The Lookout cabin. Photo: Michael McGurk

Three works of art have been unveiled to encourage visitors to appreciate the landscape of Scotland’s first national park.

The architectural viewpoints have been installed in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs park as part of the Scottish Scenic Routes project.

The scheme is inspired by the Norwegian National Tourist Routes programme. The idea is to encourage people to break their journey, enjoy a new perspective on a view – and boost the local economy.

One installation is on the route of the West Highland Way between Inverarnan and Crianlarich. It is described as a woven tunnel of steel rods at the Falls of Falloch, designed by John Kennedy, which, a national park spokesperson said, leads the visitor down a walkway dappled with light.

“On the final turn it widens to reveal a dramatic framed view of the waterfall from on high. The roar of the water, captured by the open mouth of Woven Sound, inspired Dorothy Wordsworth, sister of the Romantic poet William, to write the lines that are etched on the viewing platform.”

The spokesperson said: “A journey down the tiny single track road off the A84 south of Lochearnhead, leads you to Lookout in Balquhidder glen by Daniel Tyler and Angus Ritchie.

John Kennedy's work overlooking the Falls of Falloch

“The mirrored cabin sits on a narrow strip of land between Loch Voil and Loch Doine, reflecting and framing the water, mountains and glens that surround it. Visitors can contemplate the beauty of the area from two benches built into the structure.

“At the south end of Loch Lubnaig, further down the A84 towards Callander, is Ruairidh Moir’s Sloc Nan Sitheanach or the Faerie Hollow. Nestled among the trees, a hideaway of wood and turf, planted with wild flowers, provides a peaceful place to sit and savour the views across the loch to Ben Ledi.”

Further Scottish Scenic Routes pilot projects will be added in the Cairngorms national park and on Scottish Canals’ sites along the A82 in the coming year. A national programme will follow.

Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s breathtaking scenery is hugely admired across the world, and it is only right that we create as many opportunities as we can for people to experience it first-hand.

“Innovative viewpoints in areas of outstanding scenery will enhance the appreciation of Scotland’s landscapes and enrich journeys for both residents and visitors. It will also support rural economy and employment by creating additional interest and driving more people to the areas.

“We have some top architectural talent in Scotland and these new sites have provided a great opportunity for young architects to showcase their talents.

“These three viewpoints build and capitalise on what is an already famously beautiful landscape and I look forward to visiting.”

The Balquhidder work has benches built in. Photo: Michael McGurk

Gordon Watson, director of operations at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park said: “We tend to drive along the road to our destinations without realising that just beyond those trees or round that corner is an unforgettable view.

“This project is about celebrating those journeys and providing appealing, well designed viewpoints that become must-visit destinations, as well as showcasing our young design talent to an international visitor audience.

“We hope they will inspire people to pause, enjoy and take time to explore some of our most beautiful landscapes.”

Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland said: “The aspiration is to create many more of these across Scotland over the coming years so that we can enhance the promotion of our scenic tourist routes and bring benefits and opportunities to local visitor economies.”

Scottish Scenic Routes is a three-year, £1.5m Scottish Government scheme. £500,000 funding was provided for the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park pilot project.