A plan outlining Aberdeenshire’s Core Paths could encourage more physical activity after it was approved by councillors. It sets out routes across Aberdeenshire – including between Muchalls, Newtonhill and Portlethen – making it more accessible and easier for residents and visitors to get about towns, villages, waterways and spectacular areas of natural beauty.

Since 1997, the council has been working with landowners and communities to improve the rural paths network in many parts of the area.

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 placed various new duties on local authorities, one of which is to prepare a Core Paths Plan. It states the plan should be “sufficient for the purpose of giving the public reasonable access throughout their area”.

The council collated information obtained from 2006 and 2008 consultations and used this to draw up a draft plan of Core Paths in the area for final consultation. That took place in 2009, and since then objections to the plan have been addressed and it has also been considered by the Scottish Government. It has asked for amendments, particularly in light of objections made to the plan, and once the document has been updated it will be available to the public in its final form.

Members of the council’s infrastructure services committee formally approved and adopted the Aberdeenshire Core Paths Plan, subject to the necessary amendments.

Core Paths are intended to provide opportunities for walking, cycling, horse riding and access to water. They can be multi-use paths, or may be more suitable for a particular activity, and can also provide functional paths in and around communities as well as recreational routes for leisure. Core Paths have to provide the basic framework of paths to meet communities’ needs, minimise any potential conflict with land management and be well-signposted, well maintained and welcoming.

The aim of the Aberdeenshire Core Paths Plan is to ensure that there is at least one path for settlements with a population over 100. This focus on routes close to settlements provides access for the largest numbers of people and has the added benefit of encouraging more physical activity, which in turn improves health and discourages car use for shorter journeys.

The total length of the proposed core paths network of paths and tracks is nearly 500 miles. The council is working on a process for identifying priorities for developing and improving paths and once this has concluded specific path improvements and development will be identified.

For more information on core paths and outdoor access in Aberdeenshire, see www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/outdooraccess/index.asp