It is Scotland's tallest mountain - and one of the most popular, with more than 160,000 climbing it every year.

But walkers heading up Ben Nevis could soon be asked to pay for the privilege.

The conservation body that maintains paths up the mountain is calling for every climber to contribute £1 to its costs.

The Nevis Partnership said the fee was necessary to continue work on the footpath.

Manager Brian Wilshaw said: "Ben Nevis attracts more than 160,000 ascents every year, which means that the access track needs constant maintenance.

"We would like everyone who goes up the Ben to pay just £1, which would secure our future and the future of the maintenance of the Ben track. That small donation would make all the difference."

Two contract teams hired by Nevis Partnership, Highland Conservation Ltd and Upland Contracts Ltd, are currently working on a mile-long section of path more than 2,000ft up the mountain.

Owen Llewellyn, team leader of Highland Conservation Ltd, said: "The old path was unbelievably rough, it was basically a boulder field. It is incredible the gear that some people go up Ben Nevis in, in really inappropriate footwear and clothing. It's crazy. So this path certainly makes it a lot easier.

"We have a lot of positive comments from walkers who are delighted with the new surface, which makes coming down, especially, a lot easier.

"Ben Nevis is hugely popular, so surely people can pay just £1 a time in order to go up this wonderful mountain. It is surely a small price to pay."