Coronavirus: Stay Safe On The LN360° Trail

As Scotland continues to recover and protect itself from the Coronavirus pandemic, we’re delighted that people can still use the Loch Ness 360° Trail. Of course, it’s important to stay safe and follow the Scottish Government’s rules about social distancing and basic hygiene. However it’s also important to keep in mind a few extra precautions when enjoying the countryside.

Much of the Loch Ness 360° trail is simple tracks or gravel paths. They can be narrow, not leaving a lot of room to pass someone coming the other way. Keeping an appropriate social distance is important, so look ahead on the path and be prepared for other walkers. Be considerate and patient when coming towards other people and allow plenty of space. This is especially important with little children who may be keen to run ahead, so just make sure you are aware of your surroundings. 

You will probably find many gates and styles on your walks around Loch Ness. Try not to touch them, if possible. If you have to, then make sure you clean your hands as soon as possible afterwards. Don’t touch your face until you have done so.

Whilst parts of the country are slowly opening up, many buildings, amenities and services will still be unavailable. These can include public toilets, cafes and accommodation. Before you set off, make sure you have everything you need for your walk, without having to rely on a shop or building to be open. And please, remember to sanitise hands regularly and wash your where possible.

Many car parks are still shut, so if you have to drive to your walk, make sure there will be somewhere to safely park your car. Many areas, especially those with parking spaces, will be very busy. Consider visiting other, lesser well-known parts around the trail to avoid crowds. 

Finally, before you leave, be aware that many roads, paths and parks will have received no maintenance whatsoever over the past few months. This means many areas will be totally overgrown and, perhaps, impassable. Be prepared to re-route if this happens and don’t take risks, especially if you cannot see the ground in front of you.

It’s never been more important than to be familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. This is an important guide to make sure you stay safe and keep others safe when outside. 

Many farmers and landowners will be nervous about the public coming back onto their land, potentially in higher numbers at once than ever before. Some landowners may make some reasonable requests to avoid certain parts of their land, and we strongly encourage all landusers to follow these requests. 

So it’s our duty to ensure we take care of the land we enjoy. From taking away our litter to closing gates behind us, we can ensure that the countryside is kept in a healthy condition throughout the Coronavirus pandemic. 

At this time, we all need to stay safe and protect each other. However, getting outside for a walk is fantastic for our own mental health, especially around water and forests. Those lucky enough to live close to the Loch Ness 360° trail can use it for daily exercise. Remember to treat it and others with respect, so that once the pandemic is over we can still enjoy waling in the Highlands in this beautiful area of Scotland.