The Cowal Way at Caladh Harbour. Photo: SNH

A long-distance route passing through diverse countryside has been granted great trail status in a ceremony in Argyll.

The Cowal Way joins 27 other routes that have gained the Scotland’s Great Trails accolade.

The 92km (57-mile) Cowal Way was established in 2000 to help create employment and to boost the local economy. Over the past two years almost half a million pounds awarded by the Coastal Communities Fund has been invested in improving the path and meeting the criteria required to achieve Scotland’s Great Trail status.

Among other Scotland’s Great Trails are the West Highland Way and the Great Glen Way.

The long-distance routes must fulfil a list of criteria to receive the award. Each trail is at least 25 miles long and largely off-road with a clearly defined path. The routes all have a high standard of waymarking in place, with a range of visitor services along the way and an online presence with detailed information to help all kinds of visitors plan a visit or trip.

Scottish Natural Heritage said it developed and champions Scotland’s Great Trails to identify, improve and promote the country’s network of LDRs so they can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. Collectively the different routes provide more than 1,700 miles of well managed paths from the Borders to the Highlands, offering opportunities to explore Scotland’s nature and landscapes and to experience its history and culture.

A ceremony took place at Glendaruel on Saturday to mark the trail’s new status.

Ian Ross, SNH chairman, said: “We are delighted to be able to give this much-deserved award to the Cowal Way.

“We have been really impressed with the recent improvements and the trail is another excellent outdoor tourism asset for Scotland. With shorelines, hills, forests and lochs, the Cowal Way has views for everyone and whether you come to walk the full 57 miles, or pick a section for a Sunday stroll, you won’t be disappointed.

Walkers on the Cowal Way. Photo: SNH

“We hope the award helps to attract many more visitors to Cowal over the coming years.”

Jim McLuckie, creator of the trail and a trustee of Colintraive & Glendaruel Development Trust which manages the path, said: “The majority of funds have been allocated to improving the path infrastructure, including clearing vegetation, addressing drainage issues, building timber walkways and bridges, installing multi-user gates, and surfacing along parts of the path.

“We have also invested in a new brand identity, a much improved website, an innovative mobile app, and updating our guide book.

“We have installed people- and cycle-counters to help us to measure path usage. This season we have seen significant increases of all types of users, including locals, UK and overseas visitors, walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders.”

The Cowal peninsula is part of Argyll, in the south-west of the Highlands. The area is very dependent on tourism as a source of employment and income.

Mr McLuckie said: “With our improvement programme almost complete, we now believe we have one of the best LDRs in Scotland, if not Europe.

“We call the Cowal Way ‘Scotland in 57 miles’ because visitors can experience the best Scotland has to offer, including very friendly locals. From Portavadie on Loch Fyne to Inveruglas at Loch Lomond, the path passes through the Cowal’s key communities, bringing a much needed economic boost to this fragile but beautiful area.”

More details are on the Cowal Way website.