Donald Mackenzie of Glenelg at work on the path. Photo: Chris Goodman

Workers on a remote Hebridean site have walked hundreds of miles during a four-month project to repair a footpath.

The John Muir Trust said the team has battled gale-force winds and driving rain to complete the restoration of the path between Sligachan and Loch Coruisk on the Isle of Skye.

The work is the first phase of the scheme on the trust-owned land. The charity hopes to begin the second part of the work later this year, further down the glen towards Sligachan, along with continuing path repairs and maintenance on Blàbheinn, Quinag, Sandwood Bay, the Steall Gorge, Ben Nevis and Schiehallion.

Chris Goodman, John Muir Trust footpath officer, said the team was employed by Arran Footpaths. “Full praise to Donald MacKenzie from Glenelg and his team who battled through the wettest Scottish winter on record to get the work on schedule,” he said.

“At least the final week brought sunshine, blue skies and circling eagles, so the guys will take away memories of the good days as well as the tough times.

“As well as benefiting the landscape and its fragile plant life, this work will also hopefully support the local community by encouraging more people to visit, and indeed return, to this dramatic glen amid the towering peaks of the Cuillin.”

The workers have shifted 140 tonnes of stone by hand in the refurbishment of 340m of footpath on Druim Hain. They have also constructed six cross-drains and 12 water bars, transplanted and landscaped a 750 sq metre area of vegetation, and established 170m of revetment – sloping structures to contain erosion.

The trust said donations to its Wild Ways Path Fund are essential for works such as this. A John Muir Trust spokesperson said it was also grateful to the Brown Forbes Memorial Fund, the Scottish Mountaineering Trust, the Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust, the Hugh Fraser Foundation, the Kestrelman Trust and the Alan Evans Memorial Trust for their help.