Scotland National Cycle Network closures and diversions

We encourage local authorities and other statutory bodies responsible for land traversed by the National Cycle Network to use their powers to keep National Cycle Network routes open, free from obstruction and well maintained.

Where routes are temporarily closed we ask that they make appropriate arrangements, including appropriate directional signage, and that they provide information to the public both before and during the work.

If we are notified we do our best to help by listing issues on this page and linking to the information they provide.

Please let us know of any significant route diversions or closures not mentioned below by emailing us at scotland@sustrans.org.uk

Family cycling on National Route 7

Current closures and diversions

Please note that due to the recent, heavy rainfall there have been reports of flooding across the network. While this remains the case, some disruption is expected.

Route 1: Dighty Bridge, Broughty Ferry: Temporary diversion in place due to bridge replacement, work to take place for 7 months from February 2023. Signed route diversions in place.

Due to works taking place to upgrade Dighty Bridge, a section of National Cycle Network Route 1 will be temporarily closed for 7 months from February 2023. Works are restricted to a night shift pattern. A diversion has been identified for the duration and is well signposted at the affected site.

Please note: the diversion will take walkers, wheelers and cyclists along a stretch of busy road. We are currently working closely with stakeholders to investigate appropriate solutions to this.

A map of the temporary alignment and more information is available via Broughty Ferry Active Travel (link).

UPDATE 23/05/23: An additional section of the footpath from Grange Road to Albert Street will be closed for a three-week period between the 5 June to 23 June. This will allow construction vehicle access while the path is excavated and surfaced. Alternative routes will be signed.

Route 1: Dundee: Temporary diversion in place while drainage works underway.

The Docks Way Path will be closed between 9am and 4pm from the 23rd to 27th October 2023 while Tayside Contracts resolve issues with surface water flooding.

People walking, wheeling and cycling will be diverted up to Broughty Ferry Road for the duration of the works. There will be signage on site. 

Route 1: Cullen: Short-term closure of route. 

National Cycle Network Route 1 will be closed between Portnockie and Cullen from Thursday 23rd to Friday 24th November (8.00am - 4.00pm).

This is to enable resurfacing works to take place. Diversion routes will be signposted where available. 

Route 1: Montrose: Closure of route at Northater Viaduct. 

Northater Viaduct near Montrose is currently closed pending further investigation works following the recent storm events.

Route 7: Aberfoyle: Temporary closure of the bridge at The Lodge. 

There is currently no access to National Cycle Network Route 7 using the bridge at the Lodge, Aberfoyle.

This is due to ongoing structural investigations and repair work.  

Route 73: Arran ferry (Ardrossan to Brodick) - (Route 73 northern section, Kilmarnock - Lochranza): 

Caledonian MacBrayne are suggesting to those wishing to take bikes on the Ardrossan to Brodick/Arran ferry that they should be aware that some sailings have become particularly popular, including with group rides.

CalMac have published information suggesting that they may need to limit access to particularly busy sailings, and asking that groups telephone to check for details.

Route 75: East Calder: Long term closure due to housing development.

Long-term path closure due to housing development, with a route realignment between Raw Holdings and East Calder Main Street. There is a signed diversion in place for the duration of the works.

National Cycle Network Route 75 between East Calder Main Street and Raw Holdings (location)

Route 75: Hillend Reservoir, Caldercruix: Intermittent flooding along path, traffic-free route may be impassable following heavy rainfall.

We are aware of intermittent flooding affecting the traffic-free stretch of National Cycle Network Route 75 bordering Hillend Reservoir in Caldercruix, North Lanarkshire (location).

The route is currently navigable with care, but we are aware that water levels may rise to a level which makes the route impassable following heavy rainfall.

We are working with local stakeholders to investigate appropriate long-term solutions in line with current land ownership responsibilities. 

Route 75: Greenock: Temporary restriction of road use to facilitate works. 

There will be some disruption to the on-road section of National Cycle Network Route 75 in Greenock, near Cartsdyke station, between the 1st and 5th December.

Signed diversions will be in place for the duration of the works.

Route 75: Leith: Route diversion due to construction works. 

A diversion will be in place on National Cycle Network Route 75 along the Coalie Park section (Leith) from November 2023 to May 2024.

This is to enable construction works. 

Route 76: Tillicoultry, Alloa: Route closure

Due to a series of improvement works between Blackgrange roundabout and the petrol station on the A907, sections of this route will be closed between 20th November - 20th December.

