aspirational core path", where the community expressed a strong interest in creating a new path. For example Balerno>Threipmuir
Looks like it explicitly excludes estate tracks so probably only those paths/tracks for which local authorities are responsible.
No, there are core paths on private land but these had to be negotiated with the landowner, I can't remember if the landowners could actually stop a core path being designated but I can imagine most estates would go out of their way to fight against a path on their land being designated a core path.
scotroutes
There’s one marked near me that doesn’t, never has and never will exist. On that basis, ah’m oot.
It's not much chop in my area either - yet.
But I see it as something we can contribute info to and have it evolve into something useful.
I see it as something we can contribute info to and have it evolve into something useful.
Openstreetmap is much more useful and comprehensive
Its not supposed to be a complete map of all paths. Core paths are supposed to be the 'more important' paths, ie linking settlements or going somewhere useful or where people might actually want to go.
And it can give the paths some extra legal protection. Local authorities have powers to maintain or signpost core paths as required, or remove any obstructions.
scotroutes
Openstreetmap is much more useful and comprehensive
As is OS at the moment. This is an additional resource, not a replacement.
Bit of false advertising going on here! 😀
Ps glad to see finally coming together. This was part of the land reform act legislation was it not?
Yes, core paths plans were originally supposed to be completed in 2009 or so I think, though some local authorities took longer due to funding and the sheer size of their areas. I think the reason they're appearing on things like this now is recent change to the OS public sector mapping licensing allowing the data to be shared and a recent push to make public sector data more available. I'm not aware of any requirement to update them or if any LAs have updated since the original plans ten years ago. Outside of just looking at OS maps etc I think Scotways have the biggest database of the path/row network but I don't think that it's freely available to look at.
Well, it isn't correct here.
The National Cycle route is 'broken' as it goes over the Faery Bridge on the map.
One the main trails (Pisgah Woods) is actually now through someones house it seems, and I have been shouted at for trying to find the end of the trail before. It is down a private drive...
Again there are some core 'route to school' paths through the reservoir park and next to high school missing.
Good, but the detail is not right.
hmmm
I know the photographer on staff at SNH, I will have a word about our canalside daredevil..
Where is that bridge Matt? It's possible that it's a join between two LA areas but can't be sure without knowing where it is. In Edinburgh we tried to ensure core paths leaving the LA area joined up with those of neighbouring LA but because the selection of core paths was driven by the community, what one group wanted as core doesn't mean the neighbours did too.
Bear in mind this is a snapshot of ten years ago so there will be new developments etc. If someone is stopping you from accessing an existing row that's something to tell your local access officer about.
In terms of the paths you think are missing, were they in the original core paths plan for your area? It's possible some data has been lost as it's transferred between computer systems and organisations, this is definintely third hand old data by now.
Scotways have the biggest database of the path/row network but I don’t think that it’s freely available to look at.
CROW. No, it's not.
I think I found your bridge Mattoutandabout and it's as shown on the original core paths plan from 2009, I imagine the path was simply never meant to cross the bridge for whatever reason. If your school paths aren't on the original 2009 plan then they either didn't exist then or weren't deemed "core enough" by the community, or some other reason such as limiting traffic past a school etc.
It is across the Allan Water in Dunblane - firmly Stirling on both sides. The local map I think is more a reflection of Stirling council's issues...and you are right, one of the cut through's to high school probably wasn't there 10 years ago.
Highland Council are currently reviewing their core path plans for some areas. Caithness and Sutherland is currently open for consultation, so you can let them know what you think. Other areas to follow over the next year or two. https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/379/countryside_facilities_and_wildlife/161/outdoor_access/4
That's interesting Craig, I wonder what prompted that and if others will follow suit. Lots of fun dealing with representations, landowners and community meetings for someone!
Imagine trying to get stw en masse to design one bike, with parts from several different manufacturers, some of which don't want to have anything to do with it 🙂
The original consultation (in Stirling for me) was fascinating.
Lots of old miners mapping cut throughs under railway lines - and linking villages - which no one in the council knew about.
The nearest path to my house that's shown would take you into an impassible ravine if you followed it.
Meanwhile some local residents erected a barricade on a well used path (avoiding the ravine on the other side of the river) in June 2016 and despite council action it still hasn't been removed.
Fortunately I can climb over the barricade (using plastic bags to avoid getting anti-climb paint on myself) but it completely prevents most folk from using the path.
NewRetroTom
...Meanwhile some local residents erected a barricade on a well used path (avoiding the ravine on the other side of the river) in June 2016 and despite council action it still hasn’t been removed...
Reviving the ancient art of fence hopping? 🙂
Before we had the open access laws, it was regarded as a common law right.
We used to carry wire cutters to go through high fences where landowners tried to block us. We'd tie them back up with a bit of wire. Any padlocks were noted and appropriately "sorted" the next time we went that way. *
However it wasn't a frequent hassle because even then most landowners were on board with open access, but incomers used to have to learn that barriers for exclusion didn't last long in Scotland.
I suggest a visit from the Midnight Hammerman, or maybe his mate Cordless Sawman, might sort your problem. Burnie Man attracts too much negative attention. 🙂
*A short bit of solder wire jams into the keyhole quite nicely, and the landowner gets to experience the same hassle of access as everyone else.
looking at this a bit closer, it's a terribly half arsed attempt btw!