Two of Scotland’s popular long-distance walking trails have been awarded a cash injection. The original and much-loved waymarked route, the West Highland Way is set to benefit from a £750,000 Government funding boost, while the Great Glen Way is to receive £1million. The money will be spent on improving sections of the walking trails, and is part of a £3million boost for Scotland's forest estates. Another £900,000 has been earmarked for building refurbishments, including a biomass-based heating system at Aberfoyle’s forestry office and upgrading workshops in Cairnbaan, West Argyll, and Creebridge, in Galloway. A further £500,000 will go towards the stabilisation of the slopes above the busy A82 near Fort William, where the harvesting of older trees is taking place. The money, which is being awarded to Forestry Commission Scotland, is part of a Scottish Government £205million "building boom", which was created as a result of the Chancellor's Autumn Statement. Environment minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "We want more Scots and visitors to enjoy and have access to Scotland's great outdoors. This funding boost for the Forestry Commission Scotland will help towards achieving that."

WHW rated in top 20 in world

The West Highland Way cash boost comes after the 96-mile route, between Milngavie and Fort William, was included in August in a US travel magazine's list of the world's best hikes. The WHW ranked alongside 19 other trails, including the Santa Cruz Trek in Peru and Tibet's Mount Kailash Pilgrimage, in the National Geographic Traveler Magazine. We say, "Woohooooo!" as the West Highland Way and Great Glen Way are real favourites at Macs Adventure!