Scottish Natural Heritage

Survey of upland path users in 2017

Published: April 2018

People, Places and Nature Unit Scottish Natural Heritage Great Glen House Leachkin Road IV3 8NW

For further information please contact [email protected] www.nature.scot

Contents Page

Background and research objectives 3

Research methodology 3

Profile of respondents 4

Detailed research findings 5

 Frequency of visiting the outdoors and upland areas in Scotland 5

 Activities undertaken in Scotland’s upland areas 6

 Use of upland paths in Scotland 7

 Condition of upland paths in Scotland in the last 12 months 7

 The influence of paths on route selection 18

 The importance of maintaining Scotland’s upland paths 21

 Level of interest in helping to look after Scotland’s upland paths 22

 Other comments 23 Summary and conclusions 24

Appendices

1. Profile of survey respondents

2. Activities undertaken in Scotland’s upland areas in the last 12 months

3. Percent of respondents agreeing with each statement about the importance of maintaining Scotland’s upland paths

4. Questionnaire

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1. Background and research objectives Scotland’s People and Nature Survey (SPANS) estimates that people living in Scotland take 28.6 million visits to upland areas each year. Many of these upland visits are hill trips (an estimated 9.8 million), but a variety of other activities are also undertaken in upland areas, ranging from mountain biking, running and ski-ing to fishing, wildlife watching and informal family outings. The vast majority of these upland visits involve the use of a path (88%)1.

In addition to visits taken by Scottish residents, around 9 million tourist trips are taken in Scotland each year by visitors from elsewhere in the UK and from overseas2. Research undertaken by VisitScotland indicates that scenery and landscape are key motivations for these visits, many of which include active outdoor activities such as walking3.

Hillwalking and mountain biking both make significant contributions to the rural economy, with estimated annual expenditure in excess of £65 million4 for hillwalking and £75.7million5 for mountain biking. Aside from their economic value, these activities make important contributions to people’s quality of life, providing very significant physical and mental health benefits. Upland paths play a key role in supporting, and sometimes enabling, these activities as well as managing impacts on the sensitive landscapes and habitats in which they take place. However, there is no national co-ordination or prioritisation of the limited resources for path repair work and no funding for path maintenance, resulting in varying standards of upland paths throughout the country – and heavily eroded paths on some of our most iconic hills. This paper presents the findings of a survey of upland path users in Scotland, undertaken in 2017 by Scottish Natural Heritage, in partnership with other key stakeholders. The main objectives of the survey were to collect information from hill users about their recent experience of upland paths6; their perceptions of the importance of upland paths; and their views on upland path maintenance and repair. The research findings will be used to inform future approaches to upland path funding and management.

2. Research methodology The research was undertaken between April and July 2017 by means of a self-completion surveymonkey questionnaire (see Appendix 4).

The survey was promoted by SNH and via our network of contacts and targeted at as wide an audience of hill users as possible. This included members of national conservation organisations, members of national and local clubs and bodies associated with outdoor recreation as well as a more general audience with an interest in walking, mountain biking and other outdoor activities.

1 Scotland’s People and Nature Survey 2013/14 (Scottish Natural Heritage) 2 2016 (VisitScotland) 3 Scotland Visitor Survey 2015 and 2016 (VisitScotland) 4 Estimate based on Scottish Recreation Survey data 2007 – 2012 5 Economic Value of Mountain Biking in Scotland (Scottish Enterprise); EKOS Ltd., Tourism Resources Company, April 2009. This research estimated £75.5 m in direct expenditure; when supplier and income multipliers are included, this rises to £119m. 6 For the purposes of the survey, upland paths were defined as ‘paths or routes in Scotland’s hills or mountains which have either been constructed or formed by regular use. Vehicle tracks, i.e. tracks constructed to allow vehicular access to the hills, are not included in this definition’. 3

A total of 2,403 survey responses were received by the survey cut-off date, indicating a high level of engagement with the subject among hill users. Figure 1, below, shows where respondents sourced the survey link. The single largest proportion of responses to the survey was received from visitors to the Walkhighlands website (35%). Among the 30% of respondents who indicated that they had come across the survey link via some ‘other’ means, social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, was mentioned most frequently and played a key role in ensuring the survey link was shared as widely as possible.

Figure 1: Where did you find the link to the survey?

Walkhighlands

Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland/local mountain biking club Conservation organisation (e.g. 30% NTS, JMT) 35% Scotland/local mountaineering club 1% Ramblers Scotland/local walking 3% club 13% 11% Professional path management 7% network Other

Base: All respondents (n = 1,889) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q18

3. Profile of respondents

The respondent profile information below provides context for the survey findings; a more detailed breakdown is provided in Appendix 1. o The majority of respondents were resident in Scotland (88%) with most of the remainder resident elsewhere in the UK (10%) o Respondents were predominantly male (66%) and around half were aged between 35 and 54 (49%). o Around half of respondents were members of national or local organisations, clubs or bodies associated with conservation (e.g. JMT, NTS) or with walking, and mountain biking (e.g. Ramblers, Mountaineering Scotland, local walking/mountain biking clubs) (55%). o Almost all respondents had visited the outdoors in Scotland in the last 12 months (99%) and most had done so on a regular basis: among those resident in Scotland, 66% had visited the outdoors at least once a week over the previous year (higher than the average of 48% among all adults living in Scotland7). o Among respondents who had visited the outdoors in the last 12 months, almost all had visited an upland area during that period (99%) and all except seven had used an upland path (99%).

7 Scottish Household Survey 2016 4 o Most respondents described themselves as experienced in the Scottish hills, with 36% indicating that they were ‘very experienced’ and a further 40% that they were ‘quite experienced’.

4. Detailed research findings 4.1. Frequency of visiting the outdoors and upland areas in Scotland Most of the survey respondents living in Scotland were regular outdoor visitors: 66% visited the outdoors in Scotland for recreation at least once a week compared to an average of 48% among the adult population in Scotland8.

Figure 2: Frequency of visiting the outdoors in Scotland in last 12 months (%) 70 60 66 50 48 40 30 20 27 20 18 10 13 6 0 0 At least once a At least once a At least once a Not at all week month year

All survey respondents living in Scotland All adults in Scotland (SHS 2016)

Base: All respondents living in Scotland (n = 1,685) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q1; Scottish Household Survey 2015

Among respondents who had visited the outdoors in Scotland in the last 12 months, almost all had visited an upland area (99%). More than a third of those living in Scotland had visited upland areas on a regular, weekly basis during this period (37%).

Figure 3: Frequency of visiting upland areas in Scotland in the last 12 months (%) 50 45 40 43 35 37 30 25 20 15 19 10 5 0 0 At least once a At least once a At least once a Not at all week month year

Base: All respondents living in Scotland (n = 1,682) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q2

8 Scottish Household Survey 2016

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4.2. Activities undertaken in Scotland’s upland areas As shown in Figure 4, below, respondents had participated in a range of activities in Scotland’s uplands in the last 12 months. Most had been hillwalking, mountaineering or climbing (89%) or lower level walking in the glens (69%); 4 in 10 respondents had mountain biked (41%) and 3 in 10 had wild camped (31%); a quarter had participated in bird, wildlife or nature watching (25%); a fifth had been running (19%); and 12% had been ski-ing.

