[15 Aug 2006]

MSP George Lyon opened a new walking route on the Kintyre peninsula last weekend, offering walkers spectacular scenery and the opportunity to observe a diverse range of Scottish wildlife.

Running from Tarbert to Southend, approximately one third of the 92-mile path passes through Forestry Commission land, offering visitors the opportunity to see roe deer, badgers, red squirrels and golden eagles in the wild.

The new path includes a new path through Deer Hill forest near Carradale and the existing Tarbert to Skipness walk, with individual sections of between 5.6 miles and 16.25 miles walkable as half-day or full-day walks.

Managed by the Kintyre Marketing Group, the organisation said that walkers can also stop off for trips to the islands, or test the local fish and shellfish on the Seafood Trail.

The BBC quoted Colin Hossack, of the Forestry Commission Scotland, saying: "The Kintyre Way is a fantastic route.

"We have a variety of trails throughout the country and this has been a great opportunity to link some of these and work with neighbouring landowners on a bigger scale.

"The result is a great example of outdoor access in Scotland and a truly rewarding way to see Kintyre."

Funding for the new route came from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise (AIE), VisitScotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, and Argyll and Bute Council.