FARMERS in Scotland's Environmentally Sensitive Areas are to receive

extra payments for making land available for walking and ''quiet

recreation'' under a voluntary scheme launched yesterday by Scottish

Office Agriculture Minister, Sir Hector Monro.

The scheme, assisted by the EC, will compensate farmers at the rate of

#170 per hectare for establishing new public access to their land.

The scheme will be targeted at land which gives access to a vantage

point, a site of historic interest or which links in with other access

points.

Annual payments will be made for 10-metre-wide access strips alongside

or across fields. Payments will also be made for the erection of gates,

stiles and footbridges. On-site signboards and waymarks will be provided

free of charge.

Farmers will have to maintain free passage over the land and clear up

litter and refuse.