Signage will be in place in the affected areas. 

Route 77: Dunkeld: Route closure due to landslide.

Due to a landslide, National Cycle Network Route 77 is currently closed at Dunkeld House Hotel.

There are currently no diversion signs in place on site.

An alternative route can be found via the minor road to the east of the A9 towards Rotmell Farm. At this point, users can join the cycle path on the A9.

NCN78: Barcaldine Bridge

Work is due to take place from the 29th November - 15th December.

The stretch will be closed to vehicles between 9:00 - 16:30 each day. However, if a pedestrian or cyclist needs to pass, they will endeavour to stop working and guide them through the site.

Route 78/Caledonia Way: South Laggan - Cullochy Loch: long-term complete closure from 8th December 2022 - December 2024. Alternative route due to open Spring 2023 but it will not be of NCN standard.

Due to Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) harvesting works, the National Cycle Network route between South Laggan and Cullochy Loch (location) will be closed from the 08 December 2022 until December 2024 with no through access.

FLS have created an alternative route on the west side of Loch Oich which is due for completion by Spring 2023. Work is ongoing to improve sections of path on this route. To reach the next section of the Caledonia Way, you can follow the (non-NCN) alternative route signage.

Forestry and Land Scotland will ensure there is clear signage and advisory notices throughout the closure.

Please note: the alternative route will not be of the same standard as the closed alignment and is challenging in parts. It includes some sections and crossings on fast roads, steep gradients and rough terrain. The new route is 11.6km (7.2 miles) which is 4km (2.5 miles) longer than the original.

UPDATE: Due to FLS harvesting in the area, there may be delays on the alternative route for approximately 4 weeks from the start of July.

More information is available via Highland Council (link)

Route 78/Great Glen Way: SSE Coire Glas – Loch Lochy: signposted, long-term diversion in place until June 2029 to facilitate exploratory works at the hydro scheme.

A temporary diversion is now in place on Route 78 at Loch Lochy to allow safe passage whilst exploratory works are underway for Coire Glas Hydro scheme. The diversion is likely to remain in place until June 2029, dependent on the results of exploratory works

The diversion route is well signposted and suitable for walking and cycling, though some surfacing and gradients are not NCN standard.

Please note: toilet facilities at the wild campsite are now closed and talks are underway to get replacement facilities in place at a nearby location in 2023.

Route 78: Onich: Disruption to route while trunk road maintenance carried out on the A82.

Due to maintenance works on the A82 to the east of Onich, there may be some disruption to National Cycle Network Route 78 from the 18th September.

Arrangements will be in place to guide users through the works at all times, but cyclists may be asked to dismount.

The road maintenance is scheduled to take 3 weeks.

UPDATE 01/11/23: due to recent heavy rainfall the completion of these works has been delayed. They are now anticipated to finish in mid-October.  

Caledonia Way (Former Route 78): Taynuilt - Oban: Road closure from 1st September 2023 - January 2024. No through access. 

We have been made aware that as a result of cabling works, a road closure has been scheduled between Taynuilt and Oban from September 2023 to January 2024.

Please note: there will be no through access which will disrupt the Caledonia Way route.

Route 195: Banchory: Signed diversion in place on Deeside Way.

We have been informed by Forestry and Land Scotland that a section of the Deeside Way in the Shooting Greens area of Blackhall forest (near Banchory) is currently closed due to felling.

The works are due to take up to 3 weeks from 22nd November. A signed diversion through Slewdrum Forest will be in place.

Up-to-date information about closures and diversions along Route 754 (Forth & Clyde and Union Canal towpaths) is published on Scottish Canals' Works and Updates page (link) 

Route 754: Winchburgh Marina: Temporary towpath closure due to construction of new road crossing. October 2022- March 2023. Signed diversion in place.

We have been informed by Scottish Canals that a temporary towpath closure is in place along National Cycle Network Route 754 at Winchburgh Marina (location) to allow construction of a new road crossing.

A signed diversion is in place at the affected site. More information is available through Scottish Canals.

Route 756: Glasgow (riverside paths): Ongoing closures and disruption (October 2021)

In Glasgow, a drop in water levels following the failure of the functioning of the River Clyde tidal weir in August 2017 caused some considerable damage to sections of the riverside paths upstream of the weir. Several sections of path have been re-opened, but it is clear that there will be some path closures and diversions in the longer term. 

Route 756 south of the river between Florence Street and Richmond Park is closed long term.