SNH award £109k to Nevis Partnership
A contribution of £109,000 was awarded to the Nevis Partnership recently by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), to support the implementation of the Nevis Strategy. Projects supported in the past year included the Glen Nevis Festival in October, pathwork on the Paddy’s Bridge path and work involved in planning the restoration of 600 metres of the historic summit path in the halfway lochan area. The grant is part of a five-year funding package which will be fully realised if a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund is successful. In which case future projects would include repairing the remaining sections of the summit path.
Access Officer for SNH in West Highland, Stewart Sandison, said: “In the region of 100,000 people use the summit path every year. It is important that this historic route is kept in good condition so that the fragile habitats on the mountain stay in good condition, and that the unique experience of climbing Ben Nevis remains. It will be important to involve the community somehow in the upkeep of the summit path in the future, and some ideas are already being suggested.”
Patricia Jordan of Fort William Community Council added: “I hope that a successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable the other projects within Glen Nevis to be taken forward and, that the area, that locals have always treasured, will also become special to future generations and visitors to our Outdoor Capital.”