Loch Ness mountain bike trails approved by councillors

Councillors have approved plans for 15 miles (24km) of new mountain bike trails near the Loch Ness village of Fort Augustus.

Glendoe Ltd has also proposed building a centre, café, 40 motorhome pitches and eight huts for holiday accommodation.

The development would be sited on an area of Borlum Hill and the ruins of a former farmstead.

Highland Council officers had recommended that planning permission should be granted.

The project, called Ride Ness, was considered by Highland Council's south planning applications committee.

The motion to grant permission was proposed by Aird and Loch Ness Green councillor Chris Ballance and seconded by Highland Independent councillor David Fraser.

Ballance said he welcomed the "major tourist development" but wanted to ensure planning conditions dealt with potential light pollution from the site.

Fraser raised concerns around the need for early signage for the site on the single track Ardachy Road, but he said he was ultimately happy to grant consent.

Parking, a bike wash area and children's play park have also been proposed.

Separately, Glendoe Ltd plans to create new woodland near the trails.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Olivia Andrews.