Landmark route connects Lanarkshire communities through nature and travel 

A VITAL new active travel path connecting rural Lanarkshire communities has officially opened, offering residents and visitors a safe and sustainable route to work, school, shops, and services. 

The six-mile (9.5km) path links the National Cycle Network Route 74 (NCN74) to the villages of Coalburn and Douglas, providing an essential connection to Lesmahagow and beyond. Designed to support walking and cycling, the new route offers an alternative to car travel and is being celebrated as transformative for the area. 

The project is the result of close collaboration between multiple community-led organisations including Coalburn Community Action Group (CCAG), Coalburn Miners Welfare Charitable Society, Douglas and Glespin Community Council and the Douglasdale REAL Group. It was spearheaded by Community Action Lanarkshire (CAL), a project of the Rural Development Trust. 

A key supporter throughout the project has been renewable energy developer OnPath Energy, which contributed £158,719 from its Middle Muir Wind Farm Fund via the Renewable Energy Fund (REF), managed by South Lanarkshire Council. The developer has a strong record of investing in local infrastructure that supports sustainability and wellbeing. 

Work began in early 2023 to manage the embryonic route, and following comprehensive planning, consultation, and landowner negotiations, construction officially started back in February. The final section was completed in October, and the path was formerly opened to the public on Saturday the 15th of November when around 100 members of the public, funders, stakeholders, and local and national government representatives came together to celebrate the new paths with a mass walk, cycle and ribbon cutting event. 

Aileen McCreadie, partnerships and community manager at OnPath Energy, said: 
“We’re proud to support this initiative which embodies sustainability and community empowerment by delivering local quality outdoor space. This path enhances connectivity and reinforces our commitment to creating a just transition to net zero that is fair and inclusive for everyone.” 

“The project has been shaped by community demand and will be an asset for generations. It’s about connecting people, places, and communities,”

Dave Graham, Active Travel Project Officer at CAL

He continued, “By linking Coalburn and Douglas to NCN74, we’re giving young people a safer and more sustainable way to get to school, helping residents access shops and services, and encouraging more active lifestyles. This isn’t just about transport – it’s about improving wellbeing, accessibility, and environmental connection across our rural communities.” 

The construction was made possible by £1 million in funding, delivered through six successful applications submitted by CAL. This included three awards from Walking Scotland (previously Paths for All)’s Ian Findlay Path Fund (IFPF), supported by Transport Scotland, and three awards from the REF. 

Construction involved transforming a disused railway line and existing core paths into a high-quality corridor accessible to all. Built in three phases – NCN74 to Coalburn, Coalburn to Poneil, and Poneil to Douglas – the completion of the final stretch marks the full connection of these rural communities. 

The path has already proven its worth locally. Coalburn Primary School recently enjoyed an educational visit to Coalburn Moss SSSI, a Site of Special Scientific Interest renowned for its rich, sphagnum mosses, made accessible thanks to the new route. 

It also provides the spine for a wider initiative to develop Douglas Valley as a hub for outdoor recreation and eco-tourism, supporting further community and economic development across the region. 

Crucially, long-term maintenance of the path is secured through agreements with the seven landowners along the route. The Coalburn Community Action Group and Douglasdale REAL group, both central to delivering the project, have received further support from the Hagshaw Hill Trust and REF to maintain the route with dedicated equipment. 

 “Strong partnerships are at the heart of delivering community-led infrastructure,” said Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive of Walking Scotland. “This path provides not only a fantastic space to walk and wheel, but opens access to local services, education and employment. The benefits are both immediate and long-term.” 

The route has received strong public support, with a 96% approval rating in local consultations. With access to Lesmahagow High School and local libraries now possible without using a car, the initiative has answered a long-standing call for safe and sustainable transport options. 

Councillor Robert Brown, Chair of Community & Enterprise Resources at South Lanarkshire Council, said: “The Renewable Energy Fund is about more than just providing financial support – it’s about creating long-term benefits for local communities.  

“This funding has therefore not only enabled this new active-travel pathway between Lesmahagow, Coalburn and Douglas to be created, but in doing so it also helps to empower both of these communities and supports sustainable, inclusive and well-connected places as well as quality outdoor spaces that can be enjoyed for generations to come. 

“The path also forms the backbone of further sustainable development in relation to outdoor recreation and adventure tourism.” 

CAL has been delivering active travel and community path initiatives across Lanarkshire since 2017. More information on the Make Your Way mapping project and other sustainability projects can be found at www.makeyourwaylanarkshire.com and climateactionlanarkshire.net.