Gone downhill: Lack of funds forced closure of Ben Nevis charity.
The Nevis Partnership – set up to manage and improve Ben Nevis and Glen Nevis – is to shut due to lack of funds. The closure will result in the loss of three jobs and cancellation of £2.5million of planned repair and improvement work.
Chairman of the Nevis Partnership, Cameron McNeish said: “It has become quite clear that if public bodies really appreciate the importance of the Nevis area, then they must all be willing to contribute sufficient resources to allow an organisation like the Nevis Partnership to manage the area effectively.
“Ben Nevis, as the highest mountain in the UK, is of national importance. With more than 150,000 a year climbing to its summit, a huge amount of pressure is being put on the mountain's footpaths and facilities.”
The partnership has supported amenities in the area such as the winter opening of the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre.
The closure will also result in plans to repair the lower Ben Nevis track and improvements in Glen Nevis being abandoned.
Since its foundation in 2003, the partnership secured almost £3million for footpath work, it improved navigation cairns and created a memorial garden in Glen Nevis. It has also promoted the area and worked with other agencies.