Among the activities shown in Figure 4, below, women were more likely than men to have been lower level walking in the glens (81% and 66%, respectively) and bird, wildlife or nature watching (32% and 24%, respectively); men were more likely than women to have been mountain biking (47% and 29%, respectively) and wild camping (34% and 29%, respectively). In terms of age, younger respondents aged between 16 and 34 had higher than average levels of participation in mountain biking (50%), wild camping (44%), running (29%) and ski-ing (19%). Respondents who described themselves as ‘very experienced’ in the Scottish hills were more likely than less experienced respondents to have taken part in each of the activities shown in Figure 4. A detailed breakdown of participation by gender, age, level of hill experience and residency is provided in Appendix 2.

Figure 4: Activities undertaken in Scotland’s upland areas in last 12 months (%)

Hill walking/mountaineering/climbing 89

Lower level walking in glens 69

Mountain biking 41

Wild camping 31

Bird/wildlife/nature watching 25

Running 19

Ski-ing 12

Other 5

0 20 40 60 80 100 % upland visitors undertaking each activity

Base: All respondents visiting upland areas in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 2,288) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q3

The research sample included 934 respondents who had been mountain biking in the Scottish uplands in the last 12 months. These respondents were predominantly male (75%) and slightly younger and more experienced in the Scottish hills than the full sample (55% of mountain biking respondents versus 45% of all respondents were aged under 45 and 81% versus 76% described themselves as ‘very or ‘quite experienced’ in the Scottish hills). They were also slightly more likely than the full sample (resident in Scotland) to be regular outdoor visitors (73% of mountain biking respondents versus 66% of all respondents resident in Scotland visited the outdoors on a weekly basis and 44% versus 37% visited Scotland’s upland areas on a weekly basis). Most of the respondents who had mountain biked in Scotland’s uplands in the last year had also been hill walking, mountaineering or climbing (82%) and lower level walking in the glens (62%) during the same period. They were more likely than the full sample to have been wild camping (37%), running (28%) or ski-ing (22%).

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4.3 Use of upland paths in Scotland Almost all of the respondents who had visited Scotland’s hills in the last 12 months had used an upland path, defined as a path or route constructed or formed by regular use, but excluding vehicle tracks (99%). A majority had used a path on all (26%) or most (54%) of their recent upland visits.

There was very little variation in the incidence of upland path usage in terms of gender, age or level of experience in the Scottish hills. Respondents living outside of Scotland were, however, more likely than those who were resident in Scotland to have used a path on all of their visits to the Scottish uplands (43% and 24%, respectively).

Figure 5: Frequency of using paths when visiting Scotland’s upland areas in last 12 months

20% 26% On all occasions

On most occasions

On some occasions

54%

Base: All respondents visiting upland areas in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 2,284) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q4

4.4 Condition of upland paths in Scotland in the last 12 months 4.4.1 Recent experience of upland path condition Respondents’ experience of upland path conditions in Scotland was mixed.

When asked about the condition of the paths they’d used in the last 12 months, more than half of respondents indicated that they had encountered both good and bad paths (59%). Older respondents, aged 55 plus, and those who described themselves as ‘very experienced’ in the Scottish hills were more likely to state that this was the case (66% and 64%, respectively).

Just over a third of respondents indicated that the condition of the upland paths they’d used in the last 12 months had been mostly good (37%), with younger (46%) and less experienced respondents (42% of those with ‘some experience’ in the Scottish hills and 51% of those with ‘little or no experience’) more likely to do so.

Only a small minority of respondents stated that the condition of the upland paths they’d used had been mostly bad (3%). This group was slightly older and more experienced in the Scottish hills than the sample as a whole.

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Figure 6: Respondents’ experience of upland paths in Scotland in the last 12 months

1% Mostly very good 3% 9% Mostly quite good 28% Mix of good and bad

59% Mostly bad

Don't know/can't remember

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 2,069) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q5

4.4.2 Specific issues experienced while using upland paths in Scotland in the last 12 months Respondents were asked to indicate (from a list) the types of negative issues they had encountered while using upland paths in Scotland in the last 12 months.

Almost everyone had encountered boggy or eroded paths (92%); around 4 in 10 respondents had come across paths which they felt were visible from too far away (44%) or which were designed in a way that discouraged people from staying on the path, for example, because of awkward stone steps or wide drains crossing the path (42% of all respondents and 46% of mountain biking respondents). More than a quarter of respondents had experienced paths that they felt didn’t fit in with their natural surroundings, for example, because they were too wide or ‘urban’ for a remote setting (29% of all respondents and 35% of mountain biking respondents), or paths which were overgrown with vegetation (28% of all respondents and 35% of mountain biking respondents).

Respondents who described themselves as ‘very experienced’ in the Scottish hills were slightly more likely than average to have encountered each of these issues.

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Figure 7: Negative issues encountered on upland paths in Scotland in the last 12 months (prompted) (%)

Boggy or eroded paths 92

Paths visible from too far away 44

Path design which discourages people from 42 staying on the path Paths which don't fit in with natural 29 surroundings

Paths overgrown with vegetation 28

0 20 40 60 80 100 % respondents encountering each issue

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 1,984) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q6

4.4.3 People’s perceptions about changes to the condition of upland paths in Scotland over the last ten years Looking back over the last ten years, around 4 in 10 respondents thought the condition of upland paths in Scotland had improved (43%). Those who described themselves as ‘very experienced’ in the Scottish hills (52%) and older respondents (47% of those aged 55 plus) were slightly more likely to express this positive view. Those who were resident in Scotland were more likely than those living outside of Scotland to believe that upland paths had improved (45% and 35% of respondents, respectively). Opinion was fairly evenly divided among the remaining respondents: 19% thought the condition of upland paths hadn’t changed at all over the last ten years, 14% thought it had got worse and 23% didn’t know.

Figure 8: Over the last 10 years has the condition of upland paths in Scotland improved, stayed the same or got worse (%)?

23% Improved 44% Stayed the same Got worse 14% Don't know 19%

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 2,073) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q7

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4.4.4 Locations and areas where the quality of upland paths is perceived to be particularly good or particularly poor Respondents were asked to provide details of specific sites or areas in Scotland where they thought the quality of upland paths was particularly good or particularly poor. The timing of the survey (April – July 2017) should be taken into account when reviewing these comments (some of the feedback, for instance, may pre-date subsequent pathwork, or may not reflect a subsequent deterioration in the path). It is also possible that people are more likely to notice and comment on a ‘bad’ path while a ‘good’ path might pass unnoticed. The number and variety of places mentioned indicates, however, that there are both good and poor quality paths to be found in most parts of Scotland. Interestingly, some of the same sites and areas appeared in both the ‘good’ and ‘poor’ quality categories; this could be for a variety of reasons including the time of year in which respondents had experienced the path; different perceptions about what constitutes a ‘good’ versus a ‘poor’ quality path; the possibility that different sections of path on the same hill are maintained by different owners; or because respondents were referring to different paths on the same hill (e.g. the ‘tourist’ and North Face paths).

