Ramblers Scotland

Thanks Zahrah!!

Our President, Zahrah Mahmood, is stepping down after the maximum 3 years in the role. She's had a huge impact:

🥾 Walking with members, volunteers & Community Champions
🏆 Judging for Britain’s Favourite Path competition
🎖️ Gaining an MBE
🗺️ Breaking down barriers to walking

Thank you, Zahrah! 👏🏽

There are other ways in to Lochnagar, including a scenic route from the north, but yes - this will no doubt have a big impact for many walkers for the foreseeable. Such a shame!

A wooden bridge, deeply incut and damaged by flooding on one side.

☹️ Bad news: Recent flood damage has shut the road bridge into Spittal of Glen Muick car park - including to walkers.

It's a popular starting point for walks at Glen Muick, plus Lochnagar and other Munros on that side of the Cairngorms.

@cairngormsnews.bsky.social @walkhighlands.co.uk

A group of walkers taking a break in a winter woodland

Erraid Woods in the Pentlands with the Edinburgh group of @ramblersscotland.bsky.social

The final visitors to our joint Ramblers @scotways.com stall at #ScotLab26 to promote the outdoor organisations’ manifesto and the Scottish Paths Fund: for health, local business and social justice. We welcome discussions with all parties in May’s election.

It’s been busy with Labour candidates, MSPs, MPs and councillors keen to talk to us and @scotways.com about their favourite walks and the exciting potential of the Scottish Paths Fund. Part of our engagement with all parties before May’s election. #ScotLab26

Staff from scotways and ramblers with a table at Scottish Labour conference

As part of our engagement with all parties in the run up to the election in May, we are here with @scotways.com at #ScotLab26. If you are here, come and tell us your favourite walk and talk to us about why Scotland needs a Scottish Path Fund.

Survey reveals collapse in funding for Scottish paths and outdoor access Scotland’s world-class outdoor access rights are being pushed to breaking point due to a collapse in investment in staff and paths, a new report has revealed today.

Ah sorry to hear that. If you have images you'd like to share, please send them to scotland@ramblers.org.uk

Examples like that can help us make the case for path investment.

Right now, there's no dedicated budget for Scotland’s 4 National Trails - including the West Highland Way.

More info below.

A group of walkers on a narrow singletrack through grassland.

Scotland's Budget will be approved today.

Then it's up to councils, national parks & public bodies to set their own budgets. We want investment in:

🥾 Paths to boost health & rural economies
🗺️ Frontline staff like rangers & access officers
⛰️ Making world-class access rights a daily reality for all!

We are engaging with all parties pre election and look forward to continuing to do so all the way to 7 May and beyond.

That’s our time at #SLDconf over. Great to chat to MPs @wendychambld.bsky.social @cajardinemp.bsky.social, councillor @edthornley.bsky.social and target candidate @neilalex94.bsky.social about how Scottish Paths Fund would benefit health, wellbeing and local businesses.

With colleagues Katharine and Georgina from @scotways and British Horse Society Scotland at #SLDconf

Day 2 of #SLDconf and really interesting to talk to councillor and GP Drummond Begg on the health and economic benefits of a Scottish Paths Fund.

Thanks to MSP @jamiegreeneuk.bsky.social for coming to visit our stand and recognising the case for a Scottish Paths Fund. #SLDconf

Great to talk to Shetland MSP @beatricewishartmsp.bsky.social about the value of getting outside for health and wellbeing and how a Scottish Paths Fund will help #SLDconf

MP for Orkney and Shetland Alistair Carmichael came to to visit us at #SLDconf. As well asking people to label their favourite walk on our big map we are taking the opportunity to talk about our exciting ideas for a Scottish Paths Fund.

At #SLDconf good chat with MP Susan Murray and Agriculture & Rural Communities spokesperson Claire McLaren about all matters on farming, land use and outdoor recreation.

