We are delighted to announce the publication of our report Paths for People: A Community Paths Network for Broadford and Strath. Read and download the report here. Read our press release below. (Photo: Skye & Lochalsh Disabled Ramblers.)
PRESS RELEASE, 3 March 2025: ‘Paths for People’ report shows next steps for community paths
Residents of Broadford & Strath would like to be able to walk and cycle more and have clear ideas about what’s needed to improve their local paths network, a new report reveals.
‘Paths for People: A Community Paths Network for Broadford & Strath’ was commissioned by Broadford & Strath Community Company (BSCC) to identify priorities for improving local paths, with an emphasis on everyday journeys. The report published this week is the result of extensive research including community consultation, a physical paths audit and stakeholder meetings.
Over 180 local people responded to a community survey, revealing their travel behaviours and sharing their opinions on the current paths network and ideas for improved and new paths. Eighty-six percent of respondents said they would like to be able to walk more for day-to-day journeys, with 73% wishing to use the car less and 57% wishing to cycle more.
The feedback showed that local paths such as Broadford’s Pier Path and Forest Path are very popular, but there is a need for improved maintenance and signage across much of the path network. People also stressed the need for safe routes for children, with the importance of delivering the walking and cycling paths promised as part of the new Broadford Primary School development highlighted.
Other community priorities for new paths include a safe off-road link from Broadford to the start of the popular Marble Line Path, and a footpath between the Pier Path and Broadford Hospital. Longer term ambitions include a route from Broadford to Luib, potentially re-purposing temporary access tracks from the proposed SSEN Skye Reinforcement Project. The survey also demonstrated strong support for the planned Skye Cycle Way (Skye Bridge to Broadford) route, and improvements to the Old Sleat Road.
As well as community survey results the report also includes detailed information to inform planning, including cost estimates and details of potential funders.
BSCC Chair Neil Hope said: “BSCC has a long track record of supporting local path developments including the Marble Line, Rathad na Cloinne and the recent Elgol village path. This report gives us a clear steer on community priorities for the future and provides the evidence we need to advocate on the community’s behalf with decision makers and funders. We look forward to working with partners to take the report’s recommendations forward and would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the project – in particular the Community Advisory Group, all those who contributed to the survey, and our funders.”
Eilean a’ Cheò Councillor John Finlayson said: “I was pleased to hear about the positive feedback and good level of response to the BSCC community survey about paths in the area, and it is encouraging to see BSCC once again taking such a proactive approach to both seeking opinions and also, looking to work with partners to maintain and upgrade the paths network around the Broadford and Strath area. I am sure Highland Council along with other public agencies and potential sponsors will be keen to continue to offer support for the ambitions contained in the survey feedback.”
Paths for All Grants Manager Grace Robertson added: “BSCC have designed and delivered a very successful feasibility study which sets out clear, actionable next steps to improve the active travel infrastructure of their community and to encourage more people to walk and wheel. They have secured great community engagement across the consultation and we are particularly encouraged by the strengths of the Community Advisory Group in making sure a wide range of voices and perspectives have been heard through this process. We are looking forward to seeing what happens next!”
The Paths for People project was supported by the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) Open Fund of Scotland’s national walking charity Paths for All, and by Community Regeneration Funding from the Scottish Government and Highland Council. The study was led by Alan Jones Associates in collaboration with BSCC.