The £2.9m route, which is located between Fort William and Inverness, is 66 miles long and passes along the length of the Great Glen. It will take in local roads, canal towpaths and forestry roads, as well as improving the safety of cyclists by providing an alternative to the A82 trunk road.
Under the contract, the new path will be constructed to the highest standard, while the canal paths and forestry roads will be upgraded to link with the new sections of the route. New signage and path markings will also be erected on the route.
-- Advertisement --
Welcoming the announcement, Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "It is great to see progress is being made on the Great Glen Cycle Route. Not only will it attract visitors to the area, it will improve local economies along the whole length as a result.
"We have some of the most iconic landscapes in the world in Scotland and people want to get out there to enjoy them. This is a fantastic example of how Transport Scotland, working in partnership with Sustrans, Local Authorities, Scottish Canals, Forestry Commission and private landowners, is allowing them to do so."
He added: "I am looking forward to seeing work progress in the near future and to have cyclists from across the world coming here to enjoy, what I am sure will become a tremendous asset for Scotland's adventure tourism industry, in years to come."
(JP/IT)