A third of respondents provided examples of locations where they perceived the quality of paths to be particularly good (33%). Figure 9 shows the specific hills mentioned most frequently in this context; Figure 10 shows the geographical areas mentioned most frequently; and Figure 11 shows other areas of land mentioned most frequently.

As shown in Figure 9, Bennachie (mentioned by 34 respondents), (29 respondents) and Ben Nevis (28 respondents) were the specific hills mentioned most frequently in connection with good quality paths.

Figure 9: Specific hills in Scotland (each mentioned by more than 10 respondents) where the quality of upland paths is perceived to be particularly good

Bennachie

Ben Lomond

Ben Nevis/North Face

Schiehallion

Lochnagar

Ben Arthur/The Cobbler

Ben

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 No. respondents mentioning each hill

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q8

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Respondents’ comments relating to good quality paths on these hills included: Bennachie:

‘(Path is) … in keeping with the hill, easier access for all, with good signage on main routes but quieter ‘Use of local indigenous stone and a routes to get away from it all’. (Female, sympathetic colour/ textured surface 45-54, Scotland, quite experienced) enables a good blend with the natural

environment. Steps are regular, not too big/small, but retain a ‘natural’ feel’. (Female, 45-54, Scotland, quite experienced) ‘A great example of a quality path, sympathetic to the environment and well-maintained’. (Male, 45-54, Scotland, quite experienced)

Ben Lomond

‘Wide enough for two people to walk side ‘Ben Lomond is very good. It by side, going up and down, to pass encourages you to stay on the path easily. Not overgrown with heather. Path all the way to the top. It looks very doesn’t disappear then reappear’. (Male, 25- natural too and you generally can’t 34, Scotland, quite experienced) see it further in the distance which helps to maintain the natural look of it’. (Female, 25-34, Scotland, some experience) ‘Lovely work done re step heights and a wee bit of left to the side Definitely a thumbs up’. (Female, 45-54, Scotland, quite experienced) ‘Regularly attended to by volunteers’. Male, 45-54, Scotland, some experience) ‘A lot of hard work by NTS rangers’. (Female, 35-44, Scotland, quite experienced)

Ben Nevis ‘Given the massive numbers and ’The Nevis tracks are always good, but they the safety challenge of so many are the ‘rock stars’ of the path world’. (Male,

25-34, Scotland, quite experienced) novices doing it, it has been well managed’. (Male, 35-44, Scotland, quite

experienced)

‘Well-built, well-maintained throughout the year’. (No personal info provided) ‘‘Sturdy paths on the Ben do a good job of protecting the

mountain from the thousands of ‘Good solid paths and stairs’. (No personal info tourists’. (Male, 35-44, England, some provided) experience)

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In terms of geographical areas (Figure 10), the (or ) was mentioned more frequently than any other part of Scotland as an area with good quality paths (260 respondents). In general, upland paths in the Cairngorms were perceived as meeting four important criteria: well-built, well-drained (aided, in some instances, by the underlying geology), well-maintained and appropriate for the setting.

Figure 10: Areas in Scotland (mentioned by 10 or more respondents) where the quality of upland paths is perceived to be particularly good

Cairngorms/CNP

Torridon

Glencoe

Arran

Pentlands

Kintail

Loch Lomond/LL&TNP

Arrocher

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 No. respondents mentioning each area

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q8

Respondents’ comments relating to good quality paths in the Cairngorms/CNP included:

‘Without a shadow of a doubt, they are the ‘Well-graded, well maintained, visible best in the UK’. (Male, 35-44, Scotland, very and easily followed’. (Female, 55-64, experienced) Scotland, quite experienced)

‘Fit in with the mountains in terms of ‘I think a good balance has been materials used. Not too ‘safe’ either, plenty struck, enabling main ‘tourist’ paths stepping stones and bits needing thought’. and more ‘off-beat’ ones’. (Male, 25-34, (Female, 24-34, Scotland, quite experienced) England, quite experienced)

‘Well drained means less boggy which ‘Path erosion has been contained by means people don’t stretch wider and altering the design when erosion has wider … leading to a very wide eroded occurred’. (Male, 45-54, Scotland, very area’. (Male, 45-54, Scotland, very experienced) experienced)

‘Cairngorms paths generally fit in

‘They show real skill once you get away well with the barren landscape and from the ski centre’. (Male, 25-34, England, some accommodate the volume of traffic experience) well without being too visible from

afar’. (Male, 25-34, Scotland, quite

‘In such a popular area the main experienced)

‘feeder’ paths are in good condition and encourage people to stay on them ‘Good off-road access (for rather than go off-piste’. (Male, 55-64, mtb)/natural feel to paths’. (Female, 45- England, quite experienced) 54, Scotland, quite experienced) 12

‘A recent walk up the Lin of Dee stands out. The condition of the paths there are great, all bridges were in very good condition plus the occasional signposts are very helpful. Makes the area very accessible to most people … highlighted by the fact I walked past a man with two young kids … it’s great to see young people enjoying the remote outdoors’. (Male, 25- 34, Scotland, quite experienced)

Among the other areas of land mentioned (Figure 11), NTS land and traditional stalkers’ paths were most frequently mentioned in connection with good quality paths (mentioned by 41 and 29 respondents, respectively).

Figure 11: Other areas in Scotland (mentioned by 2 or more respondents) where the quality of upland paths is perceived to be particularly good

NTS land

Traditional stalkers' paths

JMT land

NGO land

0 10 20 30 40 50 No. respondents mentioned each type of land

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q8

Respondents’ comments relating to good quality NTS and stalkers’ paths included:

NTS paths

‘Some NTS and other areas. On- ‘Properties owned by conservation going maintenance means that paths bodies, particularly NTS and JMT, as are not damaged by erosion once they have a longer term view of path they have been built or, if they are, management and have been they get repaired’. (Female, 25-34, Scotland, committed to securing funding’. very experienced) (Female, 45-54, Scotland, very experienced)

‘NTS are particularly good at ‘NTS properties at Torridon, Glen maintaining their paths to a high Affric, , Glencoe and Mar standard’ (Male, 35-44, Scotland, quite Lodge. Well-designed with walkers experienced) in mind, robust but blended into the

landscape’ (Male, 45-54, Scotland, very experienced) ‘NTS and JMT owned paths. They have been sensitively managed and in most cases well-maintained’ (Male, 65+, Scotland, quite experienced) 13

‘Generally on NTS properties - ‘Generally on NTS properties, Glencoe, in particular’. where a lot of money has been (Male, 55-64, Scotland, very experienced) invested in path maintenance’. (Female, 35-44, Scotland, quite experienced)

