TV presenter and survival expert Bear Grylls has pledged his support for a project aimed at regenerating the forest in Glen Nevis.
The 40-year-old adventurer spent a day in the Lochaber glen with Nevis Landscape Partnership to learn about its Future Forests Project.
Partnership spokeswoman, Freja MacDougall, said the idea of chopping down non-native trees to encourage the growth and regeneration of Scots Pine in Glen Nevis appealed to the nature enthusiast.
She added that the aim of his visit was to learn about the project and find out how he could do his bit for the once-vast Caledonian Forest.
Ms MacDougall said: “Bear was really enthusiastic and engaged with what we are trying to do with this project.
“He spent a lot of time learning about how Scots pine became endangered before assisting Henry Dobson, of Forestry Commission Scotland, with pine cone collection from a 100-year-old tree.
“We want to instil Bear’s enthusiasm in all of our volunteers, along with anybody who is interested in getting involved with our projects over the next five years.”
She added that climbing trees, collecting cones and helping save a forest proved to be all in a day’s work for the action man, who was presented with a Scots pine sapling as a thank you from the partnership.
It will be planted strategically to avoid interference from deer and non-native species ensuring Scots pine will be present in Glen Nevis for the next generation of adventurers.
The project will also involve local schools, where seed nurseries will be set up and the pupils will be involved in nurturing the trees which will be the forests of the future.
This is one of 19 projects forming the five-year, £3.9million Nevis Landscape Partnership Programme, which is aimed at encouraging the public to get involved in the natural and cultural environment of both Ben and Glen Nevis.