A group of people living in a village on the shores of Loch Ness yesterday became partners in running a woodland set among spectacular scenery.

The group from Drumnadrochit officially signed a deal to help the Government's Forest Enterprise manage the nearby Craigmony woodlands, for the purposes of ''recreation, conservation and education''.

MP Charles Kennedy was on hand, as the deal was signed with the Craigmony Woodland Association in the woods themselves.

Four years ago the area was scheduled to be sold off as part of the Government's ''disposals policy'' for assets of the then Forestry Commission. Forest Enterprise's district manager Malcolm Wield said that the agency had decided to hold on to the asset, due to the ''keen interest and enthusiasm shown by the local community''.