The £210,000 project at Criffel will be funded by the Scottish Government through VisitScotland and has been approved by councillors. It will see a 1.3km path developed up the hill and improvements to parking facilities and signage. The aim of the work is to make the hill more accessible for hillwalkers and to make it more attractive to tourists to visit the area.
South Scotland MSP Emma Harper: “This is fantastic news for the region that almost a quarter of a million pounds will be spent to encourage locals and visitors to enjoy one of the best viewpoints Dumfries and Galloway has to offer. The South West is home to some of Scotland’s best hills and mountains, and Criffel, being the highest hill for miles around and offering views across Galloway, Dumfriesshire, the Solway Firth and the Lake District, is a real gem.”
Depute leader at Dumfries and Galloway Council Rob Davidson added: “I’m delighted the Council has secured funding from the Scottish Government to complete this important route, which will improve the experience for walkers on what is a popular route with rewarding views across our region and beyond. There’s an excellent path part way up the hill as it is now, but the upper section, which this funding will complete, is usually very boggy and can be difficult to negotiate in wet weather. I hope that completing the path will encourage more locals and visitors alike to climb Criffel.”