Very interesting chat with Scot Lib Dem leader @alex.scotlibdems.org.uk at #sldconf on Scotland’s access rights. It was a Lib Dem cabinet minister who oversaw the 2003 Land Reform Act so it’s vital, 20 years, on that these rights are matched by reality with a Scottish Paths Fund.

Great to see Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge at our stall at #SLDconf and to talk to us about Scottish Paths Fund.

Fundraiser launched to repair popular walking route destroyed by storm The popular walking route has collapsed following strong winds

Sad that storms have wrecked Arran's Fisherman's Walk, although the rapid community response is uplifting to see.👏🏼

At a national level, we're calling for a £50million Scottish Paths Fund in the next parliament to address the collapse in funding for our much-loved paths & world-class access rights.

The North East has been battered by constant rain for weeks so where better to go by train and bus today but Stonehaven for a wet walk with @ramblersscotland.bsky.social groups in Grampian followed by the Area AGM this afternoon?

Sail ship with mast and red hull docked on a grey river Clyde under a grey sky

Satirical plaque on a fence about the death of the last lowland haggis

Gothic spire of a university building against a grey-white sky with bare treetops on the foregry

Great little AGM with the North Strathclyde folk of @ramblersscotland.bsky.social followed by a city walk around Kelvingrove Park & the University (Although sad to read about the demise of the Lowland Haggis)

Post-Brexit farm payments betray Scottish walkers, charity warns Press release – issued by Ramblers Scotland. Scotland’s long-awaited overhaul of farming subsidy fails to replace “invaluable” lost funding for paths and public access, a leading walking charity has w...

Yes, great to get a chance to speak on the show. Especially as there's quite a bit of common ground between walkers, farmers and landowners on the urgent need for better funding for paths and outdoor access in Scotland.

Well worth a listen. Lack of funding for paths, signage, bridges - and conflict resolution - impacts badly on the public AND farmers & land managers.
In fact the Scottish Govt does allocate funding for 'land access' but it's £8.1m shared among 32 local authorities and hasn't changed since 2008.

Outoor access being eroded by collapse in funding - TFN It means access is not being enforced in many council areas

“When paths crumble, gates get locked and disputes go unresolved, it’s not the law that’s failing, it’s political will...This is the moment to recommit to access to nature being a right, not an optional extra.”

See why we're calling for a £50m Scottish Paths Fund, in @thirdforcenews.bsky.social 🔽

Farming Today - 02/02/26 Scottish Environment Bill, Ramblers report, new entrants. - BBC Sounds Scotland paves the way for legal targets on nature.

“We risk having world-class outdoor access rights, but 3rd-rate funding to actually make sure they’re delivered.”

Our director @bjpaddy.bsky.social just made the case for a £50million Scottish Paths Fund, on BBC Radio 4 Farming Today.

🔈Listen again below & see more on the @ramblers.org.uk website.

Survey reveals collapse in funding for Scottish paths and outdoor access - @ramblersscotland.bsky.social
Scotland’s world-class outdoor access rights are being pushed to breaking point due to a collapse in investment in staff and paths, a new report has revealed
c-js.co.uk/3ZGpern

Scotland’s 'world-class' outdoor access laws at risk, Ramblers warn RAMBLERS Scotland has warned that Scotland’s outdoor access laws, seen as one of the “stand-out achievements” of devolution, are being pushed…

"Scotland’s international reputation as a pioneer of outdoor access is in danger of becoming a hollow boast, unless politicians act.” - Our director @bjpaddy.bsky.social.

We're urging candidates in May's Holyrood election to commit to a £50million Scottish Paths Fund in the next 5-year parliament.👍

We ❤️ this motion from @pjferguson.bsky.social MP, in praise of The Drumchapel Way!

The fantastic Glasgow route has huge potential to have an even greater impact for residents and visitors.

That’s why we’re working with the community right now to scope future improvements. 🚶‍♀️ 🚶