Top Scottish author, broadcaster and business woman, Muriel Gray, officially launched celebrations that mark the completion of a £200,000 public access and interpretation project along the Caledonian Canal and Great Glen Way.
At a ceremony held in Fort Augustus, Ms Gray (whose love of the Scottish outdoors is expressed in her book 'The First Fifty' and tv production 'The Munro Show') launched the Great Glen Ways Initiative which encourages people to explore the Glen 'by boot, by boat and by bike'.
The aims of Initiative are to strengthen the identity of the Great Glen, improve visitor satisfaction and encourage more people to come and enjoy the three Ways: the Great Glen Way, the Great Glen Mountain Bike Trails and the Caledonian Canal. It is anticipated that the Initiative will make significant contributions to the local economy with better employment opportunities in tourism related industries.
Since 2005, work has been underway to improve navigation, way-marking and prepare top quality public interpretation. This work has been managed by The Highland Council in partnership with British Waterways Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) has contributed 45% of the project funding
The Initiative has included setting up over thirty large stone and timber monoliths at strategic locations throughout the Glen. Forty-nine information and interpretation panels have been installed onto the monoliths. The main themes on the panels cover history, archaeology and folklore; forest management and wildlife; natural history and geology; travel and transport. There are new information panels at Tourist Information Centres. Way-marker posts and other signs have been improved, making it easier for visitors to find their way. All structures and signs have a distinctive Great Glen Ways design and colour.
A new web site www.greatglenways.info provides further information about the project.
