The Scottish Executive is understood to be redrawing the boundaries of the proposed Cairngorms National Park following a storm of protest.

The boundaries were originally drawn up by Scottish Natural Heritage, but they were redrawn by the executive to make it smaller.

Campaigners complained that mountains and villages were split in two by the plans.

The Scottish Parliament's rural affairs committee urged ministers to review the limits again to include a wider area.

'Little geographical sense'

An announcement on the final shape and size of the park is expected next week.

The proposals have been a source of controversy since last May, when the executive opted to exclude any places which fell into Angus or Perth and Kinross.

It now appears that parts of Angus are back on the drawing board, although Perth and Kinross may still be left out.

Critics said the executive's preferred boundary made little geographical sense.

The executive said that the boundaries would be adjusted where the case has been well made.

Mike Rumbles, the MSP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, has campaigned for the bigger park.

He said he was delighted if the executive was moving on the boundaries.

He added that they should include both the Perthshire hills and the Angus glens.