A new footpath at a popular tourist site on the Isle of Skye has been unveiled in a bid to make the route safer and more accessible.
The Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) created the new footpath system at the Quiraing site after the site was damaged due to increased footfall in recent years.
It is hoped the restoration work carried out will help futureproof the area and protect the site for years to come.
The work is part of the Skye Iconic Sites Project, led by OATS with local assistance from the Skye Iconic Site Partnership, which promotes sustainable management practices while also ensuring a positive visitor experience.
The Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund, which is partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by NatureScot, is supporting 70% of the cost of this project across the three iconic sites on Skye.
Officially unveiled to the public on Saturday, cabinet secretary for finance and economy Kate Forbes said the new pathway would be well used in the upcoming summer months.
“Here we are in Skye celebrating yet another of the iconic sites getting a significant investment for car parking, for the roads and for pathways,” she told STV News.
“You know that Skye is hugely popular with visitors, tourists, and this enables the experience to be much better for them but also helps the local community.
“With government funding, working closely with partners on the ground, we can make a big difference.
“We’ve seen so much investment in infrastructure on Skye over the last few years, partly as a result of the increase in tourism, but partly just to ensure that communities have the infrastructure that they need.”
Dougie Baird, CEO of Outdoor Access Trust, added: “This upgrade will make a huge difference as we welcome visitors to enjoy everything this stunning area has to offer with improved accessibility while also protecting the local habitat.
“We are pleased to have reached this key milestone in the project, helping to protect these stunning sites for years to come.”
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