Scotland’s mountain paths are receiving some much needed care thanks to the dedication of volunteers and a £5,000 donation from Scottish outdoor clothing brand Keela.
The Fife based family business has renewed its support for the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS), helping volunteers protect the paths that allow thousands of people to enjoy some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes.
During 2026, 97 volunteers contributed almost 2,000 hours to maintaining mountain and lowland paths, with much of the work taking place in the Cairngorms National Park.
Across 45 volunteer events at 33 locations, the teams maintained an impressive 398km of paths and cleared 2,565 drainage features, helping prevent further erosion and damage.
The programme recorded 271 volunteer days, with 44 people returning for two or more sessions, demonstrating the commitment of those who regularly give up their time to protect Scotland’s outdoors.
The work represents an estimated £79,640 in professional mountain path maintenance costs, making the contribution of these volunteers particularly valuable.
Demand to take part has also been encouraging, with most of the organised events fully booked and attracting waiting lists.
Keela’s latest donation comes through its People and Planet Fund, which directs 2% of the company’s online sales towards environmental projects, outdoor initiatives and charitable causes.
The business previously donated £2,000 towards the volunteer maintenance programme in 2025, alongside £3,000 for restoration work on An Teallach in the northwest Highlands.
That restoration project is being delivered through a partnership between OATS and Mountaineering Scotland as part of the It’s Up to Us campaign.
April Hazell, Marketing Manager at Keela, said:
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with OATS and support the incredible work of its path maintenance volunteers.
“They give up their own time to care for the paths so many of us enjoy, and their dedication makes a real difference.
“At Keela, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
“Helping these volunteers protect Scotland’s paths and keep them accessible for years to come is something we’re proud to support.”
The continued financial backing has allowed OATS to expand its volunteering programme, while also introducing conservation opportunities that are accessible to people who might find demanding mountain work difficult.
Eva Kupska, Outdoor Access Volunteer Coordinator at the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, said:
“We are delighted to have the continued support from such a highly respected outdoor clothing brand.
“Our partnership with Keela demonstrates what can be done when we all contribute and work together to protect our iconic mountain landscapes for future generations to enjoy.
“Thanks to Keela’s generous donations, we have been able to expand the OATS’ path maintenance volunteer programme.
“This allows us to protect more upland footpaths and to give our volunteers more opportunities to keep our outdoor spaces safe and accessible.
“It has also enabled us to incorporate a few lowland conservation days into the programme.
“These events are not as physically demanding as some of the hill days, meaning a wider range of people can take part.”
The work is an important reminder that Scotland’s mountain paths do not look after themselves, particularly as changing weather conditions and the demands of walkers continue to put pressure on fragile landscapes.
For the volunteers who spend their days clearing drains, repairing damaged surfaces and tackling erosion, the reward is knowing that these remarkable places will remain accessible for generations to come.
