Written Question · S5W-17758 · Session 5
Whether it plans to roll-out the Scottish Scenic Routes initiative to other areas of the Highlands and Islands following previous pilot sch…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to roll-out the Scottish Scenic Routes initiative to other areas of the Highlands and Islands following previous pilot schemes, and for each of the pilot areas, what (a) route they covered, (b) their budget was and (c) the outcome of the pilot was.
The answer
The Scottish Scenic Routes initiative was launched in July 2013 as a pilot project to explore the creation of innovatively designed, bespoke viewpoints at selected stopping points on tourist routes, to support tourism whilst also providing opportunities for architectural innovation by young architects.
The Scottish Government allocated £500k per annum for the initiative over a period of 3 years between 2013 and 2016. The pilot was delivered in partnership with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Scottish Canals on land either owned by these bodies or where an agreement was reached with a local landowner.
There are three installations in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park:Off the A82 on the west side of Loch Lomond at Inveruglas (£262k)Off the A82 at the Falls of Falloch; andBeside Loch Lubnaig on the A84 (two installations which total £271k).
There is also a mobile structure on Loch Voil at Balquhidder (£24k).
There are three installations in the Cairngorms National Park, which are part of the ‘Snow Roads Scenic Route’ from Blairgowrie to Grantown-on-Spey:Lay-by site at Corgarff on the A939 road (£110k)At the Devil’s Elbow adjacent to the A93 (£110k)At Tomintoul on the A939 (£110k).
There is one site on the Caledonian Canal at Laggan (£452k) and a mobile structure at Banavie (£24k).
No formal evaluation of the pilot projects has been undertaken but consideration of the operation of the scheme to date and its future is ongoing. This should not discourage local authorities and others who may be interested in developing a similar project in their areas.
The Scottish Government allocated £500k per annum for the initiative over a period of 3 years between 2013 and 2016. The pilot was delivered in partnership with the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Scottish Canals on land either owned by these bodies or where an agreement was reached with a local landowner.
There are three installations in the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park:Off the A82 on the west side of Loch Lomond at Inveruglas (£262k)Off the A82 at the Falls of Falloch; andBeside Loch Lubnaig on the A84 (two installations which total £271k).
There is also a mobile structure on Loch Voil at Balquhidder (£24k).
There are three installations in the Cairngorms National Park, which are part of the ‘Snow Roads Scenic Route’ from Blairgowrie to Grantown-on-Spey:Lay-by site at Corgarff on the A939 road (£110k)At the Devil’s Elbow adjacent to the A93 (£110k)At Tomintoul on the A939 (£110k).
There is one site on the Caledonian Canal at Laggan (£452k) and a mobile structure at Banavie (£24k).
No formal evaluation of the pilot projects has been undertaken but consideration of the operation of the scheme to date and its future is ongoing. This should not discourage local authorities and others who may be interested in developing a similar project in their areas.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S5W-17758 by reference.