An army of volunteers have completed the latest phase of a massive refurbishment project on one of Moray’s most popular walking routes.
The Dava Way, which runs between Forres and Grantown, has taken a pounding for decades as people trek between the two towns.
A huge effort to resurface the 24-mile route has been on-going since 2005 to ensure that former railway line can continue to be used by future generations.
The Dava Way Association has been applying to external organisations in order to secure funding to pay for some sections of the former Highland railway.
However, most of the work has had to be done by inventive volunteers who have created their own tools to speed the job along.
A massive drag box has been created to lay a smooth flat surface as it is dragged along the path.
Large gardening implements have also been devised in order to haul out sections of gorse that have grown to such an extent that they are encroaching on the footpath – which is considered one of Scotland’s great trails alongside the West Highland Way and the Speyside Way.
Yesterday, Peter Mitchell, a trustee of the Dava Way Association, said work was required to ensure that expeditions could continue to make the most of the route.
He said: “It’s fine when the weather is good but when it’s wet you really need wellington boots now because it gets so boggy in places.
“It has been going a long time now. We’ve been getting help from Sustrans where we can but mostly it’s just regular groups of volunteers.
“We’ve devised a few methods of our own along the way though, like the drag box, to overcome some of the challenges we’ve had.”
The most recent stretch of the walkway to get attention from the volunteers is the Bantrach cutting, south of Dunphail.
Once a smooth surface has been completed from one end to the other the focus of the group will turn to drainage and undergrowth.
Mr Mitchell added: “I think we’re still a few years away from that but it really needs to be done to keep it in good condition.”
