Development plans are in the pipeline for a continuous trail along the Solway coast.
The aim is to link together existing path networks to create one long walking route from Gretna to Ayrshire.
Richard Clarke has been appointed by the Southern Upland Partnership as the new South West Scotland Coastal Trail development officer.
And he is tasked with making progress on the ambitious scheme to establish what could become a major tourist attraction for the region.
Richard said: “I am looking forward to leading this project enabling people to discover and enjoy the beauty of the Solway Coast.
“By linking together existing path networks we hope to create one continuous trail from Gretna to Ayrshire, uncovering the Solway’s secrets and working alongside communities, stakeholders, the People’s Project and Dumfries and Galloway Council in helping to deliver this project.”
Richard Clarke has worked as a countryside ranger for both the National Trust for Scotland and Buccleuch Estates and has experience liaising with community groups and ensuring that the outdoors is accessible for all.
The project will see the Southern Upland Partnership working in tandem with the Dumfries-based People’s Project and the regional council to develop the trail.
The charity was established 22 years ago and has initiated more than 60 significant socially and environmentally sustainable projects and secured and invested more than £4million of funding,
It has helped and worked alongside the South of Scotland Golden Eagle Project, UNESCO Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere, South West Scotland Environmental Information Centre and Ride Scottish Borders.
Richard, who has hit the ground running by doing a recce around the Gretna area, added: “Dumfries and Galloway Council will be instrumental to this project, providing countryside and access knowledge and experience whilst utilising the vast range of core paths the region has to offer.
“We are also grateful to The People’s Project which was set up in 2008 by Mark Jardine who wanted to rekindle the meaning of community in Dumfries and Galloway.
“Over the past 14 years there has been many achievements that the People’s Project has been the striving force in, and this project will again showcase what the region has to offer.”
For more information on the progress of the trail and the other work of the Southern Uplands Partnership and to find out how you can get involved visit www.facebook.com/southernuplandspartnership or www.sup.org.uk.
