£3.9m is to be spent on infrastructure and regeneration in Scotland to improve the country’s cycle trails over the next two years.

The money is part of an additional £21m investment in transport from the Scottish government.

Transport Minister Keith Brown confirmed the package as part of the "shovel-ready" economic stimulus spending announced by Finance Secretary John Swinney.

Mr Brown said: "In the Highlands and Argyll & Bute, we are committing £3m to fast track the National Cycle Network route 78 between Oban and Inverness.

"The £2.6m Connon Ferry to Inverness section will be managed by Transport Scotland in partnership with Highland Council and will deliver much-needed safe cycle routes linking remote communities and taking cyclists off the trunk road network by 2015.

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"The Great Glen cycle path will be an iconic route which will boost the local economy through the additional tourism in an area which already attracts over 20,000 spectators to the World Mountain Bike Championship each year in Fort William.

"We are also committing £400,000 for the Oban to Appin cycle route to link a remote community off the main Oban to Fort William section of the larger route.

"Half a million pounds will go to improving access to stations on the successful Airdrie to Bathgate railway and contribute to the "greening" of the route currently being taken forward by Central Scotland Forest Trust.

"And £400,000 will be spent on increasing cycle parking at schools, helping encourage more kids to cycle and linking to the Community Links programme delivering safe routes to schools throughout Scotland."

(IT/GK)