Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage and Western Isles Enterprise, has been successful in obtaining funding for footpath work in the Western Isles under the Highlands and Islands Special Transitional Programme. This project, known as the Western Isles Countryside Access Programme, is aimed at improving the standard of footpaths and providing access for people of all levels of ability throughout the Western Isles.

The launch of the Countryside Access Program was announced at the Western Isles Countryside Access Forum meeting when they met in Stornoway on Tuesday. The group consists of people from a range of backgrounds with an interest in countryside access issues.

The Forum was established by the Comhairle to deal with issues arising from the Land Reform Act, which has wide ranging implications for access throughout Scotland. The Act is due to become operational early in 2005 with the publication of the Outdoor Access Code by Scottish Natural Heritage.

Chairman of the Forum, Cllr Norman A. MacDonald (UIg) said “We are delighted to have been successful in obtaining this funding, which will facilitate improved access throughout the Western Isles. This will benefit people’s health and wellbeing and will also have economic benefits for sustainable tourism”