Work is underway on a new cycle path along the promenade in Fort William that will form part of the £2.9million Great Glen cycle route between the Lochaber town and Inverness.
One lane of the northbound carriageway of the A82 Glasgow to Inverness road is currently closed while the work is carried out.
Transport Scotland confirmed that it formed part of the larger project, which is aimed at allowing cyclists to enjoy some of the finest scenery in the world while improving their fitness.
The 66-mile long route will pass along the length of the Great Glen, taking in local roads, canal towpaths and forestry roads.
It will improve safety for cyclists by providing an alternative to the A82 trunk road and forms part of the longer route from Oban to Inverness.
The new path is being constructed to the highest standards, with canal towpaths and forestry roads being upgraded to link with newly constructed sections of the route, which will also benefit from new signing and path markings.
Announcing the award of the contract to RJ McLeod Ltd in August of last year, then Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “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.”
He added that it was a good example of Transport Scotland, working in partnership with Sustrans, local authorities, Scottish Canals, Forestry Commission Scotland and private landowners.
And he said he believed it would become a tremendous asset for Scotland’s adventure tourism industry.
John Lauder, National Director of Sustrans Scotland, today said: “Sustrans and partners have been working on this section of National Cycle Network Route 78 since around 2007.
“Its anticipated completion in summer 2015 will see the opening of an important part of the Caledonia Way – a route stretching 220 miles from Campbeltown to Inverness.
“This particularly scenic route through the Great Glen will be a fantastic facility for both tourists and locals alike to enjoy and explore.”
