Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 380 Developing the network of longer distance routes COMMISSIONED REPORT Commissioned Report No. 380 DEVELOPING THE NETWORK OF LONGER DISTANCE ROUTES (Tender No. 28776) For further information on this report please contact: Caroline Fyfe Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House INVERNESS IV3 8NW Telephone: 01463 725000 E-mail:
[email protected] This report should be quoted as: Peter Scott Planning Services (2010). Developing the Network of Longer Distance Routes. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 380 (Tender No. 28776). This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. © Scottish Natural Heritage 2010. Key Definitions Several terms used throughout this report are explained below to assist readers’ comprehension of the report’s contents. Active travel – comprises travel on foot, cycle or horse, in the process of which individuals and communities may increase their levels of physical activity, fitness and health. Core paths – the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced requirements for access authorities to prepare core path plans. Core paths identified in these plans are intended to give the public reasonable access throughout an area, on foot, cycle or horseback, on rights of way or other paths, footways, footpaths, cycle tracks, or other means of access on land, or on water. Cycle, riding and canoe routes – while the access legislation enables walking, cycling, riding and non-motorised watersports, wherever such activities can be enjoyed responsibly, some routes may be designed for, and marketed for use by, specific activity groups – e.g.