This will provide a safe, segregated, comfortable option for those walking and cycling and marks the creation of another link in the chain of a safe route between Inverness and Beauly.

Strath Civil Engineering Ltd has been awarded the contract and work is expected to start on Monday 23 October 2023.

Minister for active travel Patrick Harvie said: “I’m pleased to see work begin on a new section of the active travel path between Inverness and Beauly. Over £600,000 pounds from the Scottish Government will make this route easier and more accessible to use than before.

“This is all part of our Active Travel Transformation programme, where local authorities have been bidding into our £20 million fund this year. This is a new model of delivery for our council partners, aiming to make it faster and simpler to realise their ambitious active travel infrastructure projects. For our health, wellbeing and climate, the Scottish Government has committed to invest £320m into active travel to bring about similar improvements across the country.”

Councillor Ken Gowans, chair of The Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said: “Walking and cycling brings many benefits and is an excellent investment in our communities and environment. Highland Council is committed to making it easier for everyone to incorporate active travel choices into their daily routines. We also recognise the importance of cycle and walking tourism to the local economy, and provision of safe, enjoyable active travel routes will be of great benefit to visitors in this beautiful area.

“We are also working on progressing other sections of this route and will be applying for funding to explore options and progress to detailed design and the contract for the work has been construction.”

Ged Church from the Inverness – Beauly Path Campaign group added: “This new stretch of safe route will be very welcome. There is a steady increase in vehicle traffic on the A862 from tourism and from a general increase in car miles, and an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions from travel. Cycling offers a healthy, cheap, environmentally friendly alternative to driving, and also reduces congestion, making journeys easier for essential car users.”

The path is expected to be completed before Christmas.