Campaign by 
Story
The widely appreciated Kingussie footpath network plays an important part in the lives of residents and visitors on a daily basis. Walking is a regular part of the daily routine of a high proportion of the population from regular walkers, dog walkers, horse riders and climbers. Our local schools integrate the path network with their activities, some pupils use parts to get to school, others for activities within school time and for environmental and outdoor learning. Activity providers and environmental groups also use the path including the successful Walking to Health group which uses the paths on a weekly basis.
The Path Network is based around Kingussie, as the focal point, but extends to Lynchat, Tom Baraidh/Pitmain and connectivity to Newtonmore and the Wildcat Trail.
Over the past 10-12 years a great deal of effort had been expended towards the creation of the path network around the town. Funding has been accessed, community service groups have been utilised, upland path training groups have been organised and many hours of volunteer labour have been dedicated towards establishing the network. One result has been increased usage (evidenced at various times via pedestrian counters) and popularity with visiting groups. The popularity has increased as more magazine and newspaper articles and guidebooks are written about our beautiful area. However along with this popularity there has been some increased erosion and inevitable wear and tear of some sections.
The Kingussie Path Network Improvement group have identified the following areas as ones that are needing work done on them:
Major path reconstruction on a severely eroded and poorly drained section of the popular Creag Bheag route. Drainage and fallen tree removal.
Bridge replacement over the Alt Gortan to facilitate connection to Newtonmore path network.
Management of fallen trees in the woodland approach to the Raitts path
Installation of safer and more convenient crossings of streams small bridges/decking/stepping stones
The Kingussie Path Network Improvement project applied to the Cairngorms Trust
to become one of their Campaign Projects for 2019 - 20. Roger Clegg, Chair of the Cairngorms Trust said:
I am delighted for the Kingussie Path Network Improvement project. It is a great community initiative and will enhance the lives of both locals and visitors alike. It is a very good fit with the aims of the Cairngorms Trust which is pleased to be able to support this excellent community initiative.