Focus of work
Sidlaw Path Network is a volunteer group interested in developing and maintaining the local path network around the Sidlaw Hills in SW Angus, Perth and Kinross, and Dundee. The group monitors the local path network, promotes its use through producing map leaflets, suggested walks and working with local landowners and other stakeholders to arrange maintenance and improvements in the path network; their experience and local knowledge is critical in knowing who to approach if there is an issue with a path. They also work with other groups, such as community woodlands or residents’ groups, to develop projects in line with their aims, and have been successful in receiving grants from participatory budgeting and local benefactors for specific objectives. The volunteers’ expertise is also recognised in consultations for new routes around the Sidlaws.
Impact
Everyone who has walked a path in the Sidlaws will have seen a signpost or a leaflet dispenser (hopefully stocked) alongside one or other of the paths. In recent years, the group has produced a very popular walks leaflet (Walks around Muirhead and Birkhill) and during Covid was able to encourage active travel in a local primary school with a successful path and placemaking project funded through Angus Council participatory budgeting. A more recent project has been to promote a series of walks around Auchterhouse, again with participation from the local school in designing a promotional poster. These are the bigger projects – the group’s social media is essential for communicating path issues to the community and getting feedback from them, as well as a key way to promote the path use.