5 days ago
Major path upgrade completed on Scotland's Conic Hill
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority announced the completion of the £900,000 project on Conic Hill, which has been funded over three years between 2022 and 2025.
The 1.4km path runs from the Balmaha Visitor Centre to the summit of the hill and is two metres wide, designed to encourage visitors to stay on the path and protect the landscape.
Helicopter delivering materials during Conic Hill path upgrade (Image: Supplied)
Its creation involved the use of more than 2000 tonnes of stone sourced from a quarry in Dumbarton, which was transported to the site by land and air.
The park authority says the work has been carried out in a way that ensures long-lasting resilience and minimal environmental impact.
Simon Jones, director of environment and visitor services at Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority, said: 'The completion of the extensive Conic Hill path improvement project is part of our ongoing commitment to investing in sustainable visitor infrastructure across the national park.
'This investment is a key part of our wider Place Plan initiative, which balances recreation with environmental sustainability and enhances biodiversity, visitor infrastructure and local economic benefits simultaneously.
'We look forward to continuing similar efforts, such as our improvements work at Tarbet Pier Picnic Site, and as we head into our peak visitor season, encourage everyone to respect this special landscape, enjoy the new path responsibly, and help us protect the beauty and biodiversity of Conic Hill for future generations.'
Work is underway during Conic Hill path upgrade (Image: Supplied)
Mairi Gougeon, rural affairs secretary, said: 'I am delighted that this summer the thousands of visitors to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park will benefit from the repaired pathway on Conic Hill and look forward to seeing the further improvements the park authority has planned.
'The Scottish Outdoor Access Code has been helping people to enjoy our beautiful countryside responsibly for two decades and this is a great way of marking that anniversary.'
Conic Hill public path (Image: Supplied)
Ryan Hamilton, from Hamilton Construction, said: 'When Hamilton's took over works in late 2023, we undertook an uphill task of navigating through a hillside known for its challenging terrain and addressing significant erosion scars.
'We have endured all types of weather, from temperatures as low as minus 10C to the blistering heat of peak summer, to complete almost 900m of the new path, of which we are immensely proud.
'Feedback from walkers during our time on the hill has been very positive.
'The greatest satisfaction comes from hearing that individuals who were previously unable to access Conic Hill can now do so.'
