Glencairn is rurally remote, with poor transport connections.  We know that poor roads and inadequate public transport negatively impacts our local economy and community resilience.

Network 76 in Motion is a collaborative Sustainable Transport project with Community Energy Scotland (CES), researching and supporting the development of low carbon transport solutions in mid and upper Nithsdale.    Moniaive Initiative is working on the project alongside: Kier, Penpont & Tynron Development Trust (KPT), Nith Leaf Valley Trust (Closeburn), Sanquhar Enterprise Company, Kirkconnel & Kelloholm Development Trust and New Cumnock Development Trust.

The early part of the project focussed on workshops and fact-finding visits on Rural Mobility Hubs and Digital Demand Transport; Low Carbon transport (electric vehicles, car clubs and car share); Policy and Behaviour change to promote safer streets; Community Transport; bus and rail connectivity; and mapping of active travel networks.

This was followed in 2022 by community engagement to help us develop the Glencairn Sustainable Transport Plan.  This document gives an overview of the current transport situation and considers options to address challenges and key barriers to low-carbon transport.  You can read the full document here:

Moving forward, we then decided to focus on two aspects: (a) improving Community Transport and (b) public transport connectivity and mapping of active travel options.

In 2023 / 2024 we held Paths Mapping events to capture more information on where people currently walk / wheel, and where they would like to be able to walk / wheel. This included a presentation from Luke Phillips of the Ramblers in February 2024, who explained the Ramblers Paths Mapping Project, and how communities such as ours can become involved.

In 2025 we used the information gathered during the previous engagement and additional cycling workshops to create a new, area-wide active travel leaflet. “Getting Around in Nithsdale” includes a link to an interactive cycle map of routes created by Josh Wood (South West Scotland Cycle Training) using information from the local cycle group workshops. We especially recommend clicking the purple icons to view the “scenic routes”, which all have downloadable GPX files linked in the route descriptions.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to the guide and particularly to KM Wheelers, Crawick Wheelers, Cycling Dumfries and the other attendees who shared their wisdom at the N76 cycle workshop in Sanquhar. Please do share widely and hopefully we can help people get out and about in our lovely area!

The N76 Energy in Motion project was possible thanks to the support of The Dumfries & Galloway Regionwide Community Fund, Clyde (D&G) Community Fund (administered by Foundation Scotland), ANCBC, Paths For All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) Open Fund; and Dumfries & Galloway Climate Hub’s seed fund, administered by Galloway & Southern Ayrshire Biosphere. Special thanks to the Climate Hub for funding Josh’s time to create the cycle routes and interactive map.