The eroded path on Beinn a' Ghlò. Photo: Neil Reid

Work has begun on repairing one of the UK’s most eroded hill paths.

And a second project will start next month following success in raising cash for the renovations as part of a nationwide appeal.

Skilled path workers began work in April on the path up Ben Vane in the Arrochar Alps, in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park.

Work on the other project, the unsightly scar of the path up Beinn a’ Ghlò in the southern Cairngorms, is due to start in June.

Funds for the work came from the Mend Our Mountains: Make One Million appeal, overseen north of the border by Mountaineering Scotland. The British Mountaineering Council was responsible for the overall project, with the aim of bringing in £1m for repair of upland paths in Britain’s national parks.

A total of £100,000 was donated for the two Scottish projects, with £40,000 for work on Ben Vane and £60,000 on Beinn a’ Ghlò. Restoration of the former will take about eight months, with the latter due to be completed in September.

Mountaineering Scotland said the path on Beinn a’ Ghlò has for years been an eroded trench visible from the A9.

The path work is being overseen and co-ordinated by the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland.

Donations came from all quarters during the year-long appeal, including individuals, climbing and walking clubs, and organisations.

A grant of £26,500 came from the European Outdoor Conservation Association, and £20,000 from the Scottish Mountaineering Trust, along with £10,000 from the Brown Forbes Memorial Fund.

Dougie Baird, chief executive of Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, said: “These are two of the most eroded paths in the UK, and repairing the damage will be so important for both the landscape and the visitor experience.

“With public funds under so much pressure, it was important that the public support this type of work and we are delighted that those who care for the mountains took this opportunity to give something back.”

Mountaineering Scotland chief executive Stuart Younie said: “This has been a great project to raise funds for badly needed path restoration projects on two very popular mountains.

“It’s fantastic to see so many people getting outdoors enjoying the countryside and the benefits of getting physically active but one of the unfortunate legacies is the wear and tear on our hill paths and tracks.

“I’d like to thank everyone in the outdoors community who has embraced our collective responsibility to help look after the hills and been involved supporting Mend our Mountains.”