The 50th UK-government-funded 4G mast has been switched on in Scotland.

These masts are providing signal in some of the country's hardest-to-reach communities.

Scotland presents some of the UK's toughest mobile coverage challenges, with a rural landscape, remote islands, scattered communities and mountainous terrain. This makes improving mobile signal more complex and costly than elsewhere. Scotland is the least connected of the UK's four nations.

UK Government funded upgrades are now providing 4G coverage from all four mobile network operators across more than 1,900 sq km of rural Scotland. This has been delivered through the Shared Rural Network, a partnership between the UK Government and mobile network operators to improve mobile signal in rural areas across Great Britain.

The 50th mast was activated near the remote West Highland settlement of Branault on the Ardnamurchan peninsula.

Almost all of the upgrades are to existing masts to protect Scotland’s natural beauty.

UK telecoms minister Liz Lloyd said: "Scotland’s mountains, islands and remote rural communities have made it one of the hardest places in the UK to deliver reliable mobile coverage – but our investment is helping to change that.

"By switching on dozens more 4G masts through the Shared Rural Network, we are tackling long-standing blackspots and giving more people across rural Scotland the coverage they need to stay in touch, run businesses and get help in an emergency."

Kirsty McNeill, UK Government Minister for Scotland said: "Reaching 50 UK Government-funded masts in Scotland is a milestone for rural communities who have put up with poor or non-existent mobile signal for too long.

"From the islands of Arran, Islay and Jura to the Trossachs and beyond, this investment is making a practical difference to people’s lives, whether that’s running a business, keeping in touch with loved ones, or getting help quickly in an emergency.

"The Shared Rural Network is delivering for Scotland, and we’re not stopping here."