New John O’Groats Trail bridge at Loth is biggest project to be completed on Highland walking route
A new footbridge set to be officially opened on the John O’Groats Trail this week will be a symbol of the project’s long-term aims.
Jay Wilson, whose initial idea and determination led to the formation of the 147-mile route between Inverness and John O’Groats, was talking ahead of the unveiling of the Loth Burn bridge on Thursday.
The 22-metre single span, costing £90,000, is the trail’s biggest project to date and shows the huge progress in the trail’s development in recent years.
It will also end the near certainty of wet feet for walkers who until now have had to ford the Loth Burn, which at high tide is more of a small river, according to the team behind the trail.
People are being invited to join the opening ceremony and stand on the bridge to admire the view and reflect on the achievements over the last decade.
Mr Wilson, chairman of the Friends of the JOGT, said: “This bridge spans one of the last major obstacles along the trail, and has been a goal of our charity for many years. But I think it’s also symbolic of the trail project reaching new heights and a much wider user community.
“So if anything can embody 10 years of hopes and dreams of our many volunteers, walkers and friends, this is it for us all.”
This month marks around 10 years since volunteers made early attempts to remove encroaching vegetation from the embryonic trail. Since then, the route has been surveyed, signed and waymarked and better delineated by the ever-growing number of walkers who take on the challenge.
Many stiles, bridges and boardwalks have been installed so that the trail is much more accessible.
Trail managers Ken McElroy and Laura Gray will be at the ceremony along with trustees, staff and other guests on Thursday from 4pm-6pm. Parking is available at nearby Crakaig campsite.
