Mountain wins competition to secure cash to restore footpath
One of the Scotland’s favourite mountains has topped a worldwide poll to win £18,000 of funding.
A conservation project bidding to restore a vital footpath on Suilven in Sutherland secured more than 6,000 votes in the competition hosted by the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA).
The project was nominated by outdoor clothing firm Berghaus on behalf of the John Muir Trust and the Assynt Foundation, who will jointly carry out the restoration work and beat off four other shortlisted projects from Rwanda, Italy, France and Spain.
Chris Goodman, footpath officer for the John Muir Trust said: “This is great news. We were up against strong competition but thousands of people in the Highlands and the wider outdoors community across the UK rallied behind Suilven, underlining just how popular this hill is.
“We’d like to thank Berghaus for nominating Suilven, as well as others who have helped win this funding.
“Alongside other funding, this windfall will allow us to get off to flying start next year. The trust still needs around £50,000 to carry out a full restoration of the footpath that will endure for decades to come.”
Suilven is an iconic local landmark and a major draw for visitors and locals alike - Richard Williams
Brendan O'Hanrahan from the Assynt Foundation said: “The Foundation is delighted that the importance of improving the access to this well-loved mountain has been recognised in this way.
"That this comes from an international audience is a tribute to the success of the partnership approach embodied by the partnership.
“Suilven itself, bearing its hybrid Norse-Gaelic ‘Pillar-Mountain’ name, symbolises the rich and diverse cultural history of our area, as well as often serving as the visual standard-bearer for our world-class landscape.
“The foundation, as a community-owned estate after a buyout 10 years ago, has always considered the stewardship of this breathtaking expanse of mountain and bog as one of its highest priorities - for both local and visitor alike.”
Richard Williams from the Coigach-Assynt Living Landscape Partnership, which includes the Assynt Foundation and the John Muir Trust, said: “Suilven is an iconic local landmark and a major draw for visitors and locals alike.
“For the Assynt Foundation to have this opportunity is fantastic and a great testament to the benefits of partnership working.
“This sort of project just isn’t possible without a huge investment of time and expertise and we’re grateful to all involved in helping develop the project, and of course to all those who voted for it.”
