The Long Walk-in Principle:
Where, Why, How and What are the Implications?

By Hebe Carus

The MCofS has been approached with reference to access along a number of Government-owned tracks; one in the north-west (Beinn Dearg), and five in the south-west (Galloway area). However, we cannot actively pursue opening up new vehicle access based on our Position Statement (PS). The relevant sections of the PS are:

1. “principle of a long-walk-in is an effective protection mechanism” i.e. the more concentrated the foot (or off-road bike) the greater the erosion
2. “Construction or upgrading of vehicular tracks should be avoided in remote areas” i.e. including widening to provide car parking
3. “unnecessary tracks should be removed” i.e. unnecessary for their original purpose

Two Existing Examples:
· Glen Strathfarrar
· Ben Nevis

So what do you think the MCofS position statement should say? Please contribute – MCofS needs to know your views in order to represent them, especially if you are the silent majority!

Read comments on our Pitch-in Forum and add your own views OR

Send comments to Hebe Carus before 15^th December