Core Path Report for C511 Ardnave Point, Loch Gruinart, Islay 1. Proposed Core Path Page 1 of 10 2. Summary of Representations Received Representation Respondent Organisation/ Objection Respondents Respondent Objection Name Group Summery proposed Ref No. withdrawn action Objection Andy RSPB Wildlife & Amend P203 Robinson Scotland Conservation Support Frieda Bos About Argyll P166 Walking Holidays 3. History of Access i. Right of Way Status None ii. Recorded Access Issues None 4. Site Visit Map showing proposed amendment, the eastern section of path that is on shore to be replaced with the Amendment shown in map, the remainder of C511 to stay as is. The photographs follow the amended route: Page 2 of 10 Existing interpretive panel near the car park Directional signage, possibly from Land Management Contract Scheme. car parking area Kissing gate on track across sand dunes Trod earth track through dunes that runs adjacent Looking northwest across Ardnave Point with To the shore which is to the right of the picture Nave Island visible . Page 3 of 10 Looking towards Port Cnoc na Faire Looking east from Ardnave Point Looking north east from Port Cnoc Na Faire Stile in fence, heading down the western Edge of peninsula Much of the route on the western side of the Traigh Nostaig peninsula is not well defined. The gate in the fence south of Traigh nam Fuaran is about 300 metres inland from the beach, and there is no obvious path to follow Page 4 of 10 Dune system behind Traigh Nostaig, Defined farm track starts south east of Port again no obvious path visible na Muic The track passes through farm at Ardnave Looking north along track towards Ardnave 5. Alternative Route/s An alternative route had been suggested that would bypass Ardnave Point, however after discussions with RSPB staff at Loch Gruinart it was felt that an alternative route would be ignored as people would still want to walk to the point, the alternative may also cause problems for the tenant farmer. 6. Consultation with Objectors & Other Interested Parties RSPB had concerns over possible disturbance to breeding and wintering bird populations and would like to see improved interpretation at the site and the provision of advisory signage. 7. Access Officer’s Initial Comments After a meeting with RSPB staff at Loch Gruinart it was agreed that the proposed alternative route would not be feasible as people would generally head off towards the point regardless of whether it is the promoted route or not. There were also concerns that the alternative route would also pass through nesting sites and may have management implications for the tenant farmer. It was therefore agreed that the best option would be to promote a route that followed the coast line around the Point and use signage/interpretation to help promote responsible access and address potential disturbance to wildlife. The Council can design suitable signage asking dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead and seasonal signage asking walkers to keep to the path to reduce any potential disturbance. An existing example is shown right; Page 5 of 10 The interpretive panel at the site is quite old and worn. The RSPB are keen to see a new panel developed that promotes the route as well as provides information on responsible access and biodiversity. Sections of the route along the western edge of the peninsula are not well defined, and people are apparently not following the loop as is shown on the map but instead heading towards Ardnave before Port na Muic. Part of the problem could be that the gate in the fence line south of Traigh nam Fuaran is located a few hundred meters away from the coast and people are passing through this gate and continuing south east instead of heading back towards the coast and Traigh Nostaig. Better way marking and the installation of a gate in the fence line closer to the shore would help address this issue. The path is already promoted in “Walks on the Isle of Islay” by Mary Welsh see Appendix IV. The walk is also promoted on http://www.islayinfo.com/walks.html . The route that we were originally showing had the an eastern section of the path follow the shore line. When this path was walked the more obvious route was to follow a farm track through the dunes that develops into a trod earth path as you progress north towards the point. This is the route that is promoted in the Walks on Islay book and is the most obvious route to follow from the car park. Conclusion: The RSPB are not opposed to the route in general, however they would like assurances that advisory signage could be used at certain times of the year to minimise any potential disturbance. There is also a desire to see the current interpretation panel updated to incorporate advice on responsible access as well as the wildlife to be found in the area. The Council Access team is prepared to assist the RSPB with advice on managing access and can design advisory signage to encourage responsible behaviour by users. We recommend that the proposal should continue to be proposed for designation as a Core Path in the Core Paths Plan with the amendment as is shown on the Amended Map. 8. Advice received from the Access Forum 9. Access Officer’s Final Recommendations Page 6 of 10 10. Appendices Appendix I. Copies of the representations received during the formal consultation Page 7 of 10 Page 8 of 10 Appendix II. Copies of relevant correspondence Appendix III. Copies of responses additional consultations Appendix IV. Additional supporting documents: From the book “Walks on the Isle of Islay” by Mary Welsh Page 9 of 10 Page 10 of 10 .