Champion cyclist gives link support
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Where there’s a wheel there will soon be a way.
Round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont has given his backing to an ambitious project to link two Ross-shire towns by a cycle and walkway.
The Peffery Way Association is creating a route between Dingwall and Strathpeffer for foot and cycle traffic, as an alternative to the potentially dangerous main road.
It has so far raised £64,000 and the first 1.2km of the total 6km link is set to be completed soon.
The next stage will cover 3km between Dingwall and Fodderty, but because conditons make construction costs much more expensive on this section around £200,000 is needed.
It is hoped around £150,000 of this will come from various Scottish Government grants, with decisions expected on these around Christmas.
Mr Beaumont, who holds the record for cycling round the world has now given his backing to the project.
At a talk at Eden Court in Inverness earlier this month he screened a three-minute video produced by the project’s charity.
Chairman Ron Macauley, who was in the audience, said: "It was a fantastic endorsement of what we are trying to do.
"I spoke to him afterwards and he thinks the project is a great idea and wished us all the best.
"I said he should come and try it when it is open – but he would probably do it in two minutes!
"The beauty of the Peffery Way is that we can build a path that is accessible by all. If you look around the Highlands we are blessed with the most beautiful scenery, but much of it can be hilly.
"This would provide a 6km path with no steep climbs or gradients and that could be a unique feature – certainly unique for around here."
Mr Macauley said £500,000 in total would be needed to complete the project, which he hoped would be possible "in a few years."
Planning permission and landowner agreement have recently been granted for the next stage and an application for finance has been lodged with the Scottish Rural Development Fund (SRDF).
Mr Macauley said: "It is an excellent project with a lot of potential to bring a lot of good to the community. It will be a safe corridor for people to walk and cycle and help people avoid going on a dangerous road."
Highlands and Islands MSP Maree Todd said she strongly supported the project because "absolutely everyone in the community can get out and enjoy nature."
She said: "I think the Peffery Way will become a vital link between Strathpeffer and Dingwall and all the communities in between.
"The path is both offroad and flat – two huge advantages.
"It will be a fantastic asset for travel to school and work or just for visiting pals."
To find out more about the project and donate see www.pefferywayassociation.scot