Stalkers’ paths

‘Traditional stalking paths in the North West. Usually ‘I find stalkers’ paths in the have placed stones, rather than fabric gravel. Placed Kintail areas superb. They ‘stepping stones’ across boggy areas, not always an have stood the test of time, easy walk – which increases the quality of the are well drained and take experience. Tend to follow natural/desire lines, and you on a comfortable steady grades up and down hills, seldom washed out gradient and are generally as tend not to follow fall line. Lead you to natural unobtrusive’. (Male, 55-64, places to cross/ford burns – without need for bridges. Scotland, very experienced) Low man-made quotient’. (Female, 55-64, Scotland, very experienced)

‘There are some lovely

‘Those that are built as stalkers’ paths tend to be stalkers’ paths in the West

better than direct, steeper routes. They have more Highlands that unobtrusively

comfortable gradients and drainage was usually gain height and are easy to

carefully considered at construction so they often don’t follow. The path up

wash out as quickly as non-engineered paths’. (Female, Gleourich is a good example. 55-64, England, very experienced) Ben Damh has a good

stalkers’ path for the first

400m’. (Female, 55-64, Scotland, very ‘Traditional stalkers’ paths are often unobtrusive from a experienced) distance and have a good gradient with zig zags. They are my favourite way of getting up a hill, taking a steady and fairly direct line, with drainage ditches so they are ‘Some old stalkers’ paths are in good condition long after construction, and not too still in good condition. These wide’. (Female, 55-64, Scotland, very experienced) were very well built in their

day with good gradients, good choice of route ‘Glen Quoich – fantastic high level stalkers’ paths (choosing dry ground, allowing rapid height gain while remaining unobtrusive avoiding boggy ground from afar’. (Male, 55-64, Scotland, quite experienced) where possible), properly drained.’ (Female, 55-64, Scotland, very experienced)

Just over a quarter of respondents provided details of ‘poor quality’ paths (28%). Figure 12 shows the specific hills mentioned most frequently in this context and Figure 13 shows the wider areas mentioned most frequently. No ‘other’, non-geographical, areas of land were mentioned in connection with poor quality paths.

As shown in Figure 12, below, Beinn a’ Ghlo (or Carn Liath) (26 respondents) was the hill range or hill mentioned most frequently in connection with poor quality paths. Ben Lomond

14 and Ben Nevis, which some respondents perceived had good quality paths, were also mentioned as sites with poor quality paths (by 16 and 11 respondents, respectively). It’s worth noting that, at the time of writing, path work has recently been completed or is currently underway on the Carn Liath, Ben Lomond, Ben Nevis and Suilven hill paths.

Figure 12: Specific hills in Scotland (each mentioned by 7 or more respondents) where the quality of upland paths is perceived to be particularly poor

Bein a'Ghlo/Carn Liath

Ben Lomond

Ben Nevis

Suilven

Lochnagar

Ben Ledi

An Teallach

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 No. respondents mentioning each hill

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q9

Respondents’ comments relating to poor quality paths on Beinn a’ Ghlo, Ben Lomond and Ben Nevis included:

Beinn a’ Ghlo/Carn Liath

‘Beinn a’ Ghlo is the most ‘The wide, eroded path up the obvious example of an front of Carn Liath (Beinn a’ eyesore from the A9’. (Male, 35- Ghlo) is a memorably bad blot 44, Scotland, very experienced) on the landscape’. (Male, 45-54, England, very experienced)

‘Beinn a’ Ghlo range. Carn Liath

path very eroded and return route from the last very ‘Carn Liath becoming an boggy/non-existent before eroded eyesore all year round’. (Male, 55-64, Scotland, quite reaching track’. (Female, 55-64, experienced) Scotland, some experience)

Ben Lomond

‘I’m not sure I like the tight cobble ‘Connic hill, Ben Lomond style that’s now on Ben Lomond. – wide scars and verges Pretty sore on the descent and trafficked bare’. (Male, 45-54, Scotland, quite experienced) definitely not great for running’. (Female, 35-44, Scotland, quite experienced)

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Ben Lomond work was starting when I Hate the ‘stone wall’ effect, was last there … that was in a bit of a particularly on descents. It’s state, just because the path was so slippy in the wet and makes me wide and getting wider’. (Female, 25-34, go off-piste!’ (Female, 45-54, Scotland, Scotland, very experienced) quite experienced)

Ben Nevis

‘Lower section of Ben Nevis track is ‘The area around Ben Nevis, particularly awful, badly eroded, over-used for the lower part of the ‘tourist track’ and the its quality and under-maintained’. new riverside walk in is of low (Male, 35-44, Scotland, very experienced) quality. £1,000s invested and yet the workmanship is shoddy, paths will clearly gather water on the riverside and drainage ‘Ben Nevis tourist path is just a bit of channels on the Ben Nevis track are not blot on the landscape, although well- well-supported …. the installation of more maintained , it just cuts through the stone steps has increased the trickiness of hill and can be seen from all around’. the path … I believe this may see an (Male, 44-55, Scotland, very experienced) increase in minor injuries, especially in people descending as they are tired, need

to concentrate more on the rocks and as a

result slip and trip more.’ (Female, 16-24, Scotland, very experienced) Ben Nevis, Lawers – anywhere that

stone is laid as the surface. May be

tough but destroys the body,

especially the knees!’ (Male, 55-64, Scotland, very experienced) ‘I used the tourist route on Ben Nevis at the weekend and was dismayed by how poor

some of the upper sections have become …’ (Male, 45-54, Scotland, very experienced)

Most of the areas associated with poor quality paths (Figure 13) were also associated (by other respondents) with good quality paths. The Cairngorms (or Cairngorms National Park) was mentioned more frequently than any other part of Scotland as an area with poor quality paths, although, as already shown in Figure 10, significantly more respondents associated the area with good quality paths (39 versus 248 respondents).

There are a number of reasons which might explain why the Cairngorms featured in both the ‘good’ and ‘poor quality’ path categories. These include the popularity of the area and possibility that more respondents are familiar with and have an opinion about its paths. There has also been a considerable amount of path repair work undertaken within the Cairngorms giving rise to differing opinions on the success and style of the repaired paths, but also potentially raising expectations of the standard of path.

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Figure 13: Areas in Scotland (mentioned by 10 or more respondents) where the quality of upland paths is perceived to be particularly poor

Cairngorms/CNP

Highlands

Pentlands

Glencoe

Torridon

Loch Lomond/LL&TNP

0 10 20 30 40 50 No. respondents mentioning each area

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q9 NB The ‘Highlands’ (as an entity) was mentioned by 21 respondents. Many more respondents mentioned specific areas within the Highlands, e.g. Skye (9 respondents), (8 respondents).

