The National Trust for Scotland Mountain Path Team is currently working to repair a path near Mullach an Rathain summit on Liathach in Torridon. Their main objective is to prevent irreversible damage to fragile habitats rather than improving access. The NTS is responsible for maintaining and preserving Scotland’s stunning landscapes and over 400 miles of paths in various locations such as Glen Coe, Kintail, West Affric, Mar Lodge Estate, Grey Mare’s Tail, Torridon, Goatfell, Ben Lawers, and Ben Lomond. The Mountain Path Team is dedicated to conserving and maintaining this extensive network of mountain paths, utilizing locally sourced materials and employing manual construction methods whenever possible. The team’s efforts, along with the support of the Footpath Fund, are vital in preventing erosion and protecting Scotland’s magnificent landscapes.
Nan Morris, a member of the team, emphasizes the importance of staying on designated footpaths to avoid environmental destruction. While a single person stepping on vegetation may not seem significant, the cumulative impact of hundreds of people repeatedly treading on the same area can be detrimental. The trampling kills off plants, weakens root systems, and leaves the soil vulnerable to erosion during rainfall. Nan humorously warns that if people fail to stay on footpaths, Scotland may eventually become as flat as Holland. On a more serious note, she highlights how the destruction of the environment affects not just rare plants but also the entire ecosystem, including insects and animals. Nan has been involved in path building for 15 years, with 13 of those years spent working with the NTS after completing a course in environmental conservation.
Ben Farrington, the team leader, clarifies that their primary focus is not to enhance access but to protect the environment and prevent erosion. They strive to keep people on the designated paths by ensuring they are well-maintained and by blocking potential areas where walkers may deviate. This conservation effort benefits individual visitors by preserving the beauty of the landscapes and preventing the accumulation of scars caused by an influx of walkers. Ben highlights how the recent surge in visitor numbers following the lifting of lockdown restrictions has resulted in significant damage within a short timeframe. If footpath work was neglected over the years, these scars would worsen, creating gullies that deter people from walking on them and leading to the creation of new, damaging paths.
Kieran Fogarty, another team member, marvels at the ancient stone found in Torridon, specifically Torridonian sandstone that is believed to be between 600-800 million years old. This sandstone sits on a layer of Lewisian gneiss, which is an astounding 2.7 billion years old, making it some of the oldest exposed stone in the world. Kieran describes the geological history that has transformed the stone over epochs, and he expresses his fascination for finding unique artifacts. He shares the story of discovering a 3,500-year-old funerary burial pot during his work, unfortunately damaging it in the process. The pot and its contents were analyzed by the Peak District national park archaeology department, revealing details about the life of the individual cremated along with two pigs.
Despite their challenging work, the team members take pride in their efforts to maintain and protect Scotland’s natural beauty. They address common misconceptions, such as the belief that they are searching for gold, installing escalators, or paving footpaths. They emphasize the importance of sustainable practices and encourage visitors to consider their impact and the long-term consequences of straying off designated paths when exploring the hills.