Machrihanish to the Inneans and Southend

Core Path Report for C090(c) Machrihanish to The Inneans and Southend 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Representation Respondent Organisation/ Objection Respondents Respondent Objection Name Group Summery proposed Ref No. withdrawn action Objection Andy RSPB Wildlife & Amend P203 (section c) Robinson Scotland Conservation Support Frieda Bos About Argyll P166 Walking Holidays Comment Southend Southend P008 Community Community Council Council (Susan Paterson) 3. History of Access i. Right of Way Status – SA123 is a Claimed route recorded by the Scottish Rights of Way Society linking Machrihanish with the road to the Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse, just to the north of Torr Mor. This route is said to have served a number of abandoned settlements along the coast and passed over the summit of Cnoc Moy, however little or no sign of this route is visible on the ground and it is probably seldom used. The route recorded is shown as a straight line on the Society’s map. It is possible that the Core Path follows parts of that claimed Public Right of Way. ii. Recorded Access Issues – None iii. Kintyre Way – The proposed Core Path forms part of the Kintyre Way which is shown on OS maps of the area. 4. Site Visit Looking south east along section of Looking towards farm track to Amod Farm Kintyre Way that follows the public road from the public road, the start of the eastern Section of C090(c) Page 2 of 10 Continuing along farm track towards Kintyre Way finger post directing users away Amod Farm from Amod Farm Kintyre Way heads south away from Amod Looking towards Amod Hill Farm Kintyre way heads west towards Largiebaan Vehicle track through Largiebaan Looking north towards Binnean Fithich & Path heads north, with cliff edge to the North face of the corrie left of picture Page 3 of 10 Looking south west, cliff edge to the right of The path skirts the edge cliff for a short distance Picture on the northern approach to Binnean Fithich, with north face of corrie visible. Near top of Binnean Fithich, cliff on left Looking south towards Binnean Fithich, path hand side of picture leads away from the corrie Heading north towards Innean Glen Looking towards the Sailors Grave and Innean Glen Page 4 of 10 Largiebaan Nature reserve panel Ballygroggan and Largiebaan march 5. Alternative Route/s None Proposed 6. Consultation with Objectors & Other Interested Parties Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) wish the path to be moved further away from cliff edge due to concerns regarding the disturbance of breeding birds. There were eagles nesting in this area prior to the establishment of the Kintyre Way and they have since stopped using the area. In discussion with the Kintyre Way Route Manager he says that before the route was chosen in consultation with the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) who are the land owner and that the issue of disturbing the eagles was not raised. Eagles do however continue to hunt in the area. Moving the route could be problematic since the SWT’s tenant, a farmer, asked for the path to be routed where it is to avoid disturbing his best grazing on the summit of Cnoc Moy. It is recommended that the RSPB discuss this with SWT if they decide to sustain their objection. 7. Access Officer’s Initial Comments The Kintyre Way already follows this route and is way-marked on the ground and recorded on the Ordinance Survey maps for the area; therefore designation will not make a substantial change. The Kintyre Way was opened in 2006 and now attracts over 1,500 walkers per annum. The development of the route was funded in part by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) amongst other agencies. The options for adjusting the line of the route are limited because of the terrain and existing land use whilst the availability of funding to cover the costs is not certain. The cliffs of the corrie at Binnean Fithich are only visible for short stretches of the route, however the cliffs will act as an attraction for many people for their panoramic value. I feel that people would still be attracted to the sea cliffs at Binnean Fithich even if the promoted route was moved further away from them. It has been suggested that the presence of White Tailed Sea Eagles may be the main reason that Golden Eagles no longer nest at this site rather than human disturbance however there is no data to support this. This issue has not been raised by SNH who are the government body responsible for monitoring endangered species and advising on their management. I would expect them to comment on this issue in the final round of consultations prior to presenting this report to the Access Forum. Page 5 of 10 At present my view is that the path should be designated as a Core Path although I recommend that the RSPB pursues discussions with the land owner SWT and SNH to establish if there is a causal link between the route of the Kintyre Way and the loss of Eagles from this site. If a link is established consideration will need to be given to adjusting the route in this area and funding will need to be found to construct the alternative route. In the event that the route is diverted the line of this Core Path can be amended in the Core Paths Plan. Conclusion – Continue to propose this path as a Core Path since it is a key part of an important long distance route and already appears on the published Ordinance Survey Maps. 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 Page 9 of 10 Appendix I. Copies of relevant correspondence Appendix II. Copies of responses additional consultations Appendix III. Additional supporting documents Page 10 of 10 .

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