Outdoor access & recreation

We have a wide range of experience in planning, managing and promoting outdoor access resources, from coastal paths to mountain routes.

We can provide services across the range from feasibility to delivery, including the following aspects:

Strategic route development

We've delivered a number of feasibility studies across Scotland. These have helped clients to understand the existing condition of routes and devise new links to improve access. In some cases these we have taken forward projects to implementation, including helping with funding bids.

Examples: Boddam, Staffin, Aberdeenshire Coastal Path, Strathmore Cycle Network

Conservation and Visitor Management

In sensitive environments people have the capacity to damage the very place they have come to experience. As well as considering the opportunities for access, we look at putting the environment at the heart of the matter, working out how to influence behaviour or repair the damage caused by visitors to a site.

Examples: Cuilcagh, Croagh Patrick, Cairngorm Reporting Officer

Land manager liaison

Whenever routes are being considered the first port of call should be the land managers. Scotland's right of responsible access is not a licence to develop paths! We have experience of working with land managers to find solutions that work for recreation and land management.

Examples: Strathmore Cycle Network, Udny Community Trust

Technical survey, including path design and specification

Whether you need a rapid assessment of a network of routes or a detailed design for defined sections, we can provide high quality solutions. We have developed the tools to deliver using technology to assist in survey mapping and reporting. We have worked across Scotland and Ireland from coastal areas to mountain summits and everything in between.

Examples: Ceumannan Ecomuseum (Staffin), National Trust for Scotland Mountain Path Survey, Croagh Patrick

Contract management and site supervision

Good contract and project management is key to a successful outcome and we work with clients and contractors to deliver best value and quality outputs.

Examples: Kincorth Hill, St Fittick's Park, Schiehallion

We have experience of using the NEC suite of contracts as well as bespoke contracts.

Policy research and development

From the potential impacts of climate change, to helping to describe paths to users we have delivered a number of research and policy orientated projects that are used in Scotland.

Examples: Climate change, Path benefits toolkit, Lowland paths guide, Cairngorms Signs policy, Scottish Upland Path Audit

Construction Design Management (2015)

All path construction projects fall within the remit of the CDM (2015) regulations. We work as CDM Designers and help clients to fulfil their duties under the regulations.

Describing paths - a grading system

We undertook primary research for Scottish Natural Heritage on how to describe paths in a coherent manner. This involved engaging with users and potential users and assessing how to present path information to improve path promotion in Scotland....
Cairngorms Adopt a Path Scheme

We coordinated two schemes for volunteers to help manage paths across the Cairngorms National Park area. The schemes were run via the website OutdoorCairngorms.co.uk
Cairn Gorm Reporting Officer

We have been part of the team that assesses the impact of the Cairn Gorm funicular railway since 2007. We act as an independent reviewer of environmental and visitor monitoring data collected by Cairngorm Mountain Limited, the company that operates the ski...
Stirling Hill Access Network, Peterhead

We supported the Boddam and District Community Association in delivering a project to improve core paths around the Strilinghill Quarry near Peterhead. Our role started as path designer but evolved into project manager for the entire scheme. We...
Staffin Paths Feasibility Study

We undertook a feasibility study on behalf of the Staffin Community Trust looking at a number of paths around Staffin, in North East Skye as part of the Ceumannan II project.
Errigal Mountain Path Study

We undertook a strategic assessment of Errigal, Donegal's highest and most popular peak to develop proposals for sustainable management of access to the mountain.
Strathmore Cycle Network

We were engaged by Forward Coupar Angus and Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust and Alyth Development Trust to investigate options to develop a cycle network in Strathmore, Perthshire. The aim is to improve safe cycling links between the...
Heads up for seals on the Ythan estuary

We were commissioned by Foveran community Council to look at how to improve the experience of seal watching at the Ythan Estuary. The seal haul out was recently given protected status and is now one of the largest congregation of grey seals on...