Footpath Projects
The growth in tourism and outdoor leisure activities has placed increased pressure on the countryside. On many popular hill paths and trails, this increased pressure has led to serious erosion problems. There is a strong demand from land managers and conservation bodies for high quality repair work to combat these issues. At the same time there is a demand for new paths to be built and other access projects to be implemented.
SCS Contractors can provide a full package of services to repair, maintain and help conserve existing footpaths and also create exciting new access opportunities.
Repairing the Urgha-Rhenigidale Footpath (Old Post Road)
This is regarded as the most popular hill path in the Western Isles. It runs for nearly 6 kms through the spectacular scenery of North Harris, skirting the base of Toddun (550m), with views to the Shiant Isles and Skye, the Clisham (799m) and the North Harris hills. This was formerly the sole access (other than boat) 
to the remote villages of Rhenigidale and Molinginis. We began work on this project in December 2006; constructing new stone drainage features and stone pitching, repairing the original stone culverts, resurfacing, revetment, hand ditching and closing and landscaping alternative path lines. Over two hundred tonnes of materials were brought in by helicopter and dropped at specified points along the path.
Repairing the Coffin Trail (Stocinis-Seilebost)
This is a rough hikers trail linking the small fishing village of Stocinis, on the rocky east coast of Harris, with the crofting village of Seilebost on the scenic west coast. During
the clearances of the 19th century, the indigenous population was removed from the fertile lands of the west coast to make way for large scale sheep farming. Those of the cleared population, who settled on the east coast, took up fishing as the land there was too poor to support them. Neither was there enough depth of soil to bury their dead so they made a direct trail across the moor to the nearest graveyard on the west coast. No proper path was ever built.
Over the years, this has become a popular walk with visitors and the local community have long desired, that due to the historical aspect, the route should be brought up to an acceptable standard. In January 2008, with funding from the Western Isles Countryside Access Programme and managed by Harris Development Ltd, work began on the first phase to improve the route. All materials used in the repair work were won from the immediate area and great care was taken to ensure minimal impact on plant and wildlife. The improvements included construction
of stone drainage features, new linking sections of smashed cobble and gravel path, hand ditching, revetment, replacement of timber way markers and re-definition of the original trail.
