IT is a project five years in the making which will transform access to one of the most beautiful corners of Scotland.

And now the guardians of the lochs, hills and glens of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park say they are on the right path to achieving their lofty goal.

Three years after launching an ambitious five-year plan improvement plan for the park's recreational facilities, the park's authority has reported that £5 million has been invested and more than 450 miles of routes opened up to walkers and hikers.

People living nearby may have spotted signs of the work their area, such as a new section of trail or a bridge adapted for horses, while visitors would have also discovered their favourite cycle path now goes further or discovered new places to put their canoes in the water.

But few may have realised the scale of work that has been taking place across the National Park in the past three years.

Gordon Watson, Chief Executive Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park said: “Each one of these projects in itself is making an important improvement to how people can enjoy the National Park, but taken together the scale of change is significant.

"When we published the National Park’s Outdoor Recreation Plan in 2013 our aim was to transform access across the Park and get more people active in the outdoors, and it is fantastic to see that happening."

Since the Recreation Plan was published, nearly 30 different projects have been completed, thanks to the work and funding of 72 separate organisations.

Among them are major long-distance walking and cycling routes, which have have been newly opened up as part of the programme.

A new link on Gouk Hill now joins up the 134-mile John Muir Way through the National Park, while the community-led scheme to open up the Loch Earn Railway Path completed its second phase in August 2016 on the mixed-use path between Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie.

When complete, the path will help to form part of the cross-Scotland Pilgrim’s Way from Iona to St Andrews, a priority route within Scotland’s National Walking and Cycling Network.

Also key to the scheme is the goal of offering ways to improve the health of people living in the area by working with projects that open up access to those who would not normally get out in the Park.

This has led to the creation of a healthy walks programmes for the inactive, with group hikes catering to more than 100 walkers being offered each week.

People can sign up for these for free, or even be proscribed them by their doctor as a way to get fit again.

The £5 million in funding has come from a variety of sources, including larger scale Heritage Lottery and Sustrans grants to smaller cash injections from Trusts and donations.

The Park Authority has so far directly contributed £870,000, while other projects have also been initiated and delivered through local Community Development Trusts.

The plan set out 69 actions and 88 areas of aspirations, and a meeting of the park's National Board will hear on Monday about the 29 projects which have already been delivered, and the 23 which are currently underway.

Mr Watson added: “Improving and expanding the ways that people can enjoy the stunning landscape of the National Park is a key role of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority, and a priority for so many communities, businesses and organisations across the Park.

"Creating new and improved paths provides fantastic experiences for visitors and residents, protects our fragile habitats, helps land managers and boosts the economy.

"This work is only possible through collaboration with many partners, and we thank the communities, landowners, agencies and organisations for collaborating with us to deliver this ambitious plan.”