This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New trail to spur on Dumfries-shire tourism
03/10/2003
A new trail through the forests of Dumfries-shire opened today is expected to gee-up the local tourist industry by attracting more horse-riding visitors to the region.
The 24-kilometre (15-mile) forest trail from Ae to Earshaigs will be open to cyclists and walkers as well as riders. However, it is part of the South of Scotland Countryside Trails project that is developing 325 kilometres (203 miles) of networked trails and promoting southernScotlandas a top destination for horse-riding tourists.
Opening the trail in a ceremony at the Forestry Commission Scotland's complex at Ae village, Forestry Minister Allan Wilson said:
"I congratulate the partners in this project for their imaginative approach to bring real benefits to the communities of southernScotland.
"They have identified and are catering to what has perhaps been an under-developed section of our tourist potential.
"The partners are bringing together the beautiful scenery and unspoilt countryside of southernScotlandwith the hundreds of kilometres of disused railway lines, Roman roads, ancient drove roads and historic walking tracks to provide a wonderful tourist resource. I am sure this resource will become a favourite destination for horse riders from all overBritainand abroad.
"By working with land owners, local authorities, local communities and funding agencies, they are mapping and waymarking many of these routes, and rebuilding routes that had fallen into disrepair.
"The benefits to local people are considerable. Not only will they have new places to walk, cycle and ride in the countryside, with all the health benefits that will bring, but the new visitors attracted to the area by this wonderful facility will generate and support local jobs in a wide range of services, such as food, drink, accommodation, transport, cycle hire and veterinary, sadlery and farrier services.
"I'm particularly pleased that the route we are opening today runs through our national forests, and demonstrates the Executive's determination to provide the maximum benefits to the people of Scotland from our forests.
"These routes will form the perfect complement to - and will link with - the '7Stanes' mountain bike trails that we are developing in our forests across southern Scotland, which have already put the region on the map as one of the top mountain biking destinations in the world."
Solway Heritage spokeswoman Clair Spray said:
"Solway Heritage is very pleased to be managing the SOSCT in Dumfries and Galloway, and we're hoping that it will kick-start horse riding green tourism in the area.
"The trail links being formed with the Borders are also proving to be an excellent example of what can be achieved across the south of Scotland by working in positive partnerships with other organisations and regions."
Eventually, SOSCT routes will link with existing routes such as the "7Stanes" mountain bike trails and the Border County Ride. In total they will provide linkages to a network of more than 2000 kilometres (1250 miles) of routes.
When completed in 2005, the SOSCT project is expected to attract more than 13,000 new visitors a year to southern Scotland, generating gross spending of £1.58 million on food, drink, accommodation and support services, and generating or safeguarding jobs in the above industries as well as specialist ones such as fuel, baggage transfer, cycle hire, and sadlery, veterinary and farrier services.
The SOSCT is led by the Southern Upland Partnership in close co-operation with the British Horse Society, local community and access groups, and other partners. Its implementation in Dumfries & Galloway is led by Solway Heritage.
The SOSCT project was initiated by the British Horse Society, which proposed the establishment of strategic routes in the Borders and Dumfries & Galloway, with links between. More than 1000 local residents were consulted about the proposals.
Work on the ground began in August 2003, and today's Ae-to-Earshaig route is the first section to open. Completion of the whole 325km network is scheduled for mid-2005.
Total expenditure on the project is estimated to be £762,750, of which £218,000 will be spent in Dumfries & Galloway. Funding partners include the European Regional Development Fund through the South of Scotland European Partnership, Heritage Lottery Fund, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland,Dumfriesand Galloway Council, and Landfill Tax Credits through Solway Heritage.
Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Executive's forestry department.