What can one say?

Quite alot.

Beauty and the Beast.

Main - No words needed and I'm fully supportive of making the outdoors more accessible for all.


Extras - Building gravel paths is NOT the f***ing answer.


Extra 1. They never go where feet want to go, so you simply transfer the problem to adjacent areas.
Extra 2. In trying to solve 1. one path soon becomes two and what's trapped in between still gets trampled.
Extra 3. You'll never build a long enough path - feet don't stop when the gravel ends, so the the problem simply extends beyond the end of the path.


The degradation of land beyond the end of the gravel path, close to where a burn cuts across the gravel path at 437 256, is depressing. Today, people could see the extensive degradation for themselves, yet still ploughed on - as if another 50m is really going to dramatically improve the images captured on their devices.


And don't get me started about polite visitor notices and symbols on wooden posts...If people aren't acting based on what they can see for themselves, what hope is there for them acting on what they read. If they did act on what they read, we wouldn't have the problems outlined above.


There needs to be a radical change in approach.


Along the Pennine Way there was / still is(?) the Framing the Landscape shown in Extra. The wording beneath says 'Many people look, but only a few see'. How about installing something similar, albeit temporarily, that frames the current degradation, found beyond the end of the gravel path? Something unexpected and novel is likely to stop many in their tracks; hopefully, prompt some thinking and might just encourage some not to proceed any further. Surely, it's worth trying something new?


If you, or anyone you know, can help further publicise this initial idea, ideally before peak season hits, please forward / share on my behalf. Alternatively, if you know of any relevant organisations / groups / individuals on Skye who might be interested in such an idea, leave details below. Thanks. 


#ManyLookFewSee


Rant over.