A new long-distance Scottish walking path is officially opening this month. The 30-mile Great Trossachs Path, located in Scotland’s original national park, links together three of Scotland’s other Great Trails: The West Highland Way, The Rob Roy Way and the Three Lochs Way. The Great Trossachs Path could be walked on its own or added to the other great trails to offer a long multi-day walking tour. There are plenty of shorter loops that take in section of the GTP for shorter outings, too. The Great Trossachs Path forms a spine through some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes. You’ll walk along loch shores, around hills and through mature woodlands where wildlife is easy to spot. The route is also dotted with many interesting attractions to visit, such as Rob Roy’s birthplace, a military garrison and an Iron Age fort, as well as the settings of many famous paintings and poems. Accessing the path, which is set at the heart of Scotland, is easy. The Trossachs is within an hour’s drive for 80% of Scotland’s population, which means you can reach it from many central towns and villages and also via public transport. A supporter of the Great Trossachs Trail is outdoors broadcaster Cameron McNeish. He said: “The Trossachs is somewhere that I have explored many times. It’s often described as the Highlands in miniature, but that doesn’t do the area justice – it definitely has its own irresistible character that is hard to quantify. It’s something that you really have to experience for yourself. “Linking the West Highland Way and the Rob Roy Way is a tantalising idea that might inspire serious walkers to try a new route combining these great trails. But also within The Great Trossachs Forest there’s a tremendous variety of walks through native woodland and onto the open hill.” The Great Trossachs Path has been made possible thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said: “Nature lies at the very heart of what makes Scotland special. We are delighted to support a project, which will encourage people of all ages and abilities to visit the Great Trossachs Forest to experience its incredible natural heritage. It is good for the local economy and is also good for the soul.” Find out more: For an overview of walking the routes see the website Walk Highlands Great Trossachs Path 1 and path 2 For an alternative self-guided walking tour see Macs Adventure Trossachs Trail.