Glen Massan on the Cowal peninsula

A Scottish long-distance path just got longer.

The Cowal Way, which starts at Portavadie on the west coast of the peninsula, used to end at Ardgartan near the head of Loch Long. Now, an extra 16km (10 miles) have been added to extend the route to the shores of Loch Lomond.

This means a determined walker can now use the Cowal Way to link with the Kintyre Way in the West with the West Highland Way.

However, aficionados of Cowal will argue that the 92km (57 miles) across the peninsula in south-west Scotland is reason enough to pull on the boots. The route runs from the shores of Loch Fyne, through forest and hill terrain, boasting golden eagles and red squirrels on the way.

The extension of the way takes it to Inveruglas on the western shore of Loch Lomond.

The waymarked route runs up the Cowal peninsula from sea level across the rugged interior of the area. It has 1,540m (5,052ft) of ascent and typically takes about five days to complete.

An optional extension of the way is the ascent of The Cobbler near its eastern end. True adventurers can tag on the Great Glen Way to make a complete journey from the Mull of Kintyre to Inverness.

To celebrate the way’s extension, there will be a day of activities at Glendaruel Village Hall next month. The hall will be the base for guided and non-guided walks, a guidebook launch, a barbecue which organisers say will be, bizarrely, by Winston Churchill, and the day will be rounded off by a ceilidh.

The event takes place on 16 May. More information is on the Cowal Way website.