Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the number of visitors and long-distance walkers who walk and enjoy the North Highland Way; boost to the economy of coastal communities; physical and mental health benefits of being in beautiful, open spaces; and learning how enjoyment of the land is to be shared between walkers, farmers, crofters, birds and plants.
Our story
The North Highland Way, the only multi-use route in Scotland which adheres to the principles of sustainable tourism and combatting climate change, is designed to link up with the Cape Wrath Trail (CWT) in the west of Scotland, which was officially opened in January 2013, to make the Scottish Coastal Trail. The full length of the route from Duncansby Head to Cape Wrath is 116 miles by road and 150 miles round the coast and goes through some of the most spectacular countryside in Scotland.
The North Highland Way was officially opened in January 2024, but without the support of public money. It is funded through local businesses, as well as organisations such as Wick Paths and Farr Bay Development Trust; and through the membership fees of Friends of the North Highland Way.
Whether you are a rambler or a long-distance walker, the North Highland Way has something for everyone. There are in fact two routes to choose from, the coastal route and the one over the A’Mhoine path, which avoids a lot of road walking around Loch Eriboll. There is a ferry across the head of the Loch, but if you want to leave the coast, you can do so. Either way, the walk can be completed in different ways, with a route by road and a route along paths and wild walking usually done in thirteen stages, though it can be done in ten.
There are two “spurs” planned, one from the coast, and the second out to the village of Halkirk, calling at Geise Farm en route.
Whether you want easy, flat forest walking or hills along the coast or whether you want the rugged wildness of A’Mhoine, the route has something for everyone. It is very remote in various areas, with limited mobile phone signal, but this adds to the experience of travelling it.
We have worked with the local community through the community councils, with Tesco, Co op, Lidl and the Bettyhill campsite in particular. We have developed our own products such as the passport to the North Highland Way and Environmental News. We have an online shop for environmental products, and have developed a course with the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Our advice
Communication is key, without communication you have nothing.
