The Great Glen Ways Project Partners
The Project is managed by the Highland Council. The project partners are British Waterways Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. The European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) has contributed 45% of the project funding, with the balance of funding coming from the project partners.
The Highland Council
The Highland Council is the democratically elected local authority for the Great Glen and has a vital role to play in the ongoing development of a quality tourism infrastructure in the area. The Highland Council is responsible for the Great Glean Way and is the employer of the GGW Manager and Rangers as well as the Great Glen Ways Project Officer.
The Highland Council has responsibility for much of the infrastructure on which the tourist industry depends – roads and public transport, signposting and public toilets. It sets out the strategic planning context for new developments and exercises development control powers. It has a range of economic development and business support programmes through the Economic Development Service, including support for Visit Scotland and various tourism development initiatives.
British Waterways Scotland
British Waterways is a public corporation set up in 1962 to manage navigable waterways throughout Britain. As owner and manager of over 2000 miles of historic canals and river navigations, it has a responsibility to involve local communities in the care of these waterways, to inform visitors to the network about their work and to promote the cultural significance of the waterways.
British Waterways Scotland is responsible for management and maintenance of the Caledonian Canal, from the sea lock at Clachnaharry in Inverness to the sea lock at Corpach in Fort William. This represents a waterway of some 60 miles, providing access from the eastern waters, through Loch Ness, Loch Oich and Loch Lochy, to the west coast. The Caledonian Canal itself is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. BWS is also responsible for 22 listed buildings that are part of the canal.
Forestry Commission Scotland
The Forestry Commission was created in 1919 and, as Forestry Commission Scotland, owns and manages substantial areas of the nation’s forests and woodlands throughout Scotland. Objectives include not only timber production, but also maximising public benefits in the broadest sense to include recreation and landscape. FCS also regulates Scotland’s privately owned forests through a system of grants and licences.
Over two thirds of the Great Glen Way passes through mixed woodlands managed by FCS. Forest roads provide access through the Glen and create an excellent opportunity for public access off the beaten track. FCS delivers extensive recreation facilities including off-road cycling, mountain biking trails, forest walks, car parks, picnic sites, interpretation facilities and ranger services.
Contact Forestry Commission Scotland
Scottish Natural Heritage
Scottish Natural Heritage is a non-departmental public body and has a statutory remit to secure the conservation and enhancement, and to facilitate enjoyment of the natural heritage of Scotland. The goal is to make sure that people can benefit from the natural heritage tomorrow because it has been looked after today. SNH also has a statutory role for the protection and management of designated sites.
SNH currently supports, through grant aid, the Great Glen Way Rangers and various other access initiatives.
Contact Scottish Natural Heritage
