Heritage Paths

Learn about the history of some of the oldest transport routes in Scotland. Heritage Paths records the history of over 400 routes that criss-cross the Scottish landscape. From Roman Roads to Military Roads, find out how the route you are following came into being.

As well as historical information, you’ll find a modern-day route description along with start and finish details. Change the background mapping in our interactive viewer and time travel along your favourite Heritage Path from 1843 to today. 

About the Project

The Heritage Paths Project started in 2007 with three aims: to identify historic paths, to research their history and accessibility and to promote these findings as widely as possible. The project was initially funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) now NatureScot.

In 2010 the project received further funding to concentrate its activity to an area in and around the Campsie Fells, an area that contains a considerable number of historic routes, although many have not been used regularly for a long time. In 2013 the project worked with the Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, Fife Council and the Scottish Pilgrim Routes Forum to rediscover and develop an ancient pilgrimage route between Dunfermline and St Andrews – the Fife Pilgrim Way.

Heritage Path Signs

During the first three years of the project over 180 small interpretive signs were installed at the ends of some of the Heritage Paths to give users an idea of the history of the paths.

What Next?

Why not investigate our interactive Heritage Path Map to find out more about the paths themselves?  Or you could download a map of of Scotland showing many of the Heritage Paths records, or you could go and Ask Ken about the different types of Heritage Path.