Paths for All – Supporting Infrastructure Projects

At Paths for All, we want everyone to have the opportunity to walk every day, creating a happier, healthier, greener Scotland. One of the ways we support this is through our grant funding programmes - one of them being our Ian Findlay Path Fund.

The Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF) supports the improvement of local paths within and between communities, making it easier for people to choose active travel and public transport for everyday journeys. This grant fund is supported by Transport Scotland, for projects that will improve usability and accessibility of paths for more people, encouraging people to leave their cars at home for short journeys. This will reduce inequalities and improve access to greenspace and its benefits to mental health. Funding of between £10,000 and £100,000 with 30% match funding is available for construction stage projects and in addition the fund can support 100% of Construction Design costs for projects at an earlier stage in their planning. 

Established in August 2022, the IFPF had over 170 groups expressing interest within the first 6 months, and has allocated £1.29million to 24 community active travel programmes so far. The projects funded in 2022-23 are shown in the tables and on the interactive map below. These projects have reached different stages towards final delivery.

So far in 2023-24, demand continues to be steady with around twenty projects at different stages of the application process.

Repair and maintenance of the Loch Leven Heritage Trail – Phase 1: funding awarded to The Rural Access Committee for Kinross-shire

The project included key improvements such as filling dips and hollows, improving drainage, raising the path to prevent flooding, and resurfacing along a 5.5km section of path, helping to improve the accessibility of active travel links between Kinross and businesses and communities to the North and West.

The same applicant has been successful in making a second bid for funding in '23-24, for a grant of £91,900 which will allow them to complete similar improvement works to a second section of path linking  Kinross with communities and businesses to the South of the Loch.  Work on this new section is expected to begin in February 2024.

Deadman's Lane & St. Kentigern's Improvement Works: funding awarded to Lanark Community Development Trust (LCDT)

Improvements have been made to a short section of the heavily used pathway linking residential areas to Lanark Grammar School.

Isle of Skye – £60,000

Ardnish Path Restoration Project, Isle of Skye: funding awarded to Lower Breakish Grazings Committee

A community path on the Isle of Skye, located in an area of rich crofting history, completed a significant upgrade thanks to an IFPF grant, with 900m of path between Breakish and Waterloo resurfaced, widened, and a new bridge built over the Allt Linnidal Burn.

Westhill & Elrick Community Council - Aberdeenshire - £119,895

Broadshade Avenue to Golf Club Upgrade and Carnie Woods, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire: funding awarded to Westhill & Elrick Community Council

Funding was secured for two separate projects, both part of the Westhill Orbital Trail: £29,949 for improving accessibility and connectivity on a 480m long path between Broadshade Avenue and the Golf Club to the North of the town, and £89,910 for the restoration and upgrading of 1.1km of path through the nearby Carnie Woods, which links communities to the West with businesses and facilities at the Eastern end of the woodland area.

You can find out more about the Ian Findlay Path Fund on our  website .

Or contact the team:

Ian Findlay Path Fund team at IFPF@pathforall.org.uk