A SCHEME to safeguard some of Scotland's most iconic mountains from erosion caused by hikers has been given a multi-million pound boost.

The Mountains and the People project will tackle some of the worst path erosion problems in Scotland by training young people and volunteers to care for upland landscapes and habitats.

It has secured a grant of £3.26million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to protect A distance of 124.5km of eroded upland paths and rollback some of the damage caused by over use.

It will operate in both Cairngorms and Loch Lomond and The Trossachs national parks during the next five years, with teams drawn from 48 young people doing the work.

Among the peaks to be protected will be Ben Lomond, Ben A'an, Beinn A Ghlo and Lochnagar, and organisers say the project will give those who take part the opportunity to learn essential countryside skills while gaining relevant qualifications.

Further funds will also be available to support the project through its five year lifespan, on top of the HLF grant. COAT has committing £612,177 to the project, matched by contributions from the Cairngorms National Park Authority (£275,000); Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority (£525,000); Scottish Natural Heritage (£200,000) and Forestry Commission Scotland (£525,000), with the remainder coming from corporate sponsorship and charitable trusts, swelling the total to £6.1m.

A volunteer programme run alongside the scheme will also recruit, train and support volunteers in carrying out basic construction work, maintenance and habitat management, while and information campaign will be launched to ensure that people are aware of the inadvertent danger they pose to the environment

Paths will be monitored through an Adopt-a-Path programme, which will provide feedback on their condition, enabling problems to be tackled before they become a major issue.

Dougie Baird, Chief Executive of the Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust (COAT) said: "The Mountains and The People is a project designed to bring the people of Scotland together to help look after some of Scotland's most precious national assets - the mountains of our National Parks. "Mountains in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and the Cairngorms are so important for nature and as places people can escape the hustle and bustle of modern life.

"The HLF funding means we can now get started and with all partners help protect the Scottish landscape for millions of people to enjoy."Sarah Lawther, who undertook COAT training in Aviemore last year, said that the course had been a worthwhile experience.

She added: "I was lucky enough to gain many weeks work experience with Cairngorm Wilderness Contracts, a company who set themselves up off the back of the training course four years previous to me.

"The values they carry as a company in conservation and environmental good practise really spoke to me as I care passionately about conservation, especially in the Cairngorms as I grew up walking these mountains.

"I am fiercely proud to be working for this company when this is what I get to show my friends and family. I love my job, I love this place and I feel so incredibly lucky to be part of the conservation of this beautiful mountain environment."

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund said: "Scotland's National Parks encompass some of the country's most iconic landscapes and are vital for their contribution to tourism as well as for the health and social benefits of the millions of people that enjoy them.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, we are delighted to be able to support a project which encourages people to take ownership of this rich heritage.

"Their newly-learned skills will not only make a positive difference to their own lives but will play an important part in looking after the future of Scotland's magnificent landscapes."