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Walk your way to health
27/12/2007
Scots were today urged to enjoy the highs and lows of the countryside and walk their way to improved health.
Throughout Scotland local authorities, access bodies and national parks have been drawing up plans to create a network of paths and improve existing access to the outdoors.
Land managers have been working with various stakeholders to devise the draft plans, due to go out to public consultation next year, and ensure everyone has access to the outdoors.
Minister for Environment Michael Russell said:
"There are few better ways to work off the excesses of the festive season than enjoying a walk along one of the network of paths created throughout Scotland.
"Access to the countryside, whether in town or a more rural setting, is shown to have beneficial effects on mental health and wellbeing in an emotional, psychological and social sense as well as contributing to improved physical health and fitness.
"Opportunities exist for everyone, regardless of fitness level, to enjoy healthy leisurely walks. Initiatives such as Paths for Health inspire some 20,000 people each week to step out, Scots make approximately 200 million visits to the countryside annually and 50 million to our forests and woodlands.
"With some of the finest natural environments in the world right on our doorsteps it makes sense to switch off the remote and take an hour to walk your way to improved health and well being."
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 requires all access authorities, including both National Park authorities, to draw up Core Paths plans for their area ready for formal consultation in 2008.
The creation of path networks and encouraging people to access the countryside is directly linked to the Greener Scotland agenda and the promotion of health and well being.