Speaking at the annual Border Visions conference, Ross confirmed that Ł7.4 million would be used to improve path networks and their management.

The investment, announced in the 2002 Scottish budget, will support improved access rights under the Land Reform Scotland Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament.

The Border Visions-Rural Renaissance Conference at Hexham in Northumberland is considering the future of rural communities following last year’s foot-and-mouth outbreak.

FOOT AND MOUTH TERRIBLE COST

Ross Finnie said: "Foot and Mouth brought home the terrible cost of a closed countryside. Significant damage to the economies of farming communities on both sides of the border was exacerbated by the fact that visitors were advised not to travel to the countryside to avoid spreading further the disease.

"While much must be done to ensure all of the lessons from that tragedy are learned, one positive outcome has been the way the Scottish Executive was able to work with local communities to bring the disease under control and begin the work of recovery.

"Looking forward, the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will give a right of responsible access, providing people with greater confidence to visit the Scottish countryside. "Critical to the success of these new access provisions, is the availability of good path networks across the length and breadth of Scotland, including in the south of Scotland.

"Our commitment throughout the recent Scottish budget was to deliver opportunity and growth to all of Scotland’s communities. The additional resources we have announced to improve the path networks and their management will help to open Scotland’s countryside further.

"This investment, together with legislation we are taking forward, is creating new economic opportunities for rural communities and delivering a better rural Scotland."