A major funding appeal has been launched to halt path erosion on a popular mountain in the 'Arrochar Alps'.

Ben Vane, west of Loch Lomond, attracts hundreds of people every year, but the summit path is badly eroded.

Even at lower levels, the route is boggy and causes difficulty for walkers.

Now a major appeal has been launched to raise £100,000 to tackle erosion and restore footpaths on Ben Vane and also on Beinn a Ghlo in the southern Cairngorms - two of Scotland's favourite Munros.

Campaigners hope to hit their target over the next eight months by encouraging the nation’s hillwalkers to donate a small amount, whether that be the value of a new pair of hiking socks or a new bobble hat.

Mountaineering Scotland and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS) are jointly leading the Scottish part of this UK-wide campaign which is supporting one project in each of Scotland’s two national parks.

‘Mend Our Mountains’ will enable vital path work to restore the ascent routes and surrounding habitat on the two Scottish mountains.

The move coincides with increasing demand for access to Scotland’s hills and mountains.

With pressure on public funding for countryside services and access maintenance in many areas, campaigners say there is a growing need for hill goers to contribute towards repairs and improvements to safeguard mountain access for themselves and future generations, especially in well-loved and well-used locations.

David Gibson, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mountaineering Scotland, said: “More and more people are taking to the hills, enjoying our wonderful landscapes and the health and wellbeing benefits hillwalking brings, but increased use has an impact on the mountains.

“Path building and restoration projects on more popular routes such as Ben Vane and Beinn a’Ghlo aren’t aimed at making life easier for walkers.

"These are important conservation projects which will prevent further erosion and help to protect the hills for future generations.

“Hillwalking isn’t necessarily an expensive activity and many people want to find ways to put something back into the mountains.

"We’re not asking for great amounts. If everyone gave just a little we’d be able to reach that £100,000 target to complete this vital work.”

Meanwhile, Dougie Baird, CEO of OATS, said the combination of Scotland’s cold, wet windy weather, steep hillsides, friable soil and fragile vegetation cover made the upland areas particularly susceptible to erosion from even a relatively small number of users.

He added: "Intervention is necessary to ensure that continued access to these areas is not at the expense of the habitat and landscape which makes them special and attractive places to visit.

"But maintaining these routes takes money and so we are asking people to dig deep and support the Mend our Mountains campaign.”

Donations to the campaign so far have ranged from a four-figure sum from a widower whose wife was a dedicated hillwalker to contributions from among Scotland’s many mountaineering clubs.

Mountaineering Scotland members have been mobilising their friends, family and work colleagues to get involved. One teacher from a school in Musselburgh with a historic connection to Beinn a Ghlo and a strong tradition of hillwalking and wilderness activities is planning a range of fundraising events, including taking his pupils on a walk up the Cairngorm peak.

You can find out more about the Scottish Mend Our Mountains projects with videos highlighting the access problems and solutions on each mountain and how you can help at: www.mountaineering.scot/mend-our-mountains