A 100-MILE walking route from Aberdeen to Pitlochry and across the majestic glens of Angus and Perthshire is poised to take a small step towards virtual reality.
Projections suggest the trail could bring thousands of walkers and millions of pounds to local communities.
But the plan is proving an uphill struggle for partners including councils in Angus, Aberdeenshire and Perth and Kinross.
Their ambitions have been scaled down and the initial aim is to develop the Glens and Deeside Way as a ‘virtual route’ until finances can be found to properly waymark the spectacular challenge.
On Tuesday, Angus councillors will be brought up to date with the progress of a plan which emerged from an initial survey by Perth councillor Bob Ellis.
He discovered that existing paths and tracks could be used for the route from the south of the granite city through the Deeside Way and across the glens of Clova, Prosen and Glenisla for a trek that would take around six days for walkers to savour.
A feasibility study carried out by Andrea Partridge of P4 Projects and funded through Angus Council by the European Regional Development Fund found that many parts of the proposed route, including the popular Cateran Trail, are core paths or rights of way and others are long-established routes or those where local authorities have negotiated access.
All the landowners consulted agreed in principle with the development of the route.
Ms Partridge concluded the feasibility study by saying: “Once the work has been carried out, the route should be marketed to as wide an audience as possible, with the aim of developing this route into an exceptional resource for all users.”
There is clear evidence that walkers would flock to the trail, with 88% of those surveyed at a major Scottish outdoors show saying they would be likely to walk all or part of the route.
Studies have also indicated that by 2015 walking tourism is likely to contribute 22% of the overall UK tourism revenue. The potential of the Glens and Deeside Way is being compared to that of the Kintyre Way, which opened in 2006 and now brings 5,000 additional walkers, and £1.3 million of spending, to the area each year.
Angus Council infrastructure services director Eric Lowson will tell councillors: “The Glens and Deeside Way has the potential to be an excellent tourism product for the east of Scotland.
“Long-distance walking routes are becoming increasingly popular, with new routes being developed constantly,” he said.
“This is a chance for Angus to become involved in this sector of the walking market.
“The potential Glens and Deeside Way has been fully surveyed and has been found to be in good order.
“Any parts of the route in need of attention are already scheduled to be upgraded.”
He adds: “Waymarking the route will be expensive and would suggest that the path will be fully maintained.
“The best approach at this point is to introduce the Glens and Deeside Way as a virtual route have a detailed map, guide and website, but essentially users have to find their own way using these tools and their own navigation skills.”
Perthshire web developer Peter Guthrie from Highland Perthshire DMO (Destination Management Organisation) has agreed to develop the website, costs for which will be met from the private-sector Outdoor Angus group.
gbrown@thecourier.co.uk