The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has contributed £631,500 towards a £2.26m initiative designed to protect the built and natural heritage of the Ochil Hills, Scotland.

The Ochils Landscape Partnership (OLP) was one of three Scottish schemes to be invited to submit a detailed funding bid to the HLF in 2008 and will benefit more than 20 individual projects. Increased access to the Ochil Hills and improved river water quality are among the aims of the OLP, as well as the restoration of historic buildings across the area.

EDF Energy; Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust; Clackmannanshire Council; and the Clackmannanshire and Stirling Environment Trust have also contributed funding. Eddie Carrick, the council's sustainability portfolio holder and chair of the OLP steering group, said: "This is fantastic news and is the culmination of many years of hard work and commitment by all the partners involved.

"This is a very exciting project which will not only conserve the natural, cultural and built heritage of the Ochils, but bring economic, educational and social benefits to the people of Clackmannanshire and attract visitors to the area."