Multi-trails was a transnational LEADER cooperation project between the Community Woodlands Association in the Highland and Cairngorms LAG areas in Scotland and the Sjö, Skog & Fjäll LAG in Sweden. The project started in April 2019 and concluded in November 2020.
The objective of the project was to share innovative techniques and best practice for the construction, promotion and management of mixed-use trails (i.e. where it is likely that multiple user groups: pedestrians, cyclists, horse-riders, might interact).
The following activities were funded by Highland & Cairngorm LEADER:
Employment by CWA of a part-time project manager.
Construction and/or rerouting of short lengths of trail at five community woodlands which will complete or enhance larger networks and demonstrate innovative techniques or cover particularly challenging terrain.
Development of trail network promotion strategies for the five participating community woodland groups.
Delivery of three training events for community land managers (and others) demonstrating construction techniques and sharing best practice on the promotion and management of trails.
Delivery of a one-day seminar (with participation from Sweden) showcasing the project, sharing experience transnationally and providing an opportunity for wider public and private sector engagement.
Organisation of 2 bilateral exchanges with our Swedish partners. (NB: the second set of exchanges was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic - the end-of-project conference was held virtually on Tuesday 15 September 2020).
Production of a suite of web-based resources to further disseminate best practice and learning from the project.
Community woodland groups participating in the project will undertake regular monitoring of trails constructed through the project for a period of at least 5 years after the end of the project.
The five participating community woodland groups were:
The project engaged and involved other community groups through training events and drew on best practice and experience from other organisations, such as Paths For All and Forestry and Land Scotland.
Event reports:
Training event: trail planning at Lochcarron, 15 August 2019 - report
Seminar event: trail specification and grading at Aigas, 24 October 2019 - report
Training event: trail planning and management at Laggan, 16 March 2020 - report, film
Presentations from all events above are available on the CWA youtube channel
Swedish project conference (virtual) 15 September 2020: report, video record of the conference
Training event (virtual): trail promotion 13 October 2020 - report, video recording of event
Films:
Sustainable Visitor Management
External resources:
Paths For All resource library
Scottish Access Technical Information Network A - Z
Scottish Forestry publications:
The Multi-trails project was funded by the Highland and Cairngorm LEADER programmes, co-financed by the Scottish Government and the European Commission.
Banner Image: Swedish and Scottish seminar delegates at Aigas