The Development of a long-distance coastal walking route spanning the Dumfries & Galloway Coast (Gretna – Stranraer) has been ongoing since January 2022, after several in depth discussions with various stakeholders and a Feasibility study done to look at the possibility of such a route (Feasibility Study).
The three main stakeholders Southern Uplands Partnership, Dumfries & Galloway Council and The People’s Project Dumfries are continuing to push forward the project, aided by a dedicated Project Officer to hold all the pieces together.
The overall aim is to mark out a continuous coastal walking route between Gretna and Stranraer which will encompass coastal core paths, minor roads and new paths/routes subject to successful landowner negotiations and fundraising. The route will seek to put in the least restrictive new or replacement infrastructure possible to maximise accessibility whilst responding sensitively to local circumstances and surrounding environment.
It is our intention that the route will increase walking opportunities for local communities and encourage healthy lifestyle choices such as walking to school/work and increase local people’s engagement with their local coastal environment. We aim also to contribute to attracting more active tourism in our region.
Since inception, the project has seen many successes including path infrastructure work at Dornock, Sandyhills – Kippford and Glencaple – Kingholm Quay with more infrastructure work planned for later in 2024, subject to successful fundraising.
The project has extensive support from Community Councils, Community groups and other stakeholders, from Gretna – Gatehouse of Fleet consulted with so far, with further consultation planned as we progress westwards.
We aim to have the route fully surveyed by the end of 2024.
The views and support of communities are really important to us. If you would like to know more or have a question, please do not hesitate to get in touch katrina@sup.org.uk
The South West Scotland Coastal Way is reliant on funding and donations to enable the project to continue. The funding received to date has made a very positive contribution towards the project and we would like to thank The People’s Project Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Robin Rigg Community Fund, Dumfriesshire East Community Benefit Group, and South of Scotland Enterprise.
