A START and finish monument for the Arran Coastal Way will be officially opened by Scottish walks legend Cameron McNeish next month.

The project, which is mainly funded by the Coastal Communities Fund, is now 18 months into a two-year plan of upgrade works, route improvements and new signage and waymarking.

And who better than Mr McNeish, who officially opened the Arran Coastal Way in March 2003, to perform the ceremony on Wednesday, December 9.

The monument is sited on the seafront in Brodick, near the ferry terminal.

A spokesman for the group said: “Cameron McNeish is the voice and recognised face of walking in Scotland and we are indebted to him for sparing the time to visit Arran and for returning to open the monument for us.”

The plinth of the monument is made up of stones from around the island, and features a copper topography of Arran as well as four tactile rubbing discs of Arran wildlife. Benches made from local Sannox larch wood around the inside and outside of the structure allow people to sit and look at the view.

It is also hoped that the route will gain recognition as one of Scotland’s Great Trails, as designated by Scottish Natural Heritage.

The Arran Coastal Way start/finish monument is sited on the seafront in Brodick, near to the ferry terminal.

The route started as a dream by two local men, Hugh McKerrell and Dick Sim.

A supporters and volunteers group was formed and after many years of hard work, the Arran Coastal Way was officially opened by Mr McNeish in March 2003.

Both Mr McKerrell and Mr Sim have sadly died, but their legacies lives on. The opening ceremony will be followed by a presentation at The Douglas Hotel and a site visit to view a special stretch of route built by the Footpath Team.