Sign up to support new active travel route

Published: Monday 18 May 2026

This is a scenic image of the Douglas Valley, showing the path between Coalburn and Douglas in the foreground with hills, trees and wind turbines also in the image

Volunteers are needed to play a vital role in keeping a new active travel path between Coalburn and Douglas in top condition.

Two events will launch the new recruitment drive, in a partnership with the council, Douglasdale REAL Group and Coalburn Community Action Group.

Community members will be invited to lend their time, skills and passion to maintain access between communities on the National Cycle Network 74 – Coalburn – Douglas.

The first event takes place on Saturday 30 May, at the One Stop Shop, Coalburn, ML11 0LH, from 10am to 2pm. The second event takes place on Saturday 6 June, at St. Bride’s Centre, Douglas, Ml11 0PT, from 10am to 2pm. Refreshments will be provided at each event.

Whether committing to a couple of hours every few months or every week, any contribution will have a lasting impact, feeding into longer term ambitions for the active travel and recreational network in the Douglas Valley. Fully funded Ride-On-Roller, Brushcutter and Outdoor First Aid training can be provided where appropriate.

Those who cannot attend but would like to find out more can contact Dominic Marjoram, Douglasdale Community Woodland Ranger by email.

Chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “We were delighted to provide funding through the Renewable Energy Fund via Galawhistle Wind Farm, matched with funding from Hagshaw Hill Trust, for equipment and machinery to support maintenance activities.

“By joining the Douglasdale REAL Group and Coalburn Community Action Group, volunteers are ensuring continued safe access between communities, whilst providing additional opportunities to improve mental and physical health and wellbeing and educational access to SSSI Coalburn Moss along the historic ‘bogey line’, and linking to stunning geology and wider access in the stunning Douglas and Angus Estates.”

The path forms the basis of plans to develop Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Tourism proposals in the Douglas Valley by the community-led Douglas Valley Advisory Group.

Path design and construction was managed by Community Action Lanarkshire, a programme of the Rural Development Trust, and was funded by SLC Renewable Energy Fund (REF) via OnPath Energy Middlemuir Windfarm and Greencoat Douglas West Windfarm, Scottish Mines Restoration Trust Mainshill Environmental Improvement Fund, and Walking Scotland’s Ian Findlay Path Fund.