Core Path Report for C049 Feolin Ferry to Cnocbreak Village

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Representation Respondent Organisation/ Objection Respondents Respondent Objection Name Group Summery proposed Ref No. withdrawn action Objection Donald Livestock / Delete P197 Ewen Farming Darroch Operations / Health & Safety

3. History of Access i. Right of Way Status - None

ii. Recorded Access Issues – IJC-007 - Inver, Jura - Inappropriate deer stalking signage – Resolved -

4. Site Visit

Start of the path at Feolin Ferry

Map for visitors at Feolin showing the path through Inver Estate Former Feolin Centre currently used as a site office for the construction of a hydro power scheme on Inver Estate

View towards Inver Estate along the track

Start of the track towards Inver Estate

Page 2 of 10 View of Inver Cottage from path beside Cows and calves grazing beside the track Whitefarland Bay close to Inver Cottage

Gate leading to estate “barn” and storage Hydro Scheme construction in progress area beyond Inver Cottage beside the track

View of the

Track past forestry plantation at Lon Eilean View of Loch a’ Chnuic Bhric to the left of the track

Page 3 of 10 Cnocbreac barn and site of old settlement Remains of a building said to be the site of the oldest settlement on the island, cleared in the early 19th Century

5. Alternative Route I walked back from Cnocbreac along the shore which might offer an alternative route, however the walking was rough and it was difficult in many places to identify a path. The path also passed very close to Inver Cottage and would affect its privacy more than the existing proposal. Therefore I do not think that this route is a viable alternative.

Cliff top walking with good views of the Stile over the deer fence Sound of

Page 4 of 10 Traigh nam Feannag raised beach View of light beacon at Carragh an t- Sruith

Passing along the shore in front of Inver Cottage Rejoining the track a few metres from Inver Cottage

6. Consultation with Objectors & Other Interested Parties The proposal will infringe upon the viability of Inver estates business. The promoted route will increase the number of walkers going through an unfenced area where cattle and calves are kept this will create an increased health and safety risk.

7. Access Officer’s Initial Comments Livestock – The majority of proposed Core Paths on agricultural land pass through fields used by livestock and in season for lambing or calving. There is standard advisory signage provided by Scottish Natural Heritage to inform users and reinforce responsible behaviour, i.e. keep dogs under control. The presence of livestock is not a reason for a Core Path not to be designated. The designation of the path will make it easier for the land manager to inform the public and provide advisory signs etc.

Privacy

The path as proposed passes over 120 metres from Inver Cottage and I do not consider that it would affect the privacy of the occupier unduly.

The Former Feolin Centre could become a house once it is no longer needed as a site office for the construction of the Hydro-power scheme. Although the house is within 5 metres of the path at the side it is similarly close to the road at the front, therefore the presence of the path will not affect it significantly. It is not unreasonable to assume that if the building were to have a domestic use in future it would be provided with some form of screening to the rear to provide some privacy and shelter.

Page 5 of 10 Promotion of the Path - The path is already promoted in at least one guidebook (see Appendix IV) and can be used to access the Paps of Jura from Feolin Ferry by mountain bike or on foot using the estate tracks which climb to almost 300 metres close to the foot of the Paps. Due to the remote location of Jura it is likely that any increase in usage would be limited by the availability of accommodation on Islay and Jura, therefore I would not expect a significant increase in the use of the path if it is designated.

Alternative Route – having walked back along the shore, which I was told is included in a guidebook as far as the light beacon I do not consider it to be a viable alternative for a number of reasons, primarily the lack of a path in some areas and the fact that it passes very close to Inver Cottage.

Conclusion - Since there has been no call for this path to be designated as a Core Path the Council is proposing at present that the path will be deleted from the Core Paths Plan. However if an objection to this proposal is received the Council will reconsider its position and consult the Access Forum for their advice before passing the Objections to the Scottish Ministers for a probable Public Local Inquiry.

Page 6 of 10 8. Advice received from the Access Forum

Argyll and Bute Council Core Path Plan Finalised Draft 2012 Minute of Discussions by the Access Forum Path Number: C049 Path Name: Feolin Ferry to Cnocbreak village Forum Members Present x John Urquhart (Chair) x Dave Tomlinson x John Cameron Little x Duncan McDonald x Neil Duncan x Tim Lister x Mike McManus x Malcolm Holder x Blair Fletcher

Declarations of Interest x None

Members Familiar with the Location x Tim Lister

Discussions x Location of path x Community council views x Current use x Landowners view

Access Forum Advice to and Bute Council Support Officer’s Recommendation (in Section 7) Object to Officer’s Recommendation (in Section 7) Mixed opinion amongst Access Forum members (record all views below)

Majority View Majority feel that this route should be a core path

Minority View John Little could not support the designation of this route as a core path

9. Access Officer’s Final Recommendations Recommend that this path is designated as a Core Path because it is a recognised route and is part of a route leading to the popular Paps of Jura from the Ferry at Feolin. The advice from the majority of Access Forum Members was that this should be a Core Path because of the proximity of the ferry and it allows access to this area of Jura for visitors from Islay or Kintyre who do not wish to take a car on the ferry.

Page 7 of 10 10. Appendices

Appendix I. Copies of the representations received during the formal consultation

Appendix II. Copies of relevant correspondence None

Page 9 of 10 Appendix III. Copies of responses additional consultations

From: Jura Community Council [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 18 July 2012 14:38 To: Grierson, Douglas Subject: RE: core paths consultation

Dear Douglas,

At the Jura Community Council meeting on Monday evening the issue of CO49 was discussed. It is the groups view that the route should NOT be designated a core path and subsequently support the objection.

With best wishes,

Donald Ewen

Acting Secretary Jura Community Council

Page 10 of 10 Appendix IV. Additional supporting documents Extract from “Jura – A guide for Walkers – 3rd Edition 2003” by Gordon Wright

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