A life-saving defibrillator will be placed in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, thanks to a former hotel owner and her patrons.

Lucy Fraser – who previously owned the guest house Ben Lomond Cottage in Rowardennan – raised £1,000 to fund the project primarily through her guests who donated over the years.

The defibrillator will be placed beside the Ben Lomond footpath and West Highland Way in the village.

She said: “This is a very popular visitor destination, with a growing number of walking enthusiasts tramping along the West Highland Way or climbing Ben Lomond.

“I was keen to improve public safety with the provision of a life-saving defibrillator here, as the nearest ones are some distance away at Balmaha and Inversnaid.

“I was delighted with the amazing response from my previous guests who reacted so quickly to my online funding appeal and made very generous donations to help with the purchase a defibrillator.”

Charity Friends of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs added a £750 top up donation to the fund, making a total £1,750 and helping complete the project.

The cash came from the Friends of OUR park scheme, which allows participating businesses around the loch to raise funds for the charity by donating a portion of their sales.

The friends appointed Trossachs Search and Rescue to purchase and install the defibrillator.

Chair of the charity, James Fraser, said: "I have nothing but praise for Lucy, who has taken the initiative to raise funds for a lifesaving defibrillator at such a busy outdoor recreation spot at the foot of Ben Lomond which is remote from the nearest hospital.

“We were pleased to support this initiative and it is great that Trossachs Search and Rescue have agreed to regularly maintain the defibrillator, along with dozens of others.

“[This] is helping to make the National Park a safer place for the millions of visitors who annually enjoy the special scenic qualities of the area.’’

Ben Lomond is one of the UK's most popular hill climbs, seeing over 40,000 visitors every year.

Around 35,000 people take on the 96-mile West Highland Way between Milngavie and Fort William - and passes by Rowardennan - per year.

For more info on the Friends of OUR Park scheme and how to get involved, visit: www.lochlomondtrossachs.org.uk/our-park.