MILE MARKERS which were put in place for Queen Victoria’s visit to open Loch Katrine as a water resource in 1859 have been given a facelift.

Staff of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and volunteers worked on the eight markers between Aberfoyle and Stronachlachar.

The idea came from the local community and the national park agreed to help.

Area access officer Kenny Auld consulted Historic Scotland to ensure the correct materials were used.

Several of the markers— made by Grangemouth Ironworks—are listed ‘buildings.’

A team of volunteers led by ranger Craig Walker spent over 150 man hours in all sorts of weather cleaning and painting them, and revealing their distinctive style.

Louis Stott, local resident and member of Strathard Path Group, said, “The re-painting of the cast-iron mileposts within the national park demonstrates concern for a very distinctive local element in the roadscape.

“They are an important reminder of past times and, together with toll houses, recall an era of post horses and coaches when distances had to be accurately calculated.

“They survived into the motoring era but were sometimes considered in-appropriate, and many have been lost.”

More mile markers are due for a makeover soon.

It is hoped that, in future, the project will link in with mile markers beyond the park boundary.