Introduction

Easter Ross Rights of Way Association

(ERROWA)

It is with sadness that we have to announce the cessation of ERROWA activities from July 2023. 

It has been a pleasure working to clear local rights of way for just over thirty years but the time has come to hang up our tools for the last time.

We wish all users of local rights of way continued enjoyment and good health.

1 - Brief description of ERROWA

ERROWA was formed in 1992 as a voluntary organisation with the objective of identifying and recording public rights of way and to take any necessary action as may be required to preserve or help to restore any such rights of way that may be in danger of being lost.

We also arrange a walk each month for our members and any members of the public who wish to attend, transport from Tain to the location of the walks and return is provided free of charge by committee members.

The work involved in maintaining the rights of way is currently carried out on a voluntary basis by a work party of four members.

The work that we do keeps the paths open for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, without our efforts these paths would become overgrown and inaccessible in a short space of time.

ERROWA is managed by a Committee of 5 members.

We currently have 20 members.

2 - Projects

2A - Current projects

The ongoing maintenance of rights of way in the Easter Ross Area, the major paths which require most of our effort are – (1) Scotsburn to Strathrory (4.5 miles), (2) 4 miles of the route from Quebec Bridge to Edderton, the rest of the 14-mile route is forest road or public road and (3) the core path from East Lamington (2 miles) to the junction with route 2.

2B - Other projects

There are many other paths in the area which require occasional maintenance, we respond to notifications from the public of paths which need work. In the last year we have responded to three requests from the organiser of a new trail from Inverness to John 0’ Groats (146 miles which is being done mainly by voluntary labour)  to clear sections of the trail and we will be carrying out work on a further two sections within our local area, early in 2019.

The work consists of cutting whins, broom and grass, clearing and digging ditches, clearing fallen branches and maintaining a timber bridge and gates.

The work is done by the work party who expend an average of 500 hours per year.

We are the only group who are doing ongoing path maintenance in the area, and if we had to cease then most of these paths will be lost within two to three years.

Before After