Major improvements are underway at Britain's longest dry ski slope, the Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend in the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh.

Funding issues at the centre led to the threat of closure in 2010, but widespread public support and a large pot of money from Sportscotland and the Scottish Government have led instead to its refurbishment.

The improvements, due for completion in September this year, include: an additional 210m slope on the hill; 60m of new nursery slope with new safer ski matting; extension and improvement work to the existing nursery slopes; 240m of new snowtubing runs; and installation of two new travellator uplift systems.

Midlothian Council, which owns and runs Hillend, has worked closely on the plans with an expert team of designers. The developments are intended to improve the skiing experience for beginners as well as regular skiers and snowboarders.