A keen walker from Uist has hit out at the state of one of the most scenic routes through the islands, claiming disaster looms due to the treacherous conditions of the path.
The local resident, who did not want to be named, uses the vital route regularly to exercise their dog. But they have grown fed up at the declining condition of the surface after having taken a tumble no less than four times on the route due to the hazardous conditions.
The walker said: “It is so dangerous.
“I walk my dog along this route and have fallen on it four times now.
“There is plastic sheeting exposed most of the stretch which is so, so slippery when it’s even a little wet. There is also sheeting sticking up which you trip over and it’s all bundled making it bouncy to walk on in areas.
“It’s an embarrassment.
“It’s worrying because a lot of people walk it alone and if they were to trip and fall they would have no phone signal and could be in serious trouble.”
The route, which branches off into both a cycling and walking route, spans 185 miles in total for cyclists and 156 miles for walkers, taking in 10 islands, six causeways and two ferry journeys.
Visitors to the area have also reported to local hoteliers that the deterioration of the path has caused great concern.
The anonymous walker added: “It was created for walkers to have these incredible views of the Hebrides but you can’t look at the view because you’re so busy watching where your feet are going. It’s very boggy so you can’t really avoid the path either.
“Installing a path like that disrupts the local wildlife and it can’t even be used safely for what it’s meant to be used for. I have no idea how much it must have cost but to me, it seems like a colossal waste of money.”
Rob McKinnon, chief executive of Outer Hebrides Tourism who oversee the Hebridean Way project, said: “We encourage all users to report any issues they have with the Hebridean Way to us at the first instance – given it is 160 miles, much of it quite remote, issues do come up.
“We take issues regarding safety very seriously and we urge people to flag these up to us and report them so we can rectify them or provide warnings or diversions.
“We do get feedback from a number of walkers via our website and interviews and surveys, and we have somebody walking the route at this present moment to assess the state and highlight any issues that need addressing.”