18 Mar Enthusiastic Volunteers Back For More
In March Shona Irvine, OATS’ Activity Projects Manager, ran two ‘refresher days’ for volunteers who had been involved with the Adopt A Path scheme (https://adoptapath.org.uk/) through The Mountains and The People Project.
OATS’ Adopt a Path initiative allows those passionate about Scotland’s mountains to become custodians of some of our most iconic hill paths, conserving fragile upland landscapes by reporting on erosion damage, potential path issues and allowing maintenance tasks to be targeted to best effect.
On Saturday 08 March volunteers gathered at Bochastle in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Shona ran through the survey method, key features of paths prone to erosion and discussed the impacts of increased footfall on many popular footpaths. The group walked up to the incredible erratic Samson’s Stone and over to the Iron Age fort. A range of enthusiasts in the group were able to inform the others about the history of the fort, the flowers along the way and other volunteering opportunities in the area, which was an added bonus. With the sun out and little wind, going through risk assessments in the afternoon was relaxing.
“Great opportunity to meet folk and get a refresher”
On Monday 14 March the refresher day was held in Glen Feshie in the Cairngorms National Park, and Shona and her team were again lucky with the weather.
A smaller group meant that once they had recapped on the survey and reporting methods, in the afternoon they were able to carry out some minor path repairs. Clearing accumulated material in cross drains and on waterbars which enabled the volunteers to understand how features can become blocked and what and how to report back on them.
“Thoroughly enjoyed today’s session, it was good meeting the new OATS team member and putting a face to the name, and also meeting up with old faces”
Both days were great opportunities for the volunteers to meet one another. In order to build a community of adopters and maintenance volunteers a Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/OATScot ) has just been been created.
To find out more about the Adopt a Path scheme and becoming an Adopt A Path volunteer in your area contact Shona Irvine – [email protected] / 07957 203028.