Respondents’ comments relating to poor quality paths in the Cairngorms included:

‘In many places the Cairngorms paths ‘Cairngorms. You could probably see have been over-engineered, using them from space, they are so wide. Also, machines to save money’. (Female, 35-44, massive over-use of water bars on the Scotland, quite experienced) high mountains. The path down Carn

Ban Mhor into Glen Feshie was appalling ‘Cairngorms. Some huge drainage on a mountain bike. Erosion either side ditches lined with protruding slate of a huge path and water bars wherever it slabs makes it dangerous for was possible to go around them’. (Female, 45-54, , very experienced) bikes/bikers’. (Male, 35-44, Scotland, quite experienced)

‘Cairngorms – too constructed and too

‘The paths around Bynack More have extensive. Need to maintain a sense of huge drainage ditches, which are adventure’. (Female, 55-64, Scotland, very unsuitable for bikers (and potentially experienced) dangerous for walkers when they are

snow-filled’. (Female, 45-54, Scotland, very experienced) ‘Cairngorm plateau. Very and unnecessarily wide in places. Erosion is depressingly expanding’. (Male, 35-44, ‘Cairngorm mountain, up and down from Scotland, very experienced) the summit. Terrible wide cobbles that are either slippy or icy. Everyone walks along the edge causing erosion.

Shocking path’. (Female, 35-44, Scotland, very ‘Cairngorms. Over-use, particularly by experienced) mountain bikes in wet conditions’. (Male, 55-64, Scotland, quite experienced)

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4.5 The influence of paths on route selection 4.5.1 Overall picture Respondents were asked to indicate how much they agreed or disagreed with a series of statements about the extent to which the presence of a path influences their choice of an upland route. Figure 14, below, illustrates that, for some hill users, the presence of a path and the condition of that path does play a part in route planning while, for others, these factors are less important. Figures 15 to 18, below, show that gender and level of hill experience (and to a lesser extent, age) are variables which influence the extent to which the presence or condition of an upland path is perceived to be important. This suggests that path provision and maintenance may have a role to play in ensuring that Scotland’s upland areas are accessible to all.

Figure 14: Level of agreement with statements about the importance of paths when selecting an upland route (%)

I would avoid a particular upland route if I knew there was no obvious path 8 24 15 19 33

The presence of a path is not important when I plan a route 15 23 16 29 16

I generally try to plan a route so that I am using a path that's in good condition 13 32 26 15 14

A poorly maintained path would deter me from using that route again 10 37 17 20 15

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Agree strongly Agree slightly Neither/ nor Disagree slightly Disagree strongly

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 2,007 minimum) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q10

4.5.2 I would avoid a particular upland route if I knew there was no obvious path A third of all respondents agreed that they would avoid a particular upland route if they knew there was no obvious path (32%), rising to more than half among respondents with only ‘some experience’ in the Scottish hills (56%) and to almost two thirds among those with ‘little or no experience’ (65%). In addition, women were more likely than men to be deterred by the absence of a path (43% of women compared to 26% of men).

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Figure 15: Attitude statements – I would avoid a particular upland route if I knew there was no obvious path (%)

All 32 Male 26 Female 43 16-34 28 35-54 36 55+ 28 Very experienced 13 Quite experienced 33 Some experience 56 A little/no experience 65 Live in Scotland 32 Live elsewhere 27 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 % respondents agreeing

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 2,008) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q10

4.5.3 The presence of a path is not important when I plan a route Conversely, over a third of respondents agreed that the presence of a path was not an important consideration when planning an upland route (39%); this proportion was higher among men than women (41% and 33%, respectively) and higher among those who described themselves as ‘very experienced’ in Scotland’s hills compared to those who were less experienced (50% and 32%, respectively).

Figure 16: Attitude statements – The presence of a path is not important when I plan a route (%)

All 39 Male 41 Female 33 16-34 39 35-54 37 55+ 40 Very experienced 50 Quite experienced 38 Some experience 20 A little/no experience 25 Live in Scotland 38 Live elsewhere 46

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 % respondents agreeing

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 2,010) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q10

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4.5.4 I generally try to plan a route so that I am using a path that’s in good condition Just under half of respondents agreed that they generally try to plan a route so that they’re using a path that’s in good condition (44%); this proportion was slightly higher among women than men (49% and 42%, respectively) and higher among those who described themselves as less experienced in Scotland’s hills (59% among those with ‘some experience’ and 54% among those with a ‘little or no experience’). Figure 17 Attitude statements – I generally try to plan a route so that I am using a path that’s in good condition (%)

All 44 Male 42 Female 49 16-34 45 35-54 46 55+ 41 Very experienced 33 Quite experienced 47 Some experience 59 A little/no experience 54 Live in Scotland 44 Live elsewhere 44 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 % respondents agreeing

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 2,009) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q10

4.5.5 A poorly maintained path would deter me from using that route again Almost half of respondents agreed that a poorly maintained path would deter them from using a route again (47%). There were very few variations according to gender, age, level of hill experience or residency.

Figure 18 Attitude statements – A poorly maintained path would deter me from using that route again (%)

All 47 Male 47 Female 49 16-34 47 35-54 50 55+ 45 Very experienced 48 Quite experienced 45 Some experience 50 A little/no experience 51 Live in Scotland 48 Live elsewhere 45 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 % respondents agreeing

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 2,007) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q10 20

4.6. The perceived importance of maintaining Scotland’s upland paths 4.6.1 Overall picture Respondents were next asked to indicate the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with a series of statements about the importance of maintaining Scotland’s upland paths. Their responses are summarised below and in Figure 19 and then discussed in more detail in paragraphs 4.6.2 to 4.6.4. A detailed breakdown of respondents’ views by gender, age, level of hill experience and residency is provided in Appendix 3. In summary, there is very strong support among hill users for continued investment in the existing network of upland paths. There is also strong support for ensuring that the design and maintenance of these paths takes account of the surrounding landscape. The benefits of upland paths are widely acknowledged by hill users, particularly in terms of providing a high quality visitor experience and reducing impacts on sensitive areas. Opinion is more divided, however, over the issue of providing more signposting and waymarking on upland paths and on whether or not paths can reduce the ‘wild’ experience sought by some upland visitors.

Figure 19: Attitudes regarding the importance of maintaining upland paths (%)

It's important the design and maintenance of upland paths fits in with the surrounding landscape 78 18 31

It's important to invest in exisitng upland paths to ensure they're there for future generations to enjoy 70 24 41 1

Well-looked after upland paths can improve the quality of experience enjoyed by hill users 63 28 7 21

Upland paths help safeguard sensitive areas by reducing visitor impacts on wildlife, habitats and landscapes 58 34 5 211

Well-maintained upland paths can have a positive economic impact on local communities (e.g. attracting 43 40 12 21 3 more visitors, increasing local spend)

Upland paths help bring more people into contact with nature 40 42 13 31 1

Well-maintained upland paths help create a sense of identity and pride in an area 26 35 26 5 2 6

The condition of the path doesn't tend to affect my enjoyment 14 28 19 28 10

I'd like to see more waymarking or signposting on Scotland's upland paths 13 21 17 17 31 2

Building or repairing paths can reduce the 'wild' experience for users 10 37 17 22 14

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Agree strongly Agree slightly Neither/ nor Disagree slightly Disagree strongly Don't know

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 1,923 minimum) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q11

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4.6.2 Investment in path maintenance More than 9 in 10 respondents expressed their support for further investment in the existing network of upland paths in Scotland, with 70% agreeing strongly and 24% agreeing slightly that this was important (94%). While 42% of respondents indicated that the condition of a path wouldn’t necessarily affect their own personal enjoyment, more than 9 in 10 agreed that, in general, well looked after paths can improve the quality of visitor experience, with 63% agreeing strongly and 28% agreeing slightly that this was the case (91%).

