Scottish Forestry Minister, Rhona Brankin, donned her hiking boots and ventured to the Cairngorms in order to officially open a new mountain access path at Meall a Bhuachaille - a corbet located within the Glenmore Forest Park.

The mountain path at Meall a Bhuachaille has undergone around 3km of upgrading and repair work as well as being extended by 1km, as part of a Mountain Access Project born from the Forestry and Rural Development Scheme in the Highlands and Islands Transition Programme.  It is one of a series of paths on the national forest estate to benefit from the project that has seen £845,000 invested in improving path networks on Forestry Commission Scotland's land in the Highlands.

Ms Brankin, commented;

"I am thrilled to be opening this path at Meall a Bhuacaille.  Scotland's mountains are incredibly iconic and admired throughout the world.  Walking in the hills can be an extremely rewarding and uplifting experience, restoring people's spirits.  They provide access to stunning scenery and wildlife.

"Five areas of the national forest estate in the Highlands have seen path improvements being made as well as new pathways created as part of the Mountain Access Project.  I recognise and commend the work that so many have been involved with to deliver these.  I am confident that the new network of paths will benefit many locals from the local communities as well as visitors to the Highlands throughout the summer and years to come.

"Providing high quality access mountain paths not only encourages people to the hills and promotes a health lifestyle, but also plays a vital function in protecting the environment and controlling the impact visitors to mountains have on wildlife habitats.

"I am particularly pleased to hear that two of the paths at Glenmore Forest Park will be used in the coming week by the Aviemore Walking Festival, as this shows clearly the link between the creation of good quality paths and our importance to the tourism industry.

"I hope everyone who uses the paths will enjoy their experiences, appreciate the beautiful settings, and responsibly respect the surroundings they are relaxing in."

The Mountain Access Project has been supported by Forestry Commission Scotland with funding assistance from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund Programme.

A total of just over 13km of paths have been built/repaired on the national forest estate:

1km new path on Meall a Bhuachaille and 3km of path repair (Glenmore Forest Park)
2.9km of path reinstatement at Chalamain Gap (Glenmore Forest Park)
a new car park, link path and 2.5km of path repair (Ben Wyvis)
1.4km new path and 1.1km of path repair at Sgurr Dearg and Sgurr Dhonnuil (Ballachullish)
2.3km new path at Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh (Glen Orchy)

In addition, 14km new paths and mountain bike trails on private land in Ben Bhraggie (Sutherland) were developed as part of the Mountain Access Project.