IATNL News

IAT Welcomes Scotland's West Highland Way
11-06-2010

On June 5 at the grand opening of the Appalachian Trail Museum in Pine Grove State Park, Pennsylvania, the International Appalachian Trail officially welcomed Scotland and the West Highland Way as the first European Chapter of the IAT.   Joining IAT President Paul Wylezol in welcoming the WHW were ATC executive members, AT Museum directors, and State and County Representatives.

(l-r.) AT Museum Director Bill O'Brien, Cumberland County Tourism Director Shireen Farr, ATC COO Steve Paradis, Cumberland County Commissioner Rick Rovegno, Pennsylvania Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources John Quigley, Pennsylvania State House Representative Mauree Gingrich, ATC Executive Director Dave Startzell, IAT President Paul Wylezol, AT Museum President Larry Luxenberg, and AT Museum Director Kent Wilson

The official welcome came nearly a year to the day that an IAT delegation from Maine and Newfoundland Labrador travelled to Scotland to hold exploratory meetings with representatives from the British Geological Survey, local trail organizations, Lochaber Geopark officials, and government representatives on the possibility of Scotland becoming a European chapter of the IAT. 

(l-r.) IATNL Treasurer Kevin Noseworthy, Scottish Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham, IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol, and British Geological Survey Team Leader Hugh Barron meet in Fort William, Scotland, June 2009

 IAT Scotland Meeting in Fort William, Scotland, June 2009

IAT Newfoundland Labrador and IAT Maine representatives with Scottish hosts on the summit of Ben Nevis, June 2009

 

IAT Founder and Past President Richard Anderson and IAT Geologist Walter Anderson meet with Scottish Parliamentarian Alasdair Morgan (standing) at Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, June 2009 

 

West Highland Way Logo and Sign

 

West Highland Way Trail Route

The IAT gratefully acknowledges the contribution and effort of Hugh Barron and the British Geological Survey to extend the Appalachian trail and brand to Scotland, and looks forward to working with Gordon Forrester and the executive of the West Highland Way to create the premier outdoor adventure brand in the Western Hemisphere. 

To learn more about the West Highland Way, go to their website www.west-highland-way.co.uk.

 

 IAT Twilight Zone "Wormhole" Footnote:  IAT President Wylezol departed Scotland, UK on June 4, 2009 and arrived in Scotland, Pennsylvania on June 4, 2010, enroute to the AT Museum where Scotland was welcomed into the Appalachian trail family.

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