There was no real variation in the level of agreement with either statement in terms of respondent age, gender, level of hill experience or residency.

4.6.3 Impact of paths on the landscape More than 9 in 10 respondents agreed that the design of upland paths should take account of the surrounding landscape, with 78% agreeing strongly and 18% agreeing slightly that this was important (96%). There was no real variation in the level of agreement with this statement in terms of respondent age, gender, level of hill experience or residency.

Opinion was divided on whether or not the presence of paths can reduce the sense of ‘wildness’ that some hill users seek. Almost half of respondents believed that paths can have this sort of negative impact (47%). This proportion rose to 51% among younger respondents, aged 16 to 34, to 52% among those describing themselves as ‘very experienced’ in the Scottish hills and to 57% among respondents living outside of Scotland. However, more than a third of respondents disagreed that paths could have this effect (36%). Overall, a third of respondents agreed that they would like to see more waymarking and signposting on Scotland’s upland paths (34%), with the level of support significantly higher among less experienced hill users: 55% of those with only ‘some experience’ and 62% of those with ‘little or no experience’ would like to see more waymarking.

4.6.4 Perceived benefits of paths When prompted with some of the perceived benefits of upland paths, the majority of respondents agreed that paths can help safeguard sensitive areas (58% agreeing strongly and 34% agreeing slightly), help attract visitors (and additional expenditure) into an area (43% agreeing strongly and 40% agreeing slightly), bring more people into contact with nature (40% agreeing strongly and 42% agreeing slightly) and, to a lesser extent, create a sense of identity and pride among local people (26% agreeing strongly and 35% agreeing slightly). With the exception of ‘safeguarding sensitive areas’, younger respondents, those with less hill experience and those living in Scotland were more likely to agree with each of these statements.

4.7. Level of interest in helping to look after Scotland’s upland paths Respondents were asked to indicate what positive action they would be prepared to take to help look after Scotland’s upland paths. Figure 20, below, shows that while most respondents say they would consider helping out in some way, only a minority would ‘definitely’ do so. Twenty per cent of respondents would ‘definitely’ and 50% would ‘possibly’ make a small annual voluntary donation; and 17% would ‘definitely’ and 47% would ‘possibly’ join an occasional work party to repair and maintain paths. Significantly fewer respondents, however, would consider making a larger, one-off voluntary donation (3% ‘definitely’ and 26% ‘possibly’). Further research would be 22 required to test the strength of respondents’ resolve and their ‘tolerance’ in terms of the value of monetary donations they would be prepared to make or the number of volunteering days they would be prepared to consider. In general, older respondents and those with more experience in the Scottish hills were slightly more likely than younger and less experienced respondents to say they would make a voluntary donation; younger respondents, mountain biking respondents and those living in Scotland were slightly more likely to say they would consider joining an occasional work party to repair and maintain paths.

Figure 20: Level of interest in taking positive action for Scotland’s upland paths (%)

I would be willing to make a small voluntary donation each year to help fund maintenance of upland paths 20 50 17 4 9 in Scotland I would be willing to make a larger, one-off voluntary donation each year to help fund maintenance of 3 26 47 13 11 upland paths in Scotland I would be willing to join a work party on an occasional basis to help maintain and repair upland paths in 17 47 21 7 8 Scotland

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Yes, definitely Yes, possibly No, probably not No, definitely not Don't know/ not sure

Base: All respondents using upland paths in Scotland in last 12 months (n = 1,874 minimum) Source: Upland path survey 2017, Q12

4.8. Additional comments Finally, 481 respondents added comments to their questionnaires. These can be categorised into seven broad themes: o positive comments about those involved in upland path building and maintenance (e.g. good work being done, good paths being built, worthwhile, appreciated, good for the economy); o a plea for the needs of mountain bikers to be taken into account in upland path work (e.g. ensuring that water bars and drainage ditches are rideable and that gates and stiles don’t act as deterrents to cyclists); o the suggestion that any future activity and resource should focus on looking after existing paths on the most heavily used and damaged routes, rather than on creating new paths; o recognition that there is a ‘conflict of interests’, i.e. how do we ensure that our hills are accessible, that the natural environment is protected and that hill users can still enjoy a 'wild' experience?; o the concern that wider use of signposting and waymarking might tempt inexperienced hill users into dangerous situations; o the view that the principal purpose of path building should be to protect the natural environment; o the view that paths are important in terms making the hills accessible to everyone. 23

5. Summary and conclusions The survey attracted more than 2,400 responses, demonstrating a very strong level of interest in upland paths among Scotland’s outdoor community. Most respondents used paths on their visits to the Scottish uplands (80% on all or most occasions) and this was true regardless of gender, age or level of hill experience. Other research has demonstrated high levels of participation in mountain recreation and the substantial economic impact of these activities. Taken together, these findings clearly highlight the importance of upland paths as a resource for outdoor recreation and tourism in Scotland.

More detailed consideration, however, reveals a more complex picture. Feedback provided by respondents indicates that there are both good and poor quality paths to be found in most parts of Scotland - and that people’s perceptions of what constitutes a ‘good’ versus a ‘poor’ path can vary. More than a third of respondents indicated that the condition of the upland paths they’d used in the last year was ‘mostly good’ (37%), with only a small minority describing them as ‘mostly bad’ (3%). However, most people had experienced a mix of both good and bad paths (59%), and almost everyone had recent experience of boggy or eroded paths (92%).

Opinion was divided on whether or not the condition of upland paths in Scotland had improved over the last 10 years. Forty four percent of respondents agreed that it had, 19% thought nothing had changed, 14% thought things had got worse and 23% didn’t know.

For some hill users, the presence of a path and its condition does play a part in route planning while, for others, these factors are less important. Around a third of respondents said they would avoid a particular upland route if they knew there was no obvious path (32%) and almost half said that a poorly maintained path would deter them from using a route again (47%). Gender, level of hill experience and, to a lesser extent, age, are variables which appear to impact on attitudes, with women and less experienced hill users more likely to be deterred by the absence of a path or to take its condition into account when planning their route. This underlines the importance of paths in making the hills more accessible to a wider group of users.

There is very strong support among hill users for continued investment in our existing upland paths (94% agreed that this is important). One of the themes emerging from the ‘any other comments’ section of the survey was the view that our focus should be on looking after existing paths on the most heavily used and damaged routes, rather than on creating new paths.

