Vital ground investigations are underway on a 10-mile stretch of the Inverness to Glasgow road due to be upgraded.
Transport Minister Keith Brown was on hand at the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan as the work by ESG began.
It will help to identify a preferred route for the scheme by next summer.
Mr Brown said: “The 10 mile section of the A82 between Tarbet and Inverarnan runs between the iconic Loch Lomond and the stunning hills that border it, so it is important that any upgrade to the route fits with the challenges of the topography while maintaining the world renowned beauty of the area.
“The ground investigations taking place over the next couple of months will help inform the ongoing work to design a preferred route by next summer.
“Coupled with the construction work for the Pulpit Rock improvement scheme and the Crianlarich bypass bringing improved road safety and journey time reliability, we are committed to upgrade the A82 which is a vital economic and social lifeline as it connects businesses and communities in the Highlands and Islands with the central belt.”
