It's Up to Us - saving Scotland's mountain paths

It’s Up to Us is a campaign by Mountaineering Scotland and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) to raise awareness of the desperate need for investment in the repair and maintenance of informal mountain paths to protect the fragile mountain environment and for the safety of path users.

Scotland’s upland paths play a vital role in helping us to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of being active outdoors, with active tourism making a significant contribution to the economy of Scotland.

As hill walkers and mountaineers, many of us make use of the informal trails in Scotland’s hills and mountains on a regular basis, but how often do we stop to consider the impact of that use, and the cost of our footfall on the mountain environment? It’s up to all of us to give back to the mountain environment we all enjoy and love.

What does the campaign involve?

It’s Up to Us, which launched in May 2023, will run over three years and focus on three main areas:

• Fundraising for path restoration projects, kicking off with an ambitious project to raise £300,000 to address decades of erosion on An Teallach, one of our most iconic Scottish mountains (donate here)
• Raising the profile of the challenges facing land managers in Scotland in finding funding for path repair and maintenance, the need for further investment in this are and the social and economic benefits.
• Engaging with stakeholders and Government to develop a framework for funding for upland paths.

How can you support ‘It’s Up to Us’?

We will be asking Mountaineering Scotland members, clubs and the whole of the mountaineering community to support our campaign through fundraising, volunteering and by adding your voice to our call to provide long term investment in the future of Scotland’s mountain paths.