Forty four per cent of respondents had come across paths which they felt were visible from too far away and there was general agreement that path design and maintenance should take account of the surrounding landscape (96%). This is perhaps not too surprising given the very high value which other research tells us the general public in Scotland place on the country’s landscapes and areas of wild land9. Around half of respondents felt that building or repairing paths has the potential to reduce the ‘wild’ experience sought by some hill users (47%).

In terms of path design, the research also highlighted some other potential tensions. Some elements of path design (e.g. water bars, gates and stiles) were perceived by mountain

9 Scotland’s People and Nature Survey 2013/14 24 bikers as active deterrents. As many as 42% of all respondents (and 46% of mountain biking respondents) had come across paths which they felt were designed in a way that actually discouraged people from staying on the path, for example because of awkward stone steps or wide cross drains. There is consequently a challenge to find effective path designs which safeguard the upland environment, but are also accessible to all users within access rights.

A significant minority of respondents (34%) would like to see more waymarking or signposting on Scotland’s upland paths, and support for this was significantly higher among less experienced hill users. Among those opposed to the idea, one of the main concerns expressed was that waymarking might tempt inexperienced hill users without appropriate navigation skills into potentially dangerous situations, underlining the need to ensure that navigation skills training is available and well promoted. Proposals to increase waymarking have also attracted some criticism in the past on the grounds of perceived conflict with the wild qualities of the mountain environment. In conjunction with the above comments on route planning, the support for increased waymarking does re-emphasise the importance of upland path management to facilitate access by less experienced users, subject of course to the inherent constraints and sensitivities of the upland environment, and this may warrant further discussion.

A fifth of respondents indicated that they would definitely consider making a small annual voluntary donation and 17% would definitely consider joining an occasional work party to repair and maintain paths. A significantly smaller proportion of respondents would definitely consider making a larger, one-off donation (3%). On the one hand, this underlines the commitment to upland paths among hill users, and the potential to obtain some resources (both funds and volunteers) from within this community. Not surprisingly, however, it also suggests that such resources would be relatively modest and would not, by themselves, make a substantial contribution to upland path repair and maintenance at a national level. Additional resources from elsewhere would therefore be required to achieve this.

Importantly, 91% of respondents acknowledged that well-maintained paths can improve the quality of the visitor experience, and most agreed that paths can provide a range of significant environmental and economic benefits. Wider recognition and promotion of these benefits is likely to be crucial in finding new ways to support the repair and maintenance of upland paths for the future.

The results of this survey will be discussed by SNH and key stakeholders to develop proposals for future funding for upland path repair and maintenance, reflecting the clear support which exists for continued investment in these paths, and recognition of their role in ensuring that upland recreation and tourism continue to provide social and economic benefits for the future.

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Appendix 1 – Profile of survey respondents All respondents All respondents All respondents living living in Scotland outside of Scotland % % % Residency Scotland 88 100 - England 9 - 78 Wales 1 - 4 * - 1 Other 2 - 17 Gender Male 66 64 75 Female 34 36 25 Age 16-24 4 4 2 25-34 17 17 18 35-44 24 25 15 45-54 25 25 27 55-64 20 19 28 65 and over 10 10 9 Frequency of visiting the outdoors for leisure and recreation in last 12 months Once a week or more 35 41 4 Once a week 22 26 2 Once or twice a month 25 27 17 Once every 2-3 months 9 5 35 Once or twice 7 1 41 Never 1 * 2 Level of experience in the Scottish hills I’m very experienced 36 36 35 I’m quite experienced 40 40 39 I have some experience 21 21 22 I have a little experience 3 3 3 I have very little or no * * 1 experience Membership of organisations/clubs/bodies Mountaineering Scotland 40 42 19 (formerly (Mountaineering Council of Scotland) Ramblers Scotland 6 7 1 Local mountaineering or 24 25 19 walking club National cycling/mountain 16 17 14 biking body or club Local mountain biking club 16 16 13 National Trust for Scotland 31 33 16 20 20 18 Other 25 23 46 * Less than 1%

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Appendix 2 – Activities undertaken in Scotland’s upland areas in the last 12 months All Male Female Aged Aged Aged 55 Very Quite Have some Have little/ no Live in Live outside respondents 16-34 35-54 plus experienced experienced experience experience Scotland of Scotland % % % % % % % % % % % % Hillwalking/ 89 90 91 92 89 92 96 91 83 61 90 93 mountaineering/ climbing Lower level 69 66 81 70 71 71 71 70 74 59 73 54 walking in the glens Mountain biking 41 47 29 50 46 27 45 42 32 36 43 26 Wild camping 31 34 29 44 34 21 44 31 18 8 33 28 Bird/wildlife/ 25 24 32 27 25 28 30 25 24 22 27 20 nature watching Running 19 19 21 29 23 9 25 21 12 12 21 9 Ski-ing 12 14 11 19 13 9 19 13 5 3 14 5 Other 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 4 5 6 6

Appendix 3 – % of respondents agreeing with each statement about the importance of maintaining Scotland’s upland paths

All Male Female Aged Aged Aged 55 Very Quite Have some Have little/ no Live in Live outside respondents 16-34 35-54 plus experienced experienced experience experience Scotland of Scotland

% % % % % % % % % % % % It’s important that the 96 96 97 94 96 97 96 96 96 89 96 98 design and maintenance with upland paths fit in with the surrounding landscape It’s important to invest 94 93 95 93 94 94 93 94 96 92 94 90 in existing upland paths to ensure they’re there for future generations to enjoy Well-looked after 91 90 93 88 92 91 91 90 91 94 91 89 upland paths can improve the quality of experience enjoyed by hill users Upland paths help 92 91 91 91 92 90 89 92 92 89 92 87 safeguard sensitive areas by reducing visitor impacts on wildlife, habitats and landscape Well-maintained 83 82 83 84 84 78 78 83 87 91 83 76 upland paths can have a positive economic impact on local communities (e.g. attracting more visitors, increasing local spend) Upland paths help 82 81 83 88 83 76 77 83 87 88 83 76 bring more people into contact with nature Well-maintained 61 60 64 61 63 58 53 61 72 72 63 49 upland paths help create a sense of identity and pride in an area Cont. over/

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Appendix 3 cont. – % of respondents agreeing with each statement about the importance of maintaining Scotland’s upland paths

All Male Female Aged Aged Aged 55 Very Quite Have some Have little/ no Live in Live outside respondent 16-34 35-54 plus experienced experienced experience experience Scotland of Scotland s

% % % % % % % % % % % % The condition of the 42 43 39 43 41 42 42 44 38 40 42 45 path doesn’t tend to affect my enjoyment I’d like to see more 34 32 38 33 36 32 18 36 55 62 36 24 waymarking or signposting on Scotland’s upland paths

Building or repairing 47 48 45 51 45 48 52 49 39 34 46 57 paths can reduce the ‘wild’ experience for users

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Appendix 4 - Questionnaire UPLAND PATHS IN SCOTLAND – SURVEY OF HILL USERS We’re keen to hear about your experiences of using upland paths in Scotland and we’d be grateful if you could take a few minutes to complete our survey. You can answer the questions by ticking the appropriate box or by writing your answer in the space provided. The information you provide will help ensure our upland paths safeguard the environment and meet the needs of hill users. Please note that by upland paths, we mean paths or routes in Scotland’s hills and mountains which have either been constructed or formed by regular use. Vehicle tracks, i.e. tracks constructed to allow vehicular access to the hills, are not included in this definition. Q1(a) In the last 12 months, how often, on average, have you visited the outdoors for leisure and recreation in Scotland? Q1(b) In the last 12 months, how often, on average, have you visited Scotland’s upland areas (i.e. hills or mountains) for leisure and recreation?

