Local landowners, community councils and agencies have come together to oversee the next phase of the development of a path linking Tyndrum to Oban. 

The steering group, chaired by Argyll and Bute Council, is initially focussing on a feasibility study for the route.  Funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the study will include specific details of the route on the ground and identify engineering works and costs. 

An economic study of the proposal, carried out in 2012, suggested that the route could bring up to £1m of economic activity a year into the communities of Tyndrum, Dalmally, Loch Awe, Taynuilt and Connel.  The route will create a strategic link for visitors and tourists between the West Highland Way at Tyndrum and Oban, the “Gateway to the Isles”.  The route will also benefit local residents as it will help link villages and communities. 

Pick Everard, a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, has been awarded the contract to produce the feasibility study.  Some of their recent work included part of the Great Glen Way.  They hope to complete their work in the spring. At that stage a public meeting will be held to gather feedback on the proposal before securing funds to start work on the ground. 

The consultants will be liaising closely with landowners and farmers during their work to identify a route that offers the public the best possible experience while minimising the disruption of land management activities.