An extra dimension has been added to a popular walk at Flowerdale Glen, near Gairloch with the construction of a new bridge above the glen's picturesque waterfalls.

Until recently, the thousands of walkers who use the footpath every year came to the end of the road at the waterfall, preventing them from completing the route as a circular walk.

The project that also includes the clearing of windblown trees around the falls and the construction of additional footpaths in the area has been driven by the local Gairloch and Conon Estate with funding also being provided by various partners including Ross and Cromarty Enterprise, The Highland Council and the Forestry Commission.

Estate manager Roger McDonald said: "We wanted to clear the unsightly damaged trees and at the same time improve access to the area, so we decided to upgrade the existing footpath as well as construct a new bridge and path. This has provided walkers with a circular route which is more enjoyable than walking out to the falls and returning the same way."

Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network approved funding of £10,000 (pounds) towards the £28,400 (pounds) project costs.

Paul Carr, assistant property manager at RACE said: "It is important that Gairloch has quality tourism attractions like this which attract new as well as returning visitors to the area. This project also demonstrates how a multi-agency approach can achieve significant results.

"The network of footpaths in the area is also an important local amenity that is widely used by the community themselves."

The area around Flowerdale Glen was previously used as a commercial forestry plantation but has now been replanted as native pinewood.