Case Study
Applicant
Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority
Project
West Highland Way Strategic Socio-Economic Development Initiative
Total project cost / Leader+ grant
£118,900 / £30,300 (Lomond and Rural Stirling LEADER+) + £23,300 (WHELK LEADER+)
Summary
The West Highland Way is Scotland's premiere long distance route. In 2005 the route will be celebrating it's 25th birthday, and in preparation for this, the National Park Authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Local Authorities through which the route passes have jointly approached LEADER+ for funding for a strategic initiative that will develop the socio-economic benefits the West Highland Way can bring to the communities and businesses along the route.
As this is a strategic initiative to cover the whole length of the route, this project has been awarded funding under the 'interregional Action 2' allocation of LEADER+ funding, along with the West Highland LEADER+ area (WHELK).
The project will include the recruitment of a project development manager and a development fund to implement projects along the route. A route management plan will also be finalised to maintain the infrastructure of the West Highland Way to a level expected by users, communities, businesses and land managers.
