Environmental improvement work is underway along the south side of Loch Ness to open up views of the loch and access to the loch-side for visitors and local residents.

Wooded scrub is being cleared at seven lay-bys between Dores and Foyers and the material will be used to make chipped wood, which will in turn be used to upgrade the footpaths linking the lay-bys to the shore, paths that are currently overgrown.

Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council is leading the project after securing £3,600 financial support from the Community Economic Development (CED) programme, which is part-financed by the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), and administered locally by Inverness and Nairn Enterprise.  Additional support in kind, to the value of £4,350, is also being provided by the Forestry Commission.

The improvements were identified as a local priority at a number of community meetings last year, with both the local community councils and the South Loch Ness Tourist Group highlighting the need to improve facilities along the loch-side for locals and visitors.

The Forestry Commission owns the land between the road and the loch and has provided and maintained picnic areas in the seven sites for a number of years.  The Commission has agreed to the work being carried out and foresters also agreed to carry out future maintenance of the area as well as provide benches and interpretation for visitors and local residents.  The value of this contribution was used by the community as match funding for the project.

Local co-ordinator for the CED programme, Karen Thomson of Inverness and Nairn Enterprise, said: "This is exactly the kind of project CED would like to encourage; the local community working in partnership to improve economic opportunities through tourism.  Loch Ness is one of our greatest assets and if we can encourage more visitors to explore the south side it will support local business.  This project will also benefit the local community by improving access.

"Meanwhile we are keen to hear from other communities around Inverness and Nairn who have ideas for similar projects that will improve local facilities, services or the environment, that the CED programme may be able to assist."

Forester Adele Beck added: "The community has approached this issue in a very positive manner and worked closely with the Forestry Commission to reach a solution.

"We are delighted at their success in drawing in the funds to get the work done. This is an excellent example of local people working proactively through a range of organisations to achieve their aims."

Chairman of Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council, John W Campbell, said:  "The Community Council is indebted to INE and the Forestry Commission for their valuable support for this project, which could not have been accomplished without this support, encouragement and guidance."