HUNDREDS of previously hidden walking trails in Scotland have been revealed in a new interactive map.
Nearly 450 unmapped paths that total more than 85 miles in length are featured in the guide by walking charity Ramblers Scotland.
The online Scottish Paths Map collates path data from numerous sources, including trails recorded and audited over the last year by more than 100 Ramblers Scotland volunteers.
The map shows almost 42,000 miles of paths – from traffic-free city routes to high mountain trails – including many that are not shown on Ordnance Survey maps of Scotland.
Since 2019 Ramblers Scotland’s volunteers have completed around 1500 path surveys and they are urging walkers to help record hidden paths in their own areas.
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Ramblers Scotland director Brendan Paddy said: “Scotland has amazing landscapes and world-class access rights, yet sadly many people still lack confidence about where to walk – so mapped paths are key to creating a healthier, happier nation.
“I hope that people will use our Scottish Paths Map to plan walks, find new routes and unearth previously-unknown paths on their doorstep. “While this is the best-ever map of Scotland’s paths, we believe that it can be still be improved – so I’d encourage people to volunteer to help us audit data and identify thousands more hidden paths across Scotland.”
Paths are marked in purple on the map until audited by volunteers – when they turn green. Many more paths are expected to be audited in the coming months and years, allowing the public to access useful details such as a path’s surfacing, condition, waymarking and any obstacles.
Ramblers Scotland president Lucy Wallace has been voluntarily helping test the technology and audit paths on her home island of Arran.
She said: "This is such an exciting project as it brings together existing mapping with new data gathered by volunteers on the ground. “As it grows it will be a super-useful planning tool with publicly available information about important things like path condition and obstacles such as gates or stiles.
“As one of the volunteer auditors, I'm having a great time walking with purpose in my local area and helping to put this data on the map.”
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