VILLAGERS from Ballingry and Lochore have a new path to tread to visit the Sleeping Giant.

The official opening of a link between Fife and Perth & Kinross, over Benarty Hill to Loch Leven, took place on Friday.

The aim is to encourage people to enjoy the great outdoors and there’s a weekend of celebration to help visitors explore the new trail.

The new path is approximately one and a half miles long and links the Fife Core Path Network to the Loch Leven Heritage Trail, via RSPB Scotland’s Loch Leven nature reserve and Benarty Hill, known locally as the Sleeping Giant.

It provides access to the loch, a National Nature Reserve, for communities in West Fife, especially Ballingry and Lochore, which are the closest communities.

George Lawrie, director of the Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership (LLLP), said: “Within the partnership, we knew that it was vital to create a link between Falkland Palace, Lochore Meadows, Loch Leven and the Lomond and Benarty hills and to help people get back out on the hills and closer to nature.

"This path has filled that missing link and offers something for everyone whether it’s exercising, the archaeological interest of the lime workings, the views or the wildlife.”

The new path climbs steeply through pretty woodland into the heather-clad hill tops and provides the best views of the loch, the Ochil and Lomond hills before it leaves RSPB Scotland’s reserve.

A new short (350m) all-access trail was also constructed on RSPB Scotland’s reserve, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the woodland and encounter the wildlife that lives there.

Stuart Housden, RSPB director for Scotland, said: “We are pleased to have been part of this partnership project which has seen a second community path built on the reserve as well providing an all-access trail where grown-ups and children alike can get up close to some of the woodland wildlife that lives there.

"We hope it encourages many more local families to come and take advantage of the nature on their doorsteps.

"We are also eager to continue to work with partners to improve connectivity between this new path and the Loch Leven Heritage Trail."

The official opening was attended by Alex Rowley MSP, member for Mid Scotland and Fife and Scottish Labour deputy leader, and representatives from Benarty Community Council.

The path project was carried out by Tracks for the Living Lomonds Landscape Partnership, which is administered by the Fife Coast & Countryside Trust.

Councillor Willie Robertson, chair of Tracks, said, "We live in a beautiful part of Scotland and this new path will allow more people to enjoy it whilst at the same time improving their health and their understanding and appreciation of our environment.

"Tracks are now looking forward to assisting with the creation of a new underpass under the B9097 which will give much better access from the heritage trail to RSPB Scotland Loch Leven and the path onwards to Lochore Meadows."

Locals and visitors are encouraged to discover the new hill trail for themselves at a weekend celebration on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July from 10.30am until 3pm.

There will be opportunities to see chainsaw woodcarving in action as new sculptures are created at the start of the new path, discover the wildlife of Loch Leven and find out about upcoming projects.

On Sunday morning at 10.30am local historian David Munro will be leading a guided walk up the new hill trail, places are limited and should be booked through the LLLP website.

There are also drop-in activities including mini-beast hunting and den building all weekend and the chance to take part in special summer holiday challenges, which are free. For more information call 01577 862355 or email lochleven@rspb.org.uk.