A GROUP of volunteers who came together to restore, revive and protect woodland areas are celebrating after a milestone path opening.

West Fife Woodlands, which was formed 11 years ago, were joined by Provost Jim Leishman, councillor Bobby Clelland and members of the public to officially open a walking route to Devilla Forest on Saturday.

Its completion marked the final connecting part of a network of walks that the group have made accessible to the public, with the help of funding from organisations such as Fife Environmental Trust, Forward West Fife and Paths for All.

Having already created paths from Valleyfield to Blairhall, and on to Balgownie Woods, work to connect Devilla Forest was completed in August and group chair, Stan Welch, said: “This is the culmination of years of effort in creating what is an almost entirely off-road series of paths suitable for walkers, cyclists, horses and pushchairs.

“It’s hard to believe the first 100 metres of this path were so under water at all times of the year that you could sink over the top of your wellies!

"I would like to thank all of the group members past and present who have, in whatever capacity, helped the completion of the West Fife Woodland Way, for which we can all be justly proud.”

In 2016, the group, which organise events throughout the year, including the Valleyfield Woodland Park Snowdrop Festival Walks, were highly commended in the Scottish Finest Woods Awards held at the Royal Highland Show.