Tag: Ian Findlay Path Fund

New West Lothian path opens thanks to landmark fund

Ian Findlay Path Fund celebrates four years transforming 62 communities

A NEW walking and wheeling path connecting Newton and Duntarvie with existing paths in West Lothian has officially opened, one of a number of projects funded by Walking Scotland’s Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF).

In response to years of road safety concerns, the new route replaces a dangerous stretch of the B8020 with a safe, accessible off-road connection to the wider Winchburgh path network.

The path is one of 62 community-led projects funded by the IFPF since 2022, a fund supported by Transport Scotland and administered by Walking Scotland that has invested £5.1 million in active travel infrastructure across 16 council areas.

The fund was established in memory of Ian Findlay CBE, the former Chief Executive Officer of Walking Scotland, who spent his career championing accessible paths and everyday walking as the foundation of healthier, more connected communities.

Walking Scotland is a charity that helps make walking and wheeling a part of everyday life, promoting the benefits of walking on our physical, social and mental health. The charity work with partners and local communities to reduce barriers and improve places and spaces to walk and wheel.

Across Scotland, its projects have upgraded more than 69 kilometres of path surfaces, created over 16 kilometres of new link paths, removed 28 accessibility barriers and installed 92 new seats changes that have already given people safer routes to school, work and local green spaces.

For many in the village, the path is already making a noticeable difference. Children can now walk or wheel safely to school, families are spending more time outdoors together and residents are able to travel between communities without relying on busy roads or car journeys.

Julie Brechin, Secretary of Newton Community Council, said: “This path was always about our community and making life easier and safer for local people. Before it was built, residents had to walk along the B8020 with heavy traffic and there was no safe route connecting us to Winchburgh.

“Now children can walk or cycle to school safely, families are out using the path together and people are enjoying being able to spend time outdoors away from traffic and noise. It has quickly become part of daily life here in Newton.”

The route combines existing historic paths with new sections to provide a new route and was designed to be accessible for everyone. Benches and picnic areas along the route have also created new spaces for residents to meet, walk and spend time together outdoors.

Julie continued: “What has been lovely to see is how many different people are using the path already. Young families, older residents, walkers and cyclists are all making use of it every day.

“It is not about attracting visitors from far away. This is a path built by the community, for the community. It is about helping local people stay active, connected and independent.”

The project moved quickly from planning to completion after funding was secured through the Ian Findlay Path Fund, with Walking Scotland providing support and technical guidance. Planning permission was granted in November and construction began in January, with work completed on schedule.

This project represents a truly collaborative partnership, bringing together Walking Scotland, Newton Community Council, Hopetoun Estates, the Walk, Wheel and Cycle Trust, West Lothian Council, award-winning environmental consultancy Ironside Farrar, and civil engineering specialists Covanburn Contracts.

Walking Scotland says the Newton project is a strong example of the fund’s impact, showing how community-led investment in local paths can transform everyday life.

Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive Officer of Walking Scotland said: “We’re so pleased to see the impact this path has already had for local people. The Ian Findlay Path Fund has left a legacy that communities across Scotland will benefit from for generations.

“It has strengthened community connections and created safer routes and more vibrant places. We’re incredibly proud of what has been achieved in Ian’s name.”

The route is also expected to support local businesses, with the village shop, garage and pub likely to benefit from increased footfall as more people travel between Newton and neighbouring communities on foot or by bike.

£5.07m community path fund leaves lasting legacy across Scotland

Ian Findlay Path Fund supports projects in Edinburgh

COMMUNITIES across Scotland are celebrating the impact of a £5.07 million investment in local path networks. Between 2022 and 2026, the Ian Findlay Path Fund, funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Walking Scotland, helped 62 projects across 17 council areas.  

The fund has supported eight path projects in Edinburgh over four years, including the Dalmeny Path Development, the Coalie Park Improvement Project and the Gyle Park Path Network Upgrade 2023. 

These initiatives have supported upgrades to path surfaces, improved accessibility and strengthened connections between local communities and green spaces, making it easier for residents to walk and wheel throughout the city. 

Across Scotland, communities have upgraded more than 69 kilometres of path surfaces, created over 16 kilometres of new link paths and improved almost 29 kilometres of routes connecting neighbourhoods with local services and green spaces. 

Projects have also removed 28 accessibility barriers, installed 92 seats along community paths and improved lighting, drainage and signage, helping to make routes safer and easier to use throughout the year. 

Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive Officer at Walking Scotland, said: “The Ian Findlay Path Fund has left a lasting legacy that people in Edinburgh will benefit from for years to come. These practical improvements make a real difference to people’s daily lives.  

“When paths are safe, well-maintained and easy to use, people walk and wheel more. That benefits their health and their communities.

“It also helps the environment, as more people choosing to walk and wheel reduces the number of car journeys and carbon emissions.” 

The fund was established in memory of Ian Findlay CBE, former Chief Executive Officer of Walking Scotland, whose work championed the importance of accessible paths and everyday walking and wheeling in building healthier, more connected communities across Scotland. 

Kevin added, “The Ian Findlay Path Fund was the perfect way for all of us to pay tribute to Ian. I’m delighted that we can now look back and celebrate its many achievements.” 

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said, “The Ian Findlay Path Fund has been an important part of our commitment to supporting communities across Scotland to create safe, accessible and attractive places to walk, wheel and enjoy their local environments.

“Since its inception, this fund has empowered local groups, who understand the needs and character of their own areas, to lead improvements that make every day active travel easier and more appealing. 

“As the fund comes to a close this month, I want to pay tribute to the volunteers, community organisations and partners who have turned small scale, grassroots ideas into meaningful local change.

“Their work embodies the spirit of community led development and complements our wider national ambition to make walking, wheeling and cycling the natural choice for shorter journeys. 

“While this chapter concludes this year, the legacy of the Ian Findlay Path Fund will continue in the strengthened connections, safer routes and more vibrant places it has helped deliver across Scotland.” 

To find out more about the work of Walking Scotland, please visit: 

https://walkingscotland.org.uk/ 

Path upgrades create gateway for active travel in Musselburgh

A PATH connecting Queen Margaret University (QMU) to the centre of Musselburgh has been refurbished and upgraded to meet the needs of local users after receiving a grant through  Scotland’s national walking charity Paths for All on behalf of Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government and funding from East Lothian Council.

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, Patrick Harvie MSP, joined representatives from Paths for All, East Lothian Council and QMU to see the benefits this project has delivered.

The path, which runs under the railway line between residential areas at Craighall Drive and Monktonhall Place also links the University with NCR1, has been revitalised following a £58,800 grant from Paths for All’s Ian Findlay Path Fund.

This grant funding for “A short path with a big impact’, has allowed the university, with support from East Lothian Council, to invest in making the route more accessible to all.

Work on the path involved removing physical barriers, resurfacing, new lighting and drainage. The result is path that is accessible to all and resilient to poor weather and flooding.

Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights, Patrick Harvie MSP, said: “I’m really pleasedto be able to visit this project which has been made possible through grant funding provided by the Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF).

“Ian would have been enthused by the projects coming forward through the fund and that it continues to support communities across the country to put their ideas for local walking and cycling infrastructure into practice, and encourage more people to choose active forms of travel for their everyday journeys.

“This new path will not only help staff and students to travel in a more sustainable way, but also provides a safe and accessible connection to the wider National Cyle Network for surrounding communities.”

Queen Margaret University applied to the Ian Findlay Path Fund last year and was one of 22 successful projects to be offered funding and support to improve active travel networks in their area.  Most of those projects are now reaching their conclusion, delivering improvements for communities all around the country. 

Professor Richard Butt, Deputy Principal of Queen Margaret University, said: “As a university with sustainability central to our values, this new accessible path that helps our students and staff travel to and from the university safely, without the need for a car, is a huge benefit. Importantly, we know that it will also help people living around the campus.

“It’s been great seeing this project develop first-hand, knowing the positive impact it will have for our community and the surrounding area.”

East Lothian Depute Provost, Andy Forrest, said: “In recent years more people have expressed an interest in active travel both within and to our towns and villages.

“This new route offers a safe path segregated from traffic for people to walk or cycle to parts of Musselburgh connecting with the QMU campus.”

Senior Development Officer for the fund, Yvonne McLeod, said: “The Ian Findlay Path Fund team has been delighted to be able to support this project and it is fantastic to see the finished path being put to such great use. 

“The purpose of the fund is to support community projects just like this one and it has been great to witness this fantastic example of team work between the University and the Local Authority which has allowed this path to be upgraded to such a high standard.

“Seldom has a project been so well named  and we hope the newly refurbished path will continue to have a ‘big impact’ for this community, well into the future.”

CEO of Paths for All, Kevin Lafferty, said: “The QMU path has meant that people of all abilities can get outside, be safe and get exercise while commuting on routes that are used on a daily basis.

“Delivering safe environments for active travel is at the forefront of our Paths for All objectives, supporting people to live active healthy lives. The success from QMU’s use of the funding shows the differences that path development can make for communities.”

The fund concluded its second round of awards to community-based groups on the 8th March and a further £1.5 million will be allocated to similar path improvement projects located all around Scotland.

The Ian Findlay Path Fund, established in memory of Ian Findlay CBE, the late Chief Officer of Paths for All, continues to support local initiatives aimed at enhancing path networks and removing barriers to active travel.

The team works directly with communities to improve local path networks that will make it easier and more attractive for people to walk, wheel and cycle or choose public transport for local everyday journeys.

Community groups interested in potential future funding can reach out to the Ian Findlay Path Fund team at IFPF@pathforall.org.uk.

For more information about the Ian Findlay Path Fund, visit: 

https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/community-paths/cmp-grants/ian-findlay-path-fund