A popular Aberdeenshire walking route has been restored after three years of hard work by dedicated volunteers.
The Banchory Paths Association (BPA) has rebuilt a link onto the Deeside Way from the A93 Aberdeen to Braemar road at Pantoch.
The walking route was formerly a “trod” path which became very boggy in the winter months and overgrown during the summer.
Aberdeenshire West MSP, Alexander Burnett, recently joined the volunteers to assist with the final stages of the project to upgrade it.
He said: “I have been keen to support the regeneration of this particular part of the network of paths around Banchory and the surrounding area.
“BPA has worked incredibly hard on this project, and we should be doing everything we can to promote walking and making exercise accessible to all.”
The route is part of the core path network in Banchory and is well used by locals and visitors to the nearby caravan site during the summer months.
The Leys Estate, which owns the ground, has supported the group’s work, which has included obtaining planning permission and consultations with neighbouring landowners and Aberdeenshire Council.
BPA project officer, David Culshaw, said: “Without the crucial support of national organisations, local companies, BPA volunteers and residents of Pantoch who helped to carry out much of the initial clearing of overgrown vegetation, the completion of this project would not have been possible.
“BPA will continue to maintain the path so we ask users to respect the area by taking home litter, keeping speeds down when cycling on the surface and picking up after their dogs, as responsible owners do already.”