(a) Visited the outdoors (b) Visited upland areas in Scotland in Scotland

More than once a week  1  1

Once a week  2  2

Once or twice a month  3  3

Once every 2-3 months  4  4

Once or twice  5  5

Never  6  6 IF YOU ANSWERED ‘NEVER’ AT Q1a OR Q1b, PLEASE SKIP TO Q6 Q2 Which of the following activities have you undertaken during your visits to Scotland’s upland areas in the last 12 months? Please tick all that apply.

Hill walking, mountaineering or  1 climbing

Lower level walking in the glens  2

Mountain biking  3

Running  4

Ski-ing  5

Bird/wildlife/nature watching  6

Wild camping  7 Other activity (Please provide details) …………………………………………………………………

Q3 How often have you used upland paths on your visits to Scotland’s hills and mountains in the last 12 months (i.e. paths or routes which have been constructed or formed by regular use, but excluding vehicle tracks)?

On all occasions  1

On most occasions  2

On some occasions  3

On no occasions  4

Q4 In general, how would you rate the condition of the upland paths you’ve used in Scotland in the last 12 months (e.g. surface, drainage, extent of any erosion)?

Mostly very good  1

Mostly quite good  2

Mix of good and bad  3

Mostly quite bad  4

Mostly very bad  5

Don’t know/can’t remember  6

Q5 Have you encountered any of the following issues when using upland paths in Scotland in the last 12 months? (Please remember that tracks constructed to allow vehicular access to the hills are not included in this definition of upland paths). Please tick all that apply.

Boggy or eroded paths  1

Paths which are visible from too far off  2

Paths which are overgrown with vegetation  3

Paths which don’t fit in with their natural  4 surroundings (e.g. paths which you think are too wide or too ‘urban’ for a remote setting)

A path design which discourages people  5 from staying on the path (e.g. awkward stone steps, wide drains crossing the path)

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Q6 Would you say that the condition of upland paths in Scotland over the last 10 years or so has:

Improved  1

Stayed the same  2

Got worse  3

Don’t know  4

Q7 Are there any locations or areas in Scotland where you think the quality of upland paths is particularly good? Please tell us where these paths are and what makes them good. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Q8 Are there any locations or areas in Scotland where you think the quality of upland paths is particularly poor? Please tell us where these paths are and what makes them poor. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Q9 Listed below are a number of statements about how you might select a route in Scotland’s uplands. Please tick the appropriate box to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each statement.

Agree Agree Neither/ Disagree Disagree Don’t strongly slightly nor slightly strongly know

I would avoid a particular upland route if  1  2  3  4  5  6 I knew there was no obvious path

I generally try to plan a route so that I  1  2  3  4  5  6 am using a path that’s in good condition

The presence of a path is not important  1  2  3  4  5  6 when I plan a route

A poorly maintained upland path would  1  2  3  4  5  6 deter me from using that route again

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Q10 Listed below are a number of statements about maintaining Scotland’s upland paths. Please tick the appropriate box to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with each statement.

Agree Agree Neither/ Disagree Disagree Don’t strongly slightly nor slightly strongly know

It’s important to invest in our existing  1  2  3  4  5  6 upland paths to ensure they are there for future generations to enjoy

Well looked after upland paths can  1  2  3  4  5  6 improve the quality of experience enjoyed by hill users

Building or repairing paths can reduce  1  2  3  4  5  6 the ‘wild’ experience for users

Upland paths help safeguard sensitive  1  2  3  4  5  6 areas by reducing visitor impacts on wildlife, habitats and landscapes

The condition of the path doesn’t tend to  1  2  3  4  5  6 affect my enjoyment

It’s important that the design and  1  2  3  4  5  6 maintenance of upland paths fits in with the surrounding landscape

I’d like to see more waymarking or  1  2  3  4  5  6 signposting on Scotland’s upland paths

Upland paths help bring more people into  1  2  3  4  5  6 contact with nature

Well-maintained upland paths can help  1  2  3  4  5  6 create a local sense of identity and pride in an area

Well maintained upland paths can have a  1  2  3  4  5  6 positive economic impact on local communities (e.g. by attracting more visitors to the area and increasing local spend)

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Q11 Which of the following would you be willing to do to help with the upkeep of Scotland’s upland paths?

Yes, Yes, No, probably No, definitely Don’t know definitely possibly not not

I would be willing to make a small  1  2  3  4  5 voluntary donation each year to help fund the maintenance of upland paths in Scotland

I would be willing to make a larger,  1  2  3  4  5 one-off voluntary donation to help fund the maintenance of upland paths in Scotland

I would be willing to join a work party  1  2  3  4  5 on an occasional basis to help maintain and repair upland paths in Scotland

About you Finally, a few questions to help us understand who has responded to the survey (please remember your answers are anonymous).

Q12 Your gender Q13 Your age Q14 Where do you live?

Male  1 16 – 24  1 Scotland  1

Female  2 25 – 34  2 England  2

35 – 44  3 Wales  3

45 – 54  4 Northern Ireland  4

55 – 64  5 Other ______

65 and over  6

Q15 How would you describe your level of experience in the Scottish hills?

I’m very experienced  1

I’m quite experienced  2

I have some experience  3

I have a little experience  4

I have very little or no experience  5

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Q16 Are you a member of any of the following organisations? Please tick all that apply.

Mountaineering Scotland (formerly  1 Mountaineering Council of Scotland)

Ramblers Scotland  2

Local mountaineering or walking club  3

National cycling/mountain biking body/club  4

Local mountain biking club  5

National Trust for Scotland  6

John Muir Trust  7

Other relevant organisation (please provide details) ……………………………………………………………..

Q17 Where did you find the link to our survey?

Mountaineering Scotland or local  1 mountaineering club

Ramblers Scotland or other local  2 walking club

Walkhighlands  3

Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland  4 or local mountain biking club

Conservation organisation (e.g. National  5 Trust for Scotland, John Muir Trust)

Professional path management network  6 (e.g. Upland Path Advisory Group) Other (please specify) ……………………………………………………

Q17 Finally, if there are any other comments or suggestions you would like to make about the condition or design of upland paths in Scotland, please use the space below. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ......

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP

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