National Trust Scotland (NTS) are seeking donations to help fulfil its commitment to protect the country's natural environment.

NTS said that funding would help maintain some of the country's most beautiful and popular hiking spots, such as Ben Lawers, Goatfell and Mar Lodge Estate.

Issuing an appeal for funds, NTS, said: "Thanks to Scotland's ever-changing weather and thousands of welcome and well-placed footprints each year, erosion to the path network is one of the largest challenges we face, especially as it could lead to irreversible damage to our magnificent countryside."

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Footpath Team Manager, Bob Brown, also said: "There's been a huge increase in footfall to our wonderful hills, mountains, woodland and coastline as people flock to enjoy the beauty of our landscapes, but this puts huge pressure on the pathways. Public donations can help us care for and love these areas in a sustainable and sensitive way."

Donations of £25 allow the team to stabilise the edge of collapsing pathways, £50 will allow a draining solution to be implemented to four metres of walkway and £60 will help restore up to 10 metres of path.

Our footpath team, made up of four, travels the length and breadth of Scotland year-round, maintaining 270 miles of path network, for the 1 million people who visit ever year.

At Ben Lawers alone, there are 187 cross drains, 434 water bars, 944 metres of pitching and 2974 metres of drains, showing at just one site, the scale of the work involved.

The National Trust for Scotland works every day to protect Scotland's national and natural treasures.