ALMOST £4 million in lottery funds are to be spent on repairing paths on Ben Nevis and conserving the landscapes of the Inner Forth.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has given the Nevis plans a green light or "first round pass" of £1,927,700 through its Landscape Partnership funding programme.

Britain's highest mountain is visited by around 200,000 people each year, and half try to reach the 4409ft summit, a footfall that takes its toll on its paths, and damages habitats of birds and insects.

The upper reaches of the 100-year-old pony track, which is now in a dangerous condition, will be restored to provide a safe access route and a new 3.5-mile riverside path will also be built to link with existing forest tracks and provide "all-ability access".

The overgrown Polldubh Crags will be restored and survey work will boost habitats for rare species of plants, butterflies, moths and mammals.

Nevis Partnership chairman Patricia Jordan said: "We are delighted as it will allow locals and visitors alike to become involved in a wide range of heritage projects."

Colin McLean, HLF head in Scotland, said: "Our spectacular scenery attracts 'nature' tourists from around the world, adding £1.4 billion a year to our economy. Now huge areas can be conserved and managed and local communities reconnected with the natural world."

The Inner Forth project has been given £1,975,900 for a initiative that covers the upper reaches of the Firth of Forth.

It includes 59 scheduled ancient monuments, military defences and battle sites including the Roman Antonine wall, five Historic Scotland properties and 15 conservation areas.

Inner Forth Landscape Partnership officer Kate Studd said: "It is an area of real conservation and historic importance, an hour's drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

"Sadly, it is often overlooked and undervalued. With this HLF support, we will work with local communities to protect and celebrate its valuable heritage."