August 7 2025

A popular tourist attraction, which had become a victim of its success, has been put back on the right path following a £900k paving project.

Conic Hill in the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park welcomes 200,000 visitors a year, drawn to the area's 'mountain in miniature' stature.

While a significant economic boon the cumulative footfall had caused significant erosion scarring in an area of outstanding beauty. New path infrastructure snakes 1.4km from Balmaha Visitor Centre to the summit, providing walkers with a 2m wide stone stair that encourages visitors to stick to the designated route.

Ryan Hamilton of Hamilton Construction said: "When Hamilton’s took over works in late 2023, we undertook an uphill task of navigating through a hillside known for its challenging terrain and addressing significant erosion scars. We have endured all types of weather, from temperatures as low as minus 10c to the blistering heat of peak summer, to complete almost 900m of the new path, of which we are immensely proud."

Over 2,000 tonnes of stone was sourced from Dumbarton for the project, with contractors employing the traditional art of stone pitching to lay out the path in the manner of a dry stone wall laid flat.

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