SCOTLAND'S five main landowning conservation charities contribute significantly to the economy north of the Border even although they own just 2.6% of land, a study has found.

The report focuses on the socio-economic benefits that flow from the ownership and management of land by the John Muir Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, RSPB Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and Woodland Trust Scotland.

The research by the University of the Highlands and Islands found that as well as protecting some of the most environmentally important sites in Scotland, direct expenditure by conservation charities on land management was more than £37 million annually, rising to £64m when wider organisational expenditure was included.

Almost four million people a year visit land owned by conservation charities, bringing revenues of £26m to £105m to some of the most remote communities. Almost 5000 volunteers a year carry out almost 300,000 hours of work on sites owned by the charities, worth up to £3m.

Mike Daniels, head of land and science at the John Muir Trust, said: "Land which is owned and managed in the interests of conservation conveys wider social and economic benefits.

"Our main aims at the Trust are to protect and enhance wild land, and to encourage people to connect with nature and landscape. We also carry out vital work that is not always visible to the general public."