ONE of Scotland's most popular long-distance walkways is to get a facelift on an important section.
The West Highland Way will get a £750,000 makeover on the east shore of Loch Lomond, with work expected to start in August.
The 96-mile route from Milngavie to Fort William attracts more than 80,000 walkers every year, which has taken its toll.
The improvements will start south of Rowardennan and end opposite Tarbet. Work will include more than three miles of upgrade to existing path at Ptarmigan, including the unsafe section of the original shoreline path. There will also be two new re-aligned sections and upgrades to the steps linking Balmaha to Conic Hill and steps at Strath Cashel, where work is already under way.
The project has secured support from the Scottish Government's "shovel ready" fund and is part of a wider, path upgrade project being carried out by Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) in partnership with Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority.
Liz Shortal, of the FCS's project team in the area, said: "Making it more user friendly and improving the quality of the experience will encourage more people to speak positively about their visit, which will in turn bring more people to the route."
She said it would make it easier for FCS to carry out timber harvesting operations in the area over the next five to 10 years.
"This will allow us to restore the site to native woodland and improve the forest landscape, structure and habitats. It will also protect the West Highland Way from being damaged by windblow," she said.
Mairi Bell, tourism manager for Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park said: "These upgrades will enhance what is already a spectacular experience."
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