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John Muir Way: The North Sea Trail in East Lothian
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Top level
National Consortia
UK consortium
East Lothian Council
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The North Sea has played a vital role throughout the history of East Lothian, and it continues to do so for many of the residents who live by its shores as well as the many visitors who come to walk the magnificent coastline. Activities such as appreciating the natural and cultural heritage, and visiting our towns and villages are extremely popular in East Lothian.
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East Lothian is one of 26 partners in the European funded NAVE Nortrail project that will help economic and social regeneration of the North Sea Coastal Region through conserving and highlighting the area’s heritage by means of developing a path network. The North Sea Trail route in East Lothian is the “John Muir Way,” in honour of one of the County’s most famous sons; and the route is signposted and publicised currently in three attractive leaflets as such. The partners, from the UK, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands will work together on promoting the Trail to businesses and tourists.
Walking tourism, and the economic spending power associated with it is significant – a fact that has not been lost on other parts of the country. For instance, in 1998 it was estimated that the overall walking market in Scotland generated around 1.1M trips, 9.6M bednights and at least £438M of expenditure. In addition, there are many well-established and developing walking festivals throughout the UK that testify to the growth of this activity.
East Lothian is currently developing a pilot walking festival to seek to attract this market for local businesses, and this is planned to run in association with the 2005 East Lothian Food Festival. There will be many other initiatives and developments which will come under the North Sea Trail banner and which will support the East Lothian tourism product - ensuring that it continues to develop in line with visitors’ needs. Already, work has been completed as part of the North Sea Trail project to improve the eastern ‘gateway’ to the County at the Bilsdean layby off the A1 main road - with the development of attractive landscaping and path construction.
Businesses can capture this growing market by welcoming walkers and taking simple steps to cater for them such as providing information on the paths and heritage of the coastal region including the John Muir Way; by working with others to make connections along the route that will meet the needs of walkers; and by providing facilities in demand by walkers e.g. packed lunches, drying facilities, etc. East Lothian Council will be working with businesses to promote the unique selling points of the North Sea Trail and the John Muir Way to visitors and residents alike.
If you would like more information on the North Sea Trail in East Lothian at this stage, you can contact the North Sea Trail Development Officer, Andrew Ralton on Tel: 01620 827151, or email:
aralton@eastlothian.gov.uk
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( 17.12.2009 )
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( 13.11.2009 )
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( 07.09.2009 )
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( 15.04.2008 )
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( 24.03.2